Welcome to the Cairns Golf Club

The first mention of motorised buggies was made to the December 1973 meeting, when it gave its approval for their use on the course, provided the carts had suitable tyres installed. The Green’s Director at the time was the first member to purchase and use a motorised cart on the Cairns course.

The Green’s Director advised the January meeting that green staff consisted of a Greenkeeper and three groundsmen. Approval was sought and given for the purchase of a new slasher/mower and a Rover 4 stroke mower at a cost of $800.00 and $169.00 each. Approval was given for an increase in beer prices – 7oz 19 cents 5oz 16 cents and 10oz 27 cents.

The minutes for February 1974 noted the inaugural visit by Cairns’ golfers to Mt Isa to compete in the City of Mt Isa Open. Twenty-five members made the trip, which became an annual pilgrimage, continuing for many years. In return, golfers from Mt Isa travelled to Cairns for the City of Cairns Open. Cairns golfers chartered an aircraft and were billeted on the Mt Isa course.

Early in 1974 the district was subjected to heavy rainfall and little play resulted, finances were affected, and records for February show the working account was overdrawn by $3,504.00. Up to 1974 the constitution restricted juniors under 18 years from becoming full members and was included in the Club’s constitution as a requirement of the Liquor Act. Mr. A. Murray recommended that an extraordinary meeting be called to amend the constitution, allowing them to become full members and the proposed draft amendment be submitted to the Licensing Commission for approval.

The Captain, advised the meeting that 52 replies were received on a poll to gauge members reaction to an all-inclusive annual green fee. 34 were in favour.
The question of green fees was discussed at the July meeting. It was decided to put the following fees to a special meeting of members to be held in August. The following fees were passed –

The regulations on correct dress were discussed at the September 1974 meeting, when it was resolved to replace the wording on the current dress signs in the Clubhouse and surrounds with the following “Minimum standard dress for Members – shoes, long socks, shorts, and shirts with sleeves”. Notices pertaining to the dress of Associates were left in their hands.

At the January 1975 meeting Mr. Hull asked that the Club run an Amateur City of Cairns to replace the Professional event terminated in 1974. An amateur event was scheduled. During 1975 a Junior Club was formed with the juniors forming their own executive, including a handicapper. A report to the February meeting of the Club indicated that 42 juniors had registered.
The February meeting confirmed that the Professional Tournament was cancelled, and that an amateur event would be held in 1975 with All Sports Day Wednesday, Associates Day on Thursday, and the Amateur Championships would commence on Friday and continue until Sunday.
The May meeting on a successful motion was moved, “the maximum handicap for members in club competitions be set at a maximum of 24.”

The concessions to former members were discussed at a special meeting held during the year, moved a successful Motion, “that financial members who had resigned be re admitted without payment of a Nomination fee, at the discretion of the committee.” This ruling would remain in force until the late 1990’s when a clause was added to restrict the concession to a specified period.

Due to a lack of finance the clubhouse, which was opened in 1971, was not fully completed, and the outdoor patio had an earthen floor and was not covered. The associates agreed to provide finances for the area to be covered, and the work was completed by April 1976, it would be months before a concrete floor was laid.

During the years 1975 to 1976 the clubhouse would be a popular venue for dances and other forms of night entertainment. To overcome problems with the licensing commission regarding visitors to the Club, the committee introduced a scheme whereby patrons at dances, etc., were issued a social membership, upon payment of their entrance fee. During 1976 a dispute arose between the Club and the licensing commission over the legality of the above functions, ending in the commission withdrawing further permits. Months would pass before a satisfactory solution was found and permits approved.

In 1976 the committee resolved the colours of the Club would be royal blue and red.
Handicap limits for members be 24 for all Four ball events over 18 holes, and those events declared as major events.” It was also successfully moved “that a minimum of twenty (20) players be necessary for a field competing for trophy purposes. For a field of less than twenty, play will be for sweepstakes only.” Reciprocal rights were decided at this meeting when it was successfully moved. “That persons permanently residing in the Cairns area are not entitled to reciprocal rights in the Cairns Golf club.

