Controversy over trees at Christchurch Golf Club
Controversy over trees at Christchurch Golf Club
By Neville Idour
Shirley Links, home of the Christchurch Golf Club, has been embroiled in an unwelcome squabble over the felling of some macrocarpa and pine trees.
The club dates back to 1873 and is the second oldest in New Zealand (Otago at Balmacewen is the oldest) and seventh oldest outside the United Kingdom.
All but one of the club’s course committee resigned, which in a letter to members from the board said these came from “differences” about the project.
Club general manager Mike Hadley said the resignations were about more than the trees but were an internal matter and he would not comment.
The level of vehement opposition from some members, neighbouring residents, and especially others throughout New Zealand was not expected.
While the project involved felling numbers well into three figures, apparently many of the trees were very old and past their use by date. Many were dangerous and were a health and safety threat.
About 100 trees will remain when the project is complete. One upside is frosty areas will see more sunlight as will other parts of the course. This is already the case.
However when it is all boiled down or when all the trees are down it may well have been a storm in a tea cup.
Why?
Former general manager and current men’s club captain Struan Cain said that in early photos of the course from 100 years ago there is not a tree in sight. That is why the club was called Christchurch Golf Club Shirley Links in those days and that is what the club aims to restore the course to.
Who better than Sir Bob Charles to comment.
Charles views Shirley as his home club having played there since 1956.
“I favour the restoration of the original links character of 100 years ago which will be going back to our roots so to speak,” Charles said.
“While we are taking away the trees we are going to start a replanting programme of native trees which will restore the bird life. The end result will be fantastic.”
It is not clear why trees were planted so many years ago to change the original concept. But that will no longer be an issue along with the felling of the trees when the project is complete and the new plantings take effect.