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The Long Game Newsletter of the Society of Australia

S G A

No 51, DECEMBER 2014

Doug Bachli Meeting at Inside This Issue Page 1-2 Victoria Doug Bachli Meeting at By Peter Gompertz Victoria Golf Club Page 2 New Members The First Golf Bag?

Page 3 President’s Report 2014

Page 4-5 Golf Historians Forum Report Commonwealth Golf Club October 13th, 2014

Page 6 History of a Golf Organisation Without a

Page 7 Claytons’ Corner GSA Secretary Tony McLean presents Graeme Ryan with the Doug Bachli Trophy Pace of Play Thirty one members signed up to compete for the Doug Bachli trophy at Victoria, the day after the finish of the at Metropolitan, Page 8 but inclement weather reduced the field to 25 hardy souls who ventured out in Hickories at Kingston Heath strong winds, heavy rain and the ever present danger of thunder and lightning. There should have been a prize for everyone who completed 18 holes, but for For The Diary Graham Ryan, this years’ winner, his 41 points appeared to indicate that he was just having a stroll in the park, and this despite three putting the 17th (cue cries of 16th February ‘handbrake’ from a couple of unruly members!). Mark Brasher in his first attempt on Dinner at the Doug Bachli trophy returned a strong 37 off his low , to be runner up. Commonwealth Golf Club Lady’s’ champion is Heather Scales with 32 points on a count back from Grace Rew. 16th March Continued on page 2 >> Historians at Kingston Heath Golf Club 19th April Al Howard Memorial Trophy at Wagga Wagga Golf Club Members at the recent Annual General Meeting

The Long Game | DECEMBER 2014 1 Continued from page 1: Doug Bachli Meeting at Victoria Golf Club

Tony McLean presents the Doug Bachli Ladies medal to Heather Scales We were joined on the day by a keen hickory golfer, Andy Reistetter from the US, who returned a competent 36 points on his first attempt at the Victoria Golf Club layout. Andy has his own website www.andygolftraveldiary.com and is clearly very media savvy as well as being an enjoyable companion over a glass of red. A golf course exists primarily for , which is a sport, as distinguished from , which more resembles rifle shooting than a sport in that it lacks the joy of personal contact with an opponent. – Freddie Tait

The First Golf Bag? NEW MEMBERS (The late Daryl Cox left his golf memorabilia to the GSA, and among his papers were the following words with no indication Welcome to of where, or when, they had been published. I would welcome Ian Dunn, Ray King and David Ryan some firm information, or educated guesses. Ed.) For many years prior to 1879 golf clubs were carried in the hand and under the arms, and it wasn’t until about fifteen years after “There is no shape nor size of body, the founding of The North Devon & West of England Golf Club, now known as Royal Devon Golf Club, that a retired no awkwardness, no ungainliness, sailmaker , who was a clubhouse attendant, fabricated possibly which puts golf beyond ones reach. the first golf bag out of canvas used for making sails. It was a crude container whose primary purpose was to protect the grips There are good golfers with one of the clubs from getting wet. eye, with one leg, even one arm. The early golf bags, to carry seldom more than 7 clubs, were simply long, thin, loose canvas cylinders, with a shoulder strap, None but the blind need despair”. which would concertina to the ground if not held properly. – Sir Walter Simpson ‘The Art of Golf’ Gradually the canvas cylinder was improved with stiffeners (circa 1890) made of split cane to prevent it from slumping. Near the turn of the century a more rigid bag was built around an frame and today even blind people have with rings, at the top and the bottom, to keep the shape. their own Championships

