MOUNT PLEASANT PUBLIC GOLF LINKS

This was established on land owned by Armon Hicks, along the River Torrens, with the first tee behind the Barber shop (Hood’s). As a Par 3 course, it went past the Police station block, then crossed over the river to the other side for the rest of the 9 holes, played up and down the hills towards Old Talunga Park. This links was opened in 1935, with a bridge being built in 1937, for the crossing of the river for continued play. The footbridge was of wooden slats laid over railway girders providing convenient public access from the railway station and main road. Unfortunately the quick-drying rank grass everywhere proved difficult for both golf balls and hotel customers.

The following newspaper articles describe the plans and preparations for the Golf Links in the 1930s…

Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA : 1880 - 1954), Friday 19 April 1935, page 3

…Golf.

However, in another direction, local enthusiasts are distinctly progressive. This is in the establishment of a golf club in the town.

Formation.

Mr. A. Hicks presided over a well attended meeting in the Soldiers' Memorial Hall on Monday evening, when it was decided to form a club, the name to be "The Mount Pleasant Public Golf Links.".

The subscription was fixed at ladies 6/, and gentlemen 7/6, and it was also resolved to take advantage of Mr. Hicks' offer of a ground at £5 per annum for the next three years.

Officers.

The election of officers resulted:— Patron, Mr. W. McDonald; president, Mr A. Hicks; vice-president, Mr. D. Verrall; secretary and treasurer, Mr. H. F. Hudson; assistant secretary, Mr. S. P. Hocking; committee, Messrs. A. Reeks, V. C. Cooke, H. G. Verrall, Len J. Hood, and J. Skuse.

Plan of Course.

The committee were instructed to inspect the provisional plan of course and to seek outside expert advice if needs be when making final arrangements.

The, meeting was convened by Messrs. S. P. Hocking, Len J. Hood, and H, G. Verrall.

Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA : 1880 - 1954), Friday 21 June 1935, page 3

Mount Pleasant Public Golf

Due to the fact that it has become necessary to make several minor adjustments to the links, the opening day in connexion with the Mount Pleasant Public Golf Club has been delayed for a short time.

The fairway approaching the second hole, which necessitates driving across the creek, has proved too much of a "snare" for the inexperienced players to negotiate, and it is the intention of the committee to deviate slightly from the original plan. Also a difficulty would probably be reached when the creek is in flood, as there are not visible means of fording the said torrent apart from reverting back to the days of childhood (with its subsequent loss of dignity in the event of an accident), namely by paddling across.

Mr. H. P. Hudson (secretary) is enthusiastic as regards the prospects of success as membership is increasing rapidly, and sufficient support to enable the club to continue is assured.

From a passing glimpse of the links they appear to be in excellent condition, and in their early stages compare favourable with anything of this nature the writer has seen.

As the club includes such a large number of members who have not previously played the game, it is thought unlikely that they will engage in any competitive matches with other clubs for the present, but will endeavour to allow those in the novice stage as much practice as is possible.

Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA : 1880 - 1954), Thursday 30 April 1936, page 4

MOUNT PLEASANTS SPORTING ACTIVITIES

Golf, Football, Basket-ball

The golf club is the centre of interest at Mount Pleasant, following the rejection of the scheme to treat the scrapes with slag, and a controversy has been aroused. Some members feel that more new members could be secured for the club if the course were put in first-class order. The objectors are of opinion that such an action, as is proposed, would drain the finances of the club to such an extent, that it would make the position of the committee difficult.

They point out that last year, when the club was inaugurated, it had a most successful year under the existing conditions, which should be continued until such time, as it is safe to expand.

However, in rebuttal, supporters of the slag idea, declare that an early action of this kind will ensure greater membership and thereby solve the problem of finance. The secretary, Mr. H. P. Hudson, will probably call a general meeting, and the matter will then he discussed, and a decision arrived at.

World War 2 brought a halt to all district golf but when peace came a group of devotees began play at Dew Vale in the 1950s, in paddocks on the Springton side of the township, where sheep were allowed to graze the links.

ANOTHER GOLF COURSE was situated on land opposite the Presbyterian Cemetery on Herriot Road sometime in the early 1970s. Little detail is known about the length of time that this links was used.

AND GOLF TODAY

The MOUNT PLEASANT DISTRICT GOLF CLUB we know today was established in 1970, as a 9 hole scrapes course, on private land. In 1976 the present land was made available to the golf club members and with two years of weekend work the first playing season of the Club began in1978. Design of the course was by Murray Crafter. A clubhouse was built by members in 1982, allowing bar and catering facilitie for the club, with beautiful views over the course and surrounding countryside.

The early 1990s saw an opportunity to add land to the current course and with further work by Brian Crafter, a plan was created to build a dam and alter some of the existing holes and development of a new one, to create the 18 hole course there is today.

For details regarding today’s Mount Pleasant District Golf Course you can visit their website https://www.mtpleasantgolfclub.com.au/

In a move to modernise it was decided to develop FootGolf, and Mount Pleasant is now the home of FootGolf in South Australia, which follows much the same rules as the game of golf, but by kicking a size 5 (U/12 size 4) football from the teeblock until successfully sinking the ball in the large 53 cm diameter hole. The course is 1430m; with a par of 36 for 9 holes.