Also moved successfully that the secretary purchase additional lockers, at a cost of $40.00 each. The purchase of a further 100 pine trees from the Department of Forestry, for replanting on the course, was approved, and during 1976 a tree planting project was commenced. The pines were planted on the old 9th, 10th, and 13th fairways but would prove unsuitable, due to problems caused by the dropping of acorns growing on the tree. Years later it was discovered that to grow trees successfully on certain parts of the course, it was necessary that they be planted on mounds.

The annual meeting set the following fees for 1977 -

Chapter Seven – Disaster Strikes (1970-73)
Fire and a New Clubhouse.

The 1970 meeting listed Membership for 1969 as 301 Members and 155 Associates, an overall total of 515. Junior members were shown as 15 males and 2 Junior Associates. The Annual report showed the 1968 City of Cairns Open had netted a profit of $1,000.00. Competition fees for 1969 had amounted to $500.00. At the time competition fees were 10 cents per player (raised to 20 cents at this meeting) and the price of golf balls was $1.00 per ball. The meeting resolved “that the incoming Committee write to the Cairns All Sports Club, reminding them of this Club’s requirements that no person may become a member of their club unless they be financial members of a recognized Golf Club and requesting assurances that will be strictly enforced.”

The Annual meeting for 1970, dealt with a request for an ‘all-inclusive fee’ “that Members be permitted to pay green fees in an annual lump sum of $20.00, such sum to be paid in full by 7th January each year”. When put to the meeting it was lost on a vote of 16 to 14.

The first Committee meeting for 1970 in December 1969 discussed ways of raising finance to build a new clubhouse. The first severe blow was received when the National Bank declined to offer any assistance, forcing the Club to formulate plans to raise finance by the issue of debentures.

The Match Committee in December advised that a schoolboy’s camp would be held on the Cairns course in May 1970, limited to 30 boys, with the boys being billeted on the course. The cost would be $15.00 with the camp being conducted from Monday to Friday. The Special Meeting discussed the question of dress on the course and in clubhouse, and a vote was put to the meeting for a relaxation in the dress code. It was defeated by a vote. The cost of the new Clubhouse was $55,700.00. This included all costs, excluding refrigeration. It was also advised that the shell of the building could be built at a cost of $30,000.00 and completion date from 4 to 4-1/2 months.


The printing of score cards was brought before the June meeting and resolved that only one card be printed for both Members and Associates. Until this time two sets of cards were printed.

The Clubhouse was to be built in five stages. The fire altered this with Locker rooms, Pro. shop and Steward's quarters opened in 1973.
Note 1– Considering the number of builders who were Members of the Club, the selection of the Tender from B. P. Constructions would be queried for years to come. The principals in this firm who it was suggested employed practices that left much to be desired. The workmanship in the building of the Clubhouse was poor, with Committees continually outlaying finances to fix construction faults.
Note 2– On Christmas night 1970 the building housing the Cairns Golf Club was burnt to the ground. The Clubhouse was insured for $30,000.00, and furniture and plant a further $6,000.00. Working bees were called, and the remains were cleared the same day. The remains are buried to the left-hand side of the present 4th green. One member of the working bees was the Cairns Fire Chief, who issued his approval for the work to proceed. Over the years many rumours have circulated regarding the fire, but none have ever been proven.

The fire started of its own accord on the night of Christmas Day 1970 and had reached a stage where it became noticeable by passersby. The first people on the scene were a fireman and a passing policeman. Presumably, they tried to contain the fire, but were unable to do so and somehow got a call to the local fire brigade. By the time of the Brigade arrival the building was destroyed.


The Annual General Meeting for 1971 was held in the new Clubhouse on 23rd November 1970. The Membership for 1970 was 325. Members and 150 Associates, an overall total of 520.

The new Clubhouse was under construction, but incomplete, when the fire struck. By the end of the week a refrigeration unit had been obtained, portable flooring had been obtained from a local timber merchant, and a bar placed inside a locked shed which serviced Members and Associates until the new Clubhouse opened. A Special Committee Meeting held on the 20th January 1971 discussed the opening of the Clubhouse. The opening date was set for the 6th March 1971.

