Clovelly Estates landlords were forced into liquidation in 1930s Great Depression. The Clovelly Country Club members tried to acquire the course (located alongside Silvermine River in Fish Hoek Valley) from the executors. Their bid by Messrs Ackerman, Pevsner failed to be accepted. The Clovelly Country Club was formed. All members of Clovelly Golf Club were eligible to join, however the majority decided to leave and start their own club.
The First Clubhouse
This building is a conversion of a cottage built in 1932 at the farm Mr. Hendricks. Raapkraal Road (later Westlake Avenue).
Hendricks was an old dairyman who owned a farm. “Raapkraal”It is located at the foot Silvermine Mountain in the vicinity of Lakeside. This was where the Clovelly Golf Club members moved to form their new club. On the 31st of March 1932, a meeting took place in the Kalk Bay Anglican School’s hall. The members accepted Mr. Hendricks lease terms and formed Westlake Golf Club.
Leasing the farm “Raapkraal” (55.369 morgen) was for nine years, with an option for a further nine years at a fixed rate of £10 per month. The lease included a cottage that was located on the farm. It was later modified to become the Clubhouse. There were 112 founding members, and all of them contributed to the design of the course. The watchful eye and supervision of “Oupa”Harrison and Mr. H.B. “Pop”Lee was supported by his fellow members who gave their time and money. The course’s original design ran along the slope of the mountain, rather than the current layout which follows the gradient.
Opened for play in September 1932, the nine-hole course opened its doors to all. Dennis Langton was the winner of the first competition. Langton was also later to be named Club Champion. Unfortunately, he died in combat during World War II.
A local lawyer, Mr. Tudhope created the constitution. The bye-laws were then adopted in 1933. Subscriptions we £3-0-0 per annum. The first annual general meeting was held in March 1933. It was determined that all efforts must be made for Westlake to become an 18-hole course. D.C. Murray was appointed as architect and layout plans were drawn. The members approved the planes and work began immediately.
Hendricks had reached the end of his life and wanted to sell the farm. He offered the course and Clubhouse to the members for the sum of £5500. In October 1935, he accepted the offer. As proud owners and operators of their own private golf course, this gave members new energy. Soon after, the 18-hole new layout was finished and the first competition began on April 14, 1936. There was much pompeii and celebration.
Westlake quickly became a major golfing destination, thanks to Mr. Otway Hayes (son of founder Dr. J.O. Hayes receives his Springbok colours, 1937. He was the winner of the SA Amateur in Durban, 1939. 1938 was a great year for the club as the Stephan Trophy, a premier league tournament that is still fiercely contested, was won.
Clubhouse changes:
These were some of the initial changes that Westlake’s Clubhouse underwent. Additional alterations and extensions were made in 1989, and 2000. The Clubhouse today boasts excellent amenities and a modern setting.
In 1939, a new Clubhouse was constructed following traditional Cape Dutch gabled lines.
Club finances were severely affected by the War Years (1939-1945), as well as three of its members killed in action during those years. The Club’s membership dropped to 50, and this was only due to the hard work of elderly members such as H.B. Stevenson and T. Stevenson. Lee, E. Tudhope and A.H. AshleyCooper ad W.H. Short, who was there to keep Westlake going during this difficult time. Both received honorary life memberships later.
Westlake was able to attract young men who became members of the Club after the ex-servicemen returned home from the war. The Club was further bolstered by a huge immigration from the UK in the 1940s. The membership grew from 87 members in 1945 to 255 by 1948. This was the new initiative of Members, which was spearheaded by “Mr. Westlake”Rex Walker made sure that the Westlake was on solid footing. Rex managed to negotiate with Cape Town City Council the use of Silvermine Reservoir, also known as “brown water”.
The pipeline was constructed, and it was used as the primary source of water for nearly fifty years. The recent connection with Steenberg Estate’s effluent system was the moment that this happened. “brown”The main supply of water for the municipal system was cut off. “white” water. Steenberg Lining was a landmark in Westlake’s history. It featured a fully-reticulated watering system and helped transform Westlake into one the most prestigious golf courses in Western Cape.
Camaraderie, club spirit and camaraderie have been a hallmark of Westlake’s history. Many members have volunteered their time to help Westlake grow and succeed. The Club’s staff has also benefited from this spirit, with many of them serving the Club over the decades.
The Clubhouse has seen many changes and improvements over the years. Many well-known golfers have been a fan of Westlake’s condition and layout, such as Bobby Locke (in the 50s and 60s) and Gary Player (1980).
Westlake hosted the SA Intervarsity Golf Championships as well the SA Under-23 Interprovincial and the Nomads Nationals. The SA Amateur was also held there in 1999.