Founding – 1971
The Dorset Golf Captains was formed in 1971 at an inaugural meeting held at Ferndown Golf Club. George Newton of Ferndown Golf Club was appointed as the first President, with Colin Chataway of Broadstone Golf Club as Secretary (Colin was uncle to Chris Chataway). The founder President generously donated a Silver Salver to be presented annually to the winner of the Spring Meeting (Presidents Day).
J. W. Jackson of Parkstone Golf Club was elected in 1972 as the first Captain.
The 1980s
In 1982 the first match against the Ex Lady Captains was held at the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club — played annually since. Harold Singleton (Isle of Purbeck GC, DGC Captain 1975 and President 1980–82) donated a trophy for this event.
The Colin Chataway Trophy was introduced in 1982 to help juniors aged 16 and under with etiquette and the rules of golf. A team competition of four players, supervised by a Dorset Captain. Between 2006 and 2009, Georgia Hall (2018 British Ladies Open Champion) took part as a junior.
The Mixed Greensomes (DGC and Ex-Lady Captains) was introduced in 1994. In 1996 Les Watson (Came Down GC) donated a Chalice for the annual Captains Prize winner.
Late 1990s
1997 saw the inaugural match against the County Juniors at Ashley Wood GC. In 1999, in memory of Harry Roffey (Ferndown GC, Captain 1979 and President 1996–97), a trophy was introduced for the highest aggregate points from Presidents Day and Captains Day.
2000s
In 2006 the website was launched. In 2008 the Four Counties Golf Tournament was introduced (Berkshire, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire) and the Annual Dinner was re-established as a regular annual event at Dorset Golf & Country Club.
2010s
The West of England Inter County Championship at Saunton began in 2012. The Saunton Salver started in 2016. Dorset won it in 2016 under captain David Kimberley and again in 2019 under Bill Kent. Saunton subsequently discontinued both fixtures.
The Captains Annual Invitation Day began in September 2018 at Sherborne GC.
2020s
2020 saw Covid restrictions, but Captain's Day at Ferndown and Captains Annual Invitation Day at Dudsbury went ahead, along with the first virtual AGM.
2021, the 50th Anniversary year, saw all fixtures rearranged after Covid, plus two new additions: the Founders Team Event at Dudsbury GC and the President's 9-hole Challenge at Canford School GC.
In 2023, the Inter Counties Captains Challenge at St Mellion was inaugurated — won by Dorset under captain Peter Brickell (Highcliffe Castle GC).
In 2024, the 6-Counties Competition was introduced by Devon Golf Captains at Stover GC — won by Dorset under captain Dave Picton (Weymouth GC).
In 2025, hosted by Dorset at Dorset G&CC, Dorset won the 6-Counties again under captain John Skinner (Yeovil GC), and a team led by vice-captain Phil Purvis (Broadstone GC) won the Inter Counties Captains Challenge at St Mellion for the second time.