Forrest Hill Golf Club
The Forrest Hills Golf Club closed its doors in 2018 after the club failed to gain new members following the reticulation of the Katanning Country Club. The club had its ups and downs over the years but always managed to stay afloat. However, a lack of members and volunteers meant the club had to fold.
CLUB HISTORY
By S.L. (Mick) Hanna
The Forrest Hill Golf Club was formed in 1948 by members of the Richard Hooper Golf Club which, until then, had played on a nine-hole course laid out in the then disused racecourse at what is now O’Callaghan Park.
In 1947 the Katanning Roads Board had decided to take advantage of a Commonwealth grant for building airstrips and construct one near the town to take up to DC3 size aircraft. The area chosen included, among other pieces of land, the racecourse reserve where the golf course was laid out. However, opposition to the proposal led to a referendum and by the time the question was resolved the grant had been discontinued.
Nine Pines
The Golf Club was faced with disbanding or moving to another area. The management committee, headed by President Gordon Beeck, eventually negotiated the purchase of about 26 hectares of land opposite where Metro Meat abattoirs is now. A series of working bees by members and intending members saw the old clubhouse moved to the new area and the course laid out and constructed over the summer or 1947-48.
Finance for moving the clubhouse and of course construction was obtained by way of loans from several of the members.
As the property had been in crop in 1947 there was a lot levelling required and this was effected by using a member’s truck to tow a device, made from pieces of railway line, over the fairways. The new 12-hole course was not opened for play until Sunday, 30th May, 1948, because the late start to the season had delayed the growth of grass to cover the newly prepared fairways.
Over the next twelve years the Club prospered, but eventually the limitations of a 12-hole course prompted members to seek land for a full 18-hole course which would make the Club more attractive for prospective members and make it possible to run open events.
Forrest Hill
The committee was given the task of obtaining a new area and after numerous inquiries and inspections it was decided the most suitable place was in the then Public Works Department water catchment reserve on the eastern side of Forrest Hill Road near the reservoir. (It had originally been part of the old Pinwernying Town-site surveys of the 1800s.) The spill way on the reservoir had been raised 1.5m in conjunction with an enlargement of the bitumen catchment area to increase the town water supply, and the proposed golf course land was now below the level of the overflow.
The Club, through secretary Les Edwards, gained the strong support of the Katanning Roads Board and local Parliamentarians. Their combined efforts soon bore fruit and, in October 1960, the reserve was transferred to the Roads Board for use as a golf club and it, in turn, leased it to the Club on a peppercorn rental.
The services of golf course architect Murray Dawson were obtained, the new course was designed, and the fairways mapped. The fairway lengths were only stepped out and, when the tape was used for accurate distances for the printing of the score cards, it was found to be in excess of 6,100 metres long. This has since been considerably reduced.
Work commences on the fairways
Bulldozing for the fairways was started in November I, 1960, by contractor Gerry Whittle. Over the summer months, tees and greens were prepared by members. Townspeople had been allowed to cut firewood out of the bulldozed timber and in February of 1961 what was left was stacked ready for burning.
During the cleaning up a number of farmer members of the Katanning Golf Club offered their support in both time and equipment and this was gratefully accepted
Local farmers provided equipment and machinery
Early in 1961 work on the three thousand pounds ($33,000 in 1986 values) clubhouse was started by building contractor Ray Kleeman, who also supplied the design. Finance for the whole projects was raised from the sale of the old course, debentures from members and a loan from the Shire Council. This, and a subsequent loan, have now been paid off.
Although the building was only half finished, the course was considered fit for play by 22 May of that year and has been in use from then on. Work on the clubhouse continued and it was completed in time for the commencement of the 1962 season.
The club house under construction
With the continued energies of the members, and the purchase of more equipment, the course developed to a stage where it was considered to be of a sufficiently high standard to stage the Great Southern Open Championships in June 1966. The club has now conducted this event several times and members have competed with increasing success, culminating in the gross championship going to the host club in 1987.
Arial view of the completed club house and part of the course
As with any progressive golf club the course continues to receive steady maintenance and improvement. Several tree planting programmes have been carried out to replace those lost through successive dry years and the damage wrought by cyclone Alby and this has improved the look of the course. Regular oiling and maintenance of the sand greens has brought them to a stage where they are considered to be very even and equal to some of the best in the district.
The clubhouse has not been neglected either. Additions to the kitchen and member’ s area have kept pace with the expectations of members and the growing importance of the club.
Forrest Hill, while not as large or as old as the Katanning Golf Club, never-the-less fills an important place among the golfers of Katanning. It has a proud and growing tradition and will continue to provide excellent facilities and good fellowship for those fortunate enough to be among its members
S L Hanna
26/02/1988
Forrest Hill Golf Club
Course Details
Holes – 18
Par – 72
AMCR – 68
Length – 5862m
FROM THE NEWSPAPERS
RICHARD HOOPER GOLF CLUB.
OFFICIAL OPENING.
Great Southern Herald
10 June 1936
Turning back the clock for about 33 years, the ground originally used by the Katanning Golf Club for its first links is again to be used for the same purpose, this time by a second Katanning golf club. Although such a long period of time has elapsed since the initial commencement of golf in the town, the ground has by no means been mellowed by age, and much work lies ahead of the new club before fairways and greens lend themselves to good performances.
However, with the enthusiasm of youth, backed by an energetic and capable committee, the Richard Hooper Golf Club, as it has been named, should have every confidence in the future. The ground is quite suitable and will grow into a good course, provided members co-operate in the work of improvement.
