37 minute read
The Beginning
18% The land was converted to Torrens Title and Certificate of title Volume 1186 Folio 218 issued to Edwin Smith, Fruitgrower of Pennant Hills. Since then the land has been held by:
1907 Herbert Garratt of Sydney, Merchant, Robert Gaut of Sydney, Licensed Victualler and Michael Deery of Sydney, Gentleman, as tenants in common; Charles Norris Commeford of Sydney, Merchant.
1914 John Mcfarlane of Dulwich Hill, Member of Legislative Assembly and Thomas Whitford Taylor of Gordon, Estate Agent as joint tenants;
1922 James William Meades ofStanmore, Company director.
1923 On the 8th March 1923 the land was transferred to Pennant Hills District Golf Club Limited and the current title Volum 3454 Folio 16 issued.
1935 Finally on 14th February 1935 the land was transferred to Pennant Hills Golf Club Limited, the current holder.
The Water Board has an easement for drainage 20 feet wide affecting the land. This easement runs through the gulleys near the 1st, 18th, 10th and 9th holes.
PROPOSED RESUMPTION
In 1%6 the Department of Main Roads advised the Club of a proposed land resumption, a strip of land 9 feet wide adjoining the Pennant Hills Road for the complete length of the road from Copeland Road to Mahers Road. Also a strip, as wide in parts as 70 feet, ad joining Ma hers Road for the complete length of the boundary could be affected.
THE MINUTES THE BEGINNING THE DECISIONS THE WAR YEARS
In the gathering of the facts, for this history, the Minute Books proved to be the most valuable source of reference. Fortunately they had survived the ravages of time with the exception of the Minutes from the first eight meetings held from September 1922 to March 1923 which were destroyed in a City fire. The Minute Books contained 860 pages of historical memorabilia. It was during the reading of these hand written, often difficult to read, minutes that I became fascinated with the unfolding story of the Club's past history. I believe you too will become engrossed in the extractions which will lead to an appreciation of the remarkable efforts put forward by the early Committees of 6ur Club. They are the minutes from the beginning of t}:ie Club to the end of World War 2.
26-2-23 Certificate of Incorporation No. 92072 granted to the Pennant Hills District Golf Club Limited.
26-2-23 The total membership of our Club is now .61 male Members.
23-4-23 Our first Associate Member Mrs. Dorothea Page was admitted to membership.
23-4-23 Membership annual subscription has been fixed at five guineas.
26-4-23 Our first ground committee has been appointed. Messrs. J.A. North, F.O. Layton and H.G. Vernon. Their task will be to upkeep and improve the links.
14-5-23 ceived; The first annual subscriptions have been re-
Gentlemen 35 at five guineas Associates 8 at three guineas.
11-6-23 TheSecretaryhasreported that the Minute Book containing the first eight meetings has been destroyed in a fire at the premises of Allen Liversidge of Annandale, Sydney. The Minutes lost covered the period from September 1922 to March 1923.
27-6-23 It has been decided to accept the offer of £7 for the old fence around the property.
27-6-23 A Motion has been carried that visitors may be introduced to play for 2/6 per day or part thereof. This will apply up till the 30th June. After that date only Members will be allowed the use of the links.
27-6-23 A motion that Mr. Ramsay be written to offering him work at £4/2/ 6 per week for 48 hours work. Work to be done Monday to Friday with Saturday set aside for the mowing of the greens.
9-7-23 A Jetter has been received from Mr. Ramsay accepting work on the terms offered, with one proviso that he will require one day off each quarter to draw his pension.
7-7-23 Byrnes and Flyn,dairymen, be written to asking as to what amount they would be prepared to pay for agistment when the fences have been completed.
2-10-23 The Board confirmed the purchase of a Forest Devil for £37 /10/- and a 12" Shanks Lawn Mower and turf cutting tools. The devil will be of great assistance in the removal of the many tree stumps.
7-7-23 The Club's first score cards, numbering 3,000, have been donated by the British Australian Tobacco Co.
7-7-23 Players breakingtheir round for extended afternoon tea must not continue until they can do so without Ex-servicemens' Day 1975. A happy group: Bill Milner, Harry Stoy/es, Keith Shannon and Bernie Cole enjoy the culinary skills of John Duckworth, Jack Townsend and Harry Tiffin.
A convivial group enjoys a half way respite during Ex-servicemens' day 1977.
interferring with oncoming players.
23-7-23 A Jetter has been received from Mr. J.H. toleman, seeking the rights to remove the cow manure from the links.
