Queenstown Golf Club, New Zealand

Queenstown Golf Club is situated in the amphitheatre of the Remarkable Mountains and offers a unique opportunity to play on what is internationally regarded as one of the most picturesque golf courses in the world.

The Queenstown Golf Club formerly known as the “Wakatipu Golf Club” has had an interesting and varied career in its existence. Over this period the club has had four different playing venues. The first along the lake-shore where the Frankton township now stands, the second on the existing Queenstown Airport, then to the present 9 hole course at Frankton and finally to Kelvin Heights. It is safe to say without doubt that with each shift the club improved its playing conditions. The course became more challenging and of greater interest to play.

It was initially decided to form a Golf Club on 26th November 1914 at a meeting at the Lakes County Council offices (the same year as the outbreak of World War One). The Wakatipu Golf Club was officially opened on 15th May 1915 and the annual subscription was set at 7/6d for gentlemen and 2/6d for ladies.

Hylton Hensman and John Grant primarily drove the development and completion of the Kelvin Heights Course, with the assistance of a strong committee. A lease was secured from the Crown, along with a loan from the Southland Savings Bank and the Bank of New Zealand. Further income was derived from debenture funds, fund raising and donations, including a section donated by Frank Mee. The Golf Course at Kelvin Heights was opened on 20th April 1975.