How Dunscar began
On 5 August 1908 a meeting was called in the parish schoolroom of nearby Walmsley Church to form a golf club. The Reverend Atkinson took the chair and J. Higginson of Slaters Bleachworks acted as secretary, with Colonel Slater and Colonel Hesketh among the early supporters.
Laid out by a St Annes professional
G. Lowe, the professional at St Annes, surveyed the ground and confirmed it would carry a full 18-hole layout. The club started with nine holes — two guineas for gentlemen, one for ladies — and by Christmas 1908 membership had already reached 41 gentlemen and 31 ladies. A pavilion went up by May 1909 and a clubhouse the year after.
Renovated, extended, and still growing
The clubhouse was substantially renovated in 1964, with new locker rooms and a lounge extension following in 1971. In 2007 the club created the Centenary Lounge, with its extensive views across the stunning 1st and 18th holes. Today Dunscar has more than 300 members and remains, as regulars will tell you, one of Bolton's best-kept secrets.