6-8-23 Byrne Bros has been granted agistment for his herd of cows. Mr. Flynn, who bought the old fence, was unsuccessful with his offer.
6-8-23 It was resolved that a committee be appointed to advise the Directors, with the assistance of Mr. T. Howard, as to the best position for a layout of an 18 hole course.
16-8-23 It has been reported that the best position forthe new Clubhouse would be in the corner of Copeland Road and Bums Road.
30-9-23 Membership has risen to; 59 Gentlemen players 50 Associate players. 30-9-23 A stroke event has been held for the first time under handicap conditions. The event was won by Mrs. Morgan.
2-10-23 It has been decided not to plant the loquot trees around the boundary of the course. Instead Lophostemons have been decided upon.
2-10-23 Ladies Competition: The Secretary has been instructed to inform the ladies that competition fees will be 1/- with an open order for 10/6 to the winner.
12-11-23 A tender from Mr. T. Watson, plumber of Beecroft, has been accepted for the laying of pipes to the proposed 18 greens. The price £46.5.0.
10-12-23 Owing to the drastic financial position, only £35.13.10 in the Bank, it has been decided to pay off all Staff. Anyone wishing to join the Club would only be required to pay one half year's subscription. The Associates have been asked to hold card evenings as a means of raising funds.
3-3-24 £30 has been spent to construct 14 greens which will be available for play by the end of March. The other 4 greens have been donated by: 1 green donated by the Ladies 1 green donated by Mr. Nossiter 1 green donated by Mr. Chorley 1 green donated by Mr. Vicars
3-3-24 The playing committee has recommended that the 18 hole course be laid out on the present playing area. This would only involve the making of one extra green.
17-3-24 A lawn mower has been ordered from Nock & Kirby at a cost of £3.6.0. We can now use our own mower to attend to the greens.
12-5-24 The farm well is nearly filled in. Stakes and wire netting guard the
24-6-24 The Commonwealth Bank has advised us of an increase in our overdraft to £3,000 to construct a brick and stone Clubhouse. There will be enough money left over to employ one man for the links.
24-6-24 The first 18 holes are in play.
11-8-24 The Manly Golf Club has their old weatherboard Clubhouse for sale. The committee will consider the question of buying it.
11-8-24 The playing committee has appointed Mr. G. C. Howard of Katoomba as our first professional at a wage of £2 per week.
11-8-24 Mr. Samson's plan for a Clubhouse has been deemed to be the most suitable. It has been resolved to draw up plans along the lines of Mr. Samson's plan.
18-8-24 The Committee has inspected the old Manly Clubhouse and have decided that the proposition was not satisfactory.
18-8-24 It has been decided to erect 6 signs bearing the inscription Golf Members Only. This may stop trespassing.
27-8-24 Ithasbeendecidedona motion by Mr. E.J.Hyde that members be charged green fees of sixpence as from the 1st September.
8-9-24 The introduction of green fees has been successful and a field of 76 players at 6d each gained £1.18.10 for the Club.
29 10-11-24 It has been agreed to employ a youth at £2 per week to gather and bag the manure for sale. The manure is a constant nuisance to playing members.
8-12-24 Professional renumeration to be increased from £2-£4/10/- provided that he works three afternoons in addition to five mornings. Members are asked to purchase their requirements from Mr. Howard.
8-12-24 The youth engaged to collect the cow manure has proved unsatisfactory. He was found asleep under a tree and was discharged.
9-12-24 The clearing of the site for the first Clubhouse in brick and stone has begun. The 11th green 1952. Photo courtesy of Ian Dence was taken by Cliff Piper during a trade day held by Timbrols Ltd. Note the size of trees on boundary fence, (Jan sank the putt).
11-5-25 It has been decided to leave the wire fences around the greens. Any hitting of the fences may be treated as a "Rub of the green" and replayed.
11-5-25 Club. James Marsden Hislop has been admitted to the
15-6-25 Mr. G. Howard be offered the position of Professional and Supervisor of Works at the retaining fee of £2 and at a later date offer him the residential premises.
15-6-25 Our Membership has increased to 119.
1-7-25 The annual subscription will be six guineas as from this date.
10-8-25 A motion was passed to purchase a horse, a plough, a scoop and to make arrangements for the stabling of the horse and cart.
14-9-25 The Club House was the venue for the meeting. This was the first meeting held in the new Clubhouse which was opened August. Mr. T.B. Nossiter was in the chair.
14-9-25 An invitation from the Roseville Club to play a match against their Directors was accepted.
14-9-25 Mr. Walsh suggested that receptacles for cigarette butts and ashes, also S?ittoons should be placed in the Clubhouse. Mr. Nossiter agreed to attend to the matter.
