Augusta Hillview Golf Cliub Inc. Golf Club Fees.

History

It is difficult to say who first suggested the idea of a golf course at Augusta. Two names are credited in the very early days, those of Mr P.C. Anderson who was the Headmaster of Scotch College from 1904 to 1945, and also the British Open Champion in 1899, and Mr H.A. Stanes who was the publican of the Augusta Hotel from 1919 to 1946.

In 1924 Mr H. Gladstones was taken to Hillview by Mr Stanes, who pointed out the site saying:

“This is where the golf links will be and just adjoining it a landing ground for aeroplanes.”

An unofficial meeting was held in 1957 at the Augusta Hotel to discuss commencing a golf club.
The first official meeting was held at the Augusta CWA rooms on 11 June 1957.

On 30 June 1957 a group in a utility and a truck made its way up the hill track to Hillview. The truck had to be pushed out of the bog near where Greenhill Road joins Caves Road, and it was pushed up many of the hills.

On that day, Harry Stanes turned the first sod on top of the hill to denote the beginning of the course. A road then had to be constructed. In September 1957, it was decided that the first clubhouse building was to be 36’ x 12’. This has now been expanded and altered many times over the years, resulting in the present large building with excellent facilities.

At the October 1957 meeting Mr H. Gorrie was appointed the first club captain and the draft Constitution was approved.

By November the ground had been gone over and the course laid out. The fairways and greens had to be formed with mixtures of sand and sawdust and the fairways were supered and seeded with “plain couch and suckling clover”.

The first Opening Day was held on 17 May 1958. In the 11 months from the first official meeting to the opening, the road had been built, a building erected and nine holes formed. The club first indicated its intention to seek a liquor licence in February 1959, and in 1972 a restricted licence was obtained.

Suggestions for a second nine holes were minuted in 1962, and was eventually developed. The full 18 holes was first used in 1975. This new area was thickly covered with grass trees and peppermints and care was taken to remove only those necessary. Many golfers have since wished they had removed more! Over the years many trees and shrubs have been planted on the course, adding to its outstanding natural beauty. Lighting and water were always a problem. Lamps were used at first on the few occasions the building was used at night. Then a 32 volt lighting plant was loaned to the club, advancing to gas lighting and refrigeration in 1967.

This was followed by a small 250 volt AC plant in the early 1970’s and then a larger power plant in 1975. Eventually in 1978 after 1¼ miles of line were erected and the club was rewired, mains power was connected. From the expedition of 30 June 1957 to 1979, when a drilling contractor put down four holes to a depth of between 60’ and 80’ with no sign of water, to the present day, natural water has been unobtainable. At first a small rainwater tank was installed and later a 24,000 gallon tank to the present day where 2 dams have been constructed. In 1998 a reticulation system was installed to enable the watering of the tees. In 1999 this was upgraded to allow watering of the green surrounds.

All the work carried out on the course, in the clubhouse and by the Management Committee has been and continues to be on a voluntary basis.

.Augusta Western Australia