Club History
Beginnings
The Yeppoon Golf Club was established at its current site in 1969 and is busy with preparations for its 40th birthday in 2009.
The Club hosted week-long celebrations back in 1994 to mark its 25th year, when member Colin Hennessy compiled a well researched and written brief history of the Club.
A small but enthusiastic group hosted a public meeting at the Strand Hotel on 26th November 1965 to discuss the prospect of establishing a Golf Club in Yeppoon. A this meeting, motions were passed forming the Yeppoon Golf Club and authorizing the purchase of 137 acres of land in the Farnborough sand-belt, just north of Yeppoon.
Two years later, isolation and development costs led to the decision to find an alternative site and sell the Farnborough land.
It was in February 1968 that negotiations were finalised to purchase the Yeppoon Road site and construction of the first twelve holes commenced immediately. The site actually comprises two separate titles, with the 53 acre lot fronting Yeppoon Road being the first developed, followed by the adjoining 50 acre lot some years later for the balance six holes to complete the 18-hole layout. Although constructed last, these six holes now constitute the starting six on the tight and deceptively demanding layout.
Clubhouse
Local builders John Barnes and Lou Stevenson built the club’s first clubhouse in the early 1970’s, while another local company, Glenn and Peter Alexander were commissioned to build what is today’s clubhouse in 1984.
Professional
John Price, younger brother of touring pro Terry, was appointed the club’s first resident Professional in 1984. Following John’s departure, Murray Hodge took over as Club Pro in 1986 and also served a dual role as Club/Bar Manager for a while.
Current Club Professional David Cardillo commenced duties at the club in 1998, although David had served as assistant pro during Murray Hodge’s term.
Water
One of the most significant decisions in the life of the Yeppoon Golf Club was to finance the delivery of recycled water from the Council’s Sewerage Treatment plant in 1990. Augmentation of the course irrigation system and a guaranteed supply of nutrient-rich effluent transformed the course over the next decade. While other clubs battled the seemingly endless drought, Yeppoon’s fairways and greens presented a green oasis for golfers and wildlife alike.
Development
Two potential development partners emerged in 2004. Firstly, there was Lorenzo Galli, a Victorian construction magnate , who approached the Management Committee with a proposal that, if pursued to conclusion, would have seen the club move to a new course at Taranganba.
Then in 2005, Gold Coast lawyer John Quinn approached the club with an ambitious proposal that would ultimately integrate the existing golf facilities into a comprehensive development centred on the Pineapple Patch land on the other side of the Highway. Mr Quinn presented his detailed proposal to members at a Special General Meeting on 25th August 2005. Members voted in favour of the proposal and authorized the Management Committee to advance negotiations to final agreement on the joint-venture.
Three Development Applications covering the Pineapple Patch proposal were lodged with the then Livingstone Shire Council on 14th June 2006. Mr Quinn’s company, Yeppoon Investment Corporation Pty Ltd, finally received Development Approval from Council early in 2008 and has since submitted Operational Works documents for the Stage 1 works on Yeppoon Golf Club land. Works on Stage 1 commenced on Thursday, 30th October 2008 with a Pre-start conference attended by representatives of the Developer, the Contractor, the Club, and Rockhampton Regional Council. Visit the News section of this web site to get the latest news on the Pineapple Patch Development.