Mullumbimby Golf Club History.
Mullumbimby - The Mullumbimby Golf Club was officially opened on Saturday 23rd April, 1932 and in 1934 the first Annual Meeting of the Mullumbimby Golf Associates was held. President Mrs Pearl Smith occupied the chair and it was recorded that a “fair” number was in attendance. Membership tallied 19 and it was hoped that this number would increase during the coming seasons. The Associates’ competition was held in conjunction with the members and they made quarterly donations of their funds to the members.
The course was situated on the property of Mr Bill Walker, which was just over one mile from the town, just past the present site of Coolamon Villa Home for the Aged. The course had a slight undulation and had a creek that wound in and out of the fairways, creating a hazard. Players were provided with very picturesque views of Main Arm valley with Mt Warning in the background. A high wooden clubhouse was built on the ridge; a horse-drawn mower and hand mower were stored under the building.
Local rules existed, players were able to drop out of cow tracks in the creek bed; a ball in WET manure could be moved without penalty, a ball could be moved out of large holes where stumps used to be; a ball stymied by stumps could be moved on certain fairways. The ladies affiliated with the LGU in 1934. A club handicap of 50 was introduced in 1935.
The war years saw a lapse in the golfing world at Mullumbimby, and it was not long after it resumed that the course was moved to the position that it is established today.
On October 1, 1947 the members President informed the ladies that they could not be affiliated as the links were incomplete. The Mulllumbimby Racecourse was incorporated into forming a 9- hole golf course, starting with 5 holes, then to 7, then 9 which had lush fairways, lined with tall pine trees to trap the shot that was going astray. Alternate tees made the
18- hole round far more testing and interesting, and the greens, although small, were couch that provided a true and consistent putting surface. A new local rule was introduced; a ball striking running rails could be replayed without penalty. The Associates re-affiliated in 1948.
In 1951 the racecourse rails were removed.
In the early days the clubhouse was that of an old Air Force Barracks purchased from Evans Head, a hut of about 80’ x 12’ and this was used until 1954 when it was destroyed by fire. The end of the hut was saved from the fire and made to do until a new clubhouse was erected in 1956. You can see the date on the photo above that is of the entrance to the upstairs section of the club still today. The clubhouse was extended in 1978 and officially opened on 21st April, 1979.
In 1950 prizes for the Open Day were coupons for one pound of butter each and two pounds of tea as rations were still in. It was the first year of the Captains v’s Presidents Day was played, the ladies had to acquaint themselves with match play.
Measurements of the course were sent to the LGU and a scratch score of 68 was received. The LGU visited in 1959 and gave a scratch score of 69.
Five new holes were added to the layout in October, 1983 and the scratch score of 70 was to apply. This was followed by a further hole in ‘86 and in 87’ there was an 18-hole course.
The course was recently rated for the introduction of the Slope System and the Ladies Red Course is a Par 71 AWCR 71.6 and Ladies Purple Course is Par 71 AWCR of 68.2.
First President Pearl Smith introduced Nance Bourne to golf in those early years and both were awarded Life Memberships, Pearl in 1967 and Nance in 1982. Pearl went on to be elected to the local Council and was President of the NRAGA. Sadly in 1989 Pearl passed away, over all of the years to 1988 when she retired as the club Treasurer, she had held many positions in the club, only missing 2 years on the committee. At present Rus Marsden, Noel James,Fay Gannell, Caville Robbins & Gwyn Lynn are the Life Members.
In 1988 the Associates changed their name to Lady Golfers. In 1993 the ladies locker room was extended and fully renovated.
The club has a strong history in playing in the WGNR pennants, interclub events, travelling and social getaways. The Club has taken out the Grade 2 pennants in 1975, 2000 and 2001.
Mullumbimby Lady Golfers are a close knit group, proud of their club and excellent volunteers. The ladies do their own catering and are keen to welcome visitors to the club at any time.
The course was situated on the property of Mr Bill Walker, which was just over one mile from the town, just past the present site of Coolamon Villa Home for the Aged. The course had a slight undulation and had a creek that wound in and out of the fairways, creating a hazard. Players were provided with very picturesque views of Main Arm valley with Mt Warning in the background. A high wooden clubhouse was built on the ridge; a horse-drawn mower and hand mower were stored under the building.
Local rules existed, players were able to drop out of cow tracks in the creek bed; a ball in WET manure could be moved without penalty, a ball could be moved out of large holes where stumps used to be; a ball stymied by stumps could be moved on certain fairways. The ladies affiliated with the LGU in 1934. A club handicap of 50 was introduced in 1935.
The war years saw a lapse in the golfing world at Mullumbimby, and it was not long after it resumed that the course was moved to the position that it is established today.
On October 1, 1947 the members President informed the ladies that they could not be affiliated as the links were incomplete. The Mulllumbimby Racecourse was incorporated into forming a 9- hole golf course, starting with 5 holes, then to 7, then 9 which had lush fairways, lined with tall pine trees to trap the shot that was going astray. Alternate tees made the
18- hole round far more testing and interesting, and the greens, although small, were couch that provided a true and consistent putting surface. A new local rule was introduced; a ball striking running rails could be replayed without penalty. The Associates re-affiliated in 1948.
In 1951 the racecourse rails were removed.
In the early days the clubhouse was that of an old Air Force Barracks purchased from Evans Head, a hut of about 80’ x 12’ and this was used until 1954 when it was destroyed by fire. The end of the hut was saved from the fire and made to do until a new clubhouse was erected in 1956. You can see the date on the photo above that is of the entrance to the upstairs section of the club still today. The clubhouse was extended in 1978 and officially opened on 21st April, 1979.
In 1950 prizes for the Open Day were coupons for one pound of butter each and two pounds of tea as rations were still in. It was the first year of the Captains v’s Presidents Day was played, the ladies had to acquaint themselves with match play.
Measurements of the course were sent to the LGU and a scratch score of 68 was received. The LGU visited in 1959 and gave a scratch score of 69.
Five new holes were added to the layout in October, 1983 and the scratch score of 70 was to apply. This was followed by a further hole in ‘86 and in 87’ there was an 18-hole course.
The course was recently rated for the introduction of the Slope System and the Ladies Red Course is a Par 71 AWCR 71.6 and Ladies Purple Course is Par 71 AWCR of 68.2.
First President Pearl Smith introduced Nance Bourne to golf in those early years and both were awarded Life Memberships, Pearl in 1967 and Nance in 1982. Pearl went on to be elected to the local Council and was President of the NRAGA. Sadly in 1989 Pearl passed away, over all of the years to 1988 when she retired as the club Treasurer, she had held many positions in the club, only missing 2 years on the committee. At present Rus Marsden, Noel James,Fay Gannell, Caville Robbins & Gwyn Lynn are the Life Members.
In 1988 the Associates changed their name to Lady Golfers. In 1993 the ladies locker room was extended and fully renovated.
The club has a strong history in playing in the WGNR pennants, interclub events, travelling and social getaways. The Club has taken out the Grade 2 pennants in 1975, 2000 and 2001.
Mullumbimby Lady Golfers are a close knit group, proud of their club and excellent volunteers. The ladies do their own catering and are keen to welcome visitors to the club at any time.