Club History

IN OCTOBER 1971

 

between 30 and 40 attended a special meeting. Four committees were formed: rules, development and works, finance and publicity.

 

ON FEBRUARY 21 1972

 

the inaugural meeting was held to form the club. 1971-72-73 Women slashed lupins, used hand motor mowers on greens, housie evenings were run during the holiday period; used clothing sales held monthly at Ruatoki and Te Teko, baking to sell. Fruit tins for hole cups, bamboo for flagsticks and ladies made the flags. (Struggle to get to lease the land in the beginning).

 

1972

 

First Clubhouse. A small cottage was moved to the site where the present ladies’ No 5 tee is. New spouting and a wood range and chimney were put in voluntarily. A 30 ton scrub cutter was supplied and used as demonstration by a local contractor – clean up work etc, by volunteers with more work to follow to try to have 9 holes ready to play by Christmas 1972. A member supplied his bulldozer, his time and diesel for more preparatory work.

 

NOVEMBER 1974

 

Hasn’t been a good year – lost the greens through lack of water, finances running out and borrowed tractor was lost to fire. Jul’s membership was 23 – up to 50 by November!! Subs $20. A domestic water supply bore was dug. 2 wire fences built. Took 1 tractor 4 HOURS TO MOW ONE FAIRWAY – tremendous amount of voluntary time was required to keep things under control – especially in spring. One wonders how the members then found time to even play golf as they were working people. Weekends were spent at the golf club – WORKING.

 

APRIL 13 1975 OFFICIAL OPENING DAY

 

This was achieved after many, many, many hours of voluntary labour using loaned equipment by a small but enthusiastic band of golfers to tame the lupin, scrub, tussock in sand with very limited finance. It was amazing what had been achieved.

 

The terms of lease from Department of Lands and Survey were that two greens and two fairways be developed each year. This became too much for the small band of volunteers and a meeting to put the club into liquidation was considered. This was averted by the loans and grants received from Whakatane Borough Concil, Whakatane County Council and Whakatane Harbour Board in the 1975-76 year.

 

NOVEMBER 1975

 

6000ft of pipes laid to irrigate the 9 greens re-sown AGAIN due to lack of water $450 voted to cover cost of spray, seed and fertiliser. Fertiliser and oversowing of fairways, set of 7 gang- mowers purchased secondhand, another greens mower secondhand, fly mower, water pumping system and two suitable tractors – all second –hand. Membership from 68 to 192 in one year. Subs $30. Rotary mowers and catchers used by dwindling volunteer work team to keep greens cut.

 

JUNE 1976

 

concrete block building was constructed – small lounge (by to-days standards), basic kitchen and small bar – all voluntary labour and many materials donated or discounted. The original clubhouse (small cottage) was moved to the present clubhouse site and used as toilets and changing rooms. That concrete block building is where the present toilets and change rooms are now. Small but cosy and intimate!! Budget $11,000 for the year. Subs $85.

 

1979

 

Advertised for greenkeeper. 31 May 1980, 12 holes now in play – sometimes referred to as the ‘goat track’ very narrow fairways with scrub and lupin each side. One could lose MANY golf balls over those 12 holes. A real challenge. Subs $85.

 

APRIL 1982

 

Members took out debentures to extend power to the Golf Club and buy water pumps. Cost $30,000. A second-hand generator was purchased as more water required as club expands. Again a great input of volunteer assistance.

 

1983

 

Subs $110. Green Fees $3. Acting greenkeeper paid $15 a week.

 

1984

 

New Clubhouse building proposal accepted by the club – club members provided hundreds and hundreds of woman and maan hours. Architectural services, wooden joinery, aluminium joinery, timber, cement, plumbing supplies, etc., were donated by members. One member electrically wired the whole building, voluntary plumbers also. A terrific effort by very willing members and a wonderful asset. One building fund Tournament yielded $1,000. Members also took out more debentures and a bank loan was also taken out. This was a wonderful time creating lots of fun and fellowship.

 

 

NOVEMBER 1985

 

250 members. 9 November the new clubhouse officially opened – what a great day. Clubhouse fully carpeted – a bargain buy (arranged by a member) laid by mates’ rates, also vinyl, wallpaper, painting etc. etc. done by members. Another member donated a new fridge –freezer. Stoves and kitchen gear purchased cheaply at an auction etc., etc.

 

SEPTEMBER 28 1986

 

Club’s 15th Birthday ALSO OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE FULL 18 HOLES which was achieved while the clubhouse was being built. Again lots of voluntary labour, assisting our greenkeeper who was on a very basic wage for years and using second hand gear which needed regular adaptations for the sand and repairs. Many of those jobs done voluntarilyor for the cost of parts required. Tees were used on 14th and 15th fairways.

 

28 MAY 1987

 

Held a special luncheon for the ‘pioneers’ of the golf club. Was the first time many of them had a get together since those early days.

 

MAY 1991

 

First “Five Day Vets Tournament” 34 clubs represented.

 

AUGUST 1991

 

In excess of 300 members. Clubs 20th Anniversary – time for reminishing.

 

1992

 

Blue tees formed

 

FEBRUARY 1993

 

14th and 15th fairways irrigated. Subs $260 if paid by 31 January.

 

1995

 

Parking area and driveway into parking area sealed. Numerous volutary hours put into this by a surveyor - a club member and also other member volunteers. Computer purchased, ladies paid for photocopier. Hundreds of trees planted. 1st stage of new irrigation system – new bore sunk, new pipe laid – voluntarily – over several days of long hours – mostly retired members of the club. Green Fees $15. 25 Anniversary again many, many members from the early days attended and remimisced and marvelled at the progress made over the years, with the course and of course the very attractive clubhouse. Ohope 5000 – Labour weekend organised for the first time. Great profit from this. Sponsorship organised.

