Sir Thomas Vansittart Bowater, the then Lord Mayor of London, officially opened the course on Saturday 18 July 1914. On this day, a challenge match included five-time Open Champion, J H Taylor, and Sandy Herd.

Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler designed the golf course, which is set in 130 acres of rolling countryside to the east of Croydon. In 2004, the club secured purchase of a 150-year lease from Croydon Council.