Newsletter of the Australian Heritage Society

The aim of AGHS is to encouragethe collection, research,recording and preservation of information and objects connected with the in Australia, to inform golfers, golf clubs and the community in general.

President'sReport

Contents The highlight of our AGM in November last year was the real progressmade President'sReport in getting a history group restarted.The principal objectivesof the group are to encourageresearch into golf history at national and club level and to run talks Captain's Report and seminarson gol{ history.John Buckley and Michael Sheretagreed to setup a Coming Events2014 History Sub-Committeeand work on getting a seminarprepared for April 2014.

Vale...Al Howard The first seminarwas held at TempeHouse on 29th April. Details are in the report of the History Sub-Committee.I would like to give specialthanks to Museum Report Michael Sheretand Norman Richardsonas researchers and presentersfor their Fred Findlay (1872- 1966) hard worh, especiallyin going to primary sourcesof historical evidencesuch as History Sub-committee the original Sparkdiaries and the archivesof the Royal BlackheathGolf Club in London. Norman and Michaelhave solved some of the mysteriessurrounding those 1839 Sydney golfers. If the successof a On 's History seminaris the quantity and quality of the questionsthat follow, this seminarwas certainly a success, Snow & Ice Golf... At the AGM we gaveour thanksto Malcolm Mclntosh, our long servingand hardworking Treasurer. As the Spartansused to say:Malcolm "you havebeen a steadyand reliablebrick in our defences". ': ef=ar+r' SteveDoorey now takesover asour Treasurer.The Treasurer'sreport at our last Management Committeeshows our financial position to be strong and we areholding the annualsubscription Patrons ar $30. TreasurerSteve is working on a membershipdrive and the hard task of keepingour membershiplists up Dan Cullen to date,He hasput togethera short and to the point surveyto be sentwith your membershiprenewal invoice,The purposeof the surveyis to find out members'interests and what they would most like to Kel Nagle get from the Societyin the future, The surveyshould enableus to increasemember participation in the Margery Mclflilliam OAM Society'sevents. Please complete this survey- it won't take long - and return it with your membership renewal.

The 2013Australian Hickory ShaftChampionship was held at Carnarvonin November.Once againthe Management CarnarvonGolf Club wxs a greathost and I would like to thank the Club rnd our contactthere, John Committee Lock, for a very enjoyablegolfing and dining day.The 2009Champion Derrin Morgan repeatedhis successto becomethe 2013Champion with a {ine scoreof 76. Derrin is now brsedin Sydneyand we Bruce Nairn, hope to seehim at someother of our hickory events. President & Chairperson It is with greatregret that I haveto announcethat Tom Moore hasresigned from the Management Tony Doggett, Captain Committeeand is steppingback from his involvementin AGHS events.The Societyowes a greetdeal to Tommy, a foundation memberof the Australian Golf Collectors Society(the predecessorof AGHS) John Loch, Seoetary in 1995and its Presidentfor the first ten years.Tommy startedthe Golf Museumin 1999nd hasspent SteveDoorey, Treaswer many hours building up and managingthe collection.In rnanyways he hasbeen the faceof the Society with his presenceat AGHS display at the Australian Open and other top everts. It wasTommy who John Buckiey startedthe hickory golf movementin Ausralia way back in 1990and hastaken hickory golf to the far Jim Glenday reachesof New South\Vales,

MichaelSheret Top of my wish list for the future is to seemore membersparticipating in our events.The next two eventswill be the repeatof the TempeHouse seminaron 6th August in the fine old headquartersof <> the Royal Australian Historical Societyfollowed by the Bobby Locke Trophy on 2lst August at Auburn City , (SeeComing Eaents)For thosewho missedout the TempeHouse seminar,you will find much to learn about the earliestknown golf in Australian at t}rerepeat. Fellow Members, Editor of The Brassie pleasegive yourself much enjoymentin attendingthe Seminarand our next golf oudng at Auburn. Gerry Bush Findus on Bruce Nairn oAM Newsletter design er nrtloorb Facebook President Thomas l7inter row a.face b oo le. co m / p age s / A as tralian- G olf- H erit age- So cie ty - M u se am Newsletterof the Australian Golf Heritage Society- July 2014

