The History (1907 to date)

Our roots are old with perhaps the Vikings being the first to inhabit and play on our land, who knows?  The word Thorp(e) has its roots in Norwegian, meaning 'bay'.  The Saxons used the word to describe a village or hamlet.  What is known is that the Domesday Book of 1086 contains details of a Thorpe Hall Farm and the Manor of Thorpe was owned by a 'Theign' or friend of the Royal Household of Edward the Confessor.

The Thorpe Hall, now our clubhouse goes back to Elizabethan times and is built on the site of the farm house.  Our Club was founded in 1907 from land leased from the farmer and was converted into an 18 hole Golf Course.  In 1912 the course was described as being, "on fine old meadow pasture, the turf being excellent.  The hazards consist of ditches, ponds, whins and artificial bunkers."   Nothing changes!

In 1931 a handbook on Southend-on-Sea records: "At first glance, this seaside course appears easy, as Harry Vardon thought when he started out in a final some years ago.  After taking a 7 at the first (a par 4) and a 7 at the second (also a par 4), he changed his mind and wrote an article about the false impression Thorpe Hall gives"!

Our Club kept going during the First World war, but was closed during the Second World War with the fairways being dug up to prevent troop carrying aircraft from landing.  We even had our own Dad's Army from amongst our members.  No doubt they would have collected green fees if the enemy had landed!