History and Reason for the Formation of Mt Xavier Golf Club.
On the 7th of October 1949 the sisters of Mercy under the direction of Mother Alacoque and Mother Bonaventure engaged Mr S.J. Weir to construct a six hole Golf Course.
The land on which the course was built was not really suitable for a golf course being very undulating and mainly gravel and scrub.
No water supply was available at the time and a dam was constructed on the creek necessitating power lines from Fortune street to the creek to operate an electric pump to water the greens.
On completion of this project it was discovered the water was to mineralized in content and killed the grass on the greens. New ones were constructed and the pumping station scrapped.
The reason the course was built was so that the students could be taught golf as a subject so that when they returned to their home towns they would be better able to join in the social activities of that town. It was also for the use of the sisters some of whom were very capable golfers, the best being Sister Helena. It was also for the use of the Clergy.
Prior to the completion of the course the cost of its construction had reached a point far in excess of the original estimate. The Sisters realised the cost was beyond them, as would be the maintenance if the course was completed.
An effort was then made to involve the parents of the students, this was also unsuccessful. So it was then enlarged to include friends of the convent.
By this time it was realized that an open club must be formed or the project scrapped and the large amount of money already expended lost.
A meeting was called between the Sisters of Mercy, Mr S.J. Weir, Dr W.T. Greening, Mr & Mrs G. Torney at which it was decided efforts be made to form a club to take over the debt incurred and the cost of running the club.
The recruiting of members in those early days was not easy because of the poor condition of the course. Most of those that joined were members of other clubs offering far better facilities and did so only in an effort to help the Sisters.
The first President was Dr. W. T. Greening, first Secretary Mr. J. N. Cooke and to comply with the Convent Stipulation that Ladies be full members, the second president was Mrs G. Torney.
The conditions imposed on the club at that time were as follows.
Ladies be full members and not as associates as is the case in other golf clubs ( this is still the case at Mt Xavier ) That the course be available for the students, Sisters and the Clergy thus giving the Convent use of the golf course far superior to the one they originally planned, no expense on upkeep, transfer of a debt in excess of the value of the land at that time.
Since the club was formed these conditions have been upheld. In addition the club house has been available on numerous occasions to the Sisters of Villa Maria, their Parents and Friends Association. The greenkeeper used golf equipment to mow the football oval at the school.
Shortly after the club was formed the clubhouse burnt down and had not been insured by the Convent for anything like its correct value.
In 1957 the Club had repaid the loan to Mr.S. J. Weir, rebuilt the clubhouse, and extended the course to nine holes. In appreciation of all this club was given a fifty year lease at a low rental.
Over the years of the clubs existence, a new clubhouse was built and paid for. The original debt was paid and additional land purchased and another large section leased from the city council, cleared and constructed into an eighteen hole golf course of championship length of excellent design and condition along with a first class bowling green.
The green is used regularly by the B.D.L.G.A. for the ladies championships and as an opening green for the B.D.G.A
Mt Xavier Golf and bowling Club has always been a working mans club. It has no wealthy Members and has always existed on lower fees than the other clubs.
In 1979 the club was able to obtain more land from the City Council, allowing the club to extend the course to it current length.
Since then many changes have occurred, such as a bore and couch grass tees along with slight changes to extend the course length.
Golf Carts are available to members, green fee players and for use on corporate days.
The club is always grateful to the many volunteers that have helped the club whenever it is required from helping to run events, working bees or just to give some time to assist in running the club so it can move forward.
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