Magazine - Homes may Replace Golf Course in N.Z

By Editor in Golf on 6th Apr 2008 8:05

The rolling fairways of Red Beach’s 44-hectare Peninsula Golf Club could become home to 600 houses.  Residents are alarmed at speculation a developer could swap the site for a new course, or buy the land to build on it.


A letter sent to members on March 27 by club general manager Phil Christie outlined an opportunity presented to the board. It includes swapping the site for an up to 80 hectare purpose-built course and clubhouse in Wainui.

The site already has resource consent for a course and is about 10 minutes drive from the present course. There also is a substantial cash consideration.
The Rodney District Council has been fielding inquiries from residents, some of whom have bought their sections from the club, fearing their house values would plummet should the plans proceed.

"There is a high level of anxiety about the idea, and that is a major concern," Hibiscus Coast councillor Zane Taylor says.  "The first the council knew of any plans was when it received a copy of the letter. It is just an idea and it may or may not go any further. But we will be watching carefully."

He says the club has nothing to hide and the public would be kept informed. Club members were informed the company that presented the proposals had engaged a course architect to assess the Wainui site’s feasibility, and once that was available the club would hold an information meeting.
 
The Peninsula Golf Club was formed in 1957, the same year that the purchase of land at Red Beach was finalised. Sixty-four sections were included in a scheme which was to see them sold to fund the construction of the course.
Through the drive and enthusiasm of the 193 foundation members, 9 holes were opened by April 1957. By 1958 a full 18 hole course was in play, albeit only temporary holes. It was to take until 1962 before the Club had permanent greens and tees.
In 1970 Harry Dale, a well known golf course architect of the time, was commissioned to prepare a Course Master Plan. For the next 25 years this was to become the basis on which all course development was planned.

In 1999 The Board of Management of the Club, whilst recognising the monumental efforts by volunteer members in the formative years of the Club, agreed that only a full course re-construction, which finally addressed drainage in a comprehensive and conclusive manner and provided for the upgrading of the course to one more in keeping with the expectations of golfers today, was practicable.
Chris Pitman, a golf course architect with an international reputation, based in Singapore, was commissioned to prepare a comprehensive Course Master Plan.

Source: www.stuff.co.nz
Article by MIKE BISHARA - Rodney Times

Read more articles in Golf, by Editor or from April 2008.