History

  Introduction
  The Seabrook Golf Club was formed on April 19, 1926 at a meeting held at Toomeys  Restaurant
  Wynyard.

  An Associate club was formed in 1923, but this developed into the Seabrook golf club three  years later.

  The Associates club comprised many people from the old Burnie Round Hill course but at the meeting
  forming the Seabrook Golf Club all the members were from the Wynyard district.

  1926-1945
  The Seabrook Golf Club was formed on April 19th, 1926, at a meeting held at Toomeys' Restaurant,
  Wynyard. The inspiration for a Golf Links at Seabrook came from the late Mrs. Eileen Howden, who
  formed an Associates' Club in 1923 which carried on until 1926, when the present Club was formed.

  The Associates' Club comprised many people from the old Burnie Round Hill Course, but at the meeting
  forming the Seabrook Golf Club all members were from the Wynyard District. The first President was the
  late Dr. Smellie, a very well known and popular local doctor.

  Many prominent local names appear in the first list of officers, including Mr. T. F. Howden, husband of
  the founder of the Ladies' Club. Mr. Howden was appointed sole trustee and was authorised to sign a
  lease with Mr. Alex Shekleton the then owner of the property embracing the present course and the
  property now owned by Mr. C. E. Napier. When the lease was obtained a letter was sent to the
  Wynyard Club extending an invitation to join the new club.

  At the first Annual Meeting there were twelve members present and three apologies were received. It
  was decided to seek admission to the Northern Tasmanian Golf Association and to write to the North
  West District Golf Association advising that it wished to join the Association and enter a Junior
  Pennant Team in the competition,
  A recommendation was made to the incoming committee to borrow 200 pound on individual members'
  guarantee of not less than 10 pound per member and this was later adopted.

  The second Annual Meeting was significant in as much as the first Burnie names appear.
  J. W. McGrath (father of Frank and John), Jack R.,Wells, Lindsay Bird, Dr. H. Z. Stephens, R. Rowe,
  G. Duthiot, H. M. Garrard and A. H. Flower. Later, Messrs. Garrard and Flower were destined to
  establish Seabrook as a recognised Golf Links, with Mr. Flower as President and Mr. Garrard as
  Secretary. At the third Annual Meeting held, on March 16th, 1929, at the old Club House (behind the
  thirteenth green) further Burnie names appear among those present. They included Messrs.
  K. F. Brown, Ken Coleman, A. Gillam, H. C. Lewis, G. Moyle, W. Parris, R. C. Harris, S. U. Harris and
  G. Harris.

  The Harris families were to become very prominently associated with Seabrook in the administration of
  both Members' and Associates' affairs. A few years later Mr. L. B. Harris joined the Club, and not only
  played a major role in Seabrook affairs but did a wonderful job in N.W. Coast, Northern and Tasmanian
  Golf administration.

  Later in 1929 the Club experienced a setback in the death of Mr. T. F. Howden, the Club's secretary
  and sole trustee. Mr. Howden had worked very hard to establish the Seabrook Golf Club. The Club
  appointed four trustees, Messrs. Russell Harris, H. 0. Sperring, A. G. Baly and H. C. Lewis.

  The 1930 Annual Meeting was notable for the preponderance of Burnie people. This was due in part to
  the increased interest in golf and also to the transfer of several members from the red soil Round Hill
  Course to the Links land at Seabrook. Among them were the late Jack Fidler and Harold Tanner, who
  became very prominent in Seabrook Golf.

  Following Dr. Smellie's resignation as President, Mr. A. H. Flower was elected in his stead, and
  Mr. H. M. Garrard was elected secretary, although he had been occupying that position since the
  death of Mr. T. F. Howden. These two men unquestionably laid the foundation of Seabrook as a
  recognised Golf Club.

  Mr. Hatsell Garrard was a dynamic personality and created an enthusiasm and growth which really
  placed the Club on the golfing map. Mr. Flower continued as President until 1945 and, together with
  his popular wife, became sheet anchor of the Club. In 1944 they were honoured with Life Membership.

