Like someone trying to sink a putt for par from off the green; the historic Charters Towers Golf Club is feeling the strain of the prolonged dry across the state.
The club which was opened to the public in 1899 is the oldest nine hole course in Queensland, and club committee members are working overtime to ensure members have an enjoyable time having a hit at the iconic grounds.
Club manager Bridie Holmes said that while the club is not currently under water restrictions as such, the lack of rain has meant relying on pumping water into and out of the dam on site which is costly.
“Our last 12-month water rates bill had a very high excess water component due to our constant reliance on pumping ground water,” Ms Holmes said.
“Like most sporting groups in the city we’re talking to council about creating a water management plan to assist in alleviating the cost until the the rain comes back,” she said.
“Our groundskeeper John Barr and grounds director Lynton White are doing an exceptional job maintaining the course with the resources they are provided.
“They’re doing the best they can, and the greens are in really good shape, but they are finding it hard to maintain decent grass cover on the fairways.
“Lynton does not draw a wage at all for the work he does and he saves us an absolute fortune by assisting with the repairs and maintenance of our equipment and volunteering his time to assist John or fill in when he isn’t available. He even takes recreational leave from his full time job to work here.
“And our club president, Mick Wilson, is also working tirelessly, as well as researching and applying for grants to improve the grounds and facilities.”
Ms Holmes said the club wouldn’t be able to function as it does without members like them.
“But the drought situation has only gotten worse over the last six months; much like the rest of the state we’re working hard to keep our heads above water, we just need actual water to come down from up high.”
Ms Holmes said the committee members at the not-for-profit club realise everyone is doing it tough at present and they’re trying to support their community as well by hosting special event days during which green fees are waived.
“Many of our members and casual players are struggling through this prolonged dry, just like us. By having free-to-play days we are saying thank you to them for their continued support.
“We feel that the club is an asset to the town and community and will be discussing how the council can support and assist us when we next meet with them.”
A rich history
The Charters Towers Golf Club was formed on July 7, 1899.
Inter-town competition between Charters Towers and Townsville took place as early as August 1899, and according to newspaper reports of the day, the sport was very popular.
In 1922 Dr T.R Edmeades leased an area of land on Dalyrmple Road upon which a club house was erected. That building was added to over the years and was occupied until the current club house was completed in November, 1988.
In 1926 the first Special Lease, over the whole of the present course, was granted to the trustees of the Golf Club. Prior to this the course was a Crown Recreation Reserve. In 1897 the area which now contains the old and new club houses was converted to Perpetual Lease and the course and car park were amalgamated into one special lease.
The first step towards grass greens was taken in 1975 with the completion of the dam on the corner of the number seven fairway. In 1977 the bottom dam was put in and work commenced on a water reticulation scheme. In 1978 the first grass green (number six) was laid, a further four greens were completed in 1979 and the remaining four were completed in 1980. On March 15, 1981, the official opening of the grass greens took place.
A building committee was elected on May 21, 1985, to investigate the renovation of the club house. The committee decided to build a new club house and this action was endorsed at the the annual general meeting held on November 24, 1985.
Work commenced on the new club house on June 1, 1987 and was completed and occupied by November, 1988. The official opening of the club house took place on February 25, 1989.