Samuel Allens guaranteed a loan of $30,000.00 to be taken out by the Club, but had strings attached, centering around the purchase and sale of alcohol. Conditions of the loan were that it must be repaid in 8 years, during which time only certain brands of beer were to be sold by the Club. This would cause problems with drinkers of the Club, especially those drinking XXXX beer. It would be some time before the tie-on beer brands would be broken.

As mentioned in a previous chapter the camaraderie introduced by these temporary arrangements bonded the Club. After games the players would sit on stools, or the ground, and have a drink and yarn with their playing partners.

Captain and Vice-Captain clashed over the closing of the course on Saturday 13th March. Due to the condition of the course, the Vice Captain closed the course early in morning, and upon his arrival later in the day, the Acting Captain exercised his delegation, as Acting Captain, and reopened it. This caused a Special Committee Meeting to be called to discuss the matter. As a result of the meeting, notices were placed in the Clubhouse expressing the regret of the President and Committee for the misunderstanding. It is possible this was the first time that the course was declared unplayable, it was not until 1999 that it would be closed again, by the Greens Director, Gary Werder, again due to wet conditions.

The November meeting discussed the workmanship displayed in the construction of the new Clubhouse, and “that a letter be written to the architects expressing disapproval of the workmanship in the Clubhouse and advising that the balance of money owing to the contractors, will be withheld, pending discussion with the Architect, on a number of faults to that had to be rectified, to the satisfaction of the Building Committee.”

The question of dress, both in the Clubhouse and on the course, has been of concern to Committees and 1972 was no exception — the matter was discussed at three meetings during 1972. A motion was moved, “that thongs may be worn, without socks, in the bar area, provided the member is otherwise neatly dressed”. When put to the vote it was defeated. At a second meeting in February, it was discussed with the meeting agreeing to a relaxation, permitting thongs for a trial period of 3 months. The approval was withdrawn at the 1972 June meeting.

Mr. R. Garson, advised that more use was to be made of time sheets during 1972, with the last hit off being 1.30 pm. He advised of a Friday afternoon competition being reintroduced and of a working bee organized to mow parts of the course.

A Special Meeting in May 1972 elected a new Professional.

1. — A retainer of $20.00 be paid
2. — The Professional to pay for all local and trunk calls.
3. — The Club be granted a discount of 10 % on all purchases. 4. — Visits to other clubs to be approved by Committee.

The April meeting agreed to the purchase of 56 lockers at a price of $27.00 per locker. With advice to members that lockers could be purchased at $30.00 each. The purchase agreement advised the lockers could only be purchased for a period of 10 years, after which they would attract a yearly rental.

1973 was the Golden Jubilee of the Club, achievements of the Club during this year were:

1. 1st Tour by Professional Women Golfers in July.
2. Qld. Close Championships with City of Cairns.
3. Approval for the first Course watering system.

An Extraordinary Meeting on 22nd October gave approval for the Committee to strike a levy for the installation of an automatic watering system, provision of power to the pump site, and the completion of the dam. Costs were listed as $33,700.00. The Club received a subsidy of $10,362.00 from the State Government. The levy was spread over two years of six-monthly installments of $20.00 for members and $10.00 for associates. Couples paid a combined six-monthly levy of $30.00. Due to the Government subsidy, the Committee in December 1973 reduced the levy to $60.00 for men, $25.00 for females.

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The Annual Meeting revealed that Competition fees were down by £74 to £67. Subs. were up by £416 and bar trading was up by £343. The Club made a profit of £579/7/5d in 1965.

The report given in the Annual Report on the first "City of Cairns" Professional Tournament held in August 1965, although minus figures, notes the professionals played for the "Gold Top" purse of £250. The Tournament remained a Professional/Amateur event until 1974 when it was discontinued and played as a purely Amateur event.

The use of time sheets was not a common practice during the early years of the club, the numbers playing did not warrant them. The 1966 February meeting approved their use for Saturday competitions, with a recommendation that associates tee off between 11.30am and 12.15pm from the 10th tee. The use of the sheets brought complaints that only 30% of members were using them, the remainder arriving without prior bookings.