14-9-25 Mr. G. E. Howard has been appointed as caddie master. Caddies to be employed by him and a charge of 1/6 per round for the use of such caddie. Permission for Mr. Howard to retain threepence from each payment was given.
9-11-25 Mr. Howard's offer to personally mow the greens for 2/10 per week has been accepted. 9-12-25 The No. 3 layout has been played upon for the first time with favourable comments.
21-12-25 Members have reported that the caddies have been destroying birds nests looking for eggs for their collection. It was felt that all steps should be taken to prevent the destruction of bird life on the course. Mr. Hyde was instructed to speak to Howard on the matter.
10-5-26 Membership is now 254.
All caddies have been banned from the course until the Workers Compensation Act can be clarified.
4-8-26 Dr. Holt has mentioned that Howard's small son was frequently wandering about the links, thus exposing himself to the danger of flying golf balls. The President has undertaken to speak to Howard on the matter.
6-9-26 Authority has been given to purchase our first typewriter at a cost of no more than £15. It must not be taken from the Clubhouse or used at home.
1-10-26 A typewriter has been purchased for £9 /10 /-.
17-1-27 We have purchased from the Concord Golf Club; 1 draught horse, 1dray,1 set of harness, 1 mower for the sum of £55.
17-1-27 Mr.J.M .. Hislop has donated a Cup to be played for under 4 ball knock out conditions.
1-7-27 creek. The suspension bridge has been started over the
1-7-27 It has been resolved that as from the 1st July, Associate members be excluded from playing on the links on Saturday afternoons and Public Holidays.
1-7-27 We have had our first Club win in the B grade. In the inter club matches we have defeated the Concord Team.
1-7-27 It has been resolved to institute time sheets for Saturday competitions.
10-10-27 85 Lophostemons have been planted along the 12-12-27 Mr. Wyly has suggested that the course be declared a sanctuary. There has been some shooting of birds.
13-2-28 It is against the rules for visiting ladies to use the putting greens in front of the Clubhouse. A child was seen playing there which is also against the rules.
3rd fairway.
12-12-27 It has been decided to ask Mr. Ramsay to supply cordials at the 12th hole on hot days. This will allow members to quench their thirst. 26-4-28 The subscriptions for the ensuing year will be; Male 7 guineas, Associates 3 and a half guineas.
26-4-28 A flagstaff has been erected on the grass plot on the northern side of the Clubhouse. It was donated by Captain 0. Smith.
Score card: The first recorded "hole-in-one" was achieved by Tom Dence former Club Champion & Captain on Feb 13 1932. Above a group of our popular Business Girls in 1984, including Di Meaker, Joan Johnson, Jean Dye, Jackie Axford, Jane Hooper and Sue Saunders.
-Btl PLA:ER
3 4
3 3911 3 \ 4 4 515 6 5 5 168 11 3 6 544 4 5 7 434 1 4 8 333 16 4
9120 15 3 -----
{ 3'005 35
:i: 13 8
11
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Add Score for first 9 holes Grand Total Deduct Handicap t Totab& Ids
31
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4-6-28 Our Flag has been unfurled for the first time on our new flagstaff.
11-6-28 The Treasurer has been instructed to write to the female member whose children were seen playing on the course without paying the necessary fees.
11-6-28 The house committee has been instructed tomake enquiries as to the person who used the telephone to make a 3 shilling and twopence trunk call.
1-7-28 As from the 1st July an entrance fee will apply. This will be five guineas for full Members and two guineas for Associates and Juniors.
9-7-28 Any member not paying his locker fees will have it screwed up forthwith.
20-8-28 Associate Members have complained. of boys running onto the course and stealing their balls. It has been decided to interview the local Policeman with a view of having it stopped.
20-8-28 Caddie fees will be raised to 2/6. The Caddie will receive 2/- and the Professional 3d. Members are requested not to pay their Caddies extra should they have a good round.
20-8-28 The Policeman has caught one of the boys. He has taken appropriate action which should intimidate other would be offenders.
2-3-29 The first Golf in Australia Cup has been played on our course over 36 holes.
16-3-29 The first Club social has been held with a very poor attendance. Another evening is being planned. 11-2-29 Mr. C.G. Milne has joined the Club.
7-7-29 The old wooden lockers have been sold to the Bankstown Golf Club. The new steel lockers have been installed.
19-8-29 An approach will be made to the Secretary of Justice, to have Mr. Howard appointed a Special Constable to stop the boys stealing our golf balls. The practice has not been stopped by the Police.
