Ardrossan Golf Club
The Entrance to Ardrossan.

History of the Golf Club

In 1924 the District Council of Yorke Peninsula granted permission for The Ardrossan Golf Club to use the Parklands for sporting purposes. The Parkland area in to be used was the fenced-off cliff top in front of the main part of town. In those days the townsfolk were permitted to graze their cattle there. So the first golf course was laid out along the cliff top. It was a very basic course and there was no clubhouse. As the course only had six holes, a full round of 18 holes meant three times around the course. Latter a further three holes were added. The golf course was used by many people around Ardrossan and it held many funny and colourful moments. There was no club house so the players met after the game in a small tin shed where the present Club House is. 

At first the putting surfaces were just smoothed over areas of dirt, but in 1926 the Council permitted the club to put down proper scrapes.

On 28^th January 1927 an Annual General Meeting was held in the Ardrossan Institute. Perhaps the most important decision made at the meeting was to relocate the golf links from the cliff top to it’s present site in the parklands, and to consult the South Australian Golf Association concerning the laying out of the new course.

Later in 1927 the new links were opened and a small clubhouse built.

The 9-hole course was situated in a picturesque area of the parklands just north of the town. A deep creek (Clay Gully) ran through the course, necessitating a long hit at No.1. And again at No.8. This natural feature has proved both a “challenge” and a “terror” to experienced and novice golfers alike.

By 1929 there were 44 members and 31 Associates.

During the War Years (1939-45) those members who were still able and available, continued to play on Saturday afternoons, but most of the activities of the club were suspended until the end of hostilities. By 1946 many of the servicemen were returning and it was not long before moves were made to re-activate the Ardrossan Golf Club.

By 1960 the members of the committee were turning their thoughts to extending the golf course to 18 holes. They approached the District Council regarding the possibility of acquiring the scrub land adjoining the links on the opposite side of the road from the Clubhouse, and sought some professional advice on the possible lay-out of the new course. The golf club was able to lease the new land.

After golf one Saturday afternoon in 1961, a group of golfers were chatting in the Clubhouse about how nice it would be to have a bridge over the creek to avoid having to walk through the water/mud etc. Soon after a swing bridge was constructed.

By 1962 interest increased in the planned extensions to the course. A committee of five was appointed to proceed with obtaining exact measurements and drawing up a plan with a view to obtaining as many holes as practicable. Land was purchased for three additional holes along the eastern boundary of the course. This strip of land is where the current Nos. 16, 17 & 18 holes.

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Last modified: June 13, 2005