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Greg Bain

Aug 07

2017 Presidents Trophy

By 2017, Presidents Trophy

07 Aug 2017 – Royal Melbourne Golf Club

RMGC member Tony Rule wins President’s Trophy with a “sandy 3”

This year’s President’s Trophy was played at its regular venue, Royal Melbourne GC. Good entries were received, but some late cancellations saw a reduced field of 18 brave the wintry conditions to play their 9 holes with just seven clubs in the bag under modified 1950 rules.

At lunch, the top four nett qualifiers for the sudden death matchplay were determined with Virginia Gorrell the clear top qualifier followed by RMGC member Tony Rule.

Due to multiple ties, a countback and much card checking, the two remaining players were decided in very new member Grant McKay and Richard Fellner, a qualifier in 2016.

The matches began on the first tee of the East Course. Richard defeated Virginia on the first playoff hole followed by Tony defeating Grant also on their first hole. Finalists Tony and Richard halved their first hole. Then, on the second hole, Richard putting for a four had an agonising lip out for 5. Tony made 5 as well, so they moved to the Par 3.

After their tee shots, both players were short and bunkered. Richard was away, air-mailed his shot, yet was saved by some tea-tree at back of the green. Still away for the next shot, he played a great downhill chip to the green.

Tony then made a good, long carry bunker shot to the green, yet still had some work to do with the putter. After a quick read, as the rain was getting heavier and the green wetter, Tony sank a 30 footer for a “sandy 3” and sealed the win.

Players and spectators returned to the clubhouse for presentation, photos and refreshments

GSA thanks the Royal Melbourne Golf Club staff for their assistance and wonderful hospitality making for a very enjoyable day.

The clubs ongoing generosity for allowing us to hold this event every year is much appreciated.

Finalists  Grant McKay, Tony Rule, Virginia Gorrell and Richard Fellner

A wet but exciting finish between finalists      Richard and Tony

Oct 16

2017 Annual Hickory Day

By 2017, Hickory

16 Oct 2017 – Kingston Heath Golf Club

The Society’s Annual Hickory day was held at Kingston Heath Golf Club October 16 playing for the Frank Shepherd and Burtta Cheney Trophies.

A warm spring afternoon saw 20 players, with many wearing clothes of the era, go out with their hickories for our 9 hole event.

With great weather,the Heath in beautiful condition and quick greens, it was a perfect day for playing hickories.

A most enjoyable day closed with refreshments and snacks as Secretary Kim Hastie and President Graeme Ryan made the presentations.

The Golf Society appreciates and thanked the club for their ongoing support and hospitality with this event

Results
Men’s Winner – David Worley
Women’s Winner – Kim Hastie
Longest Drive – Luke Eipper
Nearest the Pin – Rod Hiscox
Guest winners – Terry Thornton and Ros Nicol

Grant McKay, Neil Walker, Cliff George, Matthew Mollica and Terry Thornton

David Kelso with Andrew Thomson and guests Max Yasuda and Shinji Saga

Frank Shepherd winner David Worley with Graeme Ryan

Burtta Cheney winner Kim Hastie

Oct 23

2017 Historians Forum

By 2017

23 Oct 2017 – Riversdale Golf Club

The final historian’s forum for the year was at Riversdale Golf Club.

The four main speaker’s very informative presentations gave us a real insight into the clubs long and proud history.

President Ken Watson spoke about the Murdoch family and their connection with the club. John Boundy talked about the St Johns Wood course -the clubs current location. Ian Rowell gave us an insight into the first 20 years of the Riversdale Cup. This much sort after and prestigious amateur trophy has a wonderful history. John Boundy returned to the lectern to talk about Riversdale 125 the clubs most recent historical publication.

Other presentations of interest were by Cliff George GSA Curator, he spoke about the Victorian Golf Cup, a trophy with an interesting history.

It was quite special to see this beautiful old trophy displayed beside the Riversdale Cup.

Ross Davis spoke about his comprehensive collection of golf ball markers. They were well displayed and drew a lot of interest.

