The Sandeman family – well known for their historic port and sherry business – owned significant land and two large holiday residences on the island, providing a retreat from their main homes in London. It was Fleetwood Sandeman, inspired after being introduced to the growing game of golf at Hoylake by his friend the Rev. J. Cumming Macdona, who led the creation of a 9-hole golf course on seafront land owned by several local residents.
Hayling Island Golfing Club was officially founded on 5 August 1883 at Whinhurst, the home of John Glas Sandeman. Fleetwood became the Club’s first Captain, John Glas Sandeman was appointed Treasurer, and Rev. Macdona served as the first Chairman of the Council. Macdona later announced the Club’s formation—and the arrival of golf on the island—in a published notice in The Field.
Through his connections, John Glas Sandeman collaborated with Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, a noted sculptor with family ties to Queen Victoria, to create a bronze medal and emblem. Designed by John Glas himself, the crest features a classical-style golfer surrounded by dolphins, symbolising the island’s coastal identity. The golfer is depicted in a muscular, Roman – or Athenian -inspired form, wearing a short tunic described as a Norfolk coat.
John Glas also sought a fitting motto, turning to Dr. Edmond Warre, headmaster of Eton College. The chosen phrase, “Palma Paucioribus,” translates from Latin as “The Winner with Fewest”.
The first 9-hole course was laid out by Joseph “The General” Lloyd, a young professional from Hoylake and Pau, with help from ‘stalwart members of the London Scottish Club’. Lloyd served as Hayling’s first Professional before leaving in 1885; he was later succeeded by David Brown of Musselburgh, winner of the 1886 Open Championship. Lloyd himself went on to win the 1897 U.S. Open.
In 1884, Fleetwood Sandeman secured a lease on Sinah Common – then a wild, rabbit-ridden stretch of land – to extend the course. The new holes were designed by Tom Dunn of North Berwick, known for his “penal” style of golf architecture, which used natural dunes and hollows to create a demanding and adventurous layout by playing over and across rather than along.
Around the same time, the Club established Hayling Island Ladies’ Golfing Club to play on the existing 9-hole course. Evidence suggests this move also helped secure the land and protect it from further development.
Hayling Ladies’ Golf Club is recognised as the oldest ladies’ golf club in Hampshire and is believed to be the sixth oldest in the United Kingdom. The daughters of John Glas Sandeman played significant roles in the formation of the club: Maud became the first Lady Captain, while Ella served as both Secretary and Treasurer.
In 1893, pressure from a group reported in The Sandeman Clan as the “Southsea contingent” led to major constitutional changes. At an EGM on 16 May, members approved an agreement with Fleetwood Sandeman for him to sub-lease the land and introduce a rotating Council system – which is still in place today. New rules were adopted from Tooting Bec Golf Club, and Sir William Houldsworth M.P. was elected as the first President in 1895.
As a result of the new constitution, by April 1898, both Sandeman brothers and the original Council stepped down. Colonel John Walker became Captain, William Gann remained Treasurer, and the Club’s name was likely changed to Hayling Golf Club at the same time.
Fleetwood later focused on a new course at Newhaven (now defunct), where he was President by 1906 alongside his friend J.C. Macdona.
Plans for a clubhouse began as early as 1894 to replace John Glas Sandeman’s “tin tabernacle,” but construction did not start until the lease for Sinah Common was fully secured and transferred from Fleetwood Sandeman. Funded through debentures, the first clubhouse was built at a cost of £1,000.
Over the years, numerous extensions were added, and the building grew organically—surviving even the Blitz—until it eventually became too costly and impractical to maintain. The current clubhouse opened in 2002, following a narrowly passed vote at an EGM held at The Hayling School in 2000.
In the 1920s and for many years afterwards, Hayling Golf Club was unusual in having two clubhouses: the main one on site and the Ferry Clubhouse to the west, which served golfers arriving from Eastney by ferry.
In late 1902 an exhibition match between Harry Vardon and James Braid was played and drew crowds from near and far. In order to pay the player’s fees club members were asked to contribute and the Rev. Filmer Bennett gave £10. Vardon at the time was already 3x winner of The Open and had also won the US Open whilst Braid was the reigning Open champion. No record is found of the result.
After Tom Dunn’s death in 1902, the Club turned to three-time Open Champion J.H. Taylor, who made updates in 1905, likely adding around 500 yards to the course. In 1919, Harry Colt was consulted and may have redesigned what is now the 8th hole.
By 1931, with leases expiring on land to the east, the Club brought in the renowned (and unashamedly expensive) Tom Simpson. His work created the 3rd, 5th, and reshaped the 7th and 14th, whilst a new 16th was installed with direction from committee. After WWII, Simpson returned to address military damage to the course, which included losing the Kench hole and major changes to the Widow hole. Some alterations – such as extending the 10th to a par 5 – proved unpopular and were reversed at an EGM in 1950.
Simpson’s work at Hayling was among his final major projects. Today, the Club continues his legacy through architect Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie & Ebert, a specialist in Simpson’s design philosophy.
Hayling has hosted the English Ladies’ Close Championship three times, having first offered the course to the Ladies’ Golfing Union in 1902. Each event attracted the country’s top female golfers and drew impressive crowds.
Over the years, Hayling has welcomed many VIPs to experience its famous links.
Hayling has also been a favourite of golfing legends:
In 2025, Hayling Golf Club partnered with Sogrape, owners of the Sandeman brand, through their UK distributors, Liberty Wine, to celebrate and restore the Club’s historic Sandeman heritage.
Three special oak barrels, engraved with both the Hayling Golf Club and Sandeman crests, now provide a platform for the Founder’s Reserve Port, which is shared with Members and visitors on special occasions. Each glass raised is a tribute to Fleetwood and John Glas Sandeman and their enduring legacy.