Captain'sReport including in regardto play with hickory or modern FellowMembers, clubs.I would appreciateyou taking the time to It hasbeen a quiet time with little hickory golf over the completeand return the survey so that your Summermonths. The Al Howard Trophy at Kiama in Committee can gaugethe preferencesof Membersin March was won by Ron Hall (Port Kembla GC) with planningthese events. 30 points with SteveDoorey (CabramattaGC) runner In the meantimeI ask all playing Membersto endeav- up on 25 points; while a very successfulevent was held our to attendour eventsand, if possible,to bring along at \flindsor Golf Club. the resultsof which are reported a friend and introduce them to the hickory game. in this issue. Goodgolfing in2Q74, v Yoursin golf Tony Doggett, Captain.

&**a*o COming EVentS &*&&&* 2014Fixtures

Tbursday21 Aagust - The Bobby Locke Trophy Auburn Ciry Links, 12,30pm hit off 18 Hole scratch- Qualifying event eventheld in conjunction Refreshmentsafter golf $30 per person Membersof the AGHS havebeen flying the flag at The Enquiries Tony Doggett (02) 9639 2849 Australian Open at Royal Sydney,the Australian PGA SeniorsChampionship at Richmond, the NS\XILadies Sunday14 September Craigieburn Cup Open at Oatlands,the Jack Newton Golf Day at Terrey - Hills and the BanjoPatterson Classic at Duntry League Cragieburn, Bowral Golf Club, Orange.A putting greenwas made available 18 Hole scratchand handicap 12 noon hit off at Royal Sydneyand Tom Moore, Jim GlendaS Steve 7 pm Dinner and Guest Speaker Doorey, Norm Richardsonand I were kept busy Overnight stay at Peppers introducing patrons of all agesto putting with a hicko- Enquiries Tony Doggett (02) 9639 2849 ry . At Duntry Leaguethe field played holes 6, 7 and 8 with a hickory.setof clubs.Club Manager, Matthew Furze kindly provided Tom Moore and Sunday28 September- Liverpool Invitation me with accommodationfor the night. John Furze, Liverpool Golf Club 3 pm hit off Duntry LeagueProfessional and a larger than life 9 Holes person,interacted with Tom Moore and me with A chanceto introduce a friend to Hickory Golf (02)9639 Matthew as cameramanin making a video and photo- Enquiries Tony Doggett 2849 graphicslide show for the benefitof the Club. In sayingthat, Duntry Leagueat Orange is well worth a Fri.ilay21 NoEtember- Hickory Championship visit. A short stay in the charmingold world House and Carnarvon GolfClub golf on what is alwaysa very picturesquecourse is a 18 Hole Scratch and Handicap (Mens and Ladies Comps) veryenjoyable experience 12 noon hit off Australien ThePlaying Calendar for the restof 2014hasnow been Hickory Golf Championship Enquiries Tony Doggett (02) 9639 2849 finalized hopefully giving you ampletime to plan your hickory events.Our playing numberswere down at our 2013 eventsand I am hoping for better attendancethis =€*j year.Included with your 2014/15fees renewal is a brief rysurvey of Members' preferencesfor eventsand interests Newsletterof the Australian Golf Heritage Society- July 2014

