The Long Game Newsletter of the Society of Australia

S G A

No 55, DECEMBER 2015

Doug Bachli Trophy at Victoria Inside This Issue Page 1 Doug Bachli Trophy at By Peter Gompertz Victoria Golf Club Page 2 Thirty four members faced the starter in a two round at the Victoria President’s Report ...... 2015 Golf Club. The sun was out and it was pleasantly warm, while the breeze Page 3 behind was gentle it became a bit stiff when playing into it, and positively Annual General Meeting a nuisance when coming from the left, or right. The course itself was in Colonel Bogey: championship condition, so any murmurs of discontent were solely about 19th Hole Nostalgia individual skills, or lack of them. Vale Paul Rak OAM Leading the way in the men’s division, and Doug Bachli Champion, with an above Page 4-5 average score of 37 points, was Russell Fynmore; a couple of furlongs behind came Golf Historians at new member, and a regular ‘Hickory Heroes’ supporter, Charles Wilkins with 33. Yarra Yarra Golf Club The winner of the women’s division, and overall second was Committee member, Page 6 Virginia Gorrell with a hard fought 31 points, playing in the same group as runner Dinner at up Paula Gompertz with 30; none of the other four ladies reaching the magic Royal Melbourne Golf Club figure of 30 points. Page 7 President, Geoff Vincent, presented the winners with their prizes at the conclusion Hickory Heroes: of the AGM. 9 hole hickory golf events Page 8 Frank Shepherd Trophy and Burtta Cheney Trophy Kingston Heath Golf Club

For The Diary Monday 21 March Golf Historians at Metropolitan Golf Club Monday 28 March Dinner at Commonwealth Golf Club Tuesday 19 April Don Lawrence Trophy at Woodlands Golf Club Sunday 15th May Al Howard Trophy at

President Geoff Vincent AM and Russell Fynmore Virginia Gorrell Lady Medallist Woodlands Golf Club

The Long Game | DECEMBER 2015 1 President’s Report ...... 2015

For the past 10 years we have held The Golf Society is working through meetings of the Historians Forum, the entire collection of , to enable members of various clubs and The Golf Society. Cliff George has to exchange ideas on items of history taken on that responsibility including and how to preserve the traditions of the use of the Mosaic data base, and the game. In March, Kingston Heath has been appointed Curator by The was the venue and Barwon Heads Golf Society, and Golf Australia, for in June, and recently Yarra Yarra the entire collection. This is important in November. Our convenor, Kim as recently we removed the collection Hastie has done a wonderful job. from Moonah after that golf club was sold to overseas interests. The golf events held during the year were well attended, particularly the I would now like to pay tribute to Al Howard Trophy match at Wagga members of your Committee. Wagga held on April 19, where a team Tony McLean covers the important of GSA members competed against task of Secretary and keeps us on track, the Australian Golf Heritage Society while Dick Kirby, as Treasurer, keeps from Sydney. We were not victorious, our finances in check. Peter Gompertz Geoff Vincent AM as our team obviously overtrained. produces The Long Game, and endures A return match is scheduled for President the frustrations of organising the early next year. There were some 14 President. Virginia Gorrell looks It is my pleasure to present the Hickory Heroes events held during after the detail, and challenges, of all Presidents Report for the past year. the year with Cliff George and Max our social events, while Kim Hastie Findlay attracting members keen to arranges our Golf Historians Forums We have had an increasing number take on the traditions of hickory golf. of events during the year, including which are growing in interest. three dinners, where we have averaged I would commend the hickory Cliff George continues to develop around 60 members, and guests, at competition to members. Playing with hickory golf as mentioned above. each function. hickories strengthens your game using I would also like to give special modern equipment and is good fun. In February at Commonwealth, we thanks to Trevor Herden, Tournament enjoyed hearing Michael Clayton Other golf events were held at Director at Golf Australia for his relating his experiences on the Kingston Heath, Woodlands, Royal ongoing support, and assistance, with professional circuit, including the Melbourne and Victoria golf clubs. our efforts with the collection and LPGA where he was involved at the I would again congratulate all the with our development of hickory golf. Handa Women’s , winners and thank all the golf clubs Trevor is a member of our Committee caddying for Sue Oh. In May, John involved for allowing us to play those representing Golf Australia. Hopkins AO, Chairman of Golf wonderful golf courses. We are always All have contributed their time, and Australia, outlined his international made to feel welcome and it is a efforts, which is greatly appreciated. golf activities with The Open and the privilege to play at these clubs. R&A. In September Sandra McCaw As President I have enjoyed the During the year we have received shared her thoughts about her life in year and look forward to further valuable donations of golf memorabilia golf at our dinner at Royal Melbourne. development of Society affairs during including the collection from the This was a special occasion being very the coming year. estate of Daryl Cox, and the scrap close to the sad death of Paul Rak OAM, book of RAA Balfour-Melville. This CEO of Royal Melbourne. has coincided with a review of our collection which was moved in June to better space in South Melbourne.