2 The Long Game | DECEMBER 2014 President’s Report... 2014

At Box Hill, we had great Tony McLean continues to be presentations from Ian Rowell invaluable as our Secretary, and (Riversdale) and Michael Church Peter Swan, as Treasurer has done a (Northern), while at Commonwealth, great job. Peter Gompertz produces our guest presenters were Rick Wines, The Long Game and endures Virginia Gorell, and Martin Maguire. the frustrations of organising the President, while Fiona Leggett The golf events held during the maintains our web site and archival year were well attended including material. Virginia Gorrell looks after the Hickory Challenge at Kingston our social events extremely well, Heath during April, where a team of and Peter Swan also handles our Society members competed against merchandise. My thanks to Norie the Australian Golf Heritage Society Macleod and Trevor Herden for their from Sydney. Regrettably the visitors wise counsel. All have contributed were victorious, and a return match their time, and efforts, which is is scheduled for March, or April, next greatly appreciated. year, in NSW. It is encouraging that several young members were keen to Regrettably we are losing several Geoff Vincent AM join us and take on the traditions of members from our committee as their President hickory golf. terms of office come to an end. It is my pleasure to present the This year we saw a new initiative We are sorry to farewell Paul Burgess, Presidents Report for the past year. with Paul Burgess starting a regular Norie Macleod and Peter Swan, and hickory day at Woodlands; that was their contribution will be missed. We have had some 12 events during extended by Ian Rennick at Kew, and Moira Drew has also decided the leave the year , including three dinners, Peter Gompertz at Long Island. These us this year; her work on archives and where we have averaged around 60 events are growing in interest at the our web site will be hard to replace. members and guests at each function. various clubs. I would also like to mention the Our social events were a highlight this I would also like to add our thanks passing of our Past President, and year, thanks to Virginia Gorrell. to Max Findlay, and Cliff George, Life Member, Daryl Cox, who died for their interest and passion with in July. Daryl was President of our We were delighted that Karen Lunn the restoration of our hickory clubs, Society from 1994 to 2000 and had ( Executive Director ALPG ) could and for the supply of clubs for our a lengthy career in golf at Yarra Yarra, spare the time to address us at various events. Commonwealth and the National. Metropolitan Golf Club in February during the Handa Australian Womens I would commend the hickory As President I have enjoyed the past Open. In May, Jeff Blunden gave competition to members. Playing year and look forward to further us an insight into the current state hickories can help your game using development of Society affairs during of modern golf at the Kingston modern equipments, and it is good the coming year. Heath dinner, and Trevor Herden fun. Also the opportunity to play (Tournament Director ) other clubs and meet the members was our speaker at Royal Melbourne, from other clubs who have similar (The AGM was held at Victoria Golf outlining what is happening in the interests, is all worthwhile. forthcoming international events this Club on Monday 24th November season in Australia. Other golf events were held at 2014. Due to ill health our President, Kingston Heath, Woodlands, Royal Geoff Vincent was unable to attend. Our thanks once again to our Melbourne and Victoria golf clubs. Treasurer, Dick Kirby chaired the speakers who gave us their time. I would again congratulate all the meeting and read the Presidents’ winners and thank all the golf Report. The Annual Accounts were For the past 10 years we have held clubs for allowing us to play their approved by the members present. meetings of golf historians, to enable wonderful golf courses. We are always The President, Secretary and members of various clubs to exchange made to feel welcome and it is a Treasurer were returned unopposed, ideas on items of history and how to privilege to play at these clubs. as were retiring Committee members preserve the traditions of the game. Virginia Gorrell and Peter Gompertz. Our new Committee member Kim I would now like to pay tribute to Cliff George was elected to the Hastie has handled this new convening members of your Committee. committee. A visiting Hickory golfer, task very well, with forums at Box Hill Andy Reistetter from the USA was and Commonwealth golf clubs. made welcome. Ed.)

The Long Game | DECEMBER 2014 3 Golf Historians Forum Report Commonwealth Golf Club October 13th, 2014 By Kim Hastie

GSA President Geoff Vincent GC was constituted, its’ name being Sam Bennett was one of the welcomed all to the meeting and recognition of the contribution of ‘Carnoustie 300’; young professional thanked Commonwealth for the Commonwealth Armed Forces in golfers who left Carnoustie to take the Great War; in 1921 construction golf to the world. Sams’ association hosting today. started on a new building, completed with the club started in 1915 when He spoke briefly about the role of the in 1922 and extended in 1923. By he was appointed as the Pro and also society and the value of forums such 1927 the Committee decided that a laid out 12 holes with multiple to this, and introduced Convenor of the large and more prestigious clubhouse, achieve 18 holes. Sam was succeeded meeting, Kim Hastie. on the present site, was required. The in 1924 by Jock Young who stayed foundation stone was laid in 1928 and until his retirement in 1961, having Virginia Gorrell, GSA Committee the clubhouse officially opened by the been inducted as a Life Member in member, told the meeting about Governor of Victoria, Lord Somers. 1956. Jock was an outstanding player, Commonwealth’s GC early origins. respected teacher, architect, club Substantial renovations in 1959 maker and golf writer. The club has a Heritage Committee provided a new , an thanks to the efforts of the late improved bar area, office and Marty also spoke about the Mark Wade. Mark was passionate committee rooms with the most early designs of the course, Bill about the club’s history and spent recent renovations being carried out Edgars 18 holes sketches and the many hours in the State Library. He this year. Virginia encouraged her implementation of some of Harry formed a small group of willing, and audience to venture downstairs to see Colts suggestions. Also, apparently interested, members to gather many a recently installed heritage display. in 1926, Dr Alister MacKenzie forms of information. She also suggested that participants visited Melbourne and made a few Commonwealth’s early beginning can view the stained glass windows, which suggestions about improvements be traced back to sometime before are a feature of the Dining Room. to the course but his offer of more 1914 when 6 holes were laid out in The artist responsible for the design design work was not taken up. was William Whealdon of Brooks Carnegie where it was known as the Like most golf clubs in the Robinson & Co of Melbourne. Murrumbeena Golf Club. Melbourne area the condition of The clubhouse was a weatherboard Commonwealth GC and GSA the course suffered a bit during the building built by the Waverley GC member Marty Maguire talked Great Depression and World 2 and but in 1920 land was purchased in about the two most influential golf membership declined but post war Warrigal Road, Commonwealth professionals at the club. both have improved.

