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The Mount Barker Golf Club originated as a definable body in 1879, which makes it one of the oldest, Clubs, if not the oldest Golf Club in the State and it has been in existence continuously since that time. Golf at Mt Barker was originally played on the local property now known as the Laurels, and owned by a well-known early settler, Mr John Dunn. The club used this venue for forty-two years. As Mt Barker grew it became necessary to relocate the Club golf course. This was done with the permission of the Warden family who allowed the Club to use their land for a further 45 years. To acknowledge this significant gesture the Club now hold an annual competition called the Warden Putter. The actual putter owned by Commander Warden and donated to the Club by his late widow, is displayed in the Club House. In 1966 the Club decided to establish a facility and to do so purchased some 288 acres of land near Wistow. A course and clubrooms was duly established by utilising, almost entirely, voluntary labour. As land pressures changed and the population of Mt Barker grew it became apparent that the Wistow course could not be developed into the standard of course required, mainly due to a deficient water supply. However, the land increased in value. It was decided to subdivide and sell this land and acquire land closer to Mt Barker with the potential of adequate water. With these objectives in mind the present property was purchased and developed, beginning in 1977. The course was constructed first, with the present workshop used as a clubhouse. The original clubrooms were completed and opened on the 4th October 1980. The years 1980 to present have seen a tremendous amount of effort and revenue put into the facility by way of continual upgrading of the course and the machinery and resources to keep it in the condition that members have come to know, enjoy and expect. Along with growth in membership has come a growth in services and facilities, so much so that the Committee, looking to the future of the Club undertook in 1988, a major upgrading of the Club Room facility to provide for even more members services and to provide a Club Room which matches the course in excellence. Over the years, vast amounts of time have been contributed by volunteer workers to make the Club what it is today and this contribution continues. It is of worthy note that all that has been done without the aid of an outside agency. There may be longer established, or more modern Clubs around, but there are none with a prouder history of perseverance and steady achievement that the Mt Barker Golf Club. |