23-10-29 opened. The new wing on the Clubhouse has been
24-10-29 The first set of the new aluminium flagsticks have been purchased.
11-11-29 The Members must desist from taking their refreshment into the locker rooms. They must use the lounge room.
21-1-30. Approval has been given topurchase40gallons of Camelia weedkiller for the eradication of the blackberry bushes which are a nuisance to the players.
30-1-30 It has been suggested that a sign "Caution Poison on the Links" be displayed to stop the prevalence of training coursing dogs on the links.
14-4-30 Thegarden plotshavenowbeencompleted and are ready for sowing.
14-4-30 A member of the committee has reported that Mr. Howard, the profcssi:mal, was seen in the lounge room, either entertaining or being entertained. The Hon Secretary was instructed to inform him in writing that he was transgressing the President's instructions and the practice should be discontinued forthwith.
23.6.30 Mr. Heane moved and Mr. Derrin seconded that a large clock be purchased and fitted onto the top of the Clubhouse. The cost not to exceed £10. The motion was carried.
14-7-30 A new hand mower forthecuttingofthegreens has been approved. Not to cost more than £20.
14-7-30 The rose garden was planted with a large number of roses donated by Mr. Hazlewood, the Nurseryman. He is also a member of our Club.
28-7-30 From 80 applicants for the position of Club Secretary it has been decided to appoint Mr. C. Tonking.
12-4-31 We have had an accident on the links. A player driving from the 4th tee has struck the windscreen of a car thus breaking it. It is assumed our insurance will cover the costs of the repairs.
15-6-31 Mr. E. Doran was congratulated, on achieving the first course record. He recorded 72 strokes.
13-7-32 Two youths have been charged with the damage to the greens.
21-7-32 Mr. Charles Gray from the North Brighton Club has been appointed Professional.
21-8-32 Mr. G.c: Howard has resigned from the professional's appointment to take up the position of Foreman of the greens staff.
25-8-32 In view of certain reports that liquor was being purchased from the House Steward for consumption in the house the Committee request the members to discontinue the practice immediately. 28-8-32 A letter has been received from the Hunters Hill Golf Club and the Directors have met with their Members regarding the absorbing of is Male and Female Members into our Club. The liquor licence cannot be transferred. The matter is now in the hands of the Hunters Hill Members.
28-8-32 The testimonial to Mr. G. Howard has realised £24.14.6. The amount will be made up to £25 and presented to Howard. His letter requesting permission to play on the
Our 1981. "Mixed Saturday". This was followed by our popular Club Dinner. Among the winners of the day were Jim and Margaret Hunt, John and Barbara Penn, Joe Joshue and Beverly Frame and John and Jan Duckworth. Pat Jones and Trevor Manser respective Captains made the presentations.
20-9-32 Members forced to resign during the Depression will be admitted without joining fee should they wish to rejoin at a later date. All staff wages are to be reduced by 10/- per week. Ramsay will be reduced to £3/10/0 per week.
9-1-33 Mr. Dean has asked the members to accept a photograph of Bobby Jones. The frame will be hung in the dining room.
12-6-33 The greens committee will instruct caddies how to replace the divots taken by members and not replaced.
A jovial Bob Wickens presents the Captain's Cup trophy to Peter Taylor winner in 1977. Peter Taylor represented Australia in International Cricket with distinction.
11-9-33 Mr. E. J. Hyde has been elected President. The services of Mr. Nossiter to be recognised as President for ten years.
9-10-33 No action will be taken as regards the purchase of a poker machine, pending investigation being sought as to the Police Authorities approval or otherwise.
13-11-33 It is reported that as a result of satisfactory enquiries made from the Police, our first Poker Machine "Pheonix" has been purchased for the sum of £40.
13-11-33 Our original horse drawn mower has been sold for £7 /10/0.
13-11-33 /\.Ford truck has been purchased for £12. This will be used for the moving of soils around the ground.
11-12-33 Our first catering contract has been let to C.V. Boden for the sum of £50.
15-1-34 The profits from the new "Pheonix" poker machine for the first three months has amounted to f 57 /6/0 a most satisfactory profit.
3-3-34 The new 18 hole course which docs away with the par 3 first and includes the new par 3 sixth has been played upon for the first time. The congestion at the first hole has disappeared.
12-3-34 The Caterer is not making ends meet. The Promisory Note for the first year will be withdrawn. A fee of 10/- per week for washing towels should help.
11-6-34 A request from the Bobby Jones Golf Club to play on the 24th June has been approved.