With wonderful views of the course, members and guests had a thoroughly enjoyable day.
​

See full report >>

Jun 04

2018 Dinner at the RMGC

By 2018, Dinner

‘The Intertwined Lives of Sam Snead and Ben Hogan’

4 June 2018 – The Royal Melbourne Golf Club

100 members and guests were treated to a thoroughly enjoyable and informative night as speakers Richard Allen & Christopher Leach presented ‘The Intertwined Lives of Sam Snead and Ben Hogan’

American golfers Sam Snead and Ben Hogan were born ten weeks apart in 1912 and dominated American golf in the 1940s and early 1950s, winning between them a total of 230 tournaments, including 16 major championships.

They also captured the imagination of millions of their countrymen recovering from the hardships of World War II, and inspired generations of golfers.

These two wonderful speakers cleverly presented along side each other and explored the lives of these two men, enhancing their presentation with audio-visual images.

May 15

2018 Don Lawrence Trophy

By 2018, Don Lawrence Trophy

15 May 2018 – Woodlands Golf Club

The annual Don Lawrence Trophy, our popular 4BBB event was played at its regular venue Woodlands Golf Club. The bureau got it right, the predicated wet morning eventuated with heavy showers greeting the players as they arrived. The small field was made up of regular faces, some new members and past winning combinations.

Steady rain fell as players enjoyed the light lunch provided and the odd glass of wine, as we discussed whether play would commence… many were keen but some of the “fair-weathers “ were not so. There was much radar watching and as tee time came around, some clear sky appeared even blue in some parts so the full field got under way and the 18 holes was played in surprisingly fine conditions.

After play Muriel Lawrence Don’s widow along with Brendan Moloney attended the dinner. Last year Muriel moved to South Australia to be closer to her family, so it was nice to see her back in Melbourne and taking the time to come and make the presentation to the winners.

Results

Winners of the Don Lawrence Trophy

Andrew Thomson and Committee member Tony Rule- successfully defended their 2017 win with a fantastic score of 48 points.

Best score by member/ guests – Murray Cropley and Peter Adam 45 pts

Best 9 out – Neil and Claire Walker 25 pts

Best 9 in – Andrew Thomson and Tony Rule 24 pts

NTP 11th Women Kim Hastie 11th Men Anthony Lang
NTP 17th Brian McPhail

President Graeme Ryan thanked Woodlands GC for their wonderful hospitality and another successful and thoroughly enjoyable day.

Andrew accepted the trophy and spoke fondly of his memories of Don Lawrence.

Nov 15

2017 Doug Bachli Trophy

By 2017, Doug Bachli Trophy

Doug Bachli Trophy at Victoria Golf Club

The Doug Bachli Trophy was recently contested at its regular venue the always challenging Victoria Golf Club.

A good field went out to play the annual Stableford competition on a warm spring afternoon. The course was in wonderful condition and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Neil Walker won the Doug Bachli Trophy and Men’s competition with an impressive 41 points. Tony Lang was runner-up on 35 points.

Morag North was the Women’s winner with 32 points and Virginia Gorrell the runner up with 31 points.

The 36th Annual General Meeting and Cocktail Party followed the golf.

Doug Bachli winner Neil Walker with Graeme Ryan

Past President Geoff Vincent AM was honoured with Life membership to the Golf Society

Women’s winner Morag North

Hickory Championship winner Mango Maguire

Sep 09

2018 Annual Hickory Day

By 2018, Hickory

09 September 2018 – Kingston Heath Golf Club

The 2018 Annual Hickory day was held at Kingston Heath Golf Club. With the course in great condition it once again proved to be a superb track for playing hickories.

Playing for the Frank Shepherd and Burtta Cheney trophies, a field of 22, played the 9-hole competition with many wearing clothes of the era.

New member Jeffery Anderson scored 17 points off a 6 handicap won the Frank Shepherd and Secretary Kim Hastie successfully defended her title winning the Burtta Cheney trophy.

A most enjoyable day closed with refreshments and snacks as Secretary Kim Hastie and President Graeme Ryan made the presentations.

The Golf Society appreciates and thanks the club for their ongoing support and hospitality with this event.

Results

Men’s Winner – Jeffrey Anderson

Women’s Winner – Kim Hastie

Longest Drive Men – John Cornish

Longest Drive Women – Kim Hastie

Nearest the Pin Men – Jeffrey Anderson

Guest winners – Bradley Tatnell

It is worth noting that several players in the field were playing the following week at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in the 2018 Australian Hickory Shaft Championships. It is the first time this event has been played in Victoria.

