Golfers teed off at plans to cut size of landmark course

The park's gently rolling manicured greens and lines of mature trees were created in the 1920s with pick and shovel and rock-blasting dynamite. Photo / NZ Herald

Chamberlain Park's future as an 18-hole public golf course is under threat from a plan to open up the Auckland landmark for football fields, a playground and formal garden.

A shorter beginner course and driving range would be retained under proposals from the Albert-Eden Local Board.

The park's gently rolling manicured greens and lines of mature trees were created in the 1920s with pick and shovel and rock-blasting dynamite. They were redesigned after the Northwestern Motorway ploughed through the northern flank.

The course is the place where many golfers took their first swings on a real fairway with borrowed clubs and for a small outlay; today a round costs $30-$32 for a senior and $17-$20 for a junior.

Local Board chairman Dr Peter Haynes said the decision to review the recreational uses of Chamberlain Park was to make sure that the present use was best.

"We have a crisis in sportsfield capacity," said Dr Haynes.

"Mt Albert/Morningside, where the park is located, has the biggest shortfall in sportsfield capacity in Auckland and nearby areas are also among the worst off.

"Many people playing organised sport in our area, especially juniors, are missing out on practising and games because of the lack of available fields, or they have to drive many miles away from home."

Dr Haynes said the initial concept was "a discussion starter" about alternative uses and he hoped for community views during the board draft annual plan consultation from July 7 to August 6.

A study of the course by consultants highlighted increasing operational costs and lack of diversity in golfing experiences.

Auckland had an oversupply of the same golf services and facilities and use of courses was very low at 23 per cent.

Board member Graeme Easte said he wanted to shift the focus from dedicated to new golfers and to draw in young people.

"There might be criticism that we are taking away Working Joe's access to golf but from my research we could end up with more people playing more hours of golf on a smaller piece of real estate."

The multi-sport use proposal got short shrift from golfers at the clubhouse car park.

"If there is a protest or a petition, I'll join in," said Te Atatu resident Mike Thorpe, who has played the course for 55 years.

"The course is getting better under Auckland Council management and is pulling in better numbers of players."

East Auckland resident Ron Knight said he had played the course three times a week for eight years.

"Unlike others, it's easy terrain, less expensive and there is always someone to play with."

John van Ee said it was a 10-minute drive from his Remuera home for a 7.30am tee-off with his regular group.

"Today, they're playing for the Waiting for God Trophy - a lot of people will be upset and it will be a loss for seniors and the Pacific community."

Chamberlain Park

• 18-hole public golf course
• 32.3 hectares
• Next to Northwestern motorway, St Lukes Rd
• Owned and managed by Auckland Council city parks services
• Concept plan: 6-12 hole beginner golf course, driving range, "starting new golf" coaching area, playground, recreation facility, formal gardens and six full-size sportsfields.
• Passive open space around the property and walking links to streets and reserves.
• Albert-Eden Local Board to seek public views on its local board plan between July 7 and August 6.