VALE...Al Howard AustralianGolf HeritageSociety in 2009with golf It hasbeen well chronicled writersTerry Smith and Jim Websterreminiscing about that Al Howard, prolific golf theold pros.Iilithout warning Al, with all of hisninety architect, four yearsgot on hisfeet, walked on to the stageand and golf journalistpassed usedhis walking stick to demonstratehow to makeyour awayon 9th Januarythis year. golfswing foolproof. Brought the housedown. Al is bestknown for his work FarewellAl, goodgalfing on the Linlesbeyond, asa golf architect. TomMoore and Michael Sheret. Therehave been few golf architectsas prolific asA1. It wasnot only the number .% of courseshe designedor renovatedbut the wide rangein the sort of golf courses. Al worked on simplelow budgetmunicipal courses, Museum Report courseswith sandgreens in rural Australiaas well as coursesfor privateclubs and resorts with more generous In October 2013,theMuseum wasawarded a Commu- (CHG) budgets.I believethat Al's favouritesvrere the Twin nity Heritage Grant to havea Preservation TownsGolf Courseat BanoraPoint, NS\V', and the course NeedsAssessment conducted on the objectcollection. for the TasmaniaGolf Club on BarillaBluff. The 3rd hole This assessmentfollows on from the Significance at TasmaniaGC is a much discussedand photographed Assessmentthat was conductedin201l, and will look at hole.It is a supremelychallenging golf hole.A combina- the suitability of current storageand make recommen- tion of the naturalterrain and clever design gives the dationsfor future conservationmeasures. It is hoped golfermany options on how to playir. On similarterrair: that a similar assessmentprogram will commerceon the year. it is oftenfavourably compared to the muchpraised i 8th library materiallater this at Pebble3each. In his book, 19thHole Nostalgia,Al describedhis introductionto golf architecture,as a lad of aboutfifteen, working with his {arherTom Howard and Eric Apperly on layingout The Lakes- "Socommenced rny apprenticeship in golf coursed.esign .,.in that billy andscrubby terrain .., As cbief'gofer'for theteam at TheLahes I dragged,the chainthrough thicket and tussoch, waaedflags from sand,hills,andswanps and unbehnown to themplotted a few d,iabolicalholes of my own." As a player,Al did win somesmall events, joint winner of the North British Pursein 1938and the Royal Sydney Pursein 7946and set a courserecord of 63 at the Cam- mer^yCourse in i940. In 1931,in the first Australian Open he playedin at Royal Sydneyhe took lastprize- moneyof One Pound($2 dollars). Although not a In February,Vicki Stantonpresented the outcomesof fortune,Al wasable to shout 13of his matesto a fish her internship at the AGHS to her lecturersand peersat dinner. the University of Sydney.Vicki's internship project - To PerhapsAl neverreached the samegreat golfing heights developa travelling exhibition for the AGHS - is close ashis father Tommy, but what an amazinglife. How he to completion.A big thank you to Vicki for the great managedto fit it all into 100years is remarkable,He was work sheconducted while interning with the Society at the forefront of everyimportant advance in profession- and for her continued input and collaborationwith al golf from the 1920s Arianna into the managementand presentationof the collection. A fond memoryof Al wasat a seminarheld by the Emma Iflilliams ry

Fred Findlay, like his father,was a professionalsoldier and servedin the British army for 22 years. This is a summaryof , He was an accomplishedmusiciaa, being a skilled exponent SteveDoorey and Mi of the cornet, and he roseto the rank of Sergeant-Bandmaster. September2013 issue of He played his early golf at Montrose, a classicold links on the magazineof the Briti eastcoast of Scotland.He wasgood enoughbreak the course Society.The full article, recordin 1898with a scoreof 77 on a coursemeasuring 5609 researchprocesses an yards, long by the standardsof the guttie era. sourcesof evidence,ri Towardsthe end of his time in Scotlandhe spent 18 months contacting

Then in 1922heresigned amicably from his positionat Metropolitan and, in the following year,took himself of{ to America.There, at the ageof 51,he quickly established himself as a successfulgolf architectworking in the Virginia area.He is creditedwith beingresponsible for the designof 41 courses.His masterpieceis undoubtedlythe north/south courseat the FarmingtonCountry Club. In his twilight years

Acknowledtr BeverleyAberline, great granddaughter ofJ, her family scrapt RichardTweddle, RACV CorporateSolic Healesvillegolf c, Neil Cra{ter gaveus extractsfrom The Archit Thiswas important in sortingout coursesdesigned by thosein partnershipwith his grandsonBuddy Lovi: 4 Newsletterof the Australian Golf Heritage Society- July 2014 t872 - 1966) 'esting and ztaried life

