Putaruru: A very pleasant course in south Waikato

By Neville Idour

Just a short drive from state highway one, Putaruru golf course is another central North Island gem in south Waikato, south east of Hamilton.

The layout is undulating and well groomed to provide ideal conditions for good golf. At 5641 metres from the blue tees and 4918m from the yellow tees, it is not daunting in distance but will still provide a challenge.

The first two holes play uphill with out of bounds right on hole No 1. The third, a drop down par three of 150 metres, requires good club selection with the green sloping from back to front. Five, six and seven all require accurate drives as there are no go zones on each.

Nine is a long par five while 10, a par three, is a good start to the back nine. No 12, a par five, has out of bounds left, a tree line right and bunkers either side of the green. Hole 15 is a nice par four from an elevated tee. The par four 16th has ruined many a round as you can’t see the green from the fairway so enough club is key. The short 249-metre 17th is a birdie opportunity while the 273 metre 18th is a sharp left dogleg to a two-tier green. A nice finishing hole.

The Putaruru Golf Club, one of the longest existing organisations of any kind in Putaruru, has had many homes during it's 100 years. A golf club was formed in 1921 and nine-hole courses were the homes in 1923, then 1925 and finally the present site in 1938. Land was leased from G F Bayly and a nine-hole course was formed along with building a clubhouse. The greens were protected by fences which had to be played over without relief.

Membership declined during the World War II but by 1946 it recovered with 40 men and 17 ladies. In 1951 the club bought 90 acres from Bayly, sufficient land on which to build another nine holes. An entirely new layout playing in the opposite direction was the result, and that 18 hole course is the one the club plays today.

On Wednesday night, December 11,1968, a devastating fire destroyed the clubhouse, furnishings and honours' board. Action was required and the decision to rebuild came to fruition when the new clubhouse was officially opened in October, 1969.

Then in 1970 a long held dream was realised when the sheep and green fences were removed from the course. The sheep farming activities had been profitable for 18 years until the sheep were sold. Over the years, improvements have been ongoing at this picturesque, park-like course.

We spoke with Vic O’Rourke, the club captain who proudly boasted of his Irish ancestry amongst much laughter with a couple of other members.

O'Rourke said the club would be celebrating it’s 100 year centenary in November. The course is well looked after by one full time greenkeeper and one part-time.

“The rest is done by volunteers,’’ O’Rourke said.

``Membership is around 150 all up with only 15 women. A full subscription is $720 while a first year member, with some qualifications required, will only pay $360 for that year. Affiliated green fees are $40. Non-affiliated is $50. Cart hire is $40. Definitely put Putaruru on your calendar if you are in the area.