The paddocks became very wet in the winter so two years later nine holes were laid out on the farm of Mr Rod McAulay near the Waipu River bridge. Members continued to play there until 1954. Among the stalwarts of the club in those days was Mr D.J. McLeod who, though over 60, learned to play the game and continued it for many years. Others were Messrs. D.R. Mackay and J.R. McKay who both played until past 80 years.

On The Brynderwyns
For 12 years from the mid 1950s to the mid 60s the club played on Mr Murdoch McLean's property on the lower slopes of the Brynderwyns adjacent to State Highway One. Mr McLean's cooperation enabled golf to survive in the area. Prominent members at this time included Ian and Joan Matheson who for many years were club captain and secretary respectively.

 

The club has to thank farsighted executive members such as A.J. Finlayson, president at the time of the change, for their vision. The Hon D.N. McKay played a major part by achieving a lease on this crown land, with the right to purchase after five years. There was active support from most of the club's eighty members who used chainsaws, slashers and bare hands to clear fairways and subscribed to non-interest bearing debentures for development work. A lot of development was undertaken, at very favourable rates to the club, by Somners Ltd., whose heavy machinery proved invaluable.

Nine holes were developed for a start (the present 1st, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 16th, 17th, and 18th) and members paused for lunch before going round the second time. Sheep were grazed for a short time and dairy cows were wintered on No’s 10 and 15 fairways. Then a 12 hole course incorporating No’s 10, part of 14 and then 15 was played briefly, followed by the move to 18 holes. The layout had been planned right from the start by Mr H.G. Babbage, a golf course architect. We still play the course to his plan with only minor variations.

By 1998 a major course development programme had been commenced. It started with the felling of many old pine trees and is continuing with the establishment of "Black" tees, and the development of further bunkers and grassed mounds and new greens. Upgrading of course machinery and the irrigation system are also under way.

The club was now on the move, and the AGM adopted a new constitution that changed the management of the club from a committee of 14 members to a Board of Management. This consisted of a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, 3 directors and a representative from both lady’s & men’s golf and left the men’s and lady’s committees to focus on the running of the game of golf, while the board managed the finances, the clubhouse, the course and the staff. It was also a time when the kitchen was let out to a catering contract relieving the lady members of kitchen duties.

Des Cogan and Warwick Aston did 1 year each as Board Chair then Paul Jenkins took over and during a 2 year stint bringing a burst fresh energy into the club he organised the sealing of the roadway, the building of the deck over the 18^th green and the replacement of the irrigation system. Most of this work was carried out by volunteers under Paul’s leadership and guidance.

The course continued to improve slowly and steadily and in 2008 Dick resigned and was replaced as Board Chairperson by Julie Gordon having served as bar manager, club treasurer, secretary, lady captain and lady president, and having recently sold a successful business. Dick had done a great job and with a lady at the helm this was new territory for the club and with the new clubhouse the club needed to move to the next level. Each and every board member was allocated a list of responsibilities together with a basic job description and the board went from strength to strength.

Another important milestone in the club history was the inclusion of 9 hole golf as an integral part of the club, allowing full voting rights and inclusion to all 9 hole members. This has proven its worth not only keeping the older members who no longer want to play 18 holes, but in introducing new players who are able to play 9 holes without interruption to their regular family routing with children returning from school etc.

This was also the time of the building of the large lake and the writing of our extensive history book, both due to the persistence of Warwick Aston one of the Club’s Life Members.

A fierce easterly storm raged through the course bowling in excess of 60 large pines. It was then decided during the clean-up that some of the other trees should go and so a magnificent view of the ocean emerged.

Following an approach from local Golf Professional, Quenton Diment, a golf shop was opened and the clubhouse was immediately open to visitors 7 days a week with professional coaching, cart hire etc. An extremely generous and on-going donation from long time member, Graeme Finlayson, enabled the club to install the Dot Golf handicapping system which created effective tracking and data collection, all a bonus for future planning.

During a period of economic recession, Quenton realised that it was not good business sense to remain at Waipu as he was still very involved with the Northland Golf Club. The club management was in no doubt that to have the clubhouse attended 7 days a week was a definite boost to income so decided to take on its own staff to cover the hours of 8am to 5pm daily.

This lead to the increased growth of regular visitors to the club and the leasing of hire carts as another income stream. It also freed up some volunteer time and lead to the establishment of a pro-active sponsorship and advertising program to further boost the club coffers.