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Home , Australian Amateur, Bob Stevens (golfer), Bruce Devlin, Eisenhower Trophy, Espirito Santo Trophy, Golf Magazine

The Long Game Newsletter of the Society of

No 29, September 2008

President’s Trophy: Royal Melbourne GC — Inside this issue: August, 2008 GSA Activities & Results 1-3

The President’s Trophy was Honour for Frank Haward 3 played on Monday 18 August 50th 4 over 10 holes of the Royal anniversary Melbourne East Course. World Amateur Teams 5 Players were restricted to 7 Championship, clubs and 1950’s rules were in Neil Titheridge interview 6 force. Conditions were good, with heavy rain before hit-off, Historians 7 and during lunch, but only a brief shower during play. 19 Then & Now—from the 8 Members participated. press

After being close on several For the Diary: occasions previously, Jean Gilbert played consistently both 22 September - Dinner, morning and afternoon, Above: Jean Gilbert, winner Yarra Yarra GC defeating 2007 winner Norie of the President’s Trophy, with Speaker: Macleod in the final. the President, Ian Rennick Darius Oliver, author Qualifiers: The Golf Society of Australia Paul Burgess 37 net, President’s Trophy was formed in 1982 to research Jean Gilbert 39 net, Honour Board and preserve the Norie Macleod 39 net, in Australia. Huan Walker 41 net, on c/b 1998 Glenn Carboon As part of this role, the Society from Max Findlay. (Net 1999 Margaret Reid manages the Museum and scores were ‘rounded up’) Library for . 2000 Rosemary Wakeham After lunch, while catching Golf Australia supports the up with the Olympics, the 2001 John Lindsay Society by providing office space sudden death 2002 Michael Clayton and administrative assistance. ‘finals’. 2003 Daryl Cox President: Ian Rennick Hon Secretary: Janet Hibbins Jean Gilbert d Huan Walker, 2004 John Lindsay Hon Treasurer: Dick Kirby st 1 hole 2005 not played Long Game Editor: Moira Drew Norie Macleod d Paul Correspondence: 2006 Paula Gompertz Burgess, 3 rd hole 22 Surf Avenue, 2007 Norie Macleod Beaumaris Vic 3193 Jean Gilbert d Norie Macleod, Ph/Fx: 03 9589 5551 nd 2 hole 2008 Jean Gilbert www.golfsocietyaust.com

Page 2 The Long Game No 29, September 2008

Dinner: Victoria GC — 23 Below: Article from The Times, London— courtesy of Judy Onto June 2008 The Guest Speaker was Will Johnson of The Johnson Group, Project Managers of several golf Clubhouse redevelopments in Melbourne in recent years, as well as many large commercial and private constructions. Will provided a comprehensive overview of the many and varied factors that need to be taken into account, citing examples from the golf club setting to illustrate several points, both positive and negative. Will’s presentation was particularly relevant be because the examples he used were well known to the audience. A keen golfer himself, Will is confident he is able to understand the link between a Club's course/s and the Clubhouse, and as a engineer and 'professional project manager', able to represent the best interests of a Club from the project management perspective.

Book Review: Publishing history - a guide for historical societies , by Helen Doyle and Katya Johanson, published by the Federation of Australian Historical Societies Inc, 2006, 76 pages

This booklet is likely to be an excellent images and graphics, editing and design, resource for anyone considering a small identification & access (eg ISBN numbering), publishing project - such as a history - and selling the publication. The Further especially considering the range of desk top Reading section provides many useful publishing options now available. references including examples, and a It contains extensive information on all research check list. aspects of printed and electronic publication Initially made available to historical and is set out in a clear and logical manner. societies throughout Australia, a limited Sections include: planning the project, how number of hard copies is available from the to publish (print, bindings, electronic options, Federation of Australian Historical Societies, etc), budget, contracting an author, price $12. It is now also available for components (cover, title page, contents, download at no cost from their website: appendices, bibliographies, index etc), http://www.history.org.au/id19.htm

