Golden Downs Golf Course

Early Scene of Golden Downs Golf Course

The Golden Downs Golf Course is about an hour out of Nelson, at the top of the South Island. The New Zealand Forest Service started up this recreational golf club in 1946.

This is a scene of the Golden Downs Golf Course “Back in the day.”

From Tapawera you travel to the Kohatu Junction and turn left on State Highway 6 towards Nelson. After approximately 3 kms and just the other side of a bridge, take the right turn sign posted Golden Downs, Tophouse/St Arnaud and then immediately left. The Golden Downs Golf Club is approximately 4 kms along on the right.

When started, all the greens had fences around them, this is because sheep used to graze the course, and so you had to hit the golf ball over or through the fence on to the green.

The current Golden Downs Golf Course has extended their tees to make them the longest in New Zealand at around 660m.

The current clubhouse used to be an old cook’s house, which the New Zealand Forest Service had originally donated to the golf course. Over the years the clubhouse has been structurally improved and expanded. The Golf Club rooms were moved from the original position in 1986, (that was about 1 or 2km to the west of where it is now),

Current member Regan McGrath - quote "The best value golf course in Nelson. Possibly New Zealand. Excellent 9 hole country golf course. 3 par 3s, 3 par 4s, 3 par 5s. Long and challenging.”

Source of photograph:
www.googleimages.com

References: www.tapawera.org.nz