Golf: Does CHB need 18-hole course?

Waipukurau Golf Club is the only 18-hole course in CHB while others are 9 or 12-hole ones. PHOTO/FILE

Takapau Golf Club isn't prepared to shut its doors just yet but president David Tennent believes something will need to happen in Central Hawke's Bay within five years.

Tennent says even if four courses are closed in the region, it won't solve the issue of ageing golfers.

"At some stage we have to face the fact that there aren't enough golfers," he said ahead of the meeting at Waipukurau Golf Club tomorrow at 7pm to look at the future of the sport in CHB.

Tennent says volunteers are keeping the 12-hole Takapau course in good nick but the consensus is, in five years they'll have to come around the table to revisit the issue.

"I'm 66 and in five years I'll be 71 and I won't be driving a tractor but I'm satisfied doing it now so it's not a biggie for me."

The club is in talks with organisations to mirror Porangahau GC, which has bucked the trend, and Ongonoga GC to counter the downward spiral.

He questions the need for an 18-hole course such as Waipukurau and several on/off liquor licences that require a lot of administrative input.

Waipukurau club president Ian Sharp, who has been in office for a fortnight, says he hates to see that happen .

"Waipukurau Golf Club is open to any ideas from the community in CHB," says Sharp, emphasising Porangahau's "full country-club" and geographic distance makes it viable.

Waipawa GC has been hit the hardest and its president, William Jensen, says it's about the "future of golf and not amalgamation".

Jensen says its club is receptive to a merger but also is looking at other codes, such as darts and netball, to come under one umbrella in the game of survival.

"Ongaonga is strong and they're not interested ... but, hopefully, they're going to be [at the meeting]."

Ongaonga president Alan Spooner could not be reached for comment.

However, it is understood the club has affiliations with the CHB Council and Forest Gate Domain.

It uses 15ha of the property to yield funds and farmer members raise livestock to boost profits, amond other income-generating ventures.