The Long Game No 29, September 2008 Page 3 Rare honour to Frank Haward From the President In March 2008 long term GSA member Frank Haward was A most enjoyable dinner was elevated to the status of Life Patron at The National Golf held at Victoria Golf Club in June Club, Cape Schanck. It is a rare honour that until Frank’s with Will Johnston explaining the appointment had been afforded to only two other National joys and sorrows of building and Golf Club members – Michael Hamson and Richard Launder. renovating golf clubhouses. Project Apart from his involvement at The National, Frank has Manager for the redevelopment of been a respected member of Huntingdale for decades, Kingston Heath and Woodlands serving as Captain from 1980–83. An accomplished golfer clubhouses, Will explained the trend Frank was a member of the 1976 Huntingdale team that won of modern clubhouses, which the prestigious Vincent Cup – an annual inter-club event includes large informal meeting staged by the Barwon Heads Golf club. areas. It will be interesting to see what changes are made, but he Frank’s contribution to and passion for The National has stated that the outside appearance been extraordinary. In the early days when it was proposed will remain the same. to build a championship at Cape Schanck on the Mornington Peninsula the skeptics were many. “Too far away The next dinner will be held on nd from Melbourne“; ”Too windy”; ‘Too expensive to join”; 22 September, 2008 at Yarra Yarra “Where will the members come from?” were frequently voiced Golf Club. The speaker will be objections as to why The National would “never work”. Darius Oliver, a noted golf writer. In researching material for his books, Haward however was one of a dedicated group of “true Darius has visited 40 countries and believers” who never wavered in their belief that The National visited over 800 golf courses. had the potential to become a leading Australian golf complex and destination. With three championship courses in Congratulations to Jean Gilbert for Australia’s top 50; a modern well appointed club house; a winning the President’s Trophy membership of over 2,200 men and women with equal played at Royal Melbourne on th playing rights; a unique share structure and a debt free Monday 18 August. balance sheet, The National has silenced all critics and has The next golf event will be at rewarded the confidence and faith of the likes of Frank Victoria Golf Club, when we play for Haward and so many more. the Doug Bachli trophy. Frank Haward has served The National as a member of Moira Drew, the editor of The Committee from 1987–1993; Club Captain 1989–1992 and Long Game, is always looking out for Club President 1992–1993. His crowning achievement was news items to include in the his outstanding work in initiating researching and writing “The magazine. If you see something National Golf Club” – an award winning book that traces the interesting, Moira would be pleased origins and first 15 years of the Club’s history. to receive it. On the occasion of his appointment as Life Patron at the I would also like to remind th National’s 20 Anniversary celebrations in March 2008 Frank everyone about the Society’s website was presented with a certificate the citation on which stated - www.golfsocietyaust.com . It is his contribution to the Club in brief and simple terms. regularly updated with the latest ‘Over nearly 25 years Frank has been a passionate, constant news and includes most of the Long and enduring promoter of The National concept and dream. Game newsletters, going back to Frank’s early efforts associated with the establishment and November 1996. promotion of the Club and his subsequent authorship of Please note in your diary that the “The National Golf Club” are significant contributions made AGM and Cocktail party is to be held by him to the Club’ on 11 th November, 2008 at Victoria Well done Frank. The Golf Society salutes you! Golf Club. Des Tobin Ian Rennick

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Australia’s first Eisenhower Cup which had a significant bearing on the closing win remembered state of play concerned Toogood who said that having been told by Stevens he needed th th On the 8 to 11 October 1958 on the Old two pars for Australia to win, was pleased to Course at St. Andrews, , Australia have reached the Road Hole green in two won the Inaugural World Amateur Team with a drawn four second. (The 17 th Championship playing for the Eisenhower was then rated a 5.) His long first putt was Trophy beating the of America reasonably close. However his second putt in a play off by two strokes. ringed the hole and stayed out only a few This memorable occasion was remembered inches away. It was so close he leaned over 50 years later at a luncheon at The Australian to back hand the ball into the hole for his five Golf Club on Thursday, 3 rd July 2008. Two of and somehow, hit the ball twice! the team members, , playing Nobody had noticed what had happened. Captain, and were present. An Not even his caddy. Not even Bob Stevens apology was received from . The who only found out that Peter had taken six fourth team member was Doug Bachli who when Peter hit off after his fellow competitor has passed on. Other Eisenhower Cup Team at the 18 th. Peter had to score four on the members of subsequent years were present. last to tie the USA. He did, even though he They were Barry Baker, Phil Billings, Kevin must have been extremely distraught. Donohue, Tony Gresham, Colin Kaye and Phil . Apologies were received from Tom The play off was very close. Stevens Crow and Kevin Hartley. forbade the other team members to say anything to Peter about the near disaster on Guest Speaker, Peter Toogood, spoke the 17th. highly of Bob Stevens captaincy and related a little known critical incident during the play of The three best scores out of four counted. the last round. The very important stroke Australia’s victory of two strokes over the

