AS part of Harlow Cricket Club’s 250th celebrations, club president Alan Howick has been delving into the archives.

Here is another fascinating piece.

Herbert Fowler 1856 – 1941 who lived briefly at Moor Hall, Harlow in the 1870’s.

Harlow in the mid to late 19th century was not particularly famous for producing or being
neighbours with famous people of the time, or if they did, they were since forgotten over the
following fourteen decades.

William Herbert Fowler (1856 – 1941) was perhaps one of those ‘famous’ sons who moved on
and made an international name for himself. Who? You may well ask.

If you are into your golf history of course architecture, then you may recognise the name. If
you’re into late Victorian cricketers, then again you may do so. Certainly, if you lived in Harlow
around 1870’s or so, you would know the family name, a strong and wealthy Quarter family who
resided in the magnificent mansion known as Moor Hall for a few decades (Between the Perry
Watlington & Balfour families) as local dignitaries and employers within their estate.

In the Moor Hall Cricket club score books, you can find an occasional entry for Fowlers, G or T M
then an H Fowler. (William Herbert perhaps?)

William Herbert Fowler (WHF) was born in north London before his family moved to Harlow, he
was a big man, at his peak, 6’ 3” and weighing in at 15 stone. He was an athlete and ‘sportsman’.

He briefly played for Essex CCC then in 1879 moved away to Sommerset to join a bank, good
move I would suggest. Obviously hunting, fishing and shooting in Sommerset was more to the
liking for him then up here in sleepy West Essex?

His cricket career took off slowly, playing for Sommerset from 1882 or though, his first ‘1st class
match’ was for the MCC .v. Cambridge University. His first senior game for Sommerset followed
later. Nothing of importance happened apart from smashing the cricket ball (according to
historic memories) 157 yards, well over the pavilion into the neighbouring road. A big hit for sure.

He is also credited as a bowler, taking a hattrick then a 4th wicket in the same over, tidy.
Proper Victorian BazBall.

He married Ethel Mary Brand in 1890. By then the bank he joined now carried his name as well.
He was also a couple of times mayor of Taunton. A popular and versatile man.

Sadly, not for long as with the bank closure and mounting debts left WHF a little short of cash, in
fact broke. But by a happy coincidence, Ethel had a very wealthy Uncle called Cosmo who
suggested to WHF in 1898, “study golf course architecture and I will commission you to design
and build a course at Walton Heath” . He agreed and it opened in 1904 and today is rated very
highly in the UK Top100 golf courses and likewise worldwide.

WHF got the ‘golf bug’ by accident whilst on a business trip to Westwood Ho! GC and decided
golf was more worthwhile than cricket. Rapid improvement from the start for Herbert, becoming
a scratch golfer within a decade, then a member of the R&A, 20th in the 1900 Open at The Old
Course at St Andrews where, many years later when 64, he shot a 70.

He became Walton Heath Secretary & Manager but that didn’t stop his golf course design
exploits. From 1910 up to 1920’s he could do no wrong, travelling to and back from the USA to
build and improve many famous courses of recognisable names today.

The Fowler list of English courses is mind blowing, such as both the Red & Blue at The Berkshire,
Crooden Beech, Delamare Forest, Blackwell, RAC in Surrey, West Surrey, Aberdovey in Wales
and a few more. The famous golf and cricket writer, Bernard Darwin rated his course design ‘as a
brilliant use of natural contours etc’.

The last decade or two for WHF was not as glamorous or successful and little is recorded of wife
Ethel and family, if any. Herbert resided as well as managed Walton Heath GC as their MD for
many years.

He passed away at a good age in London, with not a lot of cash to show for his international
success as a golf course architect. By studying his life and times, he was certainly one Harlow’s
Victorian and Edwardian personalities. Certainly, a candidate as on of our famous ‘sons’ that
few would remember and many more never knew.
APH – June/24