Murray Bridge is located approximately 78kms southeast of Adelaide on the Murray River. With a population of some 20,000, it is well serviced by excellent shopping, social and accommodation services, which provide the town with an ideal environment for living and relaxation.
Murray Bridge Golf Club is widely recognised today as one of the best country courses in the state. It has approximately 500 local and non-local members. Its 18 holes are watered by a fully automated sprinkler system which was installed in 1989, and like many of the course's features has been added to and improved continuously since that time.
This present course, which was established after the end of World War II, is a far cry from the beginning of golf in Murray Bridge, early this century.
Dr. CN Macquarie with a group of enthusiasts introduced the game to Murray Bridge on links established near the old Jaensch homestead and the old High School. Later a course was established around the Lagoon in the area known as Paradise Hill, where it remained until World War I.
Following a recess for the war, the club was reformed on Jaensch Family property at Long Island. This course was extended from 9 to 18 holes in the early 30s, however being private land also used for farming activities made it difficult to stabilize the layout. With the disposal of a part of the land prior to World War II, the club again went into recess.
1945 saw the opportunity to buy freehold an 85 acre property adjoining the racecourse. By disposing of assets from the previous course, members successfully bid for the property which became the site of the present day golf course.
Under the guidance of Harry Reynolds and Fred Burr as chief planners, the committee quickly planned the layout of 18 holes on the bare paddock with about six small mallee bushes as the only trees. Conditions were first primitive. The clubhouse was the ruin of an old straw-thatched barn with only 2 stone walls standing - this was the only shelter in bad weather.
During the first winter a crop of self sown oats covered much of the course and fairways were mown through them to make play possible. The rough was often a metre high and it was not uncommon for players to temporarily lose their clubs while searching for balls - if they bothered to.
The first permanent clubhouse was built in two stages, using voluntary labour.
In early 1950, the club agreed to hand the property to the Corporation of Murray Bridge (local government) in exchange for a long term lease for a nominal rental.
The success of the club depended solely on the voluntary commitment of its members. For example, Margaret Sanders planted a number of trees behind the third green and watered them by hand, carting the water by buckets and car from her home.
In 1971 a water diviner was called in and a bore was sunk on the ninth fairway. Water was found at around 60 metres, but it was of such poor quality it was not really suitable. Later that year members voted to seek an overdraft of $1500 at 6% over 5 years, to install a watering system to water what was known as "the summer nine", using town water supply. In conjunction with the Murray Bridge Racing Club, 10 years later, a scheme to pump water from the river to a holding tank adjacent to both courses was developed. The additional water then allowed for the construction of a complete green course of 18 watered fairways and tees. The next step was the conversion to the existing fully automated system in 1989.
Clubhouse improvements continued with the opening of a new architecturally designed club house in 1972 which was greatly extended and improved in 1987-88, to the high standards enjoyed by members today. In 1984, a much improved and much needed office area was built and the addition of a gaming machine area in 1989 helps maintain finances. The clubhouse is now very inviting with superb views onto the course from the main dining room.
Improvements are an ongoing feature of both the course and the clubhouse in providing ever increasing facilities for members and visitors, both from the playing aspect, as well as the social aspect of being a member of the Murray Bridge Golf Club.
