March 2024

The Society organised the first Golf Historians Forum for 2024 at Lonsdale Links – Point Lonsdale

The forum will explain the process of producing their Centenary history book for the 2022/23 celebrations and also take us through the redevelopment of the former Point Lonsdale Golf Club to Lonsdale Links.

Forum report

                                                                      The Society visits the new Lonsdale Links

The Society recently visited the Bellarine Peninsula to hold a Golf Historian’s forum at the redeveloped Lonsdale Links

When planning the Historians programs, the Society aims to visit a regional club each year, so with Lonsdale Links celebrating their 100 years in 2022 and the production of a history book the timing was right.

To encourage interest and attendance the forum was arranged as a lead up event prior to the two-day hickory event at Barwon Heads GC.

Pleasingly the forum piqued interest and in the new ultra-modern light filled clubhouse thirty plus attendees heard from speakers Josh Hall and members Georgie Clegg and Richard Macafee.

President Kim Hastie welcomed attendees and opened the program and for the benefit of non-GSA members and guests, took the opportunity to talk about the history, the activities, and the importance of the Golf Society.

Josh, General Manager of Lonsdale Links for the past twenty years, spoke a little on the early history and gave us insight into the club’s struggles and the precarious situations it found itself in through those early years.

He followed this, with a professional short film which took us on the journey and subsequent celebration of where they are today.

Member Georgie Clegg was approached and took up the task of producing the history book and spoke of its production, taking us through the process of collating the rich history, the books design and the all-important text proofing. She also showed us and spoke to the many photos that were used.

Legends of the clubs who made significant contributions through the difficult years and the many current members who contribute were duly recognised in the book.

Long time member and multi time Club Champion Richard Macafee spoke about the of OCM course changes and its suitability for hickory golf. He referenced the use of “The templates” when redesigning some holes – See images below

Following the forum, there was an opportunity to play golf and despite the chilly wind and rain, several headed out for a hit, some with hickories as practice for the Victorian Hickory Championships

A thoroughly enjoyable day and the Society thanks the club for its generous hospitality and wishes them a long and successful future.