OKEHAMPTON?Golf Club celebrated its centenary year on Tuesday, July 16, with a re-enactment of the opening day.

The club was opened on July 16, 1913, after a group of businessmen, headed by Dr Walter Reid, met to discuss the possible creation of a golf course within the town.

There were 62 founder members of the club, 57 of which were Okehamptonians and included, six spinsters, a married woman, a customs officer, a manure manufacturer, a druggist, a chemist, a clerk in holy orders, a Major General, a lodging house keeper, a banker, a bank manager, a bank clerk, two jewellers and a bootmaker along with others.

Unusual for the time, seven of the founder members were women.

On the opening day, a 'Public Luncheon on the course' was held along with a 'public tea' and exhibition rounds of golf by professionals and amateurs.

The club was officially opened when Sydney Simmons hit the first shot on the course.

The club had a simple clubhouse built which did not have mains electricity and water until 50 years later.

Last week, in celebration of the anniversary, the club held an invitational shotgun competition in the morning, followed by a re-enactment of the Edwardian afternoon tea.

There were numerous other festivities taking place around the date in celebration of the birthday.