1 l-{i-34 A new Caterer has been appointed and is providing a satisfactory service.
12-11-34 The Committee has agreed to pay the sum of 5/- per night for the hand watering of the greens at night.
10-12-34 Status of the Club. The playing committee has recommended that an application be made to the S.D.G.A. for our Club to be granted "A" grade status for the 1935 season.
11-3-35 Mr. Gray has resigned as Professional. Mr. Neville Johnston has been appointed with a retainer of £1 per week. Mr. T. Walden has been appointed Caddie Master at a wage of £1 per week and in addition he will receive threepence from each caddie ticket. He will be required to work weekends and give a general hand in the gardens during the week when play is not in progress.
8-4-35 Mr. Whitehead has reported that he has exhausted every avenue to obtain a Liquor Licence. Without amendment to the Liquor Act there appears no likelihood of a licence at present. ·
10-{l-35 After discussion with the Caterer the redemption of coupons won on the poker machine will be discounted at 53. A three course meal with chicken would be 2/6. For afternoon tea it would be 1/-for tea with sandwiches and cakes.
25-6-35 Mr. Norman Bede Rydge has now joined the Club. He has been allocated a £5 share as membership.
9-8-35 Mr. H. Thew moved that this meeting of Directors thinks it is desirable to reconstruct the Company and remodel the Clubhouse. It is suggested that First Mortgage Debentures of an issue of £15,000 be offered at the interest rate. of5%.
35 10-9-35 The Club's first Annual Ball was held at the Wentworth Ballroom.
9-9-35 Mr. Cliff Bro.ugh ton has retired from committee after 7 years of service.
28-10-35 It has been decided to appeal against the Valuer General's valuation of the property. The value has been increased from £5843 to £9740 U.C.V. The l.C.V. has been increased from £10,000 to £15,000. The basis of appeal to be £65 per acre as against £100 by the Department. Mixed Foursomes Championship won by Tony and Wendy Gresham in 1979. One of their ten wins. Net winners on the day were John and Joan Jones.
2-3-36 It has been resolved to reconstruct the Club. Such Club to be known as the Pennant Hills Golf Club Ltd.
18-5-36 A letter from the N.S.W. Tennis Association has been received appealing for a united approach by Clubs to obtain liquor licences.
20-7-36 A bridge of low level has been constructed in timber, over the first gully. This will do away with the sleepers.
31-8-36 £8.18.6. The Annual Subscription has been raised to
21-9-36 It is most pleasing to place on record the success of our 118 11 grade team in winning the Northern Districts Division for the first time.
15-3-37 Letter sent to the Avondale Golf Club congratulating them on their promotion to /1 A" grade. 5-6-37 The R.A.A.F. has donated an aerial photograph of the course. A letter has been sent to the Officer in Charge expressing our thanks.
19-7-37 The first /1 A 11 grade match was played without any of our players winning a match. Some results were close which would suggest that success will come to our team when they gain further experience.
18-10-37 matches to 2. The grade team has lost to the N.S.W. team 9
15-11-37 A petition is to be taken up to object to the changing of the name of Copeland Street.
19-11-37 .The name of Pennant Hills Golf Club Ltd has been registered as a Public Company. The Common Seal has been adopted. ·
20-12-37 The first committee meeting of the Pennant Hills Golf Club Ltd was held. The Minute Book of the old Club has been closed at page 713. The newly registered Club's minutes will commence at page 1.
20-12-37 A sum of £8 has been collected towards the Clarrie Milne Memorial. It is recommended that an ornate drinking fountain be erected in the proximity of the 13th tee. An expenditure up to £25 may be incurred.
21-3-38 The Club has engaged a Cook with her Husband acting as casual kitchen man. A combined salary of £3.10.0 per week will be paid.
19-4-38 A blackboard easel is to be purchased for the showing of the results of the day's competition.
16-5-38 Pennant Hills lost to Manly 7 matches to 4. This is easily our best performance.
29-5-38 The Clarrie Milne drinking fountain was unveiled at 4pm.
20-6-38 The Committee has discussed the congestion at the 4th tee. It seeks cooperation of the members in speeding up the play. Less talk and more strokes is the order for the day.
18-7-38 It was resolved to buy a cash register for a sum not to exceed £100.
18-7-38 The weatherboard cottage, next to the Clubhouse, has been completed. George Hudson, the erectors, have been paid.
22-8-38 A large clock to be incorporated in the roof of the new building has been presented to the Club by Mr. A.G. Thomlinson. Arrangements have been made with the Architect to make provision in the roof of the front of the building.