Fred lived in a cottageon the Farmington property. In his researcharticle by ninetiesFred was still scoringbelow his agearound haelSheret in the Farmington,but he probablydevoted more time to poetry Ihrough the Green, and painting, two of his abiding passions.Our research h Golf Collectors solvedtwo mysteriesabout Fred'scareer. Golf historians which describesthe generallythought that Fred had no experiencein golf I referencesto the architecturebefore going to America. This was not the ay beobtained by @bigpond.com>or case.In 1914he designeda courseat Ararat in Victoria. ,gpond.com>. Very little is known about this course.It hasaot survived. In l9l1/12 Fred laid out a sevenhole coursein a public park in Healesville,Victoria. This wasabandoned in 1919. On a larger property and with better financial backing Fred built his secondcourse at Healesville.Originally a nine hole course,it hasundergone many changessince Fred'stime. It is now owned by the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria and in 2Q12was ranked a creditable55th in Australia'sbest courses. The secondmystery was what inspired Fred at 51 years of ageto give up a secureposition at Metropolitan and move to America. Prior to our researchthe conventional wisdom was that he was influencedby his older brother, Alex Findlay, well establishedin America as a top class golfer, golf architectand all-round golf entrepreneur. \ilhile Alex may havehad someinfluence on Fred's career in America we do not think he was the major influeace. All the evidencepoints to his son-in-law,Raymond'Ben' Franklin Loving, as the main influenceon Fred'smove and subsequentcareer in America. 'tU7edon't know what brought Ben to Australia originally, but he married Fred'sdaughter Ruth in Australia in 1924 and took her to Virgiaia, where Fred, Ben and Ruth were very close, At the beginningof his golf architecturecareer in AmericaFred andBen werepartners in the business. Later Ben becamethe GeneralManager at Farmington and stayedin that position for 44 years.

ments: mesFindlay, Fred's brother, for sharing cokwith us. tor, for sharinghis researchnotes on ursewith us. cts of Golf by Comish€' Wbitten(1993). lred alone,those in partnershipwith BenLoving, g andthose designed independently by Buddy. Newsletterof the Australian Golf Heritage Society- July 2014

History Sub-Committee History Sub-Committee (cont. ) These AGHS Goif Museum, The Societyis making rapid progressin reviving the golf bannerswill residein the where and informative talks - semiaaris probably a better word - that they will be an appropriate acquisition. we usedto have.To this endJohn Buckiey,Norman Richardsonand I haveformed a History Sub-Committee, A specialvote of thanks goesto RossBerry {or facilitar- and I havebeen co-opted to the ManagemeatCommiltee ing the use of TempeHouse, the home of Alexander so that I can contribute more effectively. Brodie Sparkand one of the Every AGHS Member oldest and most beautiful should Lavegot notice of buildings in Australia. our first seminarheld on Altogether there were thirty 29 April and will krow onepeople in attendance. that it was about the earliest A very specialguest was known . Dr Robert Spark,great-great That wasin 1839at Grose grandsonof Alexander Peter Hines was Farm, where golf is no Brodie. PGA longerplayed as the areais there to representthe of now occupiedby Sydney and Stuart Fraser,CEO r07ecould have University, the Royal Prince Golf NSrW. in about another Alfred Hospital and Victoria squeezed participants. Park. Presentersof the half dozen AGHS memberswho semila:, Norm and myself, it have haveuncovered a lot of new couldn't make will as the information about"thatshort another opportunity held again lived early phaseof golf, seminarwill be August the Royal notably from :he diariesof on 5 at Australian Historical AiexanderBrodie Spark in Society,133 Macquarie their original form, from anotherelegant the archivesof the Royal Street, BlackheathGolf Club, old building. London and from various For the future, any golf club *histo- other primary sources. that wants to hold a ry can get in touch '!ile seemedto hold the day" with the History Sub- attention o{ our audience the for {i{ty minutesor so and Committee through Contactspage on the AGHS thenwe had a lively session website.The club can decide of questionsand answers format of the day.lt for nearly half an hour L to R: MichaelSheret, Robert Spark,Norman Richardson on the can include somehickory undl sandwichesarrived. with AlexanderBrodie Spark banner in the back. play,a generalgolf history We had two bannersprepared seminar,a talk by the club's historians,a dinner, a for the seminarwith extractsfrom the original Spark showing of someof the interestingarte{acts from the diariesand a fine imageof Grose Farm as Sydney npackage" AGHS Golf Museum. Whatever the golf University was being built but with somefarmland club thinks is suitable. still visible. Michael Sheret

The Golf Museum at Granville is proudly sponsoredby Golf Mart and supported by Golf NSV, PGA of Australia and Muselns & Galleries New South Vales The Golf Museum (hcated dbooe Golf Mart), 4 Parramette Rd, Granvitle Telephone 9637 4720 r yrww.arstraliengolfheritage.org.ar Open an Sandaysfrom 10am to 4pm. AdmissionFRBB. Tbe Mxwm can give ailsice o* ulleahg, ratoring antl preswing old or antiq*e golf elxbs anil otbo golfing artefae*. Newsletterof the AustralianGolf Heritagesociery - luly 2014

