The Society was established in 1932 and the following year became a member of The Livery Companies Golfing Society which organises the Prince Arthur Cup, the most prestigious golf competition in Livery circles.
Our Ethos
The ethos behind the Society is for friendly social occasions with the standard of play being of less importance. Venues are generally well known for the standard of their catering. We have a current circulation list of 34 golfers although only about 15 are regular participants. We have two “meetings” each year at which guests are most welcome and three further events where six to twelve members play. We are particularly proud of our association, since 1997, with No II (AC) Squadron based at RAF Marham (featured in two BBC Antiques Roadshow programmes). We compete for a wide range of Cups, Trophies and Salvers.
May
The Prince Arthur Cup is held at Walton Heath, a former Ryder Cup venue. The format is 36 holes, in teams of 4, on a bogey foursomes basis, using the Old and New Courses. The Company has won the (enormous) Trophy only once in 1977 but came a creditable 5th in 2012 with Liverymen Mark Savill and Adam Walker carding the best pair’s afternoon score on the Old Course.
June
This traditionally takes places at Swinley Forest Golf Club another prestigious venue and with a formidable reputation for the quality of its catering. It is a Harry Colt design of great scenic beauty. Our group is regularly more than 30 players. We play singles in the morning and slightly more erratic foursomes in the afternoon, both on Stableford scoring.
July/August
Match against RAF II (AC) Squadron; between 8 and 12 players per side on a 4-ball better ball matchplay basis. The venue alternates between somewhere local to their Marham base (there is a 9 hole course inside the base) and a course close to London but still reasonably convenient to the Squadron. The Squadron must do something other than war because they seem to win most years against Fan Makers who play golf most weeks. There is a very nice Trophy which has spent an excessive amount of time in East Anglia in recent years. It is a match full of camaraderie and banter greatly enjoyed by all who take part.
September
The autumn meeting took place for many years at New Zealand Golf Club but moved to Woking in 2013, which is a tree lined course with plenty of heather as well and being highly ranked. One advantage of Woking is that the afternoon foursomes can conveniently be played over 14 holes achieving the double benefit of making it less tiring and providing more time for lunch. The morning (full 18) round is played as singles (stableford).
October
The joint livery company day held at The Addington Golf Club was pioneered in 1989 by fellow Fan Maker, Frank Stansil together with Robert Sice of the Fruiterers and Brian Banks of the Carmen. Anything from 4 to 10 Livery Companies take part and the Fruiterers are kind enough to handle the organisation. In 2014 the event was moved to Royal Blackheath Golf Club. The Fan Makers have a good record in this competition and won three years in a row from 2010 to 2012. There must be a minimum of 4 players but there is no upper limit.
November
Our most recent addition is The Dowgate Challenge, organised by the Skinners’ Company. It is an 18 hole Stableford competition held at Worplesdon Golf Club for those Livery Companies with their Hall located in Dowgate Hill. Eligibility has been extended to those Companies with premises in Dowgate Ward. It started some 6 years ago and has been won, once, by the Fan Makers. Up to 9 players from each Company can take part with the best 6 scores being added together to decide the winner.