  From 1930, in the early years of the depression, fields for Club events increased to fifty players. This
  was in large part due to the Secretary, who organised transport to the Links through the co-operation
  of the car owner members.

  The Burnie Town Hall was the venue of the 1931 Annual Meeting as Club members were now mostly
  Burnie people. As few members owned cars transport was of major concern, and about this period the
  Railways were approached to see if a stopping place could be arranged opposite the Western entry to
  the Links.
  The Club suffered a serious setback because of the transfer of the Secretary, Mr. Garrard, to the
  mainland. Mr, J. P. (Phil.) Beanland was elected to fill the vacancy and proved a most efficient and
  popular Secretary.

  During 1934 the Rev. Father P. Hayes joined Seabrook. He was previously one of Round Hill's keenest
  members. Father Patrick was a remarkable personality and was known far and wide for his love of a
  little interest on the side. Although a law unto himself, he was an extremely popular person.

  Around the mid 1930s the Club had progressed to the stage where it was necessary to divide the
  competition into two grades.

  Mr. R. A. Cutteridge was elected a life member "due to his long and valuable service in the
  beautification of the Links."

  Towards the end of 1936 Mr. J. P. Beanland, the secretary, was transferred to the mainland. He was a
  very good secretary and keen member and made a fine contribution to Seabrook during his term of
  office.

  His successor was Mr. T. C. Thompson, who became one of the great personalities of the Club.
  Mr. Thompson came to Burnie about 1914 and played a major role in the establishment of the Round
  Hill Golf Club. His knowledge of the game and his personality brought a great dignity to the Club. He
  was respected for what he unquestionably was - an English gentleman. Tommy's influence is still
  remembered by many members and his memory was perpetuated by the annual T. C. Thompson
  Mixed Foursome.

  Around this time it was agreed to enter a Senior Pennant Team and if the requisite number of teams
  was forthcoming, a Junior Pennant Team also. The Senior Pennant Competition comprised teams from
  Launceston, Riverside, Longford, Devonport and Seabrook.

  A Committee comprising J.R. Fidler, E. C. Weatherhead and H. Hunter, was formed to investigate the
  possibility of purchasing the Links. Their recommendation to proceed with the purchase was adopted.
  A Committee was then formed to explore the possibilities of purchasing further land from
  Mr. C. E. Napier at the Eastern end of the Links to build a new Clubhouse. Mr. Napier advised the
  President he would meet the wishes of the Club if it decided to build a new Clubhouse.
  At a General Meeting held on June 18th, 1938, it was unanimously agreed to proceed with the
  purchase of the Links and to build a new Clubhouse.

  The successful tenderer was Mr. A. P. Best, of Burnie, a well known builder. The Clubhouse was
  completed towards the end of 1939. At this time membership was 71 Members and 56 Associates,
  but because of the Second World War membership began to fall and the Club was forced to make
  many economies to be able to carry on.

  The following year, 1944, the Club dropped to its lowest ebb - 29 Members and 39 Associates.

  It was mainly due to the efforts of the late Jack Fidler that the course was kept in playable condition.
  The Club had lost its greenkeeper and, apart from supervising casual labour and working bees, Jack
  Fidler used to cut the Fairways with the horse drawn side delivery mower.

  1946-1963

  In 1945, the Club commenced to pull out of its difficulties and membership increased to 42 Members
  and 56 Associates.

  After sixteen years as President, Mr. Flower relinquished the position and was unanimously elected
  Club Patron. Extremely popular Jack Fidler was elected President and, apart from being one of
  Seabrook's hardest workers and most generous members, Jack was Club Champion for many years.
  He was later rewarded with Life Membership.

  Efforts were again made to secure land at the Western end of the Links, but without avail, and a
  sub-committee was formed to try to obtain further land nearby, because with the War now over
  membership increased rapidly.

