116 | Present site bought in 1937 Spectacular: the view of Mt Hutt from the No. 17 green. T T from page 114 COMMUNITY Methven Golf Club It also stated that, in competition, members were not to play with the same partners, which was something the club still tried to live by. “That’s something we’ve always prided ourselves on. It can be a struggle at times that we don’t have set little groups. “It’s always what we call a hat draw – it’s a lottery whoever you play with. The club members are all mixed on different handicaps.” In 1930, the club moved to a paddock at Holmes Farm on Mt Harding Road, which is still in the Holmes family today. A new ninehole course was established, and a new club house built by Shearer Bros for £91. The club then moved to its present site in April 1937, having purchased Hibbs Block - 92 acres for ₤2488 14 shillings and 6 pence. This time it boasted 10 holes, and shortly after was extended by two holes. The first ball was hit on April 29, 1939. The course was built with the help of labour available through Scheme 13 that was set up during the Depression. However, in 1941, with another war raging, membership dropped. There was only ₤30 in the bank and the course was almost sold. It was leased out while club went into recession for the duration of the war. Fortunately, it was able to reopen in 1946 with the help of 700 sheep. The construction of the course was undertaken by volunteer labour through working bees. “It was all done inhouse other than when they needed to,” Phil said. “One working bee they had 17 farmers’ tractors.” In the early 1960s golf transformed from a winter sport to a year-round activity, and the club decided to keep its facilities open throughout the year with the dramatic increase in membership. In 1969, the club purchased another 30 acres for $2100, which meant the course could finally be expanded to an 18-hole course, funded through the proceeds of farming the land. The ladies’ committee fundraised a large amount for new furnishings and carpets for the clubhouse. The new six holes were designed by Bob Holmes, a long-standing member of the club, whose parents were on the original committee. He was also president of New Zealand Golf for a time. “He was a well- respected course architect around the district. He helped design many other courses after the work he’d done at Methven.” The Holmes family was one of a long list of names that are still associated with the club today, including the Campbells, Hamptons, Callaghans, Locks, Taylors and Holmes. The clubhouse was built in 1973 and has since been added to three times as membership grew. Phil said each committee has always improved the course with many trees removed and many planted, a bunker added, new buildings built and more. “It’s now one of the best country courses in New Zealand.” In 2010 for the first time the club employed a secretary/manager. Up until then everything was voluntary. Today, there is a fulltime greenkeeper with two part-time assistants, and two part-time administrators. “The course has continually changed since its conception. Different trees planted and development of the course is always ongoing, We’ve got probably one of the best-equipped green keepers sheds of country courses anywhere.” There are currently 450 members, up on 240 in 2019, and around 50 compete in the Saturday competition along with 20 ladies on Wednesday and up to 20 nine-hole members on a Tuesday and Friday. The average age of members has dropped, with 13 members under 35 in 2020 growing to over 70, and more than 70 school-aged members. Although there has been an increase in women members recently there are still many more men than women. The club hosts junior coaching programmes, a twilight competition and a “nine-and-wine” ladies competition. Annual membership is $540 for full membership, $370 for nine holes, $340 for under 35s, $230 for Under 25s, and $70 for school players, and green fees are $45. There are also winter and summer membership deals. There are more than 70 social members who pay an annual sub of $270 where no handicap is required. The social aspect was growing with more people choosing casual membership over the Saturday competition, Phil said. “Saturdays used to be our busiest days. Now that’s more likely to be Sunday. People just want to play casual golf. And we are trying to encourage and help them do it. “So, what we’ve got to do is make golf more flexible for time-starved people ... shorter forms of golf, flexible memberships.” Another huge change was the volunteer contribution. “The volunteer thing has been a major, major part of the club until health and safety regulations have put some restrictions on it. It is making it more difficult. “We still do it, but not to the same extent. We don’t do the major things.” Firewood remains a major part of the fundraising effort. The changes to liquor laws had also had a profound effect and had affected the club’s income, he said. “So, we’ve had to move into other avenues to raise funds. It’s not our main source of income anymore.” The course was growing in popularity with visitors to the district, with “favourable compliments” from guests from Singapore, the UK, France, Netherlands, Germany, USA, Canada, Japan, Scandinavia, South Korea and Australia, praising the aesthetic and layout of the course. “High profile players that have played the course include Sir Bob Charles who visited in 2022 and apologised for taking 86 years to get here.” The club hosts several tournaments – a two-day multi-sponsored tournament in November that draws up to 200 players, and the High Country Classic held at Terrace Downs and Methven at the end of January that always attracts a full field, along with the Pink Ladies Tournament in September and the nine-hole Tournament in October. The future looks strong for the club. A proposal for two junior length six-hole courses was recently approved by the full committee, with one on the front nine and one on the back nine. Any new player can tee off from a marker closer to the green. AIS Methven is your local Truck & Trailer workshop. We service and maintain trucks, trailers, construction equipment and more. Whether you need regular leet servicing or have had a breakdown , we have a 24 hour callout service. We are also the only authorized CoF agent in Methven (by appointment only). Contact BarryWalker 0273061193 55LineRd,Methven Ski Time in Methven is perfect for your next holiday, conference, wedding or just a night out with friends. Our comfortable, cosy atmosphere and warm welcome will ensure you never want to leave! Proudly supporting Methven Golf Club 03 302 8398 res@skitime.co.nz www.skitime.co.nz 03 302 8103 101Main St, Methven 8.30-5.30pm, Mon-Fri Proudly supportingMethven Golf Club
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