 

JUNE 1997

 

Second stage of irrigation scheme – members input huge here, manning the trenching machine, laying and covering up trenches. Those ladies ot working on course provided morning teas, lunches and afternoon teas.

 

JULY 1997

 

One bunker made into 2 smaller ones. Greenkeepers and large green committee input.

 

OCTOBER 1997

 

Labour weekend tourney now “10,000” – great sponsorship collected – great prizes – full fields and good profit.

 

SUMMER 1998

 

Summer Steward employed collecting green fees, hiring clubs out etc., a very busy time with lots of holiday makers using our course.

 

1998

 

A monitored security system installed. The clubhouse is isolated and break-ins had occurred. Toilets and storage area set upstairs A member –joiner – extended Strokeplay and Results boards Clinics run and 9 holes played for new lady golf members by an experienced lady golfer Sunday Clubs – 6 teams of 10-12 players – 6 rounds. Twilight golf – October – March. Golden Oldies and Chartered Club competitions run. A 5 year development plan put in place and this is gradually being implemented to enhance and challenge our members. Clubhouse locker rooms were renovated and re-decorated. Clubhouse has been painted outside and inside redecorated. Domestic water supply upgraded.

 

FEBRUARY 1999

 

331 members excluding summer members. One farmer member left our area – he was thanked for the use of his farm implements over the last 20 years, fencing, greens committee work, some aerial top dressing, attending working bees over the years and loaning the much needed finance for extending our irrigation system. Clubhouse available for private hire. Bar staff by volunteers until about 1998. Part-time staff now employed. Women did ALL catering for the club – toasted sandwiches on Saturdays- for some private functions, mid years Xmas dinner etc., until 1998 when a private caterer took over. Women also cleaned the clubhouse until about 1995. Champagne breakfasts after 10 holes over Xmas and New Year perios Camp (holidaymaker) v Club competition held each year.

 

JULY 1999

 

340 members. Driveway and up and down from the clubhouse and by locker rooms sealed – a donation from member contractors.

 

SEPTEMBER 1999

 

New Secretary \ Manager appointed. Coring of greens were done for many years by hiring a machine – manned by members and sanding done by members – twice a year. Quite a task by members again – some in quite advancing years. The sanding is still done by members but a machine and driver is contracted to do this. Raffles are run on a regular basis. All pine trees on the course are gradually be eliminated as D.O.C’s lease requires.

 

2000

 

Two golf buggies arrived New Years Day the club receiving a percentage of fees. Millennium 2000 with careful planning and much work was very successful, with commemorative plates and photographs for this special event. A Club Secretary employed Monday to Friday and Weekend staff for green fees and bar work and clubhouse cleaner appointed. Our Treasurer for the last 3 years is a local accountant. A new green’s mower is having a positive effect on our greens. The 5 year plan for course development continues with help from greens committee and other members, No 1 and No 11 greens made larger, 3rd and 14th greens redesigned and moved and several more bunkers placed around course. Gardens are planted and maintained by members. Club now on internet. October saw the club on National TV on The Golf Show with Phillip Leashman. A grant of $12,000 was applied for and received from the Scottwood Group (Whakatane Hotel).

 

2001

 

Membership 332. Full Subs $330. Summer staffing and volunteers 7am to 7pm. 5 year plan has the new No 7 green underway. Fairway irrigation has been accomplished with funding from a grant from Eastern Bay Energy Trust $165,000, started mid May and was finished in 20 days with help from volunteers who put in 946 man hours. For a whole week in August An appreciation Tournament was held for the head greenkeeper, whom was paralysed and confined to a wheelchair. Hence a new course superintendent was appointed. A discussion held regards the long “rough” early in the year arrived at a good compromise. Kitchen has been repainted. A new computer has been installed.

 

2002

 

Membership 349. Full Subs $385. Green Fees increased to nearly $100,000. The first major tournament for Ohope “Gisborne Milk Quadrangular” involved players from Hawkes Bay, Poverty Bay, Waikato and BOP. A successful year for the Ladies Pennant Team winning the Eastern Zone. Monthly Medal and Sponsored Days very popular. Outside table and chairs updated and painted. Driveway by the 11th tarsealed and new seats and rubbish bins installed. A television promotion viewed at Easter. A boost to Tee Sponsorship and more Major Sponsors has been achieved. Clubhouse Foyer tiled and repainted. The lake on No 7 came into play and hole named after Bob Myler. A new tractor “Fait” has been bought, also spray wagon, greens knife, levelling bar, four wheel motorbike, petrol tank and a new shed with toilet, shower smoko room and more storage room for mowers.

 

2003

 

Membership 305. Full Subs $420. A very busy summer. Replacement of the Clubhouse guttering and outside of Clubhouse has been repainted. New Office and starters room being constructed under front veranda. Secretary Managers position is being readvertised for more coverage and accounting duties. No 8 tee has been revamped.

 

2004

Old Kitchen area converted into second members lounge with small Club bar, new commercial kitchen built in space between main lounge and new members lounge, new upstairs toilets built over stir entrance well.

 

 

2011

 

Subs $620, Membership 455,  June  the club members upgaded the bar

and then July - August the outside Deck area was upgraded with new toughened Glass protection screen, has become a feature area of the clubhouse