Virginia Gorrell Marty Maguire Rick Wines

4 The Long Game | DECEMBER 2014 The next speaker was a • Golf Collectors Price Guide Cliff tabled a document, he helped Commonwealth Life Member, Rick by John Taylor - with a ‘tongue in develop, setting down the compliance Wines, a long term Pennant player cheek’ suggestion about how useful guidelines which have now been and Pennant Captain for 20 years books are. adopted by GSA. He is passionate during which the Pennant was won • Golf in the Making by Ian Henderson about hickory restoration and 4 times. Rick was also Vic Amateur & David Stirk - a must for historians strongly believes in preserving the in 1975 and represented Victoria interested in club development charm of playing antique Hickory many times in interstate matches’ Golf. Cliff went through a number Rick was also Club President from • Badminton Library ‘Golf’ of the rules and reasons for putting 1998 to 2000 and was made a Life by Horace Hutchinson them in place. He strongly believes Member in 2002. Rick then gave us, Plus some modern favourites: the key to hickory collecting is the without any notes, a very personal identification of them. • To The Linksland and comprehensive account of the by Michael Bamberger Historians are invited to bring along strategic course layout changes since any old golf clubs, golf memorabilia or he joined the club in 1921. • Four Iron in the Soul books for assessment and comment. In conclusion he told the meeting of by Lawrence Donegan. a unique set of hickory clubs made by A book Peter recommends if Ray King from Greenacres brought T Kane on display downstairs that we you have a particular interest in along a small golf case with wooden should have a look at. caddying, as he does. stand for appraisal. We understand it is a Bussey patent “Stand up “Caddy. Peter Gompertz has been a member The best book about early golf in Moira Drew (RMGC archivist & of the ‘British Golf Collectors Society’ Australia, and probably the most GSA member) was asked assist with since 1987, served for 3 years on the expensive, is The Australian Golfer by further identification and dating. BGCS Committee and was founding Dan Soutar. Honorary Curator of the ‘Open Peter suggested when beginning a Several hickory clubs were passed Museum’ at Royal North Devon collection to always start with your to Cliff for his appraisal, one from Golf Club. He is now a Committee clubs’ history. For more information Di Greenhill and a particularly Member of the GSA, Editor of The or the current value of a book you interesting club from Marty Maguire. Long Game, and was a Director of have, advice can be obtained by going Long Island GC for three years. Geoff Vincent then proposed a vote to www.abe.com and putting in the of thanks to Commonwealth GC for Peter gave an entertaining insight in title of the book and the name of the their hospitality. to how he became a passionate, and author. There are a couple of big golf lifelong collector, of golf books. memorabilia auctions coming up Approximately 10 players went out in November for more information for a hit with hickories. He also suggested a short list of books Contact Peter at Unfortunately the weather turned that golf historians should have on [email protected] their bookshelf. Peter had some of his nasty and only a few holes were played. personal copies with him from what Max Findlay gave us a brief talk on We thank Max Findlay who provided we think is a vast collection. the components, and the making, of several sets for use. a hickory club and with Cliff George, • A Round of Golf with Tommy Armour discussed materials, methods and - course play management costs of grip wrapping.

Historians audience

The Long Game | DECEMBER 2014 5 History of a Golf Organisation Without a Golf Course By Colin White, Keysborough Golf Club

