iv) Club Houses at the Golf Park
Some of the early descriptions of club events noted that refreshments were served during the afternoon, usually by a particular member and his wife or sometimes by a group of wives. No details are given, but as there was no club house in the early years, the afternoon teas must have been open air picnics or at best, held under a tent fly. Players must also have felt the lack of a place to leave belongings and it is rather surprising that a club house or "Golf House" as it was usually called at that time, was not built for several years.
The first Ipswich Golf House was officially opened by the Mayor of Ipswich Ald Maurice Bowers on June 18, 1910. The building had been designed by member WK Batley who was the Ipswich City Council engineer.
It had been erected by members and was situated "near the Drill Shed" - approximately on the site of the present-day Guide Hut. It was a timber building, 8 metres by 7 metres, and contained a large room for use of members, a verandah room set aside for the use of ladies and verandahs on two adjoining sides. It also had a bathroom, lockers and other conveniences.
Second Club House, Horse Park
As part of general improvements to the course in the mid-1920s, a decision was made to build a new club house. Although the first one was less than 20 years old, the organisation had progressed and, according to the Mayor, Ipswich golfers were hesitant about inviting visitors to the links because they thought the little club house was not worthy of their city.
Some members disagreed with the proposed site for the new building - further up the hill and on the other side of Griffiths Road, approximately where the Police Youth Club is now situated. The course was due to be upgraded to 18 holes in the near future, and members thought this piece of land would be too valuable to use for a building. However when the new club house was finished, everyone approved because the site gave excellent view over the links.
Money for the club house was raised by the members under the presidency of Harry Simpson and G.J. Saunders as secretary while the Associates under Mrs Gibbs and Mrs Whitehead raised the money for furnishings.
The club house was designed free by a Club member, architect George Brockwell Gill. The construction work on the building was said to have been carried out free.
After the new club house was built, the old one was advertised for removal. A telephone was installed in 1929, the number being 923. Other significant additions included a septic system in 1929 and a bar in about 1930.
Gill prepared plans for extending the Clubhouse in 1932 when the 18-hole course was installed, but the financial restrictions of the Depression years caused delays and only minor work appears to have been carried out.
Comments are closed.