Harewood Golf Club was originally formed in 1923 by a keen group of local golfers who leased land from the Waimakariri River Trust.
Much of the work constructing the original 18 hole course was undertaken by members, though in the summers that followed the need for irrigation became apparent. Members gave financial guarantees to fund the work, but unfortunately during the economic crisis of the 1930s the banks were forced to call in these guarantees and the club folded.
The land lay idle, being taken over by the army for defence training during World War II. But one of the club's original founding fathers, Ray Blank, never lost his passion for the game and called a meeting in 1956 to ascertain interest in reviving golf at Harewood.
The club was born again, but with a younger dynamic, with more than three quarters of the original membership second time round being juniors.
A small clubhouse was built and thanks to voluntary work by members, the course was restored to its former glory.
An additional 100 acres of land was purchased for the construction of a second course, a rich in history which was designed by world-renowned course architect JD Harris and which opened for play in 1967.
The club prospered, growing to be one of the leading clubs in Canterbury with in-excess of 1,500 members. The original clubhouse has undergone considerable renovation over the years and today provides members with a full bar open to the public, caterers and function rooms for training and events.
Members enjoyed 36 holes for the best part of half a century, though the desperate need for the neighbouring international airport to expand was to change all that.
What could have been seen as a problem has instead been embraced in typical Harewood style and turned into a huge opportunity that has revitalised the club.
The revenue received from the sale of the land allowed the club to make substantial investment in turning its Woodlands Course into one of the leading courses in the country.
Leading designers Turner Macpherson were employed to make substantial changes to the course, re-routing some holes, built 18 new tees and 18 new greens.
In short, 36 fine holes have become 18 exceptional ones that has made Harewood's course not only the talk of Christchurch, but the whole of New Zealand.
Two years after the new course development was completed work began on the club's practice facilities, producing a full practice green for putting, chipping and bunker play. Following that, the opening of a new 20 bay public 300m long driving range, has elevated the clubs practice facilities to a whole new level, completing the whole gambit of practice facilities for our members and public.