On a Golf Club'sFlistory... As part of the club's jubilee yeerwe celebratedthat 1905golf eventwhen the former Mayor, paine, The researchand writing of Michael Sheretand Norm JJ openedthe Gosper'spaddock course, where a Richardsonon the first golf club in Ausrralia,the New 'dainty afternoontea'was served. South Vales Golf Club on Grose Farm in 1839.has set a very high standardindeed. The first NSII Golf Club had a very short life, lastingfor no more than four years. The seminaron 29 April at Tempe House was very well attendedwith lively questionsand discussionabout the subject.It's good news that the golf historiansseminars have started again af.tera lapse of almost five years.Every golf club has a history worth recording and telling and many golf club historians have done a great job in doing just that. PeterThomson wrote in Victoria Golf Club's historv book: (1) (4) In 20L3we srarredwith morning tea,then nine holes " Club golf is tbe oery essenceof tbe garne. of hickory golf, lunch and a talk on golf's history in the It is not nor the teleoised district. Hawkesbury historiansIan Jack and Jan professionalpttrses that give golf itsplasrna, it is the Barkley-Jackresearched old recordsand the Ricbrnond friendly matcbesplayed on horne territory betuteen & WindsorGazette to disclosethat golf was first played peoplepaying their duesto support their own linhs in \findsor on 6 October 1902.A club was formed in and nurture afiat hasbeen hand.ed down to them. 1903with Mr JJ Paineas President- the full rext of That is the game'slifeblood.. In turn this trust is Ian's talk is on the AGHS websire.(t-r)It was also passed.onto the next gener4tionintact and,solaent publishedin rhe British Golf CollecrorsSociety's and in this manner a club perpetudtes,carried along magazineThroagh the Green (March 2Ot+).The 2014 on a solid rock of loyalty and,ffiction. Someclubs JJ PaineTrophy Event was played on Monday 5th May have a specialcbaracter vthich and it is now an annualclub fixture. you can play it in setsthem dPa.rt, 2015. It is not the qaality of the courseor the There are hundredsof golf clubs in New South lflales accornnr.odation of the building that d.istinguishes like tUflindsorand orhers,like the 1839NS\f goH club, tbern.It is more essentiallytbe membership,past and haveceased to exist.Every one of them hasa history present,and the file of acbieaementoaer a period.of and should havea historian or rwo. Somedo, as AGHS decadestbat cteates a tradition". membershipshows. Promoting golf club history is There are many ways a golf club can approachits somethingGolf NS\[ will encourageand AGHS will history - by collectinginformation and objectsto support, to capturethat 'file of achievemenrover a understandits past or by creatinga story to recognise period of decadesthar createsa tradition'. I look and respectits traditions.(2)My club, Vindsor Country forward to more AGHS seminarsfor golf historians. Golf Club, hasdone someof rhat. Our club was formed REFERENCES: and the coursewas laid down in 1962and Robert Lewis 1. The Vicoria Golf Club Historv wrote a book on the first 50 years,(3)ft waseasy because 2. \friting a golf club history (ZOtiZ)edited by John pearson & Barry the Presidentand Caprainhad beenmembers since 1962 Leithhead- AGHS website; 3. V-indsorCounrry Golf Club - the first fifty years and Robert, when a boy, lived on the dairy farm thar 4, Photograph of the 1905golf and dainty afternoon tea on Gosper,s becamethe .Not all clubs are so lucky. The Paddock, I/indsor taken by Dr Callaghan,held by the Hawkes bury Regional club's history book recognisedthat golf was played in Museum 5. The lJ PaineTrophy event booklet 2013 Iflindsor as early as 1905,so rhe period from 1962was 6, AGHS: http ://vrwv australiangolfheritage.org.auldocuments/ really the 'last' fifty years of golf in rtr(indsor,not rhe JJ%o 20P ine"/" 20Bo oklet % 2 0f f inal.p df first. Barry Leithhead - May 2014 7 Newsletterof the Australian Golf Heritage Society- July 20la

SNO\/ scICE GOLF TOURNAMENTS FROM AROUND THE V/ORLD.

