History of the Springfield Golf Club

The need for a second 18 hole golf course in the late 1930's prompted a group of local golfers (mostly playing on the 9 hole course at the government gardens) to look for suitable land close to town on which to establish a new club. On 13 November 1947 a meeting was held and the new club was to be known as Springfield Golf Club. It was then up to the committee to find suitable land on which to establish a new course. It was seven months of, at times, frustrating negotiations before a satisfactory lease was finalised. The land at first was swampy and covered in barberry, gorse, broom and farm fencing. It took many years for the initial laying out of the course and this was done by an enthusiastic team of volunteers. This is the area in play today. In 1967 a new $50,000 clubhouse was opened and in 1973 an automatic water system was installed around each of the greens. Over the years, the Club has been privileged to host some prestigious golf tournaments, including NZGA Men's Amateur Championship, NZ Junior Boys, NZ Maori Tournament, NZ Ladies Amateur plus The Tower Inter-provincials.

The course

Springfield at 5600+ metres from the back is short for today's big young hitters, make no mistake about it! If you are a senior or your wife loves to play, this is the course for you. Otherwise, hit irons off the tee as the fairways are tight and narrow in places and you will need the accuracy to make a sub par round. Again, as is the case with many rural New Zealand courses, you will find lush, healthy, clean-cut fairway grasses and more often than not, find the greens fast and true to putt.

Kelly Robertson - Coolabar Senior Golf Professional

Springfield: Holes 18 - Par 70 - Length 5639 metres - Coolabar category 3 parkland