Today that number has dwindled to about 200 members, said club secretary Michelle Coley.
"We are hopefully going to build up and improve our membership by having gala and open days."
The club was established in 1964 on the site of the historical Kaikokiriki Pa on Oxford St. What remains of the pa can be seen to the right of the 10th green and 11th tee.
"I can remember coming in here and there was no room left at prize giving. Now there is so much room you can swing a cat and a dog at the same time," she said. She hopes to encourage more women and children to play.
"We are just not getting the women."
The bonuses of golf included friendship and exercise, especially at Mahunga, Mrs Coley said.
"We are the friendly club, a family club.
"It's a working person's club and for older people. It's very social. It's hard case and an atmosphere that is so cool.
"We don't want to lose it."
Mr O'Reilly said long term the clubs could merge but how that would be was anyone's idea as there were many issues to be worked through.
However, professional golfer Greg Turner and representatives from New Zealand Golf and New Zealand Tourism, who had looked at how to get more tourists to play in Wairarapa.
They said the clubs could stay as they were, amalgamate or sell all three and build a new golf course, he said.
But Mahunga was the perfect spot for a new course, the president said because of the contour of the landscape.
"The preferred option was to develop Mahunga because of the natural landscape; rolling hills, native trees and the creek going through it," he said, "It gives more options and is part of the 10 year plan."
They hope people will venture on to the grounds on September 20 between 9.30am and 11am for the give it a go day and on Oct 4 for the Gala-Rage including a garage sale, which will conclude with a hangi.
