Royal Park Golf Club 1921

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
1921 - 1930

In 1923 a tramline (the West Coburg link) was to be built through the course and during its construction the course layout was altered. For a few months during the period of construction there were three holes in the area in front of the clubhouse.

Rental paid to the Railways Department for lease of the clubhouse land was increased to £5 per annum.

During 1924 there was talk of amalgamation with the City of Melbourne club (their course ran along the west side of the Moonee Ponds creek), but the majority of the Royal Park Club members were against it. The City of Melbourne club was disbanded soon after.

£225 was spent on improvements to the clubhouse. Rent for the course paid to the Royal Park Trustees increased to £25 per annum.

In June 1925 M. J. (Mick) Ryan joined the Club on the recommendation of his cousin, A. W. (Gus) Jackson. He went on to win many national and international tournaments.

By 1926 improvements to the course included the laying of pipes for watering the greens, and electricity to the clubhouse. To meet the costs of these improvements the following fees and subscriptions were agreed on:

Members-Entrance fees £3/3/-, Subscription £3/3/-
Associates-Entrance fees £1/10/6, Subscription £1/10/6
Practice members (these were members that did not enter club competitions) - £1/1/-

Further improvements to the clubhouse occured in 1927, included the installation of a telephone. Before the telephone was connected, a press representative collected scores from the Club, for the Saturday evening papers late that afternoon.

J. N Harris, with a handicap of 11, won a trophy in a Par event held on 22nd October 1927. Details on the trophy can be seen here.

By 1929 rent to the Royal Park Trustees was increased from £25 to £100, with a protest by the committee to the trustees having no effect.