Golf was first played in Dunstable in 1895. A few enthusiasts, mainly connected with Dunstable School, had their own small private club on a 9-hole course in The Park behind the school. As with many historic courses at that time, the course was rather rudimentary in design, construction and maintenance. Despite the conditions being somewhat primitive it is also clear from reading press articles from the day just how popular the game was and would become. The standard of play was so high that this small club held its own in matches with larger and more prestigious clubs. With demand for play growing, and when the land in the centre of town was required for other purposes, these early pioneers looked around and sought ways and means not only of continuing their small association, but of endeavouring to draw support from the immediate neighbourhood.