I$(/hen'$(interapproaches in the Northern Hemisphereand golfersput their golfing equipmentaway there is anothergroup of intrepid golferswho bring their golfing equipmentout to play golf in the snow and on frozen lakesand rivers around the world.

According to many historiansthere was a short gameof 'kolf" being played in Holland on frozen canals and ponds around 17th century.Snow golf aswe know it was createdin Fife, Scotlandin 1847by Stuart McKenzie,who was the illegitimate older brother of Old Tom Morris who inventedthe modern gameof golf. Rumour hasit that Stuartwas fed up with his younger brother getting all of the recognition and acclaimand he was allegedto havesaid "Och whit kind of big Jessiesare ye that ye haveto wait to play golf only on the Breengrass. Can ye no be like me and play in the snow?"

Snow golf blossomedin Scotlandfor three yearsbefore Stuartwas killed in a tragic and supposedlyunpro- voked penguin attack- although somebystanders insist the penguin was actingin self defense.The trauma of the attack causedsnow golf in Scotlandto languishfor over half a century.History tells us that in 1892, renownedEnglish author and poet, Rudyard Kipling, famousfor his JungleBook storiesmarried an American lady, Carolyn Balestier.They later settledwith his good friend, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, in Brattlebro, Vermont. Kipling, who lived a greatdeal of his life in India where the temperaturescould reach100 degs in the shade,reveled in the cooler climate of Vermont. On a cool Winters day Kipling was seenin a paddockwhich was coveredin snow hitting somethingwith a white birch branch.This becamea familiar sight to the localsuntil one day he appeareddressed in knee high socks,black boots, gr€€nkaickers, a red plaid hat and on his shoulderswas a bag of mixed clubs.After making a wee mound with snow,he proceededto placehis red ball on top like a ,thus commencingthe start of golf being played in the snow.

Today there are many prestigioussnow and ice golf tournamentsbeing playedall over the world. It has becomevery popular with both professionaland amateurgolfers with many famouscompanies sponsoring theseevents. There is the Drambuie Ice Golf Championshipfirst held in Uummannaq,Greenl and in 1997. This was the brainchild Arnie Neiman who askedRolf Henning-Jensomto designan 18 hole courseon ice and so begana gre t golfing experience.In 2012the BM\(/' Vinter Snow Golf Cup was held in Megeve, France.This tournamentwas inspired by avid golf enthusiast,Philippe Guilham, who not only presented this tournament but alsothe prestigiousVacheron Constantin Snow Golf Cup, held in St Moritz. The wine and champagnecompany of Borel and Kroff startedthe Borel and Kroff Snow Golf Cup in 1979,heldin beautiful Gstadd,Switerland.Likewise Chivas famous whiskey makersalso hold their own Chivas Interna- tional Snow Golf Championshipin Switzerland.Not to be outdone,there is the Snow Golf Champion Tournamentheld on the Aletsch Glacier on the Jung Frau mountain in the SwissAlps. They tee off at an altitude of 3,465metreswhere over forty Swisssporting personalitiestook part. Then there is the Lake Baikal Ice Golf Tournamentheld on the largest,deepest and oldest lake in the world in Siberia. There are many great snow and ice tournamentsheld in countriesallover the world both for fun, but also to raisemuch neededfunds for charitiesin Canada,Finland, Sweden,Austria, England,America and Argentina. rW/ithoutthe help of thoseintrepid golfersand golf club committeesaround the world a lot of happinessand enjoymentwould not havebeen shared. The Rockwell Police Departmentin Texashold the SantaSnow Flight golf where they fly Santain to play snow golf and all the money raisedis donatedto under privileged children at Christmastime. In 2010,the Utukkuu Snow Golf Challengewas held in Anchorage,Alaska. In this first tournamentthe golfers,businesses and local townsfolk raisedover $36,500 for the Aqqaluk Trust where the money is then usedto preservethe culture, languageand dignity on the Inuit people.This is just a small sampleof the kindnessof the whole golfing fraternity worldwide. However so often we never get to hear of the fantasticeyents and the peoplewho run them.

Bob Davies (ScottishBob), Emall I