At the the 1966 July meeting a motion was successfully moved, "that the associates be granted sole use of the tees on Thursdays from 12.30pm until 3pm and that suitable signs be erected." The meeting also resolved that the associates have use of the 10th tee up to 12.20pm on Saturdays and that while there are large fields of members on Saturday, associates confine Saturdays to working business girls.

Nomination fees for 1967 were set at $5 for members and $2.50 for associates with annual subscriptions being $25 for members and $13 for associates. Green fees were set at 30 cents for members on weekdays and 40 cents on weekends with visitors paying $1. Associates were to pay 25 cents on weekdays and 30 cents on weekends.

The only other matter of interest from meetings held during 1966 was those four special parking spaces be provided for the four seniors officials, namely – The Patron, President, Vice President and Captain, and that the Greens Committee be instructed to allocate the positions and erect suitable notices.” The number of spots would be increased to 5 in 1967 with the position of Vice Captain being included. The reserved committee parking spots were very contentious, as spots in later years would be allotted to all members of the committee. They were situated in the most attractive areas, and the privilege would be abused by members and associates alike.


The membership for 1966 was shown as 428, a decrease of 13 over 1965, including 268 members and 127 associates, again no juniors were listed in the report. An item of interest in the report was the greens budget. The 1967 Greens Committee budget amounted to $3,100, comprising purchase of a green’s mower for $400, spares for $200, a replacement Victa mower for $100, general repairs of $500 and the hiring of loading equipment at $200. Other expenses such as ashes, fertilizer, sand, improvements to several tees and the reconstruction of 5 greens came to $1,700 — A total yearly budget of $4,800. Annual Subs. were $25.00 for members and $13.00 for associates.

During February 1967, the professional approached the committee with an offer to collect green fees. He also asked that his retainer be increased to $5 per week — both requests were approved. The construction of a new clubhouse was discussed at the February meeting, with plans to be available by May 1967. They were advised that the boundaries of the club, near the 9th tee, were situated on a public road. Steps were taken to have the road temporarily closed. A head green keeper at the April meeting on a salary of $50 per week, a car allowance of $2.00 per week, plus free occupancy of the club residence with free power. Handicap limits for members be 24 for all Four Ball events over 18 holes and those events be declared as major events.

The playing of Juniors during competitions on Saturday afternoons was debated at several meetings during 1967, with the matter first being aired at the May meeting when it was decided against their play. This was overturned in June, with a proviso that approvals be obtained from the Club Captain or his nominee. A final resolution was passed in July 1967, “Junior members to the age of 18 years, be not permitted to play in club fixtures on Saturday afternoons.”.

In September 1967 a cleaner, on a salary of $10, rose to $17.50 in October when he was given additional duties. These consisted of assisting with starting competition fields, the maintenance of records, writing up the results board and other match matters. Charles Stringer was the Official Starter of the Club, spending weekends and Wednesdays at the club performing these duties. An old sea captain, he escaped Japanese captivity in World War Two by sailing from the Dutch East Indies to Australia, using a school atlas as a navigational aid. He was admired by all, so much so, that as a token of the Clubs appreciation he was elevated to Life Membership.

The Annual Subscriptions for 1968 were – Members $35, Associates $20 with an entrance fee of $8 for Members and $4 for Associates, Country, Non-Playing and Junior Members. The Annual Meeting for 1968 was advised of the formation of the “Cairns All Sports Club” which had its own constitution, and a properly constituted Committee. The Sporters Club remained a strong constituted body, holding competitions each Wednesday.

The All Sports Club had its origins as a gathering of Police Officers, playing regular social games at the Cairns course on Tuesdays. The number of games conducted prior to 1967 is
unknown.

The Membership in 1967 was 439, with 282 Members and 114 Associates, and Juniors were shown as 11. The annual revenue account showed an excess of expenditure over income of $648.40 with competition fees for 1967 as $302. The City of Cairns Tournament in 1967 netted a profit of $122.71 – not including bar profits.

Membership for 1968 was 473, with 298 Members and 130 Associates. The December 1968 Meeting debated the construction of a dam on the site where the present 2nd hole is located. The latter months of 1968 were very dry, and the Club was in dire straits obtaining water to maintain its greens, and the Construction of the dam was decided upon to ease the problem.

