Harry Shapland Colt is arguably the finest golf course architect who ever lived. He and his partners created courses at more than 300 clubs in 24 countries worldwide.

Many of the clubs where he designed courses are regarded as leading Golf venues throughout the world. Whilst the venues have preserved their place at the forefront of golf on an individual basis, HS Colt has received little recognition for his work.

In 1994 the Colt Committee was formed with the aim of promoting H S Colt as a leading golf course designer and a major contributor to the heritage of the game of golf. One of the initial decisions was to create an annual tournament which Member's of Colt courses could participate in. As such, the Colt Cup was launched at Stoke Park Club in 1994 and soon became one of the more important amateur golf competitions in the world.

The event has gone from strength to strength with over 200 different Teams having competed including 50 from overseas. The event has now reached 4 continents, and has gathered much momentum over the past 9 years, with more and more clubs wishing to participate. It now also incorporates a challenge match between the reigning Colt Cup holders and the Mackenzie Medallion holders.

During 2000 the committee felt that the response to the Colt Cup had been so significant and the event so successful that it was time to formulate something more than a one day golf tournament and it was decided that the Colt Association should be formed. It was also decided that whilst Colt should be remembered through the name of the Association, the Association should not ignore the courses that were designed by his associates CH Alison, Dr A Mackenzie and J Morrison.

Following 18 months of research and consultation with leading clubs and individuals within the game of golf it has been decided to launch the Association in January 2003.

The Associations aims are as follows:-

A. Heritage and Conservation

Finding, preserving and communicating information about the course designers, the courses they created and the Clubs they worked for. Specific activities would include:-

• Creating a library of historic golf books, maps and articles:-
  i) by or about Colt and his partners.
  ii) about or by Clubs with courses designed by Colt and his partners.
• Researching and publishing ideas about Colt and his partners design philosophy and practical application. What makes a Colt course?
• Creating a forum for Club archivists and others with an interest in Colt and his partners to communicate with each other and get information from the Association.
• Creating a website to disseminate information about the above.

B. Fun and Competition

The Association would also provide the opportunity for Club's and their members to be part of a unique global organisation in the golf world that only a select number of venues with a common heritage can ever qualify for and which is not based on a commercial ethos. Specific activities will include:-

• Organising competitions between members of Colt and his partners Clubs in 24 countries around the world.
  These events will include:
  the Colt Cup
  a new mixed foursomes event
  a tournament based on the Ryder Cup format made up of representatives of Clubs with courses created by each of the four partners of Colt and Co.
  a Colt v Mackenzie challenge match
  an international mixed event
• Organising tours for friendly matches within countries or overseas.
• Annual Dinner
• Opportunity for Clubs (if they want to) to offer reciprocal arrangements to members of other Association members.
• Organising tours to major sporting events
• Operating a travel service for members wishing to play at Colt courses in the British Isles and overseas
• Offering a secretariat for members wishing to find out information on other Colt courses
• Offering an Association Directory - a comprehensive guide to all Association courses featuring key names, contact details and other relevant information