Club History

Thanks to committed Gordonvale personnel, the Club was formed in 1950. Play began with a few holes by the end of April 1951 with the Official Opening being held on the 20th November, 1951 - the Official Opening being performed by Mr. W. C. Griffin, Chairman of the Mulgrave Shire Council. The inaugural Office Bearers (1951) included Mr. E. Fletcher, Members President and Mr. P. Steer, Members Captain.

The Club House was built by Mr. Con Murphy for 3146 pounds and the Club House was officially opened by the Clubs' Patron, Mr. M. Klarwein on Monday 17th June, 1957 on the Queen's Birthday holiday. Prior to this the Gordonvale Turf Club's old Steward Stand (now demolished) was used as a temporary Club House (Photo in Club House). The Club House was extended on the southern end in 1970 at a cost of $4,000. A further extension on the Northern end which incorporated an extension of the kitchen and the provision of a locker room, including lockers, was carried out in 1986 at a cost of $27,000.

COURSE

The Course was initially developed as a 9 hole course on the inside of the Gordonvale Turf Club's race track. After many years of negotiations, the Club was finally granted in 1976, 16 acres outside but adjacent to the race track by the Lands Department. The land was sufficient to develop three new holes and these were developed by volunteers under President Jack Kerr in 1979 and President Joe Curcuruto in 1980. As a result, a new 12 hole arrangement was completed and the Official Opening occurred on Saturday 23rd May, 1981.
Then in 1987, the Club commenced discussions with the Lands Department and the Mulgrave Shire Council to obtain additional land to provide an 18 hole course. The extra land was obtained in 1989 and work began on the six new holes in 1990. The Grand Opening for the 18 hole course was held during the week of golf from Tuesday 16th April to Sunday 21st April 1991. Once again the work was carried out by a team of volunteers under the guidance of President Bernie Donnelly 1990, President Bill (Spud) Murphy 1991, Captain Graham Real, Bill Durr Greens' Director, Len Latimer Greenkeeper.
The Course today comprises 9 holes in the centre of the race track and 9 holes outside but adjacent to the race track. The land is covered by Special Lease with the Cairns City Council as trustees.