Club House

• Telephone: 852 2181
• Fax: 852 1167

Club Executive
President	Duncan Seko
Secretary	Bernie Meten
Vice-President	Terry Solomon
Treasurer	Nellie Collins
Social CoOrdinator	Sagi Seko

Golf
President	TBA
Captain	Max Kitao
Vice President	David Timi
Ladies Captain	TBA
Handicapper	Richard Coleman

Tennis
President	Fiona McCarthy
Everything Else	Shane McCarthy

Squash
President	TBA

Bowls
President	Henry Kabug
Secretary	Benny Bogg
Vice President	Pam Lakot
Treasurer	Rose Bukoya

History

The Madang Club is situated in one of the loveliest towns in Papua New Guinea. Madang, set in a beautiful natural harbor, is sometimes referred to as the "Venice of the South Pacific", because of its inland lagoons and park-life waterways. The Golf Course, located on a strip of coastline leading to the harbor is indeed considered one of Madang's natural beauties.

Originally, the course was a large German-owned plantation. In the early 1940's the plantation came into the hands of the Australian Administration. At the time the plantation was non-productive and very overgrown. Despite its condition, a group of enthusiastic residents turned a narrow strip of the plantation behind the present 8th Green and leading to The Coastwatchers Memorial Lighthouse, into a recreational area. (In those days, the lighthouse was just a gas cylinder). A cricket pitch was laid in the center of the field and it appeared the scene was set for cricket to become the dominant sport.

This was not to be, as the area was also frequently used by golfers. Eventually, golfers outnumbered cricketers, and through persistence by the golfers, the cricketers finally gave up their sport for personal safety reasons.

In 1949, through the efforts of District Officer, Charles Bates, a lease was secured over the plantation and Madang Golf Club was formed. The first President was Tom Esson, Captain Roy Sowerby and Secretary Brian Back.

With the aid of many eager residents, the plantation was cleared of debris and grass. Following a course designed by Roy Sowerby, 6 holes were cut out of the plantation.

By January 1950, the 6 holes were almost complete, and trying to acknowledge an official opening date in the same month, a bush material clubhouse is located.

Shortly after, in the same month, the Administrator of Papua New Guinea, Col. J.K. Murray and Col. Northcott, Commander-In-Chief of the Australian Forces, were asked to officially open the Madang Golf Course.

On reflection, that day was both memorable and humorous as Col. Murray commenced play by having an air-swing, while Col. Northcott managed to blast the ball little over two feet off the first tee.

Following the opening, the bush material clubhouse was used for a further six months until It blew down. By then, plans had been finalized to build a more permanent clubhouse. Again, under the direction of Roy Sowerby, a further 6 holes were designed and over the following 4 years, these were cut into the plantation.

In 1979, plans were made to renovate the clubhouse, however, due to lack of funds, these plans remained a dream until 1981, when a group of progressive Management Committee members finalized a proposal acceptable to its bank. With a lot of hope and with the future if the Club at heart, these members began to shape the new Club House.

In late 1982, this new clubhouse was finished. Early in 1987, the old bar and contents were completely gutted and new facilities installed. Major re-roofing, carpeting of the restaurant and billiard room were in addition were completed. Work in progress would allow new locker and toilet areas and also a Committee Room.

In 1986, the Madang Squash Club Association sub-leased an area close to the Club building and completed two new squash courts.

The Billiards Room has since been converted into a Chinese Restaurant, that also opens for lunch.

Now, the Madang Country Club Inc. boasts a range of sporting (golf, squash, bowls and tennis) and social facilities.