History

History: The golf club now known as the Lochiel Golf Club Inc. was formed by the members of what was originally known as the Ohaupo Golf Club. The Ohaupo Golf Club is thought to have started in 1932 and operated a course on a property in the Ohaupo area.

In 1937 a deal was struck with a Mr Jack Steele to purchase part of a Lochiel Farm for a new golf course. The Lochiel Golf Club Inc was subsequently formed and incorporated in 1938 and work commenced planning and developing the new Lochiel golf course which was bounded to the north by the Waikato River and to the west by Mystery Creek.

The original course was designed by Mr Bill Horton (a Field Officer for the New Zealand Greens Research Council) and Mr Keily (the then Vice Chairman of the New Zealand Golf Council). It is said that these two men worked on the course design for ten days and came up with a basic layout that is still recognisable in the course today.

The course was constructed by Mr Jack Galloway the Clubs first Green keeper and Club Professional, with play commencing on the course in early 1939.

Over time successive committees and green keepers have continued with the investment in course improvements resulting in a course that is challenging and highly regarded by the golfing community. The course has been the venue for practically every national event at some stage during its history.
Course developments are ongoing, and the installation of a travelling fairway irrigation system and more recently the in ground fairway irrigation has seen the year round condition of the course improve dramatically.

The Lochiel Golf Club continues to host local inter district events and be the venue for many National Tournaments. Lochiel is rightly recognised as one of the best Club courses in the Waikato and with ongoing development will undoubtedly maintain this status in the region.