John Randall

1880 - 1938

John "Jack" Randall, an English professional golfer born in London, 1880. He was the eldest of five and the first to take up golf as a career, with all his brothers joining him as his assistant throughout his career. He was a competent club professional, good club and ball maker and made a patent aluminium putter (British Patent No. 186522, dated October 5th, 1922). He became professional at Bush Hill Park in 1897-1901, before moving to Maldon GC. 7th December 1901, Jack Randall was appointed Club Professional and Greenskeeper of Sundridge Park Golf Club, his brother, Bob, was appointed Caddie Master.
Sundridge Park, Bromley, Kent came about when the mansion was empty and the estate was being sold for development by the estate owner, Sir Samuel Scott. A dozen far seeing Bromley men conceived the idea of a golf club for their town and Sir Samuel offered a 21-year lease of 125 acres of land (now the West Course) on very favourable terms.
In October 1901 a Committee Meeting was held and ˜Sundridge Park Golf Club" was formed with Sir Samuel Scott appointed President. Willie Park Jnr was engaged and paid a small fee to set-out the new 18-hole course for men and a 9-hole course for the ladies. Subsequently the construction proceeded under the expert supervision of James Braid and Jack Randall.  
An informal drive-in took place on 31st May 1902, there after the course was open, the Ladies' 9-hole course opened eleven months later. 
The official opening of the two courses

John "Jack" Randall, an English professional golfer born in London, 1880. He was the eldest of five and the first to take up golf as a career, with all his brothers joining him as his assistant throughout his career. He was a competent club professional, good club and ball maker and made a patent aluminium putter (British Patent No. 186522, dated October 5th, 1922). He became professional at Bush Hill Park in 1897-1901, before moving to Maldon GC. 7th December 1901, Jack Randall was appointed Club Professional and Greenskeeper of Sundridge Park Golf Club, his brother, Bob, was appointed Caddie Master.
Sundridge Park, Bromley, Kent came about when the mansion was empty and the estate was being sold for development by the estate owner, Sir Samuel Scott. A dozen far seeing Bromley men conceived the idea of a golf club for their town and Sir Samuel offered a 21-year lease of 125 acres of land (now the West Course) on very favourable terms.
In October 1901 a Committee Meeting was held and ˜Sundridge Park Golf Club" was formed with Sir Samuel Scott appointed President. Willie Park Jnr was engaged and paid a small fee to set-out the new 18-hole course for men and a 9-hole course for the ladies. Subsequently the construction proceeded under the expert supervision of James Braid and Jack Randall.  
An informal drive-in took place on 31st May 1902, there after the course was open, the Ladies' 9-hole course opened eleven months later. 
The official opening of the two courses

took place on the 25th April, 1903, attended by VIPs, including the Prime Minister A.J. Balfour, Sir Samuel Scott, the Mayor of Bromley, Colonel Frank Griffiths. Alex Herd, the Open Champion, and James Braid played an 18-hole match in the morning.
In 1937 Randall was in poor health and retired from Sundridge Park, he died shortly afterwards (1938) after 37 years' service.

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