The Club was founded in 1887 at Seaford Head on what is now the course of Seaford Head GC our sister Club.  The Seaford Club moved to its present Blatchington location using a new course designed by J H Taylor. When opened in 1907 it had a length of 5,814 yards and a bogey of 81.  Now it is 6,546 yards par 69 and the SSS is 71.  The Club History gives a full and fascinating account of the first one hundred years from 1887. 

Here are a few facts and anecdotes from the very early years illustrating the changing times:

• Second in the second monthly medal in March 1888 was J F Farncombe with a score of 131-40-91.  His handicap was cut to 15 by the end of the season.  By contrast he just beat G B Johnson in the same medal who scored 93-Scr-93.  Some interesting conversations about handicaps I imagine!
• A long driving competition in 1893 was won with a drive of 199 yards .  This was before the invention of the rubber cored ball in 1904.
• In May 1896 an exhibition match between J H Taylor (Open Champion) and J H Kirkaldy (St Andrews) resulted in a win for JHT – both players had 70’s in the afternoon.  Over the two rounds that day JHT had thirteen 3’s!
• In January 1897 Jack Ross, the Seaford Club professional, was asked to advise on the layout of the Dieppe Golf Club course which opened for play in April!
• In 1897 two Seaford members took part in the Irish Amateur Championship – the weather was exceptionally wet and a hole at the 14^th was in the middle of a small lake.  It is recorded that the ball of Mr. Sydney Fry, a Seaford player off scratch, persisted in floating which hindered it from reaching the bottom of the hole! 
• In April 1898 James Braid visited Seaford to play the new Club professional Jack White in an exhibition match.  Within a few years both had won the Open.

Adapted from the Club History (John H. Walsh O.B.E., B.Sc.)