Welcome to the Cairns Golf Club

It was advised that the selling of ‘ball pool tickets’ at present at competitions would be abandoned with tickets being sold at the starters box — A first for the Club. The procedure would remain until 1998 when it was again altered, with one dollar being added to the competition fee as a compulsory levy – every player would pay the extra dollar.

The Meeting heard that Saturday morning competitions would start from the Pro. Shop with his staff doing the starting of fields. In later years it would revert to the starters box, with volunteers starting the field. The Meeting resolved social green fees would remain at $12.00. Committee approval was given to purchase a computer program for use in conducting major events.

Renovations to the Clubhouse, to allow for the installation of Poker Machines, were discussed at the February Meeting.

The Captain advised the March Meeting that the Easter Classic would attract fields between 160 to 180 Members and 45 to 50 Associates, and that he was contemplating all players hitting off from one tee. The Easter Classic was sponsored in 1990 and 1991 by Westpac Bank, and as the name implies was held over the Easter Weekend. In 1992 Westpac declined to renew its sponsorship of the event and it was taken up by the Club’s bankers, the National Bank, and renamed the National Bank Classic. It was sponsored by the National bank until 1998, when the Club changed its bankers and in 1999 would be known as the Bank of Queensland Classic.

A representative from the All Sporters attended the April 1990 Meeting to advise on the progress of the new toilet and amenities block being funded by the All Sporters. A letter was sent to the All Sports thanking them for their donation of $16,000.00 and assuring them that a Plaque acknowledging their contribution would be put in place. Monies left over would be channeled into the Clubs next project.

The Gordon Eyres Match Play Championships, was placed on the Club’s Calendar on a recommendation to mark his tragic death, had been in play for some years. During those years its format was altered on several occasions. It was decided that A Grade best 16 to qualify, B grade best 8 to qualify and C Grade best 8 to qualify. In later years, playing in this event would allow for the best 16 scores in all grades to qualify.

The first comments regarding the Sexual Discrimination Act were aired at the August Meeting, when it was explained Associates rights when playing in Members competitions. It was advised that the court ruling, under the Sexual Discrimination Act, allowed lady Members to play in members field on Saturdays. It was on a first in - first served basis, but it did not allow them to play in mixed groups, further, they must play in fours and must indicate on the time sheet that they are Lady Members.
The publication of Newsletters advising Club News. In the late 1970’s the club issued a monthly Newsletter (one page) which he called “The Burpu Whisper.” It was roughly typed, and all entries provided by the Captain. The Newsletter’s Title was obtained by using the original name of the area where the Golf Club is situated.

In the 1980’s another Newsletter came out which, unlike the previous one, became somewhat political. In some issues criticisms were leveled at the Committee, actions were taken, and this too became extinct. The General Manager in 1996, saw the emergence of a weekly Newsletter which Spinks called “Around the Traps.” The publication was professionally prepared by office staff and is still in publication.

The 1991 fixture book was printed with a photo of the Club Committee, a first in the Club’s history. The photo disappeared from books in 1993, 1994 and 1995, reappearing in 1996. A Committee Photo was the idea of Club Captain, who added names and telephone numbers of all Members and Associates in the 1992 book.

Catering was discussed at the October 1991 Meeting, when it was resolved that catering matters be left in the care of the Associates. This included the right to hire and fire, but a proviso was added that any plans for alterations to the building must be referred to the Members Committee.

The installation of Poker Machines was also aired at the October Meeting when it was moved, “that an order be placed for the maximum number of machines at the Minimum price. A report from Mr. Scales to the final meeting held in November 1991 stated that $55,000.00 was required for the installation of 20 Poker Machines.

The November 1991 Meeting approved a request from the Captain, for the striking of a special monthly Medal, which would display the club logo on one side and room for an inscription on the other. $350.00 was quoted for the purchase of 50 medals, costs to include a fee for the striking of the Medals. The Medals are awarded to the winners of A, B, and C grades each month. The Medals would remain for many years to come.

It was queried about the dangers associated with the entrance/exit to and from the Club from the Bruce Highway. The President replied that a left in, left out, would be introduced soon. In 1999 a promise was received from the Department on the provision of a special traffic entrance into the Course. This would be via the road servicing the freight depot Q. R. X., entering the Course to the rear of the Caretaker’s house, with a left in, left out traffic flow in force from the Bruce Highway entrance. In June 2000 this access was completed.

