Monthly Archives

January 2023

Australia Day honours for two Society members

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The President and Committee congratulate two Golf Society members who received Australia Day honours today.

Our Patron and Life Member Annie Court received an AM for service to golf administration and to the community and Jean Gilbert received her OAM for service to the community through a range of organisations.

Annie and Jean have made significant contributions on many levels and platforms. A comprehensive list of their lifelong achievements can be found by searching –

Australia Day 2023 Honours list

Congratulations Annie and Jean a truly deserving honour

 

 

 

 

Dinner – Monday 27 February 2023 at Yarra Yarra GC

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Dinner -Yarra Yarra Golf Club – Monday 27 February 

Our speaker will be James Sutherland, CEO, Golf Australia.
James will provide an update on the Australian Golf Strategy since its introduction in
December 2021 including the role played by the broad range of golf facilities and formats,
including non-traditional, in introducing people to golf.

A full report and audio of the dinner will be available shortly.

Dinner speakers- James Sutherland, Barbara Kelly and Anthony Lawrence with President Kim Hastie

Jean Gilbert OAM

Dr Michael Sheret presentation – Sunday 5 February at the Australian Golf Centre 9.30 am

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Golf Society of Australia has accepted the kind offer of Dr Michael Sheret to present a talk – See Below for the details

1839: The First Evidence of Golf in Australia

Presentation by Michael Sheret

Sunday 5 February 2023, 9.30 am

Thomson Room at the Australian Golf Centre

(Opposite Royal Melbourne Golf Course)

Despite several myths to the contrary, golf was first played in Australia on Saturday 25th May 1839. It was played at Grose Farm, a part of Sydney now occupied by the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, the University of Sydney and Victoria Park. The evidence for this event is in the diaries of Alexander Brodie Spark. They are held by the State Library of New South Wales.

Spark was a wealthy entrepreneur and respected member of colonial society. As a reliable witness to events in Sydney in the early 19th century, his diaries are an important historical document. The information on golf contained in the diaries first came to the attention of golf historians in a magazine article published in November 1992. Unfortunately, the author did not reference his sources. It was not until 2014 that it was realised that he had used a book about the diaries and had not gone to the primary source. Consequently, some conclusions were in error and three important questions were left unanswered. What triggered the start of golf at Grose Farm? Why did that phase of golf have such a short life? What was the connection to Royal Blackheath Golf Club in London?

The research attempted to answer these questions using primary sources. Spark’s Sydney and London diaries; Spark’s correspondence; archived minutes and betting books at Royal Blackheath; Derbyshire UK archives; UK Shipping records; UK census records; the wills of Captain & Mrs Ferrier; Trove & British newspapers.

 

https://golfsocietyaust.com/wp-content/uploads/1839-First-Evidence-of-Golf-in-Australia-M-Sheret-at-AGC-5-Feb-2023..pdf

To watch the Slideshow – Click on the link below. 

https://golfsocietyaust.com/wp-content/uploads/AGC-presentation-First-golf-at-Grose-Farm-slideshow.pptx

Images from Michael Sheret’s presentation at the Australian Golf Centre

After the presentation several attendees played hickory golf the Sandy Golf Links course.

Hover or click on image to enlarge

Hickory Heroes Christmas 9 Holes and BBQ

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The Hickory Heroes group finished up their season at the regular breakup venue Woodlands Golf Club

On a glorious afternoon, 14 players enjoyed their 12 holes followed by a sumptuous BBQ

Peter Crowe won the day with fabulous score of 27 points from Justin Ryan on 26

Our thanks go to WGC member Paul Burgess and Hickory Co-Coordinator John Trevorrow for organising a very enjoyable day