At the onset of the Second World War the club was requisitioned by the army, and became part of the anti invasion area, with a line of tank traps, which stretched from the River Stour, Right across the peninsular, to the sea. This line of traps went right across the golf course, and some can still be seen beside the third fairway. Pillboxes were also built on the course, one of which is still prominent immediately behind the seventh tee. The end of hostilities saw the army withdraw, and the club was handed back to its members who carried out a considerable amount of reconstruction to reinstate the course.
(The 3rd from the tee)
All went reasonably well until 1953 when the great flood inundated the clubhouse and the course at least as far as the embankment. To this day the height of the floodwaters can be identified on the wall close to the shop entrance. Colchester Golf Club very kindly offered our members courtesy of their course while Harwich was unplayable.
(The 3rd from further up)
The club celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1956 at which time there were 50 Gentlemen members, 26 Lady members, as well as a few Juniors and county members. The annual subscription at that time was 8 guineas (£8.40 today) for the Gentlemen and 6 guineas (£6.30) for the Ladies. Interestingly there is no evidence of a joining fee at that time.
(The par 5 second hole)
After leasing the land for 58 years, the freehold was offered to the Club. The purchase of the land was overseen by the Captain of the day, Lewis Crickmore and was achieved at a figure of £1500 in March 1964. The deeds were vested in the name of trustees, which situation remains to this day and the first members to hold this office were Messrs. L Crickmore, G.V Smith, L Horn and G Congdon.
(The long par 4 4th)