A member addressed the Meeting regarding his proposal to establish a drink’s service on the course, 7 days a week. It was a private venture, with drinks purchased from the Club and sold at bar prices. He would also act as a Course Marshall and security person however the scheme needed the approval of the Club. The President replied that it was the intention of the All Sports Club to provide this service, as a means of obtaining additional revenue. The first drinks buggy was a converted Golf Cart, which was unsuitable for the work, spending many hours out of service. In later years other forms of transport would be used, with many vehicles being supplied by the All Sports Club. In the year 2007 a utility is being used; this was also provided by the All Sports Club. The report showed the drinks buggy took $2,632.84 for the month, with fuel shown as $55.54, wages $461.50, a nett profit on sales of 28%.

The Meeting received a proposal from the Greens Director, for the installation of Aerators in the dam on No. 11th costing $1,500.00 each.

Note – The Installation of the Aerators is interesting – For years the Club had tried, without success, to find a solution to the annual infestation of the dam from duck weed. Tests on the water (which in dry times was pumped from the sewerage treatment Works) suggested a need for a method of letting more light into the bottom of the lake, which would improve the quality of water - Aerators were installed in 1992.

At the January Meeting, the Clubhouse floor and carpeting were addressed. The wall separating the lounge and outdoors patio was full length glass sliding doors, which allowed water to seep into the Clubhouse. The glass doors were vulnerable to a misdirected golf shot, temperature and the sun were other problems, causing the glass to buckle and shatter. It was suggested the existing setup be replaced with a low brick wall with small glass sliding windows.

The use of the caretakers flat to the rear of the Professionals shop was discussed at the April 1992 Meeting, with suggestions it be turned into a buggy and storage area with small personal lockers being installed for Members. At the time, Juniors were using it as a Clubhouse, and it was being abused by its users. The building was converted and remained as a storage and locker area until 1998. It was renovated and turned into a garage to house Carts purchased by the Club, plus 5 to 6 privately owned ones.

The poker machines came into operation on 26th August 1992, with 20 machines installed in an area near the bar. As at the 28th of September 1992 $15,580.00 was banked into the special account. Expenses for the same date were – Machine rentals $4,200.00 and Staff wages $8,240.00 – a profit of approximately $3,000.00. The various areas for the location of the Pokies became a saga— they were relocated 3 times.

To stop erosion, a request was made to the Committee for the placing of large rocks in the drain separating the first (10th) and ninth (18th) fairways.
The working of the Drinks Cart was discussed, noting the previous good service but advised that there appeared to be a tailing off. The President replied there had been problems mechanically, and with the operators, adding that the vehicle being used was not suitable for the task being performed, it was only a converted golf Cart. It was then asked to look at a total watering scheme for the Course. In reply it was said that the pumps were working to total capacity and that a new pump house would be required if the mains were upgraded.

It was advised at the Meeting that Coca Cola had agreed to provide an illuminated sign at the entrance to the Club — the sign was later placed at the front of the Clubhouse to be better seen from the Highway.

The plan to air condition the Club was discussed at the June 1993 Meeting when it was advised that a quote for its installation was to budget.
An increase in the number of lockers available to Members was reported to the May Meeting. The Meeting resolved to resell the lockers to Members at $200.00 per locker for ten years.

It was decided that Cairns Golf Club Members can play without being a Member of the All Sports Club but pay a $5.00 entry fee and cannot win a major trophy. The Meeting agreed to place the information in Pin High.

In the early months of 1993, the Committee decided to refurbish the Clubhouse, air conditioning would be installed, and renovations carried out. It was decided to reduce the number of poker machines from 20 to 12 and relocate them to a position outside the office.
Renovations:

• A new Staff/Meeting room
• Construction of a Porte Cochere at the entrance to the main entrance
• Relocate and reverse the two entrances to the Club
• Relocate the reception area
• Relocate carpets, Tile entry and passageway, Paint as required, perform electrical work and some miscellaneous work.

A Special Meeting was called on the 29th of November 1993 to discuss arrangements that were being carried out with the developer of a resort building along the 3rd (12th) fairway. The development was handled by a company named “Filmcot.” It was their intention to build 152 units, the Resort would later be known as “Trinity Links Apartments.” An agreement guaranteed the Club $15,200.00 per year plus C. P. I., with the Club agreeing to grant the resort’s residents and guests access to the course for 20 years.

Certain conditions applied if the Club decided to close the Course to visitors, with the Club ruling that residents and guests were still eligible to pay green fees to play on the Course. The Special Meeting also decreed that the developer be responsible for the costs of the construction of a cart path, and its lighting, that would run from the resort to the Clubhouse.

Although it is not specifically mentioned, the position of Patron would disappear as an Office Bearer of the Club as at the end of 1993.

The final work of 1993 was to recommend to the Annual Meeting the fees for 1994 and these appear below – For the first time a combined Husband/Wife fee would be struck, being a nomination fee of $350.00 and annual subscriptions of $650.00.