The work on the dam had not reached its desired depth when seepage was encountered. A “swamp dozer” was borrowed, and although guaranteed that it could “walk on water” it was promptly bogged. After much trouble the dozer was extricated, and work terminated – never to be recommenced.

It was introduced that a minimum of 20 players be necessary for a field competing for trophy events and any less than that, play would be for sweepstakes and persons residing permanently in the Cairns area are not entitled to reciprocal rights.

The construction of a new clubhouse was discussed at a Special Meeting called on 23rd April 1969, where it was successfully moved “this committee recommend that the
project of building a new clubhouse be proceeded with.” A special building committee to oversee plans for the new clubhouse consisted of was formed.

Points of interest:

The Clubhouse was a two storied wooden building with Members and Associates locker rooms underneath. A fenced putting green to the front of the building. The Pro had his shop and work area, as well as storage area, in the downstairs area, storing golfing equipment and offering a cleaning service – at a fee.


A Starters Box was located at the front of the Professional’s Shop. The Upstairs portion of the Clubhouse contained the bar, lounge, kitchen and living quarters for the Steward. A small patio occupied the area leading into the bar. The Patio overlooked the 9th green and fairway (still Number 9) and was popular with Members, as it afforded a good view of the 9th hole. A favorite past time of those occupying the patio was to wager bets on the abilities of players playing the 9th fairway, - i.e., the number of shots each took to reach the green and the number of putts taken.

Members were rostered weekly to assist the Steward. Volunteers served drinks, at the same time drinking with members. Regular staff served in one area leaving one end to be attended by volunteers. As well as serving, House Committee members assisted in the changing of kegs and other bar work during busy conditions.

The Clubhouse was destroyed by fire on Christmas Night 1970. The new Clubhouse was under
construction, but it would be several months later before the facilities could be used. A temporary bar was set up in a lock up shed beside the big tree (still standing) beside the 18th Green. One very popular bet during this period was to wager that a golf ball could not be hit over the tree mentioned in the previous paragraph, with a five iron. One Condition applying was that the balls had to be hit from beside the shed, which was no more than five metres away.
The Course during the late sixties and early seventies was maintained by a staff of three- and a-part timer when the need arose. The main implements used in the mowing of the Course consisted of a gang mower, a Howard rotary Slasher with a couple of ancient tractors to pull them. The tractors were old and included a red International.

The rough ran riot in wet conditions. Golf balls hit into the rough, stayed there, as no one in their right mind would venture into it. Problems caused by “seedy Grass,” which grew in profusion, were many and players after 18 holes threw socks away in preference to picking out seeds. The standard piece of equipment carried by every golfer at the time, was a blunt knife, bottle top, or piece of glass, whose main function was to scrape seeds out of socks.

The area between the present 6th and 7th fairways was a swamp. Six months of the year it was impossible to enter the area and would be weeks before any clearing was attempted. A halfway house was built, and many are the times that players stood drinking a stubbie while waiting their turn to tee off. No drinks buggy drove the course, and the halfway house was always eagerly sought, especially during the summer months.

“Working bees” were regularly organized to assist the hired staff of the Course. The greatest difficulties encountered in those years were the sodden state of fairways, it rained a lot during the week and the only time one could get onto the Course to do any work was at weekends.

On weekends members would bring privately owned lawn mowers and other equipment to cut roughs and help in the cleaning of bunkers. “Working bees” were common with Members and
Associates are always willing to assist. The few beers that were drank after a hard day’s work added to the atmosphere of the “outing”. The Associates assisted by providing drinks and sandwiches.

Membership for 1968 was 473, with 298 Members and 130 Associates. The December 1968 Meeting debated the construction of a dam on the site where the present 11th hole is located. The latter months of 1968 were very dry, and the Club was in dire straits obtaining water to maintain its greens, and the Construction of the dam was decided upon to ease the problem.

Mark Nash and Lex Plant in the early ‘80’s. Mark won 4 City of Cairns amateur titles before turning Professional.