Tasman was singled out as highly suitable for orcharding early in the 1900s. But the land was as hard as the economic times, and not all growers were able to make a living. Those hardy, resourceful souls who did were the founders of our club.

Eighty-plus years ago a group of Tasman orchardists decided to develope a golf course on some old orchard land that was going to be put back into pines by Baigents. Locals debated the merits of two sites, one at Kina and one at Gardner Valley.

Harold Dodson settled the debate by buying the Kina site for the golf club….

“to be paid back, at no interest, whenever they could manage it.” Then the hard work of clearing gorse and scrub began. Two years of hard work resulted in six holes being opened for play in 1937.

For the first 50 years orchardists and their families were the mainstays of the club and the golf season revolved around the apple season. Compared to other clubs, subs remained low.

Finally the deer, pigs & sheep were gone and the course was developing nicely. New clubrooms were built and in 1973 three new holes were added on the eastern side of the road. It was time to celebrate 50 years of golf at Tasman in October 1987.

Major earthworks from November 2006 – Feb 2007 created a second dam to double the water storage as part of an overall irrigation upgrade.

The course has had many visitors from stray dogs, wild pigs, seagulls and keas to Prime Ministers. We welcome them all. Many come here each year as holidaymakers or as players in our tournaments, the pinnacle of which is our Kina Open.

The local community & visitors also make good use of the walking and cycling access we offer that connects Kina with Aporo Road and the Great Taste Trail (LINK TO GREAT TASTE TRAIL HERE).

A recent addition, our ridgeline park-over space, has become a popular destination for self-contained campervans & motorhomes, along with being a unique wedding venue offering unrivalled views of Tasman Bay.

The stunning site we enjoy is now far more than just a golf course.