More than 90 people from as far away as Australia have come to Port Chalmers to celebrate the golf club's centenary this weekend.
The celebrations started at the Port Chalmers Golf Club yesterday afternoon with a casual game of golf, before a memorial was unveiled in honour of artist Ralph Hotere, who died last year.
Hotere frequently played the nine-hole Port Chalmers course and won the junior club championship in 2001.
His wife, Mary, was there last night to see the unveiling of the memorial, which was made up of the trophy he won in 2001, a couple of his old clubs, some donated art work and photos.
As well as a fresh exterior and interior paint job, thanks to the club winning a makeover through the ANZ Golf World television show, the club has a new honours board.
Club captain Steve Walker said the club had been through some ups and downs over the years but the unveiling of the Hotere memorial and the new honours board was exciting.
''For me, as a club captain, I think an honours board is the first thing you look at. Certainly as a member of a golf club, it's the thing you want to be on. It's almost like the connective tissue to the past, and also for the future for all the youngsters who want to be on it.''
Paul Kehoe, who moved to Port Chalmers in 2008 from Ireland and fell in love with the club, has come down for the weekend after moving to Christchurch two years ago.
''I wouldn't have missed this for the world,'' Kehoe said.
''When I moved here I joined straight away to be part of the community, it was a great introduction to New Zealanders because everyone was so friendly ... I absolutely love it.
''I only lived down the road ... it was literally just a jump over the fence and I was on the course.
"I didn't tell my wife how close the golf course was - now she makes sure she checks every time we move on a map.''
An 18-hole fancy-dress round of golf will be played today from 11am to 5pm, before the main event at 7pm at the Port Chalmers Town Hall, a formal dinner and dance.
A social nine-hole round will be played tomorrow morning at 10.30am, before a barbecue lunch completes the weekend.
- Robert van Royen
