THE PATTERN OF THE YEARS
In 1906, J G Yellowlees, known to his friends as Jock, arrived from Gifford - Scotland to live here in Kaiapoi. Being a golfer he bought with him the golfers tools of the trade and his golf clubs and their uses soon attracted attention in the community – particularly amongst a group of ardent bowlers who came to the conclusion that golf was the game tailored to their requirements for winter sports.
So in 1907 the Kaiapoi Golf Club came into being with Jock Yellowlees as Secretary, T R (Tom) Leithead, Treasurer and Dr Davis as President. Of the 21 foundation members, comprising of 9 Ladies and 12 Men members 6 were from the Parnham family and 3 each from the Davis, McKay and Pavitt families. The original course was a 28 acre block of land rented from Mr H J Land for the enormous sum of sixteen pound a year. This land provides a 6 hole course at the southern end of the present golf course. Later 3 more holes were added by using some leasehold land across the Main North Road. When more land became available next to the existing 6 holes the area over the road was abandoned.
The course was mostly sand hills with patches of grass used for greens. Sheep had to be shifted off the greens so they could be mowed with a hand mower each Saturday morning. A small tin shed was erected for a club house near the present entrance to the golf club.
1919
A ladies committee was formed with Miss Ann Lynsky, Captain, Miss Nance Blackwell, Secretary and Miss P Parnham and Mrs L B Evans, committee.
1921
At a special general meeting the club decided to purchase the golf links area of 6 holes previously leased from Mr H J Land.
1922
The club was incorporated under the “Incorporate Societies Act 1908”
1923
Land was leased from the Parnham brothers, and the land that was previous leased from Mr Daly was purchased with the aid of a bank overdraft of two hundred & fifty pound.
With a growing membership and more land available, services of a professional were secured to re-arrange the golf links, and additions to the clubhouse were arranged.
1925
Finances allowed for the employment of a green-keeper, with a retainer of one pound per month during the closed season. To augment funds, the course was leased to graze sheep.
1929
The original club house, that had twice been enlarged, was destroyed by fire. A new clubhouse was built on approximately the same site.
1932
Watering of greens was approved and with the expenditure of one hundred and fifty pound 1000 trees were purchased at the cost of three pound ten shillings.
1933
Between 1929 and 1933, three different course layouts were played. A special general meeting unanimously supported the course layout to be completed by Mr J Clements. This course layout and the naming of holes, remained largely the same for 36 years, and resulted in what was considered the best 9 hole golf course in New Zealand
1937
Further extensions were made to the clubhouse. A horse was acquired to pull the grass mowers- to be replaced by a tractor a few years later.
1939 to 1945
During WW2 a special subscription of ten shillings and sixpence plus one & sixpence per round for green fees was extended to all members who lived more than 5 miles from the clubhouse. All members on Active Service became Honorary Members.
1941
The golf club became a member of the Metropolitan Golf Association, later merged into the Canterbury Provincial Golf Association.
1943
260 pine trees were cut down. The proceeds from the sale of timber of 675 pound were used to reduce the mortgage.
1944
A shortage of balls was experienced. Jock Yellowlees offered to repaint old balls. A good golf ball was allowed to replace an old ball on the putting green. The green keeper took leave to go rabbit shooting. 3 months later he was re employed, as rabbiting had not gone very well.
1950
1500 Pinus Trees & 1 dozen each of Lawsoniana and Cedar trees were planted. The green keeper was granted an extra week’s holiday because of extra time fighting fire breaks during the Christmas holidays.
1957
The 50th Anniversary was celebrated on Closing Day 19th October with a 9 hole fixture. Afternoon tea was served at the clubhouse, cocktails and Golden Jubilee dinner at the Kaiapoi RSA ball room. The club membership had grown to 287.
1960’s
Early in the 1960’s the increasing popularity of golf was placing more and more pressure on the 9 hole course. With a waiting membership list the club focussed on the expansion of the course to 18 holes. 3 acres each of adjacent Stalker & Jacob’s land were purchased, 3 fairways irrigated, and a new well sunk to 77 feet with a capacity of 15,000 gallons per hour. A new Acto greens mower and a second tractor with front end loader were purchased.
1967
New fairways and holes were developed the course expanded to 12 holes, with the additional 6 holes being completed the following year. Under the guiding influence of Dick Frizzell, Murray Stanley, and the Late Ian Cromb and other club members, the new 18 hole layout retained the same picturesque layout of avenues of trees and undulating fairways.
1969
The full 18 hole course was in play from the beginning of the season.
1973
With the expansion of the golf course and the rapid increase in membership, it soon became apparent the urgent need for a larger clubhouse. This was opened on July 21st with 300 members present, at a final cost of $58,218. The ladies donating $1257 towards furnishing, and further land was purchased for a practice area.
A flat for living in caretaker and full catering facilities were also incorporated into the new clubhouse.
1975
1st August bought a big storm causing much damage and loss of green fees while the course was closed for 3 weeks. Further land to complete the full practice area was purchased.
With the popularity of golf and the new 18 hole course, it was proposed at the annual meeting that the membership at its present level of 750 be closed.
1982
The club celebrated its 75th Jubilee with golf tournaments and social functions from the 27th April to 2nd May.
1987
Work was commenced on a fully automated watering system, which included the sinking of the new water well to 90 metres in 1988.
1997
Handicap records were computerised. A 9 Hole Membership was implemented. Committee resolved to contract out all green keeping services including purchase of green keeping contracting equipment.
A Special AGM resolved to sell the section with house behind No 1 green to Coastal Estates for $128,000.
1998
The 90th Jubilee was held in the style early in February, the old 9 Hole course was played with the traditional stop half way round for tea, jam scones and fruit cake. A social evening, and a display of old photographs were a feature of a successful weekend.
Commencement of a Nine Hole Membership.
Sealing of car park was completed.
1999
Secretary/Manager, Neville Lyons was appointed to replace Tom Whitaker who had resigned to become the CEO of Canterbury Golf Association.
A revised Constitution was approved - At the 1st Meeting of Board of Management, Ian Davies was elected Chairman.
2001
A major upgrade of the irrigation system was commenced and completed over a three year period with added enhancements. This cost around $300,000, and provided coverage over 18 holes, with an up to date computerised rrigation system for water to fairways, greens and tees.
Kaiapoi Golf Club becomes a smoke free environment and a new web site is under construction.
Trevor Monk was elected a Life Member.
2002
Trevor Bayliss was elected a Life Member and together with his wife Alision, became the second husband & wife Life Members of the club also Margaret Brown is elected as our first women patron.
2003
The prestigious Boyle Cup was won by the Ladies and retained in the trophy cabinet over 24 challenges, for three & half years.\ through till the end of June 2007, our Centennial year.
At the AGM a Centennial Committee was approved to plan for the celebration of 100 years of golf at Kaiapoi in 2007.
2005
Kitchen extensions and upgrade were proceeded with and bar and catering services were leased out to Country Catering Ltd.
Club apply successfully for an On Licence to cover the opening of the Mooring restaurant.
During October, the club installed the New Zealand Golf sanctioned, computerised Dot Golf handicap system.
2007
Opening Day in February saw the start of the Centennial Year Programme, the highlights which will be the excellent publication of the Clubs history, written by Evan Thomson, and the Labour Weekend Social and Golfing activities.
information from:
David Blackwell