Club History
1950- 1960
Formation of the Club
In 1950 Mr W. (Bill) Coffey a keen golfer, who had a Drapery store in the small town, learned of the existence of the trust land through the Manager of the ES&A bank. Mr Coffey and Mr Fred Jacobs, from the local Pharmacy, then organized a public meeting with the intention of forming a Golf Club utilizing the trust land.
The meeting was held 15th June 1950 in the Star Theatre owned by Mr Jim Comino. Messrs W. Coffey, F. Jacobs, R.Crosby, C.A. Blakey, M. Bateman, J.K. Hungerford, T. Sproul, N. Hooper, R.E. Holtzman, McPherson, D. Garth, and Mr. Bowling were in attendance. The meeting agreed that the Club should be named Horton Park Golf Club in honour of the donor of the land.
Official Opening
In February 1956 approval was sought from the QGU to declare the course fit to play and in May 1956 Mr M.R. Hornibrook President of the QGU officially opened the course.
At the AGM in 1956 the President reported that the clubhouse had been completed and the course open for play. A special tribute was paid to the Associates for their contribution. The Club now had 63 Members, 37 Associates, 3 Country Members and 1 Country Associate. Other important events in 1956 were: The granting of a liquor license through the QGU. A shed was built to house the mowers and an SS of 64 was set for the course. Mr A.G. Broughton was elected Captain and Mr A. Briggs, Vice Captain.
1966 - 1979
Club Name & Extensions
During February a novel competition was introduced when the Grange Company of Archers came to play against the golfers. They fired arrows down the fairways finishing with targets on the greens while the golfers played normally. This was more of a fund raising fun day than a serious competition as the archers were unbeatable.
Tee Shirts for the Pennant players were introduced about this time.
New Layout
Mr Arthur Gazzard, the professional at Victoria Park Golf Club, Brisbane designed a new 18 hole layout. In a fine gesture Mr Gazzard charged only for his accommodation and refreshments.
In 1969 the council was granted an easement through the course to dig a large drain. This drain, much enlarged, divides the course today. A sign was erected in 1970 at the entrance to the course warning motorists of golfers hitting across Sugar road,
Sugar Road had been closed and the part from the entrance to the drain was purchased by the Club, and moves were made to close the remainder of the road from the drain to the southern entrance.
Clubs within the Club
Charlie's Nine
A nine hole competition founded by Charlie Heavey, Clair Soden, Andrew Dunn, John Irvine and Joe Bourke. The Club was formed to cater mainly for golfers who were unable to play 18 holes. Later it became popular with many retired members. It is usually played Monday and Friday mornings.
Monday Club
Mal Robertson and Paul McCudden formed the Club. It is very popular with players who have to work on weekends.
Veterans Club
Founded by Norm Wadsworth, Jack McArthur, Reg Wadsworth and Arch Woods..
A member of the S. C. Veteran Golfers Association Inc. and affiliated with the QId Veteran Golfers Union. Plays away games with other Clubs within the District and hosts both Zone and Local days at Horton Park.
Twilight Club
Alf Hockey, Bob Hoppee and Frank Marr founded the Club as a nine hole competition played on Thursday afternoons. It has become very popular, particularly with School Teachers.
Junior Club
First started by Mick Neilsen and Vic Kiskopf and has helped to produce many fine golfers.
1980 to 1997
The 1980s and 1990s saw rapid growth to both the district and the Club.
This growth brought rapid changes and much controversy. What had started as a trickle of visitors from southern states turned into an avalanche of new residents to the area. The small seaside village of Maroochydore was transformed into a thriving township.
New Clubhouse & Plans for New Pro Shop
The building of a new clubhouse began and Mr Fred Jacobs, a foundation member of the Club, was awarded life membership in 1980. Plans for a new pro shop were drawn up and the membership now stood at 588 with over 300 Members and 160 Associates. In May of that year it is recorded that 27-3/4 inches of rain fell on the course.
Greenkeeper Ernie McDonald left the Club in 1981 to be replaced by the present Greens Superintendent Mr Pat Pauli.
Redevelopment of the Course
From 1988 to 1996 the course underwent major redevelopment under the direction of Mr Kevin Byrnes and Greens Superintendent Mr Pat Pauli. Kevin was awarded a Life Membership in 1996 for his work.
1998 – 2001
The high standard of the golf course had come to the attention of the QGU and in 1998 & 1999 two of Queensland's major amateur events were held on the course. This was the first time any of these events were held outside the Brisbane area. The condition of the course for the 1998 Queensland Medal was sensational. The accolades received from the players and QGU officials reiterated what we knew all along, our course and our greenkeepers were second to none. The greatest accolade came from the eventual winner of the event Geoff Ogilvy who said the greens were the best Bermuda greens he had ever putted on. Geoff turned Pro a few months later, won the US Open in 2006 and is now ranked in the top 10 in the world. In 1999 Pat Pauli and his crew once again rose to the occasion to present the course in perfect condition for the Queensland Amateur Championship. The winner this year was New Zealander Gareth Paddison who has also gone on to have a successful professional career.
Course redevelopment complete
In Sept 1999 the final stages of the course redevelopment commenced, with the 5th 6th 8th 10th &18th holes being upgraded. This was done in several stages until finally in early 2001 the course redevelopment was complete. We now have the best non resort golf course on the sunshine coast. Over the next few years various zone and State Championships were held at Horton Park and in 2005 at the Queensland Golf Industry awards Horton Park Golf Club was named Regional Golf Club of the year.
2002 – 2007
Our future evolving
In 2002 a Survey of members indicated great satisfaction with the course but growing concerns as to the clubhouse. However members were generally very wary of borrowing for any upgrade work. The Board therefore proposed the sale of an unused hectare of land alongside the driving range to FKP Pty Ltd to allow for construction of two apartment blocks.
At about the same time that the sale was being consummated the Club became aware of the State Government and Maroochy Shire’s desire to make Maroochydore the “Principal Activity Centre” of the Sunshine Coast. Advice was received that in order for this to be achieved it would be necessary for them to access much of the Club’s land for road and rail construction thus making the course unusable.
With this in mind in September 2006 the Board sought member approval to enter into an arrangement with Babcock & Brown under which (provided appropriate development approvals can be gained) Babcock & Brown would advance the club sufficient funds to purchase 175 hectares of land at Kunda Park and to construct two Graham Marsh designed courses, a practice facility and new clubhouse etc.
Once the first of the two courses and the clubhouse are completed the Club will move to the new site - the move is currently expected to take place in April 2011 with the second course coming on line 12 months later. The existing site will then be redeveloped by Babcock & Brown and the Club (as part of the new CBD) in a joint venture arrangement and the profits split between the two parties.
76% of members voted in favour of the move and work is now in progress to achieve our goals which will provide us with two courses ranked amongst the best member courses in Australia, great practice facilities, a state of the art clubhouse and a sound financial future.
For most of us April 2011 cannot come soon enough!
Horton Park Golf Course
Swans
Swans