Apart from our recognised Competition resumed in 1949 Golf Clubs, Golf Australia on a bi-annual basis, including Queensland players for the first and State bodies, Professional time, and as a two week golfing Golf etc, looking after the great “Carnival” alternating between the international game, many other participating systems. disparate bodies enjoy organized From 1951 Western Australia joined Golf both social and Club. in, and in 1955 with the carnival hosted in Brisbane a special train For example, many State Railway carried players and partners from Institutes have existed for more than Sydney to Brisbane. a century and some ninety years ago, the Victorian and New South bodies Play there was at Indooropilly, began what has now become the Keperra, Gailes, Brisbane and Virginia. Australian and New Zealand Railway Institutes Golf Union. 1959 Victoria hosted the other four state teams at Kingswood, Yarra From a humble beginning in 1925 Yarra, Kingston Heath, Victoria and with two small state teams travelling Commonwealth. Previously most competition was knock (by train) to a central location and out match play. Of course we throw in interstate competition at Wagga Wagga In 1965 the Commonwealth Railways , , Ambrose and Four Ball NSW, to the most recent competition entered a team and in 1969 Tasmania to fill out a Carnival programme. at Penrith NSW in 2013,where teams and New Zealand teams joined at of players from New Zealand and each Melbourne, playing at Kingswood, In addition to keenly contested Australian mainland state enjoyed Yarra Yarra, Kingston Heath, Victoria, golf events Carnivals are very social eight days of golf on different courses Keysborough, Rossdale, Metropolitan occasions. Meeting friends at two over two weeks, the game and social and Commonwealth - a busy two year intervals means much catching interaction has increased enormously. weeks of golf. up and conviviality, despite the internet. Non golfers attending have In 1926 play was in Sydney, at Bonnie 1973 all teams competed in Hobart daily tourist activity arranged in each Doon and Long Reef. In 1927 South for the first time, in 1975 at Canberra venue, tours, shopping, theatres,casino Australia joined in and the state teams and in 1979 at Rotorua NZ, first visits etc, whist on Sunday non competed at Riverdale SA. overseas travel. golf days host states arrange events. Format was nine man teams over three In 1985 Commonwealth, South Perth - tour of Swan River wineries. days play, three ball games, split six Australia and Tasmania became Penrith - Nepean River cruise and scoring system. Results, Vic 392, NSW Australian National Railways and dining. Sydney - Harbour cruise and 316, SA 264. the bi-annual rotation continued, Lane Cove River dining. Melbourne - Healesville Sanctuary one year, another 1928 the three states returned to Auckland NZ in 1991, Christchurch in 2003 and Wellington in 2015. year Werribee Park Mansion dining NSW and competed at Woollongong, and the Open Range Zoo. Berri SA Cronulla Long Reef and Bonnie Doon Other than state capitals, Carnival (Riverland) Murray River cruise to – Vic won again. Wine firm Hardy’s venues have been – in the Riverland Renmark. Auckland - Haka and Maori presented trophies to the teams and SA, Gold Coast QLD and Penrith Festival and dining. Christchurch created a perpetual cup, the “Tintara NSW, with states hosting the Carnival -Trans Island train tour over Arthur’s Cup” which to this day is the major at twelve year intervals. Pass to Greymouth on the west coast, team event. From 1999 at the Melbourne Carnival all including sumptuous dining etc. 1929–1932 were depression years and Ladies were able to participate in Having participated in fifteen competition resumed in a smaller way separate competition rather than as Carnivals over thirty years, each state in 1932 in Melbourne, then Sydney member of the state team. and New Zealand, you gain a real in 33 and 34. Affiliation fees were one Competition formats have varied over appreciation of the variety and beauty pound per player, five shillings daily of the golfing venues available, the golf, accommodation at the old Hotel the years, other than Gross and Nett and grade Champion events, from many changes of terrain and climate Sydney at seven shillings per night, bed which affect golf courses, and of course and breakfast. 1976 state teams are made up from the better 14 players from each system, of the many and varied characters who Annual competition continued eleven person teams named each day play and administer golf and Clubs between the three states until 1939 but best eight scores to count, gross and and competitions. ceased during World War Two. nett over 54 holes.

