CHARLES JAMES MORGAN, of Welsh extraction, a wealthy landowner living in Wilmington rented, in 1891, 26 acres of pasture including a cottage and a farmhouse. The former has been diligently renovated and still in use next to the first tee; the other - the Chalet - was used for meetings, drinking, etc., and was the core site of the present clubhouse.
Twenty of those acres were suitable for golf and Mr Morgan is credited with laying out holes to play with his cronies. Together they formed the Dartford Golf Club on 3rd January 1897 - the 14th oldest in Kent. Our founder remained Chairman and President until 1923.
By early 1899 nine holes were in use and the men wore club uniform of red jackets with green flashings; 12 holes were operational in 1906 achieved by leasing extra fields owned by local landlords - sometimes only after much haggling. Charles' vision and tenacity helped, in no small measure, by his committee, had produced 16 holes by 1924.
The acres were maintained by part-time gardeners and sheep to "keep the grass down". During the 1920s the club was soundly managed with future planning uppermost in the minds of serving officials and in 1930 became a limited company. Although depression was now evident everywhere membership actually increased in the 30s; there was also a first addition/extension and in 1936 James Braid was commissioned to redesign an extended layout after the committee had leased yet more land.
Planning work was agreed and nine holes were left in play with a yardage of 3599. Land given over to agriculture for the war effort meant that Braid's 18-hole course was not adopted until 1951. Also, in 1936, a formidable lady Mrs Temple-Johnson, wife of a prominent member, had purchased some of the land and some houses were built.
It was indicative of the to-ing and fro-ing of leasing of land on which the course stood. Incidentally, the ladies have had a very significant input to the membership since the beginning in 1897.
Braid's course lasted only until 1967 because throughout the 1960s threats of land loss, particularly for the A2 trunk road, materialised and 9 1/2 acres of 78 was swallowed up. However, the legacy of foresight and prudence of Charles Morgan was steadfastly maintained by directors: they had negotiated in 1960 (10 years before it was due) a lease until 1995, at a very modest rent.
Better still behind-the-scenes negotiations were taking place to buy the freehold now owned by the niece of the aforementioned Mrs Temple-Johnson. Building permission had been refused and Mrs Hope-Wright agreed to the sale of the land and on 24th March, 1972 the freehold was purchased for £17,000 - some £5,000 below the original asking price.
So, the Club could move on: a new sprinkler system; a rebuilt and modernised clubhouse finally opened in 1979 after much volatile argument at EGMs. The scheme, 50% up on original estimates, was financed by debenture - later repaid to those who so desired - bank loans and club reserves.
Then in 1986 the sequence of holes was changed to produce a more balanced course. A century of golf on Dartford Heath was celebrated in 1991 and the centenary of the Club (the sole one in Kent) was commemorated throughout the whole of 1997. The Club, through careful management, is still moving forward: watering system updated, subtle changes to the golf course and a recent alteration to the Clubhouse.