President Geoff Vincent AM addresses the AGM

2 The Long Game | DECEMBER 2015 Annual General Meeting By Tony McLean

The 34th Annual General meeting was held on at 6.30pm on the 23rd November 2015 at the Victoria Golf Club, Park Road, Cheltenham, Victoria, with 34 members attending. President Geoff Vincent gave his annual report (see page 2 Ed). The Hon Treasurer, Mr R Kirby, advised the meeting of a small surplus from the year’s activities and that the accounts are healthy. Office Bearers and Ordinary Committee Members were re-elected nem. Con. The meeting closed at 7.30pm.

Colonel Bogey: 19th Hole Nostalgia Vale by Al Howard (with kind permission of Ross Howard ) Paul Rak OAM By Peter Gompertz Next time you mark down a ‘bogey’ on your score card spare a kind thought for those who brought this scoring symbol to the golfing scene. All GSA members were shocked, It was back in 1891 when Hugh Rotherham of the Coventry Golf Club and saddened, to hear of the introduced the basic system of scoring and course rating, which came to be untimely death of fellow member, known as the ‘ground rules’ for players on that . Amongst others Paul Rak OAM, a good friend of our to be impressed with his scheme was Dr T Browne of the Great Yarmouth Society in his capacity as CEO at Club, and his golfing partner Major Wellman. Royal Melbourne. For the purposes of this story we now have to make a rapid change of scene Paul started as a caddy at Royal from the golf course to the music hall where the most popular ditty of the Melbourne, working his way up from day was ‘Hush, hush here comes the bogey man’. Barman to General Manager before We now revert to the golf course where the Major, probably with this in mind, spending 15 years as Manager at complained to his partner Dr Browne “I say old boy, this ground score player Kingston Heath, then returning to of yours is a bit of a bogey man; and so the term ‘bogey’ came to golf. Royal Melbourne as Chief Executive. Respected and admired equally by But wait, there is more to relate. Dr Browne as a member of the United members and visitors to both Royal Services Club then introduced this mythical nonentity to fellow members Melbourne and Kingston Heath, his as a quite modest and retiring gentleman, uniformly steady, but never over wise counsel will be sorely missed by all. brilliant. They, in turn, adopted him as one of their own but the Hon. Secretary, Capt Vidal, while impressed with this fictitious fellow, suggested that in accordance with Club regulations he be given a service rank. In due course Bogey was promoted to Colonel Bogey and that title was later recognised by the Royal & Ancient in 1910.

Have you missed a dinner but would like to hear the speech? In most cases, when the speaker agrees, we record the after-dinner speeches at Golf Society functions. If you have missed a dinner and would like to hear any of the presentations, they can be made available on cd for playing on computer or cd player. Contact: The Secretary

The Long Game | DECEMBER 2015 3 Golf Historians at Yarra Yarra Golf Club By Kim Hastie

