Clive Smith, a qualified accountant who played a significant role in golf course development in the south east during the 1980s and 90s, has passed away at the age of 82 after a brief illness.
A skilled golfer himself and a member at prestigious clubs such as Camberley Heath, Walton Heath, Royal Porthcawl, and Wentworth at various stages of his life, Smith transitioned to designing golf courses after initially working as an accountant for Chrysler and Ford.
He converted the former racecourse at Hawthorn Hill in Maidenhead into Bird Hills Golf Centre, a 9-hole course that opened in 1982 and is still operational today. Additionally, Smith designed and built an 18-hole course at Pine Ridge Golf Club in Frimley, Surrey, which welcomed its first players in 1992.
Smith also created a 9-hole course at Windlemere Golf Club in Woking, which opened in 1978 but ceased operations in 2017.
PAY-AND-PLAY POLICY
Operating all three clubs on a pay-and-play basis, Smith aimed to attract daily fee golfers seeking a high standard of golf at an affordable price. This approach proved successful, fostering an enduring interest in golf among newcomers to the sport.
After 14 years of private ownership, Pine Ridge was sold to Crown Golf in 2007, and Bird Hills was acquired by Japanese owners in 1992.
LAGONDA TROPHY
Dedicated to promoting amateur golf across all levels and nurturing future stars, Smith established the Lagonda Trophy, an elite boys’ amateur tournament open to players with a handicap of 1.4 or better. The tournament debuted in 1975 at Camberley Heath Golf Club in Surrey, where Smith had served as club captain, offering a replica of a 1930s Lagonda Tourer sports car as the winner’s prize.
After its stint at Camberley ended in 1989, the tournament relocated to Gog Magog Golf Club in Cambridgeshire, where it continues to be held today.
Notable past winners include Peter McEvoy (’80), Russell Claydon (’88), David Gilford (’86), Lee Westwood (’92), Luke Donald (’97), Gary Wolstenholme (’02), Andy Sullivan (’10), Kennie Ferrie (’98), Oliver Fisher (’04), and Dale Whitnell (’08).
The 49th edition of the Lagonda Trophy, held at Gog Magog on May 29-30, was won by Brandon Skidmore from Cotswold Hills with a 72-hole score of 275.
SUCCESSFUL RACEHORSE OWNER
In addition to his golfing pursuits, Smith was an avid enthusiast of horseracing and owned horses trained by notable figures in National Hunt racing such as Martin Pipe, Jenny Pitman, David Elsworth, and David Nicholls.
His ownership included Cheltenham winners like Master Minded, winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and the esteemed Kauto Star, victor of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007 and 2009 and five King George VI Chases at Kempton.
