About Us

Discussions and planning had begun in early 1981 after the idea of forming a society to research and preserve the history of golf in Australia was put forward by Dr Ken Shepherd. Several meetings took place, and a Constitution and objectives were drawn up, which have formed the basis of the Society’s activities.

These objectives are:

• establishment of a golf museum
• collection of golf memorabilia
• regular golf days
• dinners with guest speakers

The proposal to form a Museum was taken to the Australian Golf Union (AGU), the governing body of golf in Australia. AGU By-Law No 10, forming a Museum Committee, was then passed, the membership being the Committee of the newly formed Golf Society of Australia.

The objectives of the Museum Committee are:

• To collect or otherwise acquire any items of historical golfing nature
• To decide and determine the standard and quality of items relating to golf which are of a historical nature and eligible for display as museum pieces
• To categorise and arrange historical golf items as museum pieces
• To compile, publish, decipher and annotate any golfing literature, illustrations or photographs for the purpose of recording the history of golf
• To compile and amend from time to time a list of historical golfing national records

The relationship forged with the Australian Golf Union continues with Golf Australia, the organisation formed in 2006 following a merger with Women’s Golf Australia. The Society also has strong links with state golfing bodies. Contact details are available via the Golf Australia website.

I believe there are exciting times ahead for the Golf Society of Australia (GSA) by broadening its current range of activities and strengthening relationships with like-minded people and organisations in Australia and overseas.

There is an opportunity to form stronger links with similar societies to our own in the other states of Australia with the possibility of creating a truly national Golf Society of Australia.

Another matter of importance is the creation of a golf museum to display and present to the public, the extensive amounts of golfing equipment, memorabilia, etc.

Several locations for this museum (and a library) are being considered, but progress has been slow. We will work with Golf Australia to advance this project as a matter of urgency.

Although membership is strong and functions are well attended, we must not overlook the need to continue recruitment of new members, both men and women, to maintain a robust society and ensure its future. With the new committee, I plan to examine ways and means of increasing our membership.

​These developments will require a strong, devoted leadership from myself and the committee working as a team to face these challenges and opportunities.

It is important that your President should belong to a well-recognised golf club and I have been a member of Yarra Yarra for 23 years. Prior to that, I have belonged to several clubs in Melbourne, Sydney and England.

I believe that my lifetime in golf as player, writer and publisher together with my academic, professional and managerial background across many disciplines, equip me well to fill the role of President of the GSA.

In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge and thank my nominator Morag North, seconder Brendan Moloney and each one of you for considering me as your President.

Thank you.

Mr. Graeme Ryan – President

President: Mr. G.J. (Graeme) Ryan
Secretary: Miss. K.A (Kim) Hastie
Treasurer: Mr. N.R (Neil) Walker
Golf Australia Nominee: Mr. T.(Trevor) Herden
Patron: Mrs Anne Court

Committee:
Mr. A.C. (Tony) Rule – Golf Historians, Dinner speakers
Mr. M.C. (Murray) Cropley – Collection Committee
Mr. N.R. (Neil) Walker – Collections Committee
Mrs. M. (Morag) North – Dinners and Interviews
Mr. G (Greg) Bain – “The Long Game Editor”
Mr. J.W. (John ) Scheffer – Collection Committee
Mr. G. (Garry) Bos – Collection Committee
Mr. Max Findlay – Hickory coordinator assisting committee

Strategic Plan – November 2017

Golf Society of Australia: 2020 Handbook, Society History & Calender of Events