Already, with the assistance of Messrs. Ross and George Anderson and F. C. Wingrove, nine holes have been laid out, the contour of the ground being comparable to that of the Broomehill and Tambellup links. Although mighty rough at present, even before the season closes a definite improvement should result if the committee will undertake surface improvement as the first essential.
The official opening took place at 2.30 on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of about 60 people, including members and visitors. Mr. G. W. Beeck, honorary secretary to the club, introduced Mr. George Hall, president. Mr. Beeck read letters of apology for non-attendance from Hon. A. Thomson, M.L.C., Mr. A. F. Watts, M.L.A., Mr. Ross Anderson and Mr. A. Compton, captain of the Woodanilling Golf Club.
Mr. George W. Hall said it gave him great pleasure in welcoming so many to the initial opening of the Richard Hooper Golf Club. He first desired to pay tribute to Mr. Richard Hooper, after whom the club had been named, for the preliminary work carried out by him towards the formation of the club.
Although a lot of work had been done, much more remained before the ground would be perfect, but he was confident that members would disown discouragement and each assist in improving the fairways and greens. Already fifty members had been enrolled and there was every probability that next season would see the membership doubled. He looked forward to many happy hours on the links and was confident that the club would be a success.
Mr. Synnott supported Mr. Hall. He said that it was a curious fact that he had been the first secretary of the first golf club formed at Katanning, and the ground now being dedicated to the Richard Hooper club was that used by the earlier club. The first president in those days was Dr. House, and many interesting games had been played on the old ground. He was sure that the course would improve with use and members could help in this direction by forming working bees, little coteries taking under their care one particular fairway and green. He wished the new club every success and looked forward to the time when members of the Richard Hooper club and the parent club of Katanning would meet in friendly competition.
Mr. J. R. Norrish thanked the speakers on behalf of the club. The opening had been auspicious as the day promised good golfing weather and the attendance was most encouraging.
The club was indebted both to Mr. Hooper for the spade work he had done in its formation and to Mr. Gordon Beeck for having undertaken the duties of secretary. A stroke competition would be played for two golf balls, presented by Mr. C. I. Waters. Mr. Hooper then drove off the first ball and declared the links open.
Afternoon tea was served by a ladies’ committee prior to the commencement of play. The president (Mr. Hall) and Mr. Synnott formed the first pair, the competition being won by Mr. G. W. Hall, with 52; J. Stapleton, 54, and I. Synnott, 57, being in second and third places respectively. The trophy for best score by a lady was won by Mrs C. Layton (79), Mrs. B. M. McGuckin (80) and Miss E. Wilson (90) following in that order. Mr. J. H. Norrish won the ball presented by Mr. Hooper.
Golf Course Opens
The West Australian
16 June, 1936
KATANNING, June 9. – With the advent of the Richard Hooper golf course, which was officially opened last Saturday, Katanning now has two golf clubs. The new course is located on the site of the old Katanning racecourse and comprises nine holes. Curiously enough the same ground was used by the present Katanning Golf Club thirty-three years ago, as the site of its first links. The new club has a membership of about 50, which is increasing rapidly.
The West Australian
8 July, 1938
KATANNING CLUB.
The first open event of the Katanning Richard Hooper Golf Club took place on July 3 under ideal weather conditions and attracted approximately 70 competitors from various clubs in the immediate district. Although due to a heavy frost, the first players had to break ice nearly an inch thick on the tee tins, the event was played in good weather.
Competition was over 36 holes. Eighteen in the morning and 18 in the afternoon for trophies presented by the president (Mr. W. P. Bird). A.H. Parkes of the Katanning Club, winner of the recent Great Southern Championship closed event, carded the best gross total with rounds of 77 and 86.
Winners of the main handicap trophies were: –
Best 36 holes A-grade: G. McIntyre (Katanning club) 84-9-75 and 81-9-72. total 147 net.
Best 36 holes B-grade: A. L. Radbourne (Broomehill) 86-20-66 and 94-20-74. total 140 net.
Best morning round (other trophy winners excluded) J. W. Longmire (Carrolup) 93-23-70.
Best afternoon round: tie between T. J. Clune (Broomehill) and H. Wells (Richard Hooper) 92-24-68. The play off was won by T. J. Clune.
Bogey for
the course is 73.
He Holed in One
Great Southern Herald
10 July, 1937
The only recorded instance of the redoubtable miracle being performed at Katanning this year comes from the Richard Hooper Club. It took place last Sunday in the President’s Cup competition, and fell to the lot of “Billie” Woods, a keen long handicapper, who holed in one stroke on the “fifth” – a distance of 100 yards from tee to tin. This feat is something to comment upon for mathematician. Golfers tell us the odds against achieving it are more than a million-to-one.
GOLF IN OUR DISTRICT.
Great Southern Herald
13 June, 1936
Further evidence of the increasing popularity of golf as a winter sport has been provided by the opening of the Richard Hooper golf course on the site of the old Katanning racecourse. The times when middle-aged and even younger people were content to “kick the pickets” at a football or hockey match, and take no active part in weekend sport, seem to have departed hence.
While football undoubtedly is languishing through lack of public support and subsequent financial stringency, those people who once constituted the audiences at football fixtures and now play golf are undoubtedly better off, and their numbers are swelling.
In our own immediate district, the following clubs are operating, each with large memberships – Katanning Golf Club (Inc.), Richard Hooper Golf Club, Broomehill, Tambellup, Cranbrook, Nyabing, Woodanilling, Carrolup, Gnowangerup, Brancaster and Dinninup.
Golf is a game which stands by us from youth to old age, and those who start young invariably do better.
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