GRAND TURK - CAPITAL of TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS

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Waterloo Golf Club

HISTORY

Former Governor John Kelly took up residence at Waterloo, the official residence of the Governor, in October 1997. The twenty two acres of surrounding garden grounds were wild and over- grown with thorn bushes. Both Mr Kelly and his wife were golfers and had recently served in Bermuda where there were no shortages of golf courses. He initially started clearing the bush with a view to building one or two golf holes but with additional enthusiasm from golfers in the community such as Mike Cassidy, a nine hole, par-three golf course was in the making. Much physical work had to be done including the clearing of rocks and scrub, landscaping and the building of tee-boxes and greens from mostly sand.This work was done after working hours and at the weekends by the Governor, other interested volunteers and a group of prisoners. Whilst the landscape was being transformed, work was also being done to form a club and committee. The club is registered as a not-for-profit company. On 3rd January 1998 the formal opening of the course took place, marked by the first Governors Trophy golfing event.

THE CLUB

The club has several very valuable hole sponsors. This money goes towards the maintainance of the course and water bills which in very dry periods are very high. Currently there are some thirty five members. The club offers annual, overseas, family and hotel memberships. The running of the club is overseen by a committee of twelve chaired by the Governor, which meets on a regular basis.

EVENTS

There is always a monthly medal competition. Other regular competitions include the Governors Trophy, AGM tournament, Easter Tournament, Mike Cassidy Memorial Trophy, Heineken Tournament, Grand Turk Trophy and the Boxing Day Tournament. Thrown in also, are regular fun games, scrambles and "Say goodbye tournaments" for leaving members.

THE FUTURE

The golfing community in Grand Turk are eagerly anticipating the opening of the new clubhouse. The derelict building north of Waterloo House, formerly the broadcasting station on Grand Turk, is in it's final stages of being redesigned and expanded to take in the views of the golf course on one side and the setting sun of Governor's Beach on the other. The club is also anxious to attract more members, in particular it wants to encourage junior members. The club sees itself as providing another sporting option in Grand Turk, giving local residents an opportunity to play golf. Golf clinic sessions have been held in the past and it is hoped to rekindle the interest in these, in the very near future.

Annual MEMBERSHIP FEES
Single $300.00
Couple $450.00
Family $500.00
Junior $ 50.00
Hotel $500.00
Overseas (single) $100.00

THREE MONTH MEMBERSHIPS
Single $100.00
Couple $150.00

GREEN FEES
Resident non-member $15.00
Junior non-member $ 5.00
Visitors $25.00