Building bridges: Golf club in Nelson back in action

Waahi Taakaro Golf Club in Nelson is revelling in its Christmas present – a new bridge across the Maitai River – which marks a major step forward in its recovery from a devastating flood.

The temporary scaffold bridge replaced a wooden one washed away in August’s one in 100-year flood which significantly damaged the nine-hole golf course owned by Nelson City Council. 

The flood also left unusable a footbridge, a bike/walk track around the course and a new pump track just months after a new recreation hub at the course was opened.

The course was closed to the public for two months to allow the clean-up to proceed and the club was forced to cancel or postpone events and use other courses in the region.

The bridge – which opened just before Christmas on December 21 – allows golfers and electric carts to more easily access the course in all weather. For the previous four months golfers had to either wade or drive across a concrete ford, which was only passable at low river flow.

The bridge also means all of the golf course, which twice crosses the river, has now reopened in time for the busy summer season.

And golfers couldn’t be happier, with usage since Christmas returning to normal levels and the condition of the picturesque parkland course attracting plenty of positive feedback from visitors and locals alike.

A massive clean-up effort by contractors and Waahi Taakaro Golf Club members has got the course mostly restored, with just minor work – including resowing several fairways -- needed to get it back to its best.

Golf club manager Peter Watson said it was a huge relief to see the bridge opened before Christmas and he thanked the council and contractors for getting the job done.

``The last four months have been a challenge but everyone has rallied around and worked hard to get the golf course back operating normally,” Watson said.

``Our golfers are delighted they no longer have to bring their gumboots or load trailers to get themselves and their gear across the river.’’

Watson said the course was a popular community asset with almost 20,000 rounds played a year, which is forecast to increase once the hub infrastructure is rebuilt which will allow more events to be based there.

The club, which was established in 1975 and currently has 243 members, manages the course and golf shop on a day to day basis on behalf of the council.