Nightcaps dynasty survives and thrives

By Neville Idour

The Nightcaps Golf Club’s story of survival, growth and triumph is a remarkable one. 

The town of Nightcaps is deep in the bowels of salt of the earth Southland with a population of around 350.

It is nestled under the Takitimu Mountains in western Southland with the name Nightcaps because the snow-tipped mountains were often commented on as wearing their nightcaps. Well, that is how the story goes. 

The golf club is 100 years old yet just six years ago possible closure was a looming reality.

With just seven members remaining, they talked about leasing the land for farming. The town itself was struggling with the numbers working in the coal industry having declined. Club captain Stuart Dobbie has always lived in Nightcaps and has seen first hand all the challenges the town and the golf club have faced.

“We were down to seven members and only getting two or three out on club day so I joined Winton just to get enough golf,’’ Dobbie recalled.

``However, just as we were considering closure,  there was a special moment in August 2016 when it was Nightcaps' turn to challenge for the Laing Shield.” 

This shield, presented by J H Laing in 1909, is Southland’s equivalent to the Ranfurly Shield, representing golfing supremacy for Southland’s male players.

Golf clubs throughout Southland challenge, with one club each month, except for December, having that privilege. Six-man teams compete in matchplay over 18 holes. 

So at that pivotal time it was Nightcaps turn to challenge holders Winton and  challenge they did. With a membership of seven, scrambling a team together was a task in itself but they did. Heading to the 18th hole the final pairing needed to win it to claim the shield. They did and so, in a way, that vital moment changed the thinking from closure to how do we defend the shield in September.

Dobbie said no one had played on the course for the six months prior to the win.  What has transpired since then is quite awe inspiring. 

It may be hard to believe but since that fateful day in August 2016 Nightcaps has defended the shield on 65 consecutive occasions beating the previous record of 61. Dobbie is quite sure the Laing Shield fairytale saved the club because of the interest it created.

Fourteen players have been used through the reign and Dobbie and son Brett have played in most of them. Brett, although based in Invercargill,  travels to Nightcaps to play for his club. 

``It has been beyond our hopes to keep it so long,’’  Dobbie said.

So what is the secret to the success? 

“It is not an easy (nine-hole) course. It is a wee bit hilly. We don’t have water for our greens so in summer they get hard and brown, and being smallish many players struggle on them. 

``About 20 percent of our players are on single figures so we have some very good players. The challengers send us their six man team list and I pick a team to beat them,” Dobbie said with a chuckle.

The course itself is picturesque with a number of undulating contours which provide for an interesting layout. It is a par 72 with two tees at 5413 metres and 4896 metres. While it is nine holes there are 18 tees to provide variety for the second nine. The course is tidy thanks to three volunteers.

Membership has grown nicely to 40 with 26 playing, including five women. They only had one woman for a long time. They get a healthy turnout of 15 to 20 for Sunday club day.

The golf clubrooms are also home to the Nightcaps Bowling Club. A real community club which will no doubt continue to flourish.