The Waiuku Golf Club, founded in 1921, has its origins in 1911 when Dr. C.E. Howden and Mr. H.B. Armitage introduced golf to the area. They created a small 4-5 hole course at Parkers Paddock in Kitchener Road, where they played and sparked local interest in the game. This led to the involvement of Mr. L.F. Shakespear, who offered land at his farm "Glendora" in Pukeoware, where a nine-hole course was established.
In 1920, with a growing interest in golf, the Waiuku Golf Club was officially formed, with Mr. Shakespear as President and Dr. Howden as Captain. Mr. Athol Ohlson was appointed Secretary and Treasurer, roles he would hold for many years. His involvement with the club was instrumental, and he remained active in its administration for over five decades, serving the club almost continuously until his passing in 1981. His long service is considered a unique record, with Ohlson even overseeing the men’s field and checking scores just days before his death at the age of 88.
The Waiuku Golf Club was officially formed in May 1921 after a meeting at the Defence Office in Waiuku. At this meeting, it was decided to create a local golf club, with Mr. L.F. Shakespear elected as President, Mr. H.B. Armitage as Captain, and Mr. A.W. Ohlson as Hon. Secretary/Treasurer. The club quickly set to work securing a location for its course. After inspecting the Racecourse Reserve, Messrs. Armitage and Ohlson received approval from the lessee, Mr. F.G. Parker, and a nine-hole course was laid out. The club was officially opened on 23rd June 1921, with Mr. C.R. Howden, a founding figure of New Zealand golf, performing the opening drive.
In the early years, members played on dairy pastures with no defined fairways, and the course had several unique hazards, such as milking sheds and pig sties. Despite these challenges, they worked diligently to improve the course, and in 1925, the club became incorporated and built a new clubhouse to replace the inadequate shed they had been using.
The old 9 Hole course
The early layout of the Waiuku Golf Club course, established in 1921, presented unique challenges for players. The nine holes, with a par score of 73, featured narrow fairways, small fenced greens, and rough conditions.
Fairways were often rough due to grazing sheep until the 1960s, and greens were small and struggled early in the season. The course had natural obstacles like swampy areas and steep gullies, while blackberry and gorse further complicated recovery shots. Despite these challenges, the course placed a premium on accuracy and straight hitting.
Over time, significant improvements were made, including earthworks to flatten steep areas and the installation of modern drainage. These changes, along with better equipment and maintenance, have transformed the course into the well-groomed, enjoyable layout that today’s members experience.
Post-War Developments
After World War II, the Waiuku Golf Club focused on expanding and improving the course to meet the needs of a growing membership. In 1945, five new holes were added, creating a 14-hole layout, and plans for a full 18-hole course were finalized in 1951. The club overcame space limitations by temporarily using land across the boundary for the 16th hole until 1968 when an acre of land was purchased, allowing for the relocation of the 15th green and 16th tee to their current positions.
In the 1950s, greens were enlarged and remodelled, with members volunteering to help improve the course. The club also began planting more trees, including pines, cypresses, and other hardy species, especially after the removal of sheep in 1967, which led to further improvements. By the late 1970s, the fairways were well-defined, and the course became more challenging.
In 1964, the club secured a long-term lease for the reserve, providing greater stability and enabling further development, including a large-scale tree planting program. The course transformed from its bare, windswept appearance into a parkland-style layout, offering a vastly improved playing experience for members.
The Second Expansion and Clubhouse Development
In the 1960s, the popularity of golf surged across New Zealand, and Waiuku Golf Club saw a significant increase in membership, peaking at 400 full members in the 1970s. To accommodate this growth, the clubhouse, originally built in 1925, was expanded. In 1967, the club decided to construct a modern two-storey clubhouse, which was completed in May 1969 with the help of voluntary labour and funding from a debenture issue and a bank mortgage.
In the 1980s, the club merged with the local squash club, becoming "The Waiuku Golf and Squash Club Inc." New squash courts were built, and further expansions were made to the clubhouse. Over time, the clubhouse has seen several improvements, including updates to its décor and facilities.