Heritage
From Harry Vardon to Alister MacKenzie — over 130 years of golfing tradition at Unsworth Hall, shaped by champions and the architects of Augusta National.
Over 130 Years of Golfing Heritage
From our founding in 1890 to the legendary Harry Vardon and the genius of MacKenzie, Colt and Alison, Bury Golf Club's story is woven into the fabric of English golf.
Key Moments in Our History
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1890
Bury Golf Club Founded
Bury Golf Club was established as a nine-hole course at Redvales, making it one of the oldest golf clubs in Greater Manchester. The original site laid the foundation for what would become one of the North West's most respected golfing venues.
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1903
Harry Vardon Appointed Club Professional
At the height of his fame as six-time Open Champion, Harry Vardon was appointed club professional. His presence elevated the club's standing across the golfing world. The club presented him with a clock, and his letter of thanks is still preserved in our archives.
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1907
Vardon Departs for South Herts
After four distinguished years at Bury, Vardon moved to South Herts Golf Club. His legacy endures throughout the club — a portrait hangs in our dining room, the main function room bears his name, and male members compete annually for the Vardon Trophy in his honour.
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1920
Dr Alister MacKenzie Redesigns the Course
Post-war urban development forced the club from Redvales. Norman Duxbury and Sam Roberts secured new land at Blackford Bridge, and Dr Alister MacKenzie — later the architect of Augusta National — was commissioned alongside Harry Colt and C.H. Alison to design the new course at Unsworth Hall.
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Today
A Legacy That Endures
Under the guidance of internationally recognised Master Greenkeeper Gordon Irvine and Head Greenkeeper David Berry, the club is restoring the original moorland course vision. MacKenzie's signature two-tier greens, strategic bunkering, and the natural semi-moorland landscape continue to define the character of the course.
Harry Vardon
Harry Vardon won the Open Championship six times — a record that remains unbroken to this day. He popularised the overlapping grip that now bears his name, a technique adopted by more than ninety per cent of golfers worldwide.
From 1903 to 1907, at the height of his fame, Vardon served as club professional at Bury Golf Club. His presence elevated the club's standing across the golfing world, drawing players from across the country to our course.
His legacy endures throughout the club. A portrait of Vardon hangs in our dining room, and his original letter of thanks is preserved in our archives. The main function room bears his name, and male members compete annually for the Vardon Trophy in his honour.
The chief object of every golf architect or greenkeeper worth his salt is to imitate the beauties of nature so closely as to make his work indistinguishable from nature itself.
Colt, MacKenzie & Alison
When post-war urban development forced the club from its original Redvales home, two visionary members — paper maker Norman Duxbury and coal merchant Sam Roberts — secured new land along Manchester Road and engaged the finest course architects of the age.
Dr Alister MacKenzie delivered his initial report in 1920, with nine holes opening in 1921 and the full eighteen completed by 1922. MacKenzie went on to design Augusta National, home of The Masters. Harry Colt created Wentworth and Sunningdale. C.H. Alison brought their shared vision to courses across Europe and Asia.
Their legacy endures in the three distinctive two-tier greens that are a hallmark of MacKenzie's work, the strategic bunkering, and the natural contours of the semi-moorland landscape that reward thoughtful play at every level.
Unsworth Hall
When the club relocated to Blackford Bridge in 1920, Unsworth Hall — a Georgian mansion of considerable architectural distinction — became its new home. The hall provides an elegant and welcoming setting that befits a club whose history spans more than 130 years.
The hall's stately rooms have been thoughtfully adapted for modern club life while preserving the character of the original building. The Vardon Room, named in honour of the club's most celebrated professional, serves as both dining room and function venue, with Harry Vardon's portrait a distinguished centrepiece.
From the welcoming bar and lounge to the function rooms available for private hire, Unsworth Hall remains at the heart of everything we do. Discover Unsworth Hall and everything our clubhouse has to offer.
Experience the Course
Walk in the footsteps of Vardon on a course shaped by MacKenzie, Colt and Alison. Discover our 18-hole semi-moorland course or book your round today.
