Our third and final Golf Historians Forum on our program of events was held at Kyneton Golf Club on Sunday 9 October
We were fortunate to secure two speakers who have a strong connection to the club both shared their significant knowledge and gave insight into the club’s long and rich history.
John Trevorrow writes this short report with the full story to be in the next issue of The Long Game.
Kyneton Golf Club, founded in 1900, was the venue for the Golf Society’s final historians’ forum for 2022 on October 9th. Almost 30 GSA members and Kyneton members and residents gathered in the clubhouse to hear two deeply researched presentations.
Ronda Walker OAM, a local resident, historian and teacher who compiled the club’s centenary history in 2000, told of Kyneton GC’s beginnings in 1900 when a handful of local enthusiasts would hang their jackets on tree branches and play 9 holes along 2-1/2 miles of the verge of Three Chain Rd, then return playing 9 holes along the same road verge. Jam tins provided the cups.
In 1908 the club moved to a 9-hole course closer to town, before moving again in 1929 to an 18-hole course built on leased farmland. In 1949 the members bought the site of their current club and set about building the course with their own hands. Local pastoralists donated equipment, farmhands, machinery and seed. The course was built in just 12 weeks through the passion and efforts of the local community.
The present Kyneton course was designed by noted golf architect Vern Morcom in late 1949. Researcher Toby Cumming, the author of a wonderful book detailing the life and work of Vern Morcom, spoke to the forum about the achievements of this remarkable man. Morcom, head greenkeeper at Kingston Heath for four decades, devoted his spare time to designing or re-modelling 90 Australian golf courses. Most are scattered across Victoria, and others are in South Australia, Tasmania and Perth. His influence on Australian golf is profound and not often recognised.
After the presentations, many of those present headed out to play 9 or 18 holes.
For a little more about the speakers click the link below …
Enjoy the photos ..hover over an individual image for caption