The Long Game No 29, September 2008 Page 5

USA was due to birdies on the 18 th by Bob World Amateur Teams Stephens and Bruce Devlin. The play off Championships, Adelaide 4-19 scores for Australia were, R F Stevens 75, D October 2008 W Bachli (79), B W Devlin 72, P A Toogood 75. Total 222. A record number of entries has been received for this team event, to be played in It was gratifying to hear Peter Toogood’s Adelaide from 4-19 October at Royal Adelaide praise of Bob Stevens captaincy because and The Grange Golf Clubs, men competing Stevens team selection was not without some for the Eisenhower Trophy and women for heated discussion amongst golf’s senior the . followers. In contention for a place in the team was Commonwealth Golf Club (Victoria) For the Eisenhower Trophy 72 entries have member, Eric Routley. Many considered he been received—the maximum— and for the should have been selected. There was no Espiriro Santo, 54, an increase from the doubt about the selection of Bachli, Devlin or previous event. 53 countries have entered Toogood. teams in both events. The 2008 event marks the 50 anniversary For the next Eisenhower Cup event at of the Eisenhower Trophy. As the adjoining Merion GC, USA in 1960, Eric Routley who article highlights, the Australian team was had maintained his form, was selected successful in the inaugural event, held at St playing Captain. Australia finished second to Andrews when 29 teams competed. the United States team which included . Other Australian victories have been in The Eisenhower Cup has been played for 1966 — : Harry Berwick, Phillip on 25 occasions. The USA have won 13 , Billings, Kevin Donohue, Kevin Hartley and 4, Australia 3, whilst 1996 — the Phillipines: Jamie Crow, David , , , and Gleeson, , Brett Partridge the have each won once. The Espirito Santo event was first played In 2008 the Eisenhower Cup will again be in 1964. Australian women have been held in Australia. This time in Adelaide, the successful twice: week after the Ladies have competed for the 1978 — : Lindy Goggin, Edwina Espirito Santo Trophy which will be held from Kennedy, Jane Lock. Lindy Goggin also the 8 th -11 th October. won the individual trophy. Daryl Cox 2002 — : Katherine Hull, Vicky Uwland, Lindsey Wright Australian hosted the event in 1968 at Royal Melbourne (Eisenhower) and Victoria (Espirito) Golf Clubs. The Australian teams for 2008 are: Men : Rohan Blizard, NSW (AIS), , Victoria (VIS & AIS), Tim Stewart, NSW (AIS) Women : Julia Boland, NSW (AIS), Clare Choi, Victoria (VIS & AIS), Stephanie Na, (AIS).

Page 6 The Long Game No 29, September 2008

Neil Titheridge decided by four rounds of 36-hole match play in four days and contested by the leading 16 From an interview by Brendan Moloney amateurs after first two rounds of the Victorian as part of the GSA Oral History project Open. He won matches against Bill Edgar and Ken Kilburn before beating Tom Crow in the final. Neil Titheridge was born in 1937 at Ballarat, the oldest child of William (Bill) Other notable performances and Jean Jelbart. Both parents include winning the 1959 and younger brothers, Peter and Victorian Close Championship, Gary, played golf. Juniors could the 1972 Riversdale Cup and only play with their parents at playing for Victoria in the Ballarat until they were 16 so Interstate Series between 1961 most of the boys’ early golf was and 1967 where he was at Point Lonsdale where the undefeated in 1961 and 1963. family had a holiday home. At the In this time he missed only two age of 70, Neil is still playing matches, one because of an twice a week on a of allergy caused by horse riding eight. He has been on a single and the other when as captain, figure handicap for the past 55 he dropped himself. years and was on scratch or Melbourne writer Paul Daley better for about five years. says his favourite Titheridge “Lonsdale was a nice place to learn to play story is when he came down to Melbourne from golf,” he recalled. “It taught you to hit the ball Ballarat when he was a state selector to check out straight. It was undulating with lovely greens. the talent at the - and You had to hit a lot of irons from the to keep advanced further in the championship than some the ball in play. of the Australian team members. “I got down to single figures when I was Victoria Golf Club has by far the finest record about 15. I played with Lindsay Newland, the pro in pennant competition in Melbourne and at Ballarat. Every Sunday afternoon we used to Titheridge was part on four winning teams in the play with Dad. Lindsay was a very good teacher. 12 seasons he played from 1961. The strongest I think I started beating my father when I was 16 clubs in pennant are sometimes accused of using or 17 and got down to scratch questionable methods to attract Playing in the 1962 Victorian Amateur pennant players but he says in 1960 (aged 23). I was final at Kingston Heath—the 14th awarded plus one the next there was never a question year, after I won the Victorian that he would play for any Amateur at Riversdale.” other club. Titheridge won his first “I came to Victoria because Ballarat club championship in my father was a member. It 1957 and his 26 th and last in came about when I played in 1988 and was the Ballarat an event at Ballan and tied District Golf Association with Doug Bachli. We tied and Champion 13 times. He first he won on a count back. He came to the attention of the did not want the count back State selectors when he won so we played off over six the Country Championship at holes. He won and then asked Yarra Yarra in 1958. me when I was coming down to Victoria to play. It is a He won his first Victorian wonderful club to be a Amateur Championship at member of and an important Riversdale in 1961 when it was part of my life.” 