Geoff Vincent President of the In 1927 to maintain a successful Our next speaker was Tim Groves, long Golf Society of Australia opened course, and membership, it was time member and Yarra Yarra Historical the meeting and welcomed all deemed necessary that the Rosanna Sub-Committee Member. He spoke site be sold, so land at Bentleigh in about the activities that the history to Yarra. Kim Hastie Forum the sandbelt was bought. The opening group carry out, acknowledging a small, Convener introduced the speakers. day was 23rd February 1929; nearly hard working, group of members who The first speaker was Peter Swan. 87 years on this current site. carry out this important work. Peter is a 40 year member of the Peter mentioned member Herbert Tim supported his talk with a power club and Convener of Yarra Yarra’s Darvall several times citing his major point presentation, discussing what Historical Sub-Committee. contribution and influence through the history group believe are some Peter told us that Yarra Yarra means these years. He also gave us some of of the most important details in the “flowing flowing”. He gave us a brief his personal thoughts; one nice story clubs history. Methods for collecting, insight into the clubs early beginnings was the clubs acknowledgement of recording and storing the data remains ( Eaglemont Golf Club ) going long standing staff member Gordon one of the biggest challenges. There through many significant dates and Sharrock. The club installed a flagpole is considerable archival data stored in the decisions made during the early out the front to recognise his many several ways and it has been huge task years at the Eaglemont and Rosanna years of service. to improve and streamline access to it. sites from 1889 to 1911 Peter touched on the Clubs Other points of interest include the In May 1911 Rosanna site was tournament hosting history citing committees’ intent to educate, and purchased and was officially opened many well-known winners. increase, member awareness such as on the 30th of March 1912. The club He mentioned the Clubs wonderful during the play of a significant event, was formally incorporated as Yarra staff over the years, the course changes the Trophy being competed for is put on Yarra Golf Club Limited. and, in recent years, a significant club display with some informative history. house renovation. Peter answered They believe it is important to interview several questions from the group. older and significant members.

4 The Long Game | DECEMBER 2015 The club is fortunate to have a golf architect dedicated History room for the Martin Ebert, committee to work in, and members rediscovered the to enjoy. Throughout the clubhouse, Old Tom Morris Yarra Yarra have wonderful artwork, 18 hole layout photos and memorabilia on display and brought it and it is a credit to this working back to life. group. His presentation gave us an Peter supported interesting insight to their work and his talk prompted a number of questions such with some as how they manage certain projects. wonderful Graeme Ryan, a Yarra Yarra member photos and for many years, produced a wonderful we could slide show of his recent visit to a Golf definitely Museum in Regensburg, Germany. sense the raw, Privately owned by an antique and natural, dealer, the museum is housed in a beauty of renovated cellar and has an extensive, Askernish. and impressive, collection of golf Peter a memorabilia. Graeme’s photo’s came declared, and up really well and we could appreciate passionate, the many beautiful pieces on display. links player He highly recommends a visit to this described museum. His presentation stimulated Askernish questions and several in the room had as probably been to the museum agreeing that it is one of worth the visit. The next presentation the most was from Ian Rennick Past GSA natural golf links in the world and, President, and Life Member. (This like St Andrew’s, everyone should play Graeme Ryan brought along a club is the subject of a separate article in a it at least once, not die wondering. to show us. It was a graphite shafted, future newsletter. Ed.) Persimmon, driver estimated to For the show and tell, and general be 25 years old; never used and in The final speaker for meeting was discussion, part of the meeting GSA pristine condition. Peter Gompertz, GSA Committee Committee member Cliff George and a Member of the British Golf spoke briefly about the increasing In closing Geoff Vincent produced Collectors Society since 1987. interest in hickory golf, and the an amazing item for examination and He gave an entertaining talk about his popularity of the monthly GSA discussion; it is the original, personal, recent visit to Askernish Golf Club Hickory events. Cliff informed scrap book of RAA Balfour-Melville, in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. us of the recent appointment of first Secretary of Royal Melbourne Land owner Lady Cathcart engaged Committee member Max Findlay as Golf Club. Old Tom Morris in 1891 to lay out an approved supplier and restorer of The scrap book, looking a little worse a course for her house guests. Morris hickory shafted antique clubs. for wear, showed extensive newspaper described the land for 18 hole lay out He encouraged members to contact articles and photos with much of the as ‘second to none’ For 30 years this Max if needing help with antique content seeming to be about racehorses wonderful course was maintained by hickory clubs. Cliff went on to talk and golf. GSA has this book on short the local crofters for the enjoyment of about, and stressing, the importance term loan from a family descendant. her many house guests. Some crofters of identification when acquiring The pages have been carefully also doubled as . and collecting hickory clubs. He scanned and plans for restoration, and In early 1930s, after her death, the brought along two clubs as examples rebinding, of the original are being course fell into disrepair. Peter went for discussion. The first one being discussed. It seemed that everyone at on to outline several significant dates identified as a Golf Medal No 3, and the meeting took the opportunity to and the many changes the course, the second, a quite unusual looking have a quick look at this fantastic piece and land, went through bringing us aluminium, unmarked, centre shafted of history. It certainly raised much right up to 2005 when golf course . The clubs were passed around interest and comment. consultant Gordon Irvine, and the room for members to see.