This event will be run by our NSW counterparts the Australian Golf Heritage Society with GSA assisting by gaining access to RMGC, securing the tee times, running the competition and providing the hospitality at the presentations.

– Kim Hastie GSA Honorary Secretary

Women’s Winner – Kim Hastie

Men’s Winner – Jeffrey Anderson

Peter Gompertz at the top!

Rod H on the tee.

Style at the Annual Hickory Day

Gillian Ednie on the tee.

Jul 30

2018 Presidents Trophy

By 2018, Presidents Trophy

30 July 2018 – The Royal Melbourne Golf Club

The Presidents Trophy was played at its regular venue The Royal Melbourne Golf Club. This quirky but fun event allows the players only 7 clubs and the four best Nett scores qualify for sudden death matchplay.

This year’s event had good entries with 30 players, enjoying their qualifying 9 holes on the West course in very cool but dry conditions. The sunshine broke through at times, enabling Secretary Kim who was roving through the groups to take many photos.

As the cards rolled in, the four top four scores began to take shape and after count backs the final players were determined.

At lunch, President Graeme Ryan welcomed a number of new members to the society who were participating. It was interesting and fun see to some playing with their hickories which no doubt added to the challenge.

Rod Hiscox the top qualifier (34.5) was to play Jean Gilbert (38.5) and Max Findlay 2nd qualifier (36) was to play David Worley (38) Both Max and Jean are Past Winners of this event.

After lunch a good gallery assembled to watch the sudden death playoffs on the East course with David Worley winning the first hole over Max Findlay.

In the other match, the result didn’t come as quickly, with Rod and Jean fighting it out for four tense holes, both players have their chances to win. Finally, at the Par 3 4th Jean sunk a putt to win the match.

It was decided rather than cross the road the final pair continue at the Par 3 16th

The first playoff hole was halved even with David Worley skying his front bunker shot to the back and taking unplayable from the Heath and Lomandras and Jean with her own troubles couldn’t close out.

Play went down the Par 5 17th, both drove it well, but from then on Jean struggled to keep her ball in play and with David comfortably on the green in 3, Jean concedes the hole and David is declared the 2018 winner.

So, after an entertaining afternoon the players and gallery return to clubhouse for refreshments and presentations.

The Golf Society Thanks Royal Melbourne for their hospitality and another thoroughly enjoyable day.

Aug 19

2018 Historians Forum

By 2018

19 August 2018 – ‘Little’ Frankston’ Golf Club

Our second forum of the year was held at Frankston Golf Club on Sunday 19th August. In a first for the Society it was decided to hold the forum on a Sunday rather than a Monday and to include golf.

Our host for the day was Millicent Gould who is both Chairman and President of the Club. Millicent spoke about the history of the course, the clubhouse and membership. Also on display were old photos of some of the early influential members of the Club.

​Frankston is unique in many ways. It was the first Golf Club in Australia to have motor mowers. These were bought by boat from England to the club by member Mr. AH Sargood in 1921. This was at a time when all other golf courses were cutting their fairways and greens with horse drawn ‘slashers’.

It is also unique in that it doesn’t hold a Club Championship. Nor does it adhere to the Golf Australia Handicapping system…it still retains its own handicapper to determine a ‘Little’ Frankston handicap. This quaintness extends to the clubhouse which was built in 1905. An entrance hall, lounge, kitchen and locker rooms are all maintained by the members with no house staff required. A substantial verandah looks down on the first hole and on a clear day the City of Melbourne provides a backdrop.

The course itself is built on rolling and at times hilly topography, the soil is sandy and the native vegetation a delight. We were fortunate to play at a time when much of the indigenous vegetation was starting to flower. The course is relatively short in length, but the greens are small and sloping as they rely largely on surface draining. The green structures are its protection and of the fifteen hardy souls who ventured out on a cold wet and windy winter afternoon only one player managed to better his handicap. Nonetheless an enjoyable time was had by all highlighted by an enjoyable post round glass of red in front of the lounge room fire.

We are indebted to the generosity of Millicent Gould and the committee of The Frankston Golf Club and we look forward to returning to the club next year as part of the Hickory Hero’s rotation.

Tony Rule
Historians Convenor

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