History
The Club: History |
Killarney Country Club, previously the Transvaal Automobile Club or TAC, is steeped in tradition and historical facts involving not only our Club but also the early development of the city of Johannesburg.
Founded originally to further the interests of "automobilism" (which function endured for some 25 years) the Club moved to the Cooke's Farm site in Killarney in 1916. The Club's motoring activities included the compilation of road maps, organising hill climbs and campaigning against the prevailing speed limit of ten miles an hour within a radius of two miles from the Rissik Street Post Office! The big motoring event of the Twenties was the Court-Treatt motor expedition from Cape Town to Cairo, a distance of 12,377 miles, which took sixteen months to complete, with the leading car carrying the TAC badge throughout. The badge was later presented to the Club in appreciation of the hospitality and assistance afforded the expedition.
A growing need to provide social and sporting amenities culminated in the opening of our first bowling green in 1917, followed by badmington courts and croquet lawns. A second bowling green was opened in 1921 by HH Prince Arthur of Connaught, the then Governor-General of South Africa. In 1926 squash and tennis courts, plus a swimming pool, were built, followed by the first ten-pin skittle alley in the Transvaal (used until 1953). The golf course was opened in 1929, with Jock Brews as the appointed professional. In 1930 the fostering of all aspects of motoring as becoming to onerous for the Club and after a series of stormy meetings, the Automobile Association was entrusted with the furthering of motoring interests in the Transvaal. Thus ended an memorable era in the history of the Club, leaving only the name to remind us of those early motoring days.
In 1950, after two years of unsuccessful negotiations which would have enabled us to take over the Club, the African Realty Trust gave notice to the effect that they would require portions of our golf course for development purposes. After further discussions, the governing body of the Transvaal Automobile Club secured a long lease with the option to purchase and which extended to 31 May 1956. Finally, at long last the Club become the owner of its property in February 1957. However, it was short-lived. Late in 1965, the City Council formally proposed that certain motorways which would run through part of our property, be built as a result of the city's evergrowing traffic problems.
Once again negotiations were entered into: in 1970 agreement was reached for a fifty-year lease on sixty-three hectares of ground between Riveira Road in Killarney and Melrose Street extension in Melrose until the year 2020. The lease was later extended to 31 July 2040.
Members owe a debt of gratitude to the dedicated members of the General Committee who spent many hours discussing and finalising this agreement. The Development Committee consisted Sidney Bloch, Jack Hoffmann Jack Slotar and Buddy Gering with Hymie Weiner as convener.
Just fourteen months after the start of building operations, we moved to Lower Houghton on Saturday, 24 October 1970. The Club was officially opened by the President of the TAC, Mr. Hymie Weiner, in the presence of the Mayor of Johannesburg, Councillor Sam Moss. The new clubhouse has experienced many alterations and additions, the results of which has given rise to one of the most sought-after venues in the country. The Club is second home to many members and the view from our bar terrace overlooking the eighteenth green and dam is something very special and is admired by each and every person visiting our Club.
Today Killarney is a Country Club in the centre of the city, offering unique sporting and recreational facilities. We can look back on its history with a true feeling of satisfaction and pride in having created one of the finest clubs in South Africa - a Club which more than compares with any similar facility in the world. Members and staff can be justly proud of our first hundred years and a bit and we all look forward to the challenges ahead over the next hundred years.
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Events: September 2010
Newsletter
Weather in Johannesburg
6 September 2010
Fair 27°C
Humidity: 10%
Wind Speed: 14 KMH
Wind Direction: WSW (250°)
Barometer: 1025 mb
Dewpoint: -7°C
Heat Index: 27°C
Wind Chill: 27°C
Visibility: 11 km