The History of Templeton Golf Club

Early Beginnings: Golf has been played on the land that is now known as Templeton Golf Course since 1915, when the horse artillery were camped here during their training in World War I. The officers would play golf in their off-duty hours, creating rough golf holes to enjoy the game. By the late 1920s, a group of enthusiasts began playing more regularly on the Domain, using sunken jam tins as makeshift cups.

The Formation of the Club: In early 1931, as interest in the area grew, a meeting was held to discuss the formation of a formal golf club. On August 13, 1931, 60 individuals unanimously decided to establish the Templeton Country Club. Mr. Van Asch, who was leasing the land, made arrangements to sublet a portion of the Domain for the club. The club quickly grew, and in response, Mr. Van Asch offered the club the full lease of the Domain area.

Course Development: The club enlisted Harry Blair, a professional from Shirley, to design the 18-hole layout, for a fee of just £5. The course construction involved considerable manual labor, with the assistance of workers from the Depression Relief Scheme, and basic tools such as a horse-drawn mower and a large roller. The original par of the course was set at 74.

The First Clubhouse: The club’s first clubhouse was a donated “whare,” a hut on wheels previously used by mill workers. Purchased for just £15, it became the social heart of the club, with members bringing 5-gallon kegs of liquid refreshment for post-match gatherings.

Challenges of Wartime: The club flourished up until the outbreak of World War II, at which point many members enlisted, and petrol rationing forced the club into recess from 1942 to 1945. The club reopened on March 26, 1946, and began rebuilding its membership.

Post-War Growth: The post-war years saw significant expansion. In 1952, the clubhouse was extended with timber from donated trees. The greenkeeper’s house was completed in 1958, and further clubhouse expansions were finished by 1959. Between 1963 and 1970, the clubhouse was further altered to become what it is today.

Course Changes and Modernization: The course also saw changes during this time. In 1957, the first alterations were made, followed by a renumbering of the holes in 1960. New greens were constructed, including the ones at No. 7 (Campus) in 1967, and No. 8 (The Bowl) and No. 9 (The Drive) in 1976. The addition of lakes on Holes 3 and 4 completed the current course layout.

Legacy: Templeton Golf Club has a rich history, and the legacy of those early pioneers is reflected in the course and the clubhouse today. As we continue to grow and evolve, the club remains a central hub for golf and social activities in the community.