The Long Game No 29, September 2008 Page 7 Golf Club Historians A meeting of the Golf Club Historians was held at Spring Valley Golf Club on 16 June 2008. The topic for the day was the Morcom family and their influence on golf in Victoria during the 1900’s. John Green, from Royal Melbourne Golf Club, spoke about Michael (Mick) Morcom who began his career building a course in Bendigo in 1901 and went on to work at Royal Melbourne from 1903 to 1934. Mick Morcom was recognised as the authority of course design and maintenance in Victoria and many Golf Clubs sought his knowledge in improving their courses. He is famous for building the west course at Royal Melbourne together with from a design by the Photo: Faye McPherson, Croydon Golf Club, who Scottish course designer Dr Alister Mackenzie. spoke of memories of her grandfather Oscar Norton, Mick also wrote articles for the “Golf ” magazine. speaking of his work with Mick Morcom at Royal Mick had two sons, the elder, Afton, was a Melbourne, with Michael Clayton very good golfer, winning the championship at Royal Park several times, and played pennant for the first non British player to win the British for many years. Afton amateur title. He is credited with designing over was a Committee member at Kingston Heath, 50 courses in the USA many of them the finest in taking a particular interest in the course, and was the country. later made a Life Member of the club. Afton Dick Kirby related the history of Spring Valley followed his father into journalism and wrote Golf Club and the progress it has made from its under the name ‘Back Spin’ for the Referee foundation in 1948 to the present with its magazine and the Sporting Globe . excellent course and new club house. The Spring Vern, Mick’s second son, was the Valley course was designed by Vern Morcom and curator/head greenkeeper at Kingston Heath from constructed using the voluntary labour of 1928 to 1967. Like his father he designed many members. The course has only required minor courses throughout the Victoria and beyond. The changes since completion in 1953, the latest in Morcom family are credited with designing or the 2002 when the new club house was constructed. construction of 81 courses in Australia. Items shown during ‘Show and Tell’: Michael Clayton talked about Australian golf • a stamped “Souvenir of HMAS ”, architects and how that have not been given due it being made when the ship was broken up in recognition for their achievements. The Morcoms 1928. together with Alex Russell designed or • a spliced neck, long nosed wood made by constructed some of our greatest sand belt Richard Taylor, the first golf professional in courses such as Royal Melbourne west course, Australia. Kingston Heath, Yarra Yarra, Victoria, Spring • a smooth face iron marked James Hunter a Valley and country courses Barwon Heads and professional at Royal Hobart and Royal Flinders. Melbourne before 1905. Michael also spoke of Walter Travis who was • a wood marked J D A Scott, an Englishman born at Maldon in 1863 and later became a who designed the Sorrento course United States citizen. Travis started to play golf at • an Australian made in 1905 by The age 34 and won three US amateur titles and was Barnett Glass Company. 

Page 8 The Long Game No 29, September 2008

The “Pioneer Flyer” - first Australian made golf ball? From an Australian newspaper dated March 1905— courtesy of Leon Rowbell A golf column in the same issue contains this paragraph: It will be good news to golfers to hear that really good balls re now being made locally. The Pioneer Rubber Company have put down a large plant, and are making balls exactly the because they have not had time to season yet, the demand same as the Haskell. This being so great for them. They are going to put some away they call the ‘Pioneer Flyer’. to season, and I hope the expectations will be realised. I I have been playing with think they are now equal to, if not better than, any of the some of them lately, and other brands, bar the Haskell, on the market. They are like them very much. I do selling them for 2/3 each, or 24/- per dozen. They are also not think they are yet quite re-making excellent Haskells at 1/- each. I have played with equal to the imported four or five of the ‘Flyers’, and have not made a cut on any of article, but that may be them, so they are very economical.

Below: At the Golf Club Historians meeting at Spring Valley in June: (l-r) Cliff George, Peter Gompertz, GSA Patron Dr Ken Shepherd, and Life Member Daryl Cox