Came Down Golf Club

Listed in Golf World & Golf Monthly in 2011 as one of Britain's Hidden Gems
Challenging golf amidst Dorset's stunning coast and countryside

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Thomas Hardy left his Heart in Beautiful Wessex

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Thomas Hardy was born at Higher Bockhampton near Dorchester. When he left school at the age of 16 he became an apprentice architect to John Hicks. In 1862 Thomas moved to London and enrolled at Kings College, London. Five years later he returned to Dorchester and dedicated himself to writing.

In 1870 Thomas met and married Emma Lavinia Gifford. Two years after Emma’s death in 1912 Thomas married his secretary Florence Emily Dugdale (39 years his junior).

Thomas Hardy wrote many famous novels and poems based around his beloved Dorchester. He gave the local towns names, and Casterbridge was his chosen name for Dorchester, most famous for the Mayor of Casterbridge novel.

In 1928 Thomas died and his ashes are to be found in Poets Corner Westminster Abbey, except for his heart which was buried in the grave of his first wife Emma in Stinsford Churchyard.

After a round of golf why not visit the beautiful Dorset countryside which featured so heavily in Hardy’s work.