For 100 years, Tauranga Golf Club has stood proud overlooking the rolling fairways and greens, offering golfers a destination for the odd challenge and tricky shot.

It's also been a major influence in the Tauranga community, with countless lifelong friendships made and fierce competitions fought.

Rain doesn't stop Bradley Kendall from playing at Tauranga Golf Club today.

But this weekend, the club tucked quietly behind the Tauranga Racecourse, takes centre stage celebrating its 100-year centenary with a number of festivities planned.

Based at its current site since 1914, the club's history actually spans an additional decade after being born a nine-hole course stretching from Tauranga Domain to Sulphur Point.

TGC centenary committee chairperson Jackie McDonald says after 12 months' careful planning, for the weekend to finally arrive is 'just fantastic”.

'The club house will be at full capacity on both Friday and Saturday, so that's really encouraging,” says the club member of 40 years.

'I think it's fantastic Tauranga has a golf club that's reached over 100-years-old. It's a wonderful milestone.”

The weekend's guest speakers are Patsy Hankins and Phil Tataurangi, part of a successful Kiwi side to win the1992 Eisenhower Trophy.

Patsy was instrumental in introducing 9 Hole Golf nationally, approaching club member Phyll Sandlant in 1998 to assist with the implementation.

Tauranga was the first Club in NZ, and to this day continues, to have one of the highest membership numbers of 9 Hole golfers nationwide.

Among those keen to rekindle the sporting camaraderie is Tony Reynish. The former Bay and Manawatu representative will be seen on the course alongside good friend and former team mate Mike Nicholson on Saturday – many years after turning out for the BOP.

Mike stands supreme among club and Bay peers, winning the club senior championships 12 times, setting a Bay record of 20 appearances at the National Inter-Provincial Championship; his first at age 16 in 1970.

Joining forces in the mid-1980s, it wasn't until 1995 when Mike and Tony, together with Ross Hyland, Don Boone, and Noel Johnson, led the Bay to third at the Freyberg Masters Tournament, the region's best result until its maiden win in 2013.

'I just think it's a milestone for any club and it's just nice to celebrate events,” says Tony.

'And a lot of golf is to do with the friendship and camaraderie; it's just great to share an event with so many friends we've played with for so many years.”

The club's centenary celebrations run from today to Sunday.