  In the pre buggy era, Caddies were the usual thing on most courses. Wynyard boys used to cycle to
  Seabrook and many players had their regular caddies.

  Clubs were not numbered or as numerous as the modern sets. The normal set was approximately six
  clubs, more or less. The irons were "Cleeks, Mid-irons, Jiggers, Mashie Niblicks, Niblicks (Sand Irons
  had not been invented). Woods were the Driver, Brassie and Spoon.

  Seabrook has had some very fine greenkeepers during its history, but certainly no harder worker than
  Stan Haines. Stan was the Club's first full time greenkeeper, and apart from the usual duties of a
  greenkeeper, Stan was responsible for the construction of most of the Greens and Tees, and laying the
  pipes for the first water scheme. Whenever possible, in order to save time, he rode his bicycle from job
  to job. He was followed by his son Murray, who was out of the same mould.

  In 1947, the Club suffered a great loss in the death of Mr. T. C. Thompson. "Tommy" had endeared
  himself to all members. His gentlemanly character and his great knowledge of the game had brought a
  new dimension to Seabrook.

  Membership increased so rapidly that it was necessary to close the membership during 1948. At the
  Annual Meeting in that year the President reported that the Club had 94 Members and 75 Associate
  Members.

  Mr. Thompson's place was taken by Mr. S. H. Wall, who rendered fine service over the next few years.

  The practice of using both Wynyard and Seabrook courses for their respective Tournaments, which was
  introduced in the middle thirties, was resumed. This proved most beneficial to both Clubs because of
  the increasing interest in golf.

  Because of the proposed P.W.D. plans for widening the main highway and the consequent resumption
  of some of the Club's highway frontage, the matter of obtaining further land nearby, or an alternative
  site, became of major concern to the Club.

  By 1951, membership had increased to 132 members and 124 Associate members. Juniors were still
  restricted to a minimum age of 15. In the following year efforts were made to lower the age of entry for
  Juniors in keeping with other clubs.

  1964 - Present

  The need for an eighteen hole course was becoming more and more evident. With this in mind, the
  Burnie Club was approached with the idea of amalgamation, and the Wynyard Club was also
  approached.

  A very suitable area for an eighteen hole course was found at Stowport and a very substantial offer was
  received by the Club for the purchase of the Seabrook Links.

  The committee which had been appointed to investigate the purchase of further land nearby or an
  alternative site had spent many, many hours investigating possibilities, but without success. Eventually,
  an option was obtained over land adjoining the Links from Mr. C. E. Napier. This area now comprises
  the "bottom" nine.

  The Club had a general meeting to decide between the purchase of the Stowport property or land
  adjoining the Links.

  The meeting proved to be the largest in the Club's history and, following the presentation of two
  extremely well documented arguments, the purchase of further land from Mr. Napier was decided upon.

  It was a happy coincidence that the person who signed the documents on behalf of the Club for the
  purchase of the land was Mr. J. C. Nicol, the then President. Together with his wife, Col. has rendered
  tremendous service to Seabrook as President, Director, Captain and Patron.

  Work began early in 1964 to construct the new nine holes. Because of the enthusiasm and a
  tremendous amount of hard work by the members, rapid progress was made. Many problems were
  encountered and overcome - particularly regarding drainage problems.

  So many remarkable contributions were made by members, many of whom have now left the district
  because of transfer in their employment, that it would be unfair to mention names in case someone
  was overlooked. Nevertheless, history records their names in various ways and their reward is the
  magnificent eighteen hole course at Seabrook which has now attained Championship status.

  Vere Hudson retired from the field of Engineering to accept the position of Head Greenkeeper and
  Supervisor, and what a gem he proved to be.

  The Associates celebrated their Golden Jubilee in 1973 with a very enjoyable, well organised week of
  celebrations. Seabrook's existence owes much to the fine Associate membership. 'Without their help,
  particularly during the War years, Seabrook would certainly not be what it is today.