A look back in time
1. The Holmes, East Taieri, 1920 1922
The newly formed Taieri Golf Club held its opening day on Saturday, May 15, 1920, “in the vicinity” of John Allan’s farm The Holmes, at East Taieri. William Kirkland was president.
2. Wingatui Racecourse, 1922 approx 1923
At the Dunedin Jockey Club’s monthly meeting on August 17, 1922, an application from Taieri Golf Club to use its grounds as a golf links was granted. But unfortunately this course had to be vacated after numerous complaints from horse trainers about wayward balls causing lameness to horses. The exact date this happened is not recorded, but is thought to be in 1923.
3. Sheenan property, East Taieri, approx 19231928
The next site was the Sheenan property (running from Gladstone Road South to Main South Road). The club had a membership of about 2025 players. But when this was sold in 1928 the club was forced into recess.
4. Coughlan property, Salisbury Estate, North Taieri, 19311935
In 1931 the club was reactivated and land was leased from brothers William and Maurice Coughlan, of Salisbury Estate (Wairongoa
Road). The club was officially opened in this location on Saturday, September 26, 1931. The membership increased to 80 in the first year, but in 1935 the lease ran out.
5. Kirkland property (Gladfield) 19361969
In 1936, William Kirkland, of Elm Grove, Owhiro, agreed to lease 33 acres (13.4ha) of his Gladfield Rd property (where Gladfield Golf Course is now located).
The ninehole course was opened in 1936 with a membership of 50 men and 30 women.
But World War II struck from September 1939 to September 1945 resulting in a drop in membership.
A few difficult years followed, but by 1959 membership had increased considerably and new members could only join if they were on a 24 handicap or better.
In 1968 membership was 232 men, 98 women and 23 boys. These levels were difficult to fit on a ninehole course and a new course was needed.
6. Milners Rd 1969current day
On 14th July 1965, while still playing at the Gladfield site, the club bought 70 acres (23.3ha) in Milners Road, North Taieri.
The course was designed by Commander John Derring Harris RN, considered to be one of the leading planners in the world at the time.
Initially there was only room for 14 holes because part of the land purchased was open gravel pits.
Therefore in 1967 a lease was arranged with neighbour Frank Gibson for an adjoining 15 acre (6ha) triangular block where four temporary holes were set up.
On October 11, 1969, the Milners Rd course was officially opened. Initially there were no bunkers, no rough and few trees. A working bee soon saw 200 pines planted and in 1973 bunkers were introduced and the rough was allowed to grow.
In 1974 the club obtained the title to the former gravel pit area. To help fill the gap left by the gravel pits, Taieri County Council arranged for Mosgiel’s refuse to be deposited there (along the now ninth fairway and practice fairway) until the required levels were reached.
Ten years after moving on to the North Taieri course, four new holes were officially opened on Saturday May 7, 1979, replacing the temporary ones in the leased paddock.