The Long Game | DECEMBER 2015 5 The Sandy McCaw and Virginia Gorrell show Dinner at Royal Melbourne Golf Club By Peter Gompertz

A near record number of members and guests gathered in the dining room at Royal Melbourne Golf Club and, despite the sadness in the room that Paul Rak was not able to be with us, the mood subtly changed after a very pleasant meal as we were entertained by the ‘Sandra McCaw and Virginia Gorrell’ show. Sandra had thoughtfully provided a double page spread of her golfing achievements but, as that would have taken too long to read out, and prompted by good questions The National at Long Island Ladies table from Virginia, her audience, which Within six years of that first shot A close second was winning, included a goodly number of her Sandra was Australian Junior partnered by Sue Tonkin, the World fellow competitors and playing Champion and, a year later, the Amateur Pairs Championship and partners across the years, were Champion for then there was leading and Australian entertained to a selection of insights the first of her four record equalling womens team against a Japanese into her golfing life starting with Amateur Championships. womens team three times, winning all hitting her first golf shot with a 7 three and the list goes on… at Long Island Golf Club in Asked what her most memorable June 1965, through her first golfing experience was, Sandy A truly entertaining evening with of 36, and attending one of Burtta highlighted getting to the semi-final great catering, an inspirational speaker Cheneys Anglesea golf camps. of the British Amateur Championship and good golfing fellowship. on the Old Course at the home of golf, St Andrews, in 1975.

6 The Long Game | DECEMBER 2015 Hickory Heroes: 9 hole hickory golf events By Cliff George, Hickory Golf Co-ordinator

What have we achieved in 2015? 6. The Melbourne sand belt courses, The Golf Society of Australia which claim to be the best group has also taken the important 1. Added a new layer of interest of courses in the world, want to step of appointing Max Findlay, in golf, by reviving interest in be part of the ‘Circuit’ of our 9 as the first ‘Approved Supplier’ hickory golf as it was played hole ‘Hickory Heroes’ events. and ‘Restorer’ in Melbourne, of before 1940. antique hickory clubs. I believe they have welcomed 2. We have stimulated interest in us, because of the goodwill This initiative will provide a the by bringing gained by offering our group reliable pathway for enthusiasts people together who are the opportunity, not normally to purchase Clubs and have passionate about the equipment available, to play these beautiful their Hickories restored, and and course management skills as courses, making each entrant an maintained, if they don’t wish to players. A primary objective of ambassador for their outstanding do that work themselves. This our Society. facilities, courses and amenities. Initiative will help grow ‘GSA Hickory Golf.’ 3. Club members of History and 7. At this early stage, the Golf Society The Golf Society of Australia Heritage Committees are joining of Australia has tried to include welcomes applications from our group and appear to enjoy as many people, organisations those who would like to be part the opportunity to exchange and clubs as possible, and in the of the approved list, to carry out views in an informal way, that process has won the approval this work. hasn’t been available before. of Golf Australia, Golf Victoria 4. There are a growing number and the Victorian PGA, who are 10. Another milestone for the Golf of entrants who are putting starting to establish their own Society is the registration of the together sets of hickory clubs, event. I hope we can be part of trading names ‘GSA Hickory joining our Society, investing in their activities. Golf’ and ‘Hickory Heroes’ plus-fours and becoming regulars I also hope we can be part of which means it now owns what at ‘HICKORY HEROES’ events. Golf Australia’s ‘Golf Month’ in it has created, ensuring we can move forward with confidence. 5. We have entrants who have October 2016. It has been my observation that, tapped into the SoHG-U.S. and 8. In 2014, the GSA put in place a the growing number of entries at are currently learning how to set of rules, for the restoration of ‘GSA Hickory Golf’ events are repair/ restore their own Clubs. Hickory Golf Clubs, for use in enjoying themselves, and that Antique Hickory Golf Events. has been very gratifying. 9. These rules allow for repairs and restoration of Hickory Shafted Golf Clubs, as would have been carried out before 1940. These rules therefore effectively eliminate the use of Replicas Golf Clubs, made after 1940 in all forms of ‘GSA Hickory Golf’.

