Royal Park Golf Club 2007 Return to Royal Park

Est. 1903

Situated in picturesque Royal Park, the course is both attractive and challenging, only 3 kms from the city, with the honour of being possibly the only golf course with a tram and train line running through it. The Club has been the nursery for many golfers who went on to make a mark in the golfing world, including Peter Thomson (club champion at the age of 16, in 1945) who won the British Open 5 times, Gus Jackson and Mick Ryan. Peter and Mick were both included in the VGA's Victorian Team of the Century in 2002.

Club Patron ~ Peter Thomson

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Syllabus

Tony Thomson Memorial "Return to Royal Park" event
9 hole Stableford competition

In 1954 the Junior Pennant team, shown below, had the distinction of winning the title without losing a single match in any of the five rounds. All members of the team graduated to other clubs later on.

1954 pennant
Back row: W. Willoughby, A. Thomson, B. Davis
Front row: J. Munro, J. Firth (President), J. Kellaway (Team Captain),W. Andrew (Club Captain), R. McKeown

53 years on and the Club welcomed four of the members of that team (Wes Willoughy, John Munro, Bruce Davis and Bob McKeown - John Kellaway was unable to attend) back to Royal Park for a weekday 9 hole event held on Monday 19th of March, 2007. Joining the team for the return visit was Russell McNair, who played at Royal Park in the late 40s and early 50s and Club members Jon Hilton, Brendan Moloney and Tony McMahon.

The former Junior Pennant team had not lost their love of golf and most played off handicaps of 11 or under. There was much reminiscing about how the course had changed in the past 50 years and an enjoyable time was had by all. Winning the Stableford competition was Wes Willoughby with 17 points.

A light lunch followed which included the recording of oral histories and scanning of photographs for the Club's website. The event was so successful that the ex-members vowed to play the course annually.

Club member Brendan Moloney has written an article for Golf Magazine about the event. Click here to read a pdf copy of the article.

The Club has decided to make this an annual event, each Labour Day, which for the 2008 year is Monday March 10th. All Club members are encouraged to attend for the 9 hole event, and a Club lunch afterwards to meet the "veterans".

Below are photographs of the 2007 event:

Return to RP team

Brendan Moloney, Bob McKeown (putting) and Bruce Davis (holding the flag) on the 2nd green.

3rd green
From left: Russell McNair, Wes Willoughby, Tony McMahon (caddying for Russell), Jon Hilton and John Munro (putting)

6th green
Brendan Moloney, Bruce Davis (putting) and Bob McKeown.

6th tee
From left: Wes, Tony, Jon, John and Russell (teeing off).

1956 team
Wes , John and Bob with a photo of the 1956 senior pennant team.

To see more images from the Royal Park Golf Club in the 1950s, click here.