THE LONDON SCOTTISH GOLF CLUB
The History from 1865 to 2005

John Downs, a local golfer, has researched and writen a book
about the history of one of the UK’s oldest golf clubs,
The London Scottish Golf Club - located on Wimbledon Common.
The club funded publication of the book with money raised through various events by the members, in particular past Captain
Stewart Petty from his marathon 6 rounds in one day.
John Downs was born and educated in South London, and now lives in East Sheen. On leaving school he trained as a Commercial Artist, attending classes at the London College of Printing. He went on to set up and run a successful art studio for many years, servicing several well-known blue chip companies.
As the design industry switched from ‘drawing board’ to computer, 
John retrained as a Mac artworker, producing everything from packaging
to web sites - which he continues to do today.
John’s enthusiasm for golf began in his early 20’s. He joined the London Scottish Golf Club in 1989 and was elected onto the Committee in 1993.
Four years later, in 1997, he was invited to become the clubs captain - a role he felt honoured to accept and delighted to fulfill.
John had always had a keen interest in history. The clubs archives were to stimulate this and a desire to research the clubs past - a past that stretches back to Victorian times. What started as idle curiosity soon developed into a passion as more and more information, articles and stories came to light.
An initial plan to produce a booklet, similar to that printed in 1990 for the clubs 125th Anniversary, soon grew to book size proportions, some 350 pages
It became more a question of what to leave out, than what could be included. It was John’s expertise as an artworker coupled with his artistic flair, that enabled him to not only research and compile the information, but also to design and put each page together, including the many photographs and illustrations.
The result is a fascinating book that includes stories about the clubs
formation and early years, the Commons and the Village, the War Years with the clubs near collapse and revival, and the creation of Wimbledon Common Golf Club with whom the club shares the course.
Written primarily for the members of the club, it is a fascinating book that would be of interest to anyone who shares a love of golf and its history.
A limited number of hardback and paperback copies are for sale and anyone interested in buying one should contact the club secretary
Mr Steve Barr Telephone: (020 8789 1207) Email:secretary.lsgc@btconnect.com