29-9-38 It was decided to hold a match between Bobby Locke and Neville Johnston versus Norman Von Nida and Sam Richardson. ·
17-10-38 Mr. W.A. Cliirk recommended that an Insurance Policy should be taken out to cover the risk of Aeroplane damage to the Clubhouse. This was approved.
20-4-39 Neville Johnston has resigned as the Professional to take up a position in Western Australia. Young Shields his assistant will be retained at 35/- per week pending the appointment of another professional.
16-5-39 Mr. W. (Bill) Davidson has been appointed as our new Professional.
31-5-39 The new Clubhouse additions with Clock have . been opened.
37 Our successful associate grade team and caddies of 1980. Standing: Eilene Henricks, Trish Whitton, Peg Hornbrook, Charm. Davidson, Mary Herd, Margaret Taylor. Middle row: Beth Black, Barbara Smith, Gwen Murdoch, Judy Bray, Enid Butter, Wendy Gresham. Front row: Joyce Hancock, Pat Jones, Dorothy Swadling, Jenny (Swadling) Abrahams, Fay Newman and Merilyn Little. 24-2-40 Themembershiphasbeeri increased from 250to 300 members.
18-3-40 Temporary Local Rule: During the summer a ball which is embedded in a fairway crack may be lifted without penalty.
15-4-40 The price of whisky is to be increased by 15/per gallon. It was moved that we should purchase a quarter cask at the current rate.
15-4-40 The retainer to be paid to the new professional, Mr. W. Davidson, will be £2/5/0.
20-5-40 The old grey horse is now unfit to pull the mowers and the Secretary has been requested to arrange for his disposal.
hold any more Club Championships owing to the absence of members.
22-7-40 It has been agreed that non-playing Associates fees be reduced to fl /11/6 for the duration of the War.
30-9-40 It has been proposed and seconded that the number of Vice Presidents be reduced to three in number.
19-11-40 Mr. W. Shortland has arranged reciprocity between the Victoria Golf Club in Victoria and ourselves.
19-11-40 General J. Heane moved that in view of the water shortage, the hot water be disconnected from the shower rooms. This was seconded and carried. He said a cold shower is much more invigorating after a round of golf.
18-3-41 It has come to the Committee's attention that the professional was seen being served with refreshment in the Clubhouse Members bar. This is not allowed and must cease forthwith.
7-2-42 It was reported that investigations were being made by officers of theA.M.C. with the view of taking over the Clubhouse as a casualty clearing station.
24-2-42 Mr. Burnett, Chief Warden, has requested permission to dig slit trenches a long the 3rd fairway. It was agreed that General Heane should have a talk with the Warden. It is now reported that the suggestion has been abandoned.
24-2-42 The Committee has agreed to let the Clubhouse to A.M.C. for military purposes for the duration of the War. The annual rental to be £1050.
28-4-42 It has come to our notice that the Oatlands Golf Club has been taken over by the Army. The Committee of our Club has invited those members who wish to play to become honorary members. They would be required to pay the annual sub they would have paid to Oatlands. This minute was later rescinded and it was resolved to invite the Oatlands Members to join the Club on a half yearly basis of £4/ 4/0.
28-7-42 We are having difficulties with the strength of membership. There have now been 42 resignations.
27-10-42 A claim for 15/- has been received from a Mr. Anderson for the breaking of his car window and damage to the interior curtains by a golf ball intruding into his car.
23-3-43 The playing of cards will be allowed on Wednesday evenings provided those playing do not require the service of a stew?rd and turn off the lights when leaving.
27-4-43 The portion of the Clubhouse vacated by the Military will be refurbished.
25-5-43 Mr. Delaney has been called up by the Allied Works Council and an increase of 10/-per week has been paid to the two left on the staff.
22-6-43 The following resolution was carried; That Members of the Fighting Forces be admitted as members of the Club on the payment £4/ 4/0. They will enjoy the same privileges as those extended to our own members who are in the Services.
27-7-43 Mr. Sharpe left last week leaving us with only one man, Howard, on the staff. His wage will be increased by 10/0 per week to £7 /10/0 per week.
26-9-43 Three of our Members have been killed in action. They were Messrs]. Musgrave T. Paul and N. Boyd. The Secretary has written a letter of sympathy to their parents.
22-2-44 Mr. W. Davidson has been released from Mili-
tary Service and is seeking work in his former capacity as the Professional. He is to be appointed with a retainerof£1 for part time duties.
28-5-44 One ofour employees has fallen from the bridge and is in hospital. He will be under observation for a few days.
