Club History
A Brief History of the Mt Barker-Hahndorf Golf Club
The Mount Barker District Golf Club originated as a definable body in 1879, which makes it one of the oldest, if not the oldest Golf Club in the State and it has been in existence continuously since that time. However, the official records of the SA Golf Union showed it commenced in 1907. Golf at Mt Barker was originally played on the local property now known as the Laurels, and owned by a well-known early settler, Mr. John Dunn. The club used this venue for forty-two years, and during this time it joined forces with the Hahndorf Golf Club from 1907 to 1912.
As Mt Barker grew it became necessary to relocate the Club golf course. This was done with the permission of the Warden family who allowed the Club to use their land for a further 45 years. The actual putter owned by Commander Warden and donated to the Club by his late widow, is displayed in the Club House.
In 1966 the Club decided to establish a facility and to do so, purchased some 288 acres of land near Wistow. A course and clubrooms were duly established by utilising almost all volunteer labour. In the same year it became an incorporated Association on the 6th April 1966
As land pressures changed and the population of Mt Barker grew, it became apparent that the Wistow course could not be developed into the standard of course required, mainly due to a deficient water supply. However, the land increased in value providing the Club with options. Therefore, it was decided to subdivide and sell this land and acquire land closer to Mt Barker with the potential of adequate water.
With these objectives in mind the present property was purchased and developed, beginning in 1977. The course was constructed first, with the present workshop used as a clubhouse. The original clubrooms were completed and opened on the 4th October 1980.
The years 1980 to present have seen a tremendous amount of effort and revenue put into the facility by way of continual upgrading of the course and machinery to keep resources in the condition that members have come to know, enjoy and expect.
Along with growth in membership has come a growth in services and facilities, so much so that the Committee, looking to the future of the Club undertook in 1988, a major upgrading of the Club Room facility to provide for even more members’ services and to provide a Club Room to match the course in excellence.
In September 2007, the members of the Club agreed to amalgamate with the Hahndorf Golf Club following the sale of their property. The injection of excess assets from Hahndorf has greatly assisted the new club to have a secure future for years to come.
The Hahndorf Golf Club was one of the three oldest clubs in the State with all established in 1892. Adelaide (later Royal Adelaide) Golf Club was the first metropolitan club while the title of the oldest country club could rest in a photo-finish between Hahndorf and Oakbank.
The course moved several times before settling on the Balhannah Road site. The land was lent by prominent local golfing farmers and there were several hazards with fields ploughed for potatoes or paddocks used for grazing with greens fenced off to prevent straying dairy herds.
In 1963 the Club moved location for the last time and leased land for a 9-hole course from one of the members, Mr. Vic Nitschke. The Club expanded to its full 18-hole course in 1981 and purchased the land in 1994. Peak membership of 550 - 600 was achieved from 1992 to 1996.
In May 2000 the Management Committee set up a task force to develop strategies for the Club in the future. The Task Force members were subsequently appointed at the Annual General Meeting in October 2000 as the Management Committee.
In early 2002 discussions were held with a well-known developer who proposed to purchase the property, construct home units adjacent to the clubhouse for sale to the general public and Members, with the course operated by a golf course management group and available to all existing Members. The viability of the development was dependent upon a variation of the encumbrances placed on the property title by the vendor when it was purchased in 1994. A voluntary variation was not forthcoming therefore the club decided to look at other alternatives.
At a significant and sad Special General Meeting in May 2004 it was decided that the course be closed on Sunday 6th June and the property sold by tender process. The property was subsequently sold with settlement on the 30th November 2004 and all outstanding debts were paid.
After consideration of three options put by members, a final decision was made at a Special General Meeting in September 2007 that the Hahndorf Golf Club Incorporated should amalgamate with the Mount Barker District Golf Club Incorporated to form the Mount Barker-Hahndorf Golf Club Incorporated.
This action gave both former Clubs the chance to continue their long and illustrious histories together as a significant Hills golf club serving one of the fastest growing residential and commercial areas in South Australia.
In 2017 the club was approached by the nearby Aston Hills housing development to change the trading name to Aston Hills Golf Club at Mount Barker in return for a significant annual payment, and providing memberships to new home buyers.
Following a Special General Meeting of the members in November 2017 it was agreed to proceed to contract negotiations for the name change to take place, for a period of 5 years.