Royal Park Golf Club 1911

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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History of the Royal Park Golf Club
1911 - 1920

Undated picture of the clubhouse on Poplar Road
Undated picture of the weatherboard clubhouse, built in 1906.
1919 Pennant team and Club members
Club members and winning pennant team outside the clubhouse in 1919. Photograph donated to the Club by Mr. Jim Wilson.
Click here to see larger image

In 1911, due to falling attendances, the decision was made to shorten the course to 9 holes.

By 1915 no pennant was played until 1919, due to the First World War.

In 1919 the pennant team won 5 matches in a row and went on to win the VGA Junior Pennant flag. Only one member of the team was over 30 years of age. The team included A. W. (Gus) Jackson, who went on to win many competitions in Australia.

By 1920 annual rent paid to the Royal Park Trustees for lease of the course was £5/5/-. The Trustees, who were not sympathetic towards the Club, did not permit Sunday golf and they would sometimes allow Sunday school picnics to be held on a Saturday on the 8th fairway, because a tap provided water. On those occasions the Club competition was held on the 7 holes to the north of the railway line.