Fellow “Niner” brian Mollet, 86, knows how importent the sport is to his mate.

“It’s his passion,” he saeid.

