Contractors were swinging chainsaws at a Dunedin golf course yesterday.
St Clair Golf Club board chairman Peter Lee, of Dunedin, said the club had sold about 600 mature pine trees on the course to Wenita Forest Products to create timber for export.
''We are taking an opportunity to raise some money to help the club with its finances,'' Mr Lee said.
The age of the trees ranged between 80 and 100 years old and they were spread across the course, Mr Lee said.
The money raised would be used to run the course including buying new mowers.
The harvest was expected to be finished by Easter, he said.
The removal of the trees would not make it easier for golfers to card a lower score.
''The hazards are still there - the trees being taken out aren't really part of the play.''
The harvesting along the 18th hole would remove any danger the trees posed to nearby residential houses in Hillhead Rd, he said.
The tree removal had received only positive feedback.
''Everyone is pretty supportive of what the club is doing.''
