Golf: Raising hell on the 1st fairway

What was the world record set at the Waitemata Golf Club at Devonport on Auckland's North Shore?

Difficult to believe these days when newcomers to one of the most politically correct of suburbs can barely tolerate a rugby club, but in 1929 Percy Coleman from Wanganui gunned his Harley Davidson motorcycle to a one-mile world grasstrack record of 44.6s around the perimeter of the nine-hole layout.

Alison Park, as the area was known, regularly drew crowds of up to 20,000 to watch horse, dog and motorcycle racing while the golfers contended with the flood-prone land inside the white railings.

Waitemata Golf Club celebrates its centenary this year and the handsome commemorative booklet, derived from research by Paul Titchener, includes a photograph of the one-eyed Coleman raising dust in front of a packed grandstand on what is now the first fairway of the popular 18-hole course.

Aucklanders had been playing golf on the south side of the Waitemata for more than 10 years when a public meeting was called on August 21, 1905, at the Devonport Borough Council chambers to gauge interest in establishing a golf club.

The meeting was organised by Ewen Alison, a member of the family that owned the Devonport Steam Ferry Company, who offered the golfers land on Alison Park, shared with the Takapuna Jockey Club.

The first full season took place the following year - when the notoriously marshy land permitted. There were no greens in the early days, merely pins to be reached.
The Jockey Club moved out in 1934 after a jockey was killed during a race and the golf club was able to develop its course.

The opening of the Harbour Bridge in 1959 changed the North Shore dramatically and in 1965 the club was able to open its new 18-hole layout. Since then the club has prospered, the drainage has been dramatically improved, a new clubhouse was opened in 1985 and these days the 1300 members enjoy one of the handiest 18-hole courses in the greater Auckland area. Waitemata produced a national amateur champion in 1981 when Terry Cochrane won the title at Timaru.

* * *

Michael Putnam had finished his college career with second placing in the NCAA championships and he was on a high after helping the United States to win the Walker Cup from the British a couple of weeks ago.

So when the 22-year-old from Tacoma, Washington, learned while preparing for the US amateur championship at Merion that he had been granted a sponsor's exemption for the Buick Championship, he decided to turn professional on the spot.

Good call. Putnam shot a final-round seven-under 63 on Monday to earn a share of fourth place and a cheque for US$177,700 (256,800).

* * *

It's never too late for a hole in one. Eighty-three-year-old Valerie Farrell, former Mayoress of Papakura and a golfer for more than 40 years, had her first ace this week on the par-three 16th at Manukau. She used a five-metal.

* * *

Taranaki stalwart Murray Martin showed that age hasn't blunted his form when he won the Waikato Masters at Waikare last weekend for the third time in four years.

The Waitara player had a three-under 67 in the morning and a 69 in the afternoon to win by five shots from Maki Tavai (Maungakiekie) with Mike Leitch (Maungakiekie) one shot further back.