28-3-44 It is to be noted that four ball matches have no standing on the course and must give way to three ball matches unless four ball matches have been listed for play on that day.
23-6-44 The employee who fell from the bridge is unable to work and has been discharged.
23-6-44 General Heane has reported that cows are straying on to the course and has asK.ed Howard to mend the fence.
27-6-44 The outer fence has had 14 new posts fitted but requires two coils of wire which are unprocurable for the present. Howard had a splinter in his finger which Dr. Donaldson removed. The finger is now alright.
27-6-44 The privilege of bringing our friends into the Clubhouse has been withdrawn. With the beer shortage and the early closing of the hotels for most of the day it is felt that our quota should be kept for members only.
27-2-45 Horses and cows are causing damage to the links. The Pound keeper was here on Sunday last but could not drive the horses into the street.
27-6-45 An amendment that Associates be permitted to enter the men's lounge on mixed days was lost on a show of hands.
18-8-45 It is a great joy that the War has ended.
39 Our first Junior Champion was John Whiteford who won the event in 1967 and 1968. He is shown here after winning the "Remembrance Trophy" in 1981 from the donor Bob Wickens. The other winner of the day was Chris Simmons.
First President's Cup. 1976 saw this event conductecj for the first time. The winner: "Tony" Goodwin who defeated Barry Heaps in the final . Peter Van Zuylen refereed the match.
THE FIRST NINE 1923
The force which motivated the Foundation Members to build a golf course, undoubtedly, was their great love of the game. It was said, "When golf enters the bloodstream, eradication is impossible." Therefore, with immense enthusiasm and golf in their veins, they set about to design and lay out the Club's first golf course - it would contain nine holes. On the land area of approximately 97 acres, a portion extending from Copeland Road to Ma hers Road, with a depth of 300 yards, had been farmed and cultivated since the early days of the Colony. A farm house and a well were situated on the present third fairway and until the latter was filled, the top portion of the land could not be used. A sunken road ran from Pennant Hills Road to the dam and caused a lot of inconvenience to the players until it was later filled and levelled. The slight depression on the 12th fairway is the only remaining indication of its existence. The remainder of the area was covered with hundreds of tree stumps, which had to be removed, water holes were filled and in many places shelf rock had to be excavated. It became quite apparentthata great deal of work would have to be carried out before an eighteen hole course could be considered. However,
Charity Week: During 1980 a most successful Charity Week was conducted by the Club. Over $20,000 was raised. The main beneficiary was the Deaf and Blind Institute. The Club also joined with the West Pennant Hills Lions Club in purchasing a mini bus for the Clarke Rd Special School.
there was sufficient area available and it was on this cleared ,portion that the first nine hole course was laid out. The course contained potential for disaster and potential for reward, but mainly it was a place where members could strike a golf ball. The only preparation, after deciding the yardage, was to run a hand mower over the places selected for use as putting greens. There was no attempt made to improve them which made for some weird putting surfaces. They were hard and would not hold a shot, it was quite common to see a well judged shot land on the green only to bounce through another twenty or thirty yards, often into the paspalum and be lost. The characteristics, peculiar to the course, did not unduly concern the members, as just being on the course gave them a feeling of remoteness, away from the cares of business and enjoying the com,pany of friends. Despite the crudity of the layout, the members only regarded it as temporary and played over it for fifteen months. Complaints were few and the members and associates enjoyed the picnic atmosphere. The important point was, they all had greath faith in the future of Club. The first nine layout was played for the first time in March 1923. Its length was 2035 yards with a Par of 33. It contained four Par 3's, four Par 4's and one Par 5.
1st Hole 285 Yards Par 4 The first hole was on the present second fairway. The tee was on the left of the original Clubhouse with the green on the sloping ground where the second green is now situated. There were no trees on the right boundary and a sliced drive would soar over the fence into the vacant land on Copeland Road, sometimes finishing amongst the grazing cattle.
2nd Hole 140 Yards Par 3 -i he second hole commenced from a tee alongside the first green. The fairway ran parallel to the Pennant Hills Road with the green situated on a slope near the fence. Many tee shots found the roadway, whilst a hook would run a long way down the slope, giving a difficult shot to the green.
The third hole was played from a tee some twenty yards to the right of the second hole. Players on the second green had to be wary of the hooked shot which would often scurry across their green and sometimes finish out of bounds.
4th Hole 450 Yards Par 5 The fourth hole teeing area was about twenty yards to the left of the third green. This was the long hole with the green situated near the sand trap on the present third.
