Castlecliff Golf Club Inc, formed in 1925, grew out of informal discussions between a few enthusiasts who felt there was room in Wanganui for another club and that there was suitable land for a links to be established not far from Castlecliff Beach.

A public meeting was held on March 5, 1925, when the 11 men and nine women present, who were to become foundation members, resolved a club, to be known as Castlecliff Golf Club, be formed.

One of those foundation members was J M J Hartwell who farmed land north of Waitai Street and he and his family agreed to lease land for the course, which was just north of the present layout. Members staged working bees and within two months of that first public meeting the course was opened, with a modest clubhouse built just behind the present 13th tee.

Although lease terms were generous, the club struck financial problems when membership never reached the anticipated 80, double the number who actually joined. While membership grew over the next few years, with 49 men, 35 women and 11 juniors by 1927, there was still financial pressure so in 1928 the club abandoned the lease and agreed to buy the property with hefty mortgages.

The club was hit hard by the Great Depression and membership declined. Unsuccessful in seeking an easing of mortgage payments, the club gave up attempts to buy the property. But one of the club’s most important decisions was made during that period when a Stan Powdrell, who farmed between the original course and the sea, agreed to sell land to the club. Part of the deal was that Mr Powdrell was able to graze the course, and sheep were a major source of the club’s income until the early 1960s.

Up to 300 sheep grazed the course during the week and were moved to a nearby holding paddock on Fridays to allow animal-free weekend golf.

The club’s assets as it moved to the new course were a horse and cart, a push mower and a few tools. But enthusiastic members borrowed equipment, including a 10-ton steam roller which was used to flatten out what is today’s third fairway.

The first 12 holes were ready for play within weeks and the remaining six holes were added a few weeks later.

The new course was named Cornfoot Park after a planned housing development on the land never eventuated. It is believed that the failure to have the tramline extended from its terminus at Rangiora Street to Cornfoot Park, necessary because few people in those days had cars, led to the scheme’s collapse.

Roads had already been laid for the proposed new houses when the club took over the land and traces of these can still be seen today, with the most prominent being the ridge that runs across the 14th and 16th fairways. Until a few years ago a roadbed could be clearly seen running along the right hand side of the 16th fairway.

While the name Cornfoot Park crops up from time to time these days, members reverted back to calling their course Castlecliff and it soon became firmly established at the seaside suburb, and very popular with golfers.

From a rocky financial beginning, Castlecliff Golf Club has gone from strength to strength and today, with a thriving membership and a first-class course, offers golfers of all levels a testing but enjoyable experience and a friendly clubhouse welcome.

The Castlecliff Golf Club story would not be complete without mentioning the volunteers who made it all happen. From the initial decision in 1925 to form the club, to its move to the present site, a huge amount of the work was done by enthusiastic club members, just as it is today. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.