Your Editor putting at Metro

The Long Game | DECEMBER 2015 7 Winner Geoff Vincent presented with trophy by organiser Cliff George Frank Shepherd Trophy and Burtta Cheney Trophy Kingston Heath Golf Club By Cliff George

The Frank Shepherd Trophy was supported once In keeping with past tradition Geoff, and Charles, will again this year by a very strong field of quality golfers, have their names engraved on the Frank Shepherd trophy. including some interstate guests who were welcome Our visitor from the UK, Ian Pearce won nearest the pin additions to a very colourful group on a beautiful on the 5th, and longest on the 7th, with some great sunny day. golf. Congratulations Ian. The low average scores reflected just how tough this fine As this year has progressed, it has been very impressive to championship course can be and demonstrated how far watch new people come along, build sets of Hickories, join has developed to meet the challenge of the Society and become regulars at our Hickory Heroes such a fine golf course events. This support is a great asset for the future of these colourful events in Victoria. The President of the Golf Society, Geoff Vincent AM and Charles Wilkins finished in a tie with 15 points. It took On this occasion we did not have any entry for the Burtta our scrutineers Dick Kirby and Peter Gompertz, some time Cheney Trophy, which I hope will change next year. to separate them and eventually declare Geoff Vincent the winner on a countback; congratulations Geoff.

The Golf Society of Australia was formed in 1982 to research and preserve the history of golf in Australia. As part of this role, the Society manages the Museum and Library for Golf Australia. Golf Australia supports the Society by providing office space and administrative assistance.

President: Geoff Vincent am Hon. Secretary: Tony McLean Treasurer: Dick Kirby Editor: Peter Gompertz Correspondence: 601/155, Beach Street, Port Melbourne, 3207 Tel: 0418 101 374 www.golfsocietyaust.com Christmas Gift Idea

‘Easy fluency, conciseness, excellent arrangement of material, a gift of expression that puts even the complexities of a golf stroke into a form that looks almost simple - all of these are found in Mr Soutar’s book. It was only to be expected that Mr Soutar would have a great deal of valuable information at his finger’s ends on the subject of golf in Australia ... This is a book which golf players of every degree of profiency or ineptitude may study with advantage, and the explanations are so simple that the veriest duffer, after reading them, will be utterly unable to account for the regularity with which he either miss the ball altogether or misplaces the turf and the secretary’s temper simultaneously.’ - Sydney Daily Telegraph This book has been reproduced by the Golf Society as it is considered the most important book published on the history of golf in Australia. The Golf Society of Australia was established in 1982 and one of its objectives is to research and preserve the history of golf in Australia. The author, D.G. (Dan) Soutar was one of the first professional golfers in Sydney. He arrived from Scotland in 1903 and most of the information contained in this book was related to him by other golfers. He admits that his knowledge of early Australian golf was limited, and some of the chapters are written by other people such as the information on Victoria’s golf that was written by R.A.A. Balfour-Melville, the first Secretary of Royal From Melbourne Golf Club. Available to order from the following websites $9.99 www.portcampbellpress.com.au www.booktopia.com.au www.bookdepository.com www.ebay.com.au