5th Hole 135 Yards Par 3 The fifth hole was situated in front of the present fourth, with the green almost within putting distance. It was recognised as one of the smallest greens on any course. It had a hollow in the middle and providing you made the green, a birdie was always possible.
6th Hole 200 Yards Par 4 The sixth was placed some fifty yards back towards the fifth tee, with the green close to the present fifteenth green. This hole was considered to be rather easy. \
7th Hole 280 Yards Par 4 This was played from a tee placed west of the sixth green near the top of the present thirteenth fairway. Not a difficult hole.
8th Hole 160 Yards Par 3 The eighth was played downhill to the present fourteenth green, with the dam alongside, many balls were lost in the water.
9th Hole 230 Yards Par 4 The ninth tee was placed on the opposite side of thedam which did not present much difficulty with the tee shot. The finishing hole was situated adjacent to the Clubhouse. Playing the course in threes, the round would take one and a half hours. In eighteen hole events, the first nine was repeated. This would give the card 4070 yards with a Par of 66. As soon as possible plans were made to extend the course to eighteen holes. It was decided to use the area on the northern side along Copeland Road to Devlin'sCreek, which ran through the property near the eastern boundary. Contracts were let for clearing the present first, sixteenth and seventeenth fairways of trees and other constructions. Small couch greens were formed at the first, second, sixteenth and seventeenth holes. A large amount of soil was removed from the eastern bank of the creek to form the eighteenth green. The removal formed the tiered effect we have today. Whilst this material progress was being made a large amount of work was being carried out by the members in working bees, individually clearing the scrub, removing the stumps and filling in the holes and wells. The removal of stumps was a most difficult task employing the use of the forest devil and chains. The work was generally carried out after rain which made.the task a lot easier. When the work was completed the playing area was noticeably wider. It should be noticed that in the first few years the couch greens, which were small and rectangular in shape, were surrounded with wire fencing to keep the cattle from the greens. The course, at the time, was let for cattle agistment purposes. The first 18 hole course began with a short hole of 155 yards from a tee near the bunkers of the present eighteenth green to the hollow in the first fairway, which was the green and is still quite visible. The second hole was played from a tee near the fence to the present first, our present second hole became No. 3 and was played from the present ladies tee. To get a full eighteen holes requires compactness and with the rather limited area available, the fairways were tight. I twill be noted that the fourteenth was played from the opposite direction to that now played, the tee being on the present thirteenth fairway. The No. 2 Layout gives a fairly accurate idea of the first eighteen hole course, as played for the first time in June 1924. The length was 4200 yards with eight Par 3's, nine Par 4's and one Par 5. The par for the course was 65.
60 and Over: The 1981 winner of this popular event was Doug Sharpe seen here with four of the original donors: Ray Austin, Harry Tiffin, Sep. Johnston and Harold Jacobs.
Up, Up and Away ... After winning his match and seeing that the Club had won its third Pennant, Tony Gresham was whisked away to the Sydney Airport by Helicopter to catch the 3pm plane to England with the Eisenhower Cup team
COURSEN0.3
· On completion of the timber cutting on the new fairways, the stump holes were planted with couch grass by working bees and the ground staff.
The greens were laid down but owing to a long spell of wet weather, the course was not played upon until mid-September, 192S. This new layout, which incorporated the present eighth, ninth and tenth holes, increased the length of the course to 4310 yards. The Par was 70 and included five Par 3' s, ten Par 4's and three Par S's. The score cards showed a noticable difference in the scores being achieved by the members.
In 1926 it was decided to lengthen the twelfth, the present tenth, by bringing back the tee ·some 20 yards. However, before this could be done the staff had to remove rocks and stones from th.e lower part of the fairway. It was an immense project with over ninety cartloads of rocks being removed to support and enlarge the tenth, now the eighth green.
COURSE N0.4
In 1927 the trees were cut out for the final two holes, the sixth and the seventh, the sixth being the longest hole on the course S65 yards. The new course as shown on the layout No. 4 had a length of 6108 yards with a Par of 70. This yardage was achieved by 1933 with various tee changes. Prior to 1933 the same layout was played over S66S yards. (Refer score card 13 I 2/1932) It contained five Par 3's, ten Par 4's and three Par S's. It will be noticed that the course appears much closer to the present layout and the fourteenth hole is played for the first time as it is played today. This new layout was played upon for the first time in 1927 and was considered a testing course by all who played.
COURSE NO 5 OUR PRESENT LAYOUT
In 1933 it was considered the course had too many short holes and a proposal was put forward to construct a new hole of about 188 yards, now the sixth, to take place of the short Par 3 first. This was agreed to and a considerable amount of filling