A golf course where staff are trying to reach out to youngsters and make the sport more accessible is marking 50 years.

High Beech Golf Course was opened in 1963 by Robert Newton, who built it after buying the land before the war.

Mr Newton had also bought Kendall Lodge in Theydon Garnon, the former home of Dr Thomas Dimsdale, who developed the smallpox vaccination, which he renovated.

The family still owns the golf course, which is run by professional player Clerk Baker.

He said: “It was just golf for the ordinary man. It was only about five years ago that we threw the original cycle racks away.

“There are no membership fees or dress code and you don’t have to wear golf shoes.

“We have honours boards that go back to 1964, so it’s all the ideas of a golf club, but without the big fees.

“We hope it makes it more accessible to people. We try and make it community-based.”

He said he was hoping to get more juniors, aged six to 14, involved in playing this year.

He added: “We’re running junior groups this year and medal competitions.

“We’ve been running junior competitions for two years, but we would like to expand it.”

The course is hosting a charity tournament on May 20 to mark its anniversary, where teams of four can enter and raise money for their chosen charity.

To enter, call the course in Wellington Hill on 020 8508 7323.