Captain: Pat Crace; Ladies Captain: Elspeth Williams; Veterans Captain: Gerald Pearson

Established in 1968, Forrester Park is an 18-hole, par 71 course of 6,073 yards set in undulating parkland in the Essex countryside commanding some beautiful views across the River Blackwater. With accuracy more important than distance, judgement more important than strength and the amateur golfer more in mind than the professional golfer, it is a traditional 'club' course. There is a separate 10-acre practice ground, a well-known Professional - Gary Pike - and a clubhouse with full facilities for golfers.

Forrester Park is a proprietory club and runs on traditional club membership lines. There is a full programme of fixtures, from the formal Essex County competitions to the casual summer Wednesday evening 9 holes and matches which involve non-golfers. There is also an active social side.

Forrester Park golf members also benefit from preferential greenfees at The Burstead, Channels, Warley Park and The Warren golf clubs.

The club captain heads a main committee and there are three other main sections - Ladies, Veterans and Juniors - each with its own captain and committee (further details below).

My favourite hole is the 12th!

Tim Forrester-Muir, Proprietor

The separate 10-acre practice ground is home to the Gary Pike School of Golf.
Further information from Gary's website: www.garypike.co.uk

Our membership has no joining fee. Subscriptions can be paid on a monthly instalment basis or annually in advance. The prices, given below, are for new members for one year from join date.

* We offer a loyalty discount on all these traditional style memberships, with a 2.5% discount after one year, 5% after two up to 12.5% after five years.".

Not sure whether you want to take up golf? Try our NOVICE GOLFER package which includes 10 lessons, off-peak membership for 3 months, use of practise ground etc. Just £295. Phone us on 01621 891406 for more information.

Prices are for one year from joining date and include Golf Union fees and VAT.

Full membership during period/times stated, reduced greenfees at other times, except when the tee is booked for club competitions, notably Tuesday morning (Ladies morning), Wednesday morning (Vets morning) and Sunday morning (club competition).

Monthly instalments are payable through the Fairway Credit scheme on all types of membership. Prices are correct at time of printing.

Our full members, many of whom play at the weekend, enjoy the competitive side and the social golf. On Saturday mornings from dawn until 12 o'clock the tees are reserved for members and guests. The men's section play competitions on Sundays throughout the year. We are currently averaging around 70 players for these competitions, all of whom have handicaps; these competitions are for golfers of all standards. Our Sundays are competitive but light-hearted as well and always finish with a relaxing drink at the 19th. We would welcome any new members to join in and be a part of the section, which also has in its diary friendlies, guest days and a Wednesday night swindle. We also take part in all the Essex County Golf competitions through the year. On every Bank Holiday Monday there is a mixed competition. Also, through the summer, we play supper matches on a Friday evening, which enables you to bring your partner or child to take part. Our members enjoy many social events throughout the year. They vary from the Captains' Ball to Dinner Dances, Race Nights and Casino Nights. Pat Crace, Captain.

The Ladies' Section has approximately 100 members, with an average of 50 ladies playing on a Tuesday morning. Competitions are held on Saturday mornings for working ladies. There is a variety of competitions, including inter-section competitions, and the ladies compete in County competitions. The Seven-Day Lady Golfer is entitled to play at all times other than Sunday morning, when the main club competition takes place. They must have a maximum handicap of 36 to play in competitions. All new lady members are welcomed by the Ladies Section and encouraged to obtain a handicap. It is a very friendly and active section which has grown in strength over the past few years. Numerous social events are held throughout the year and every encouragement is given to new members to integrate into the section. Any type of membership can be held by Ladies, including those where greenfees are payable. Elspeth Williams, Lady Captain

The present strength of this section is in the region of 110, made up of both Seven and Five Day male members over the age of 55. Veterans don't have to be great golfers to enjoy their game, but you will need a handicap. They meet on Wednesday mornings, playing most of the traditional competitions, from Medal to Summer Knock-Outs and Winter Leagues. These are complemented by inter-club matches played on a Home and Away basis. There are also mixed competitions during Bank Holidays, plus a number of inter-section matches when lunch or dinner may follow. Any type of membership can be held by Veterans. Gerald Pearson, Veterans Captain

The Junior Members have competitions on Saturdays. The Juniors are organised by Roland and Lynda Hughes and Ian Kendrick, all of whom strongly encourage them in the rules and etiquette of the game - and to play every single day of the holidays! Training sessions are also organised, along with Home and Away fixtures and attendance at Open meetings. Potential Junior Members are required to be interviewed prior to joining. Please contact the Club on 01621 891406 to arrange this with a junior organiser. Lynda and Roland Hughes, Junior Organisers

Forrester Park welcomes societies all year round and bookings are taken from 7.30am on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays and after midday on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Download our Golf Societies info pack by clicking here.

Forrester Park has a fully licensed bar, ample parking, practice range and golf shop. Also available: alternative menus; private room; nearest the pin markers; longest drive markers; starters and scorers; golf buggies; special prizes; spot prizes; birthday and celebration prizes; wine list; selection of wines, beers and lagers at the bar; hire of towels; transport home.

Here are some letters received from societies playing at Forrester Park:

"..please thank all your staff for their friendly hospitality and on providing a superb meal. Also congratulations to Roland and his Greenstaff on the excellent presentation of the golf course, which could not have been easy given the difficult weather conditions we have all endured this year. All credit to your team and hope we will see you once again in the near future." (British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association)

"...The course was in fine condition and the food was superb. Please pass on our thanks to your various staff members who contributed to our enjoyment. We will certainly recommend Forrester Park to other golf societies and I'm sure it will not be too long before we return."

"...The structure and condition of the course, the courtesy of your members and staff and food provided were excellent, and we would thoroughly recommend your venue to friends or other societies. We look forward to visiting you once again, in the near future."

"...As the organiser it was myself who made the necessary arrangements and the numerous telephone conversations and, it has to be said, that whoever I spoke with was always most polite and helpful... Can't imagine that you get too many letters of complaint but then again it's too easy to say nothing when everybody is happy."

"...All the players commented on what a great time they had and how they were looking forward to another day at Forrester Park sometime in the near future... We found the course in excellent condition and considering the terrible spring weather earlier this year it was obvious that a lot of hard work had gone into bringing the grounds back to the high standards we have come to expect. It was nice to feel looked after in such a professional yet friendly manner. We all look forward to playing at Forrester Park again sometime soon."

"Just dropping you a line thanking yourself and all your staff in making our golf day a very enjoyable and successful day. Almost all spoken to remarked on the good condition of the course, and the excellent barbecue, cooked in near monsoon conditions. Looking forward to playing Forrester Park again in the near future."