6 The Long Game | DECEMBER 2014 Claytons’ Corner with Michael Clayton

Sure to be much discussed in the near future is Golf Finally, is it surely nothing but a compliment to the Victoria’s decision to allow professionals, who are competition that men like Fraser, Griffin, Anthony Brown, members of clubs, to play Pennant golf in 2015. Daniel Popovic, and Nathan Holman are genuinely excited to play, and continue their relationship with their clubs Pennant has been a world-class inter-club competition for and the interclub competition. Surely it can only be a over a century and for much of the time was a competition good thing for the competition that younger players have amongst the best players in the state. Few would argue this a chance to measure their game and their progress against is the case anymore as our best players including Geoff some of the best players in the country. Ogilvy, Stuart Appleby, Aaron Baddeley, Marc Leishman Robert Allenby, Richard Green, Marcus Fraser, Nathan It is a good thing that the best players in Victoria will play Holman and Matt Griffin are all playing professional golf. together again with more regularity. Years ago The Close All were tremendous Pennant players, but in an era long Championship was one opportunity to play with better past so many of our best players were career amateurs and pros, as were the Open events at Woodlands, Yarra Yarra, long-time distinguished Pennant players. Ossie Pickworth, Heidelberg and Eastwood. All have disappeared and it has Jack Harris, Geoff Parslow were obviously first class players been to the detriment of the golfing calendar. and was on another level altogether; but Some suggest the pros will keep players out of teams. men like Kevin Hartley, Doug Bachli, Tom Crow, Eric They will. Just as Hartley, Crow, Devlin, Routley and Bachli Routley, Bill Edgar, Randall Hicks Don Reiter and Peter kept good players out of teams decades ago. Sweeney were wonderful players who in this era might all have taken a shot at playing the tour. There is one universal answer to that question, and it has Things began to change in the late 1970s. I won the Australian always been the same. Amateur in 1978 and previously six men – , Bruce Play better. Devlin, Ted Ball, , Bill Britten and Terry Gale – had gone down the professional path. Since 1978 every single player who won the Amateur has turned pro. It was nothing to do with me. Rather, the nature of the game fundamentally changed. Pace of Play By Peter Gompertz There was money to be made and, unsurprisingly, the better players chose to play the tour and one consequence was Pennant ceased to be what it had traditionally been for at In 1965 the magazine launched its’ first least three quarters of a century. campaign against slow play on the golf course. Last More recently golf clubs have admitted professionals as year the USGA announced its ‘pace of play initiative’. members and that has been a welcome advance. It was silly,at Between these two events, in an attempt to improve best discriminatory at worst, that men who had been deemed the pace of play, drew up a list of ’10 perfectly acceptable members were precluded from continuing rules for good ’, Golf Australia has recently as members simply because they had changed their job. announced that it has joined with the R&A promoting a The issue of pros playing Pennant whilst perhaps controversial, survey of slow play with a questionnaire that takes only is one sure way to raise the standard of the competition. 5 minutes to complete. Apparently in the past several It exposes younger players to older and more experienced years 5 million golfers have ceased playing golf. A recent golfers who are not only hard to beat but tremendous, and survey by The Golf Club Secretary journal of over 1,500 generous, sources of advice. Hartley, Edgar, Reiter and John golfers, around the world, found that 95% of respondents Lindsay were more than generous to those of us who came were concerned about slow play. The Fine Golf website, behind, and the strength of the game here has always been promoter of ‘the running game’ has joined forces with dependent on the passing down of knowledge. Norman Von The Campaign for Real Golf helping to run a days golf at Nida started , and it continues to this day. The Temple Golf Club near Henley in the UK, playing with golf balls whose optimum distance has been reduced Some time in the next four or five years will by 15%. Additionally Temple GC is a course which has be living back in Melbourne, and as a member at Victoria not lengthened its holes to accommodate longer ball he will be able to play Pennant matches. flight, so that members walk a very short distance across, Is anyone suggesting that young players like Ryan Ruffels, rather than back, to the next . Considerable time Todd Sinnott or Lucas Herbert wouldn’t benefit from saving has resulted. This golf was day was the initiative playing a big match against a U.S Open champion? and of The Recreational, Enjoyable, Affordable. Less-Time – someone universally acknowledged as one of the wisest Consuming campaign for Real golf (REAL). Does your and most articulate players in the game? There is only one club have a problem with slow play? If so, what is your possible answer to the question. Committee doing about it?

The Long Game | DECEMBER 2014 7 Contestants gather at Kingston Heath

Men’s Champion Peter Stickley Ladies Champion Jean Gilbert Hickories at Kingston Heath By Peter Gompertz Due to a clash with our annual hickories match against Winner of the Frank Shepherd Trophy was, first time the Australian Golf Heritage Society the day for the contestant, Peter Stickley with 14 points and the winner of Frank Shepherd/Burtta Cheney Trophies was held over the Burtta Cheney Trophy was Jean Gilbert with a brave 10 points. Longest , on the 18th, was won by Marty until a bright, and sunny, spring day in late October. Maguire, and nearest the pin on the 15th ( best par 3 hole Because the Asian Amateur Championship was being held in Australia according to some ) was none other than our at Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heaths fairways were a President, Geoff Vincent, but everybody who took part little crowded with displaced golfers, so this years Hickory had a great day and some sort of story to tell. Hope to see Championship was played over the back 9 of our host club. more members competing next year, after monthly practice Although it was a fine day without much wind the scores with the Hickory Heroes. revealed that perhaps the back 9 at ‘The Heath’ is the more difficult 9.

The Golf Society of Australia was formed in 1982 to research and preserve the 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