Temple Golf Club clubhouse could be refurbished to support its ‘long-term viability’ 

The ‘social heart’ of Temple Golf Club could be refurbished to support its long-term viability if the Royal Borough approves the plans.

Temple Golf Club in Henley Road, Hurley dates back to 1909 and covers 58.17 hectares of woodland and golf course. The 18-hole course was designed by two-time Open champion Willie Park Jr.

Temple Holdings Limited has submitted plans to the Royal Borough to improve the golf club’s clubhouse.

The club has around 870 members, but many of them are older and have a ‘growing need’ for better accessibility, the application said.

“The clubhouse is the social heart of the club, hosting dining, functions, lectures and training. The proposals improve its flexibility and support its long-term viability,” plans said.

Minor works inside the clubhouse have started to ‘open up and improve this offering’.

Refurbishment works are also planned over the next two years to build on the recent work.

Over 2025 and 2026, bay windows were replaced, and a wall parallel to the existing bar was removed, which was the ‘first step’ towards a more flexible ground floor, plans said.

The existing changing rooms and entry corridors were also overhauled to create a bathroom.

If the Royal Borough approves the current plans, further refurbishments could be carried out.

“The proposed change to the [floor] plan would open up the bar area visually, while giving the club additional flexibility for vital catered events,”  plans said.

After the initial work around the bar area, it became ‘increasingly apparent’ that this is no longer fit for purpose, they added.

“Limited-service space poorly reflects the high cover capacity of the restaurant, particularly during events.”

The entrance to the restaurant and bar area of the clubhouse is ‘dark and visually separate’ from the course because of a capped chimney stack.

So, the redundant chimney stack would be removed as part of the current proposals to better integrate the bar into the open plan of the clubhouse.

The existing terrace, which is ‘heavily stepped’, will be replaced with a paved terrace instead and a canopy that would offer outdoor seating all year round as well as shading and wind and rain protection.

The steps inside the clubhouse would be removed, and a mechanical platform lift would be installed to allow wheelchairs to access the full interior dining area.

The clubhouse’s flat roof would be refreshed with external insulation because the current roofed extension has uninsulated infill panels.