Royal Park Golf Club 1981

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
1981 - 1990

Club members heading for the 19th hole
Club members, Richard Ghiller (now a member of both the Royal Park Golf Club and the Royal Park Veteran's Golf Club) and John Moffitt returning after a round in the late 1980s.
Click here for a larger image

Photo of winning 1986 pennant team
The1986 winning pennant team are:
Back row: G. Trevena (Club Secretary), A. Rivero, R. Ford, D. Wearne, N. Picken (Treasurer).
Front row: J. Molinaro, M. Knights, D. Flavel, J. Robinson.
Click here for a larger image

In 1981 new clubrooms were made available at the pavilion of the Poplar Road Sports Ground. The Club held a working bee to repaint and refurbish the building, and rent was paid to the Melbourne City Council for its use during Saturdays and Sundays.

The first Lord Mayor's Charity Day tournament was held on 19 March, with over $2,500 raised. This event was to run for the next nine years raising a similar amount every year for charity.

By 1982 membership numbers fell to 54, and the Club committee had discussions regarding the possibility of admitting associate members to the club. Click here to see an advertisement that was placed in the Melbourne Leader to encourage new members to the Club.

The Club leased the kiosk/restaurant from Melbourne City Council as the Poplar Road pavilion proved to be too small and not appropriate for use as a clubhouse. Yearly lease to the Council was $1,000 per year. Green fees were now $2.00 for 9-holes and $4.00 for 18-holes.

In 1983 the Club was featured in the Victorian Golf magazine July issue as "Club of the Month".

In 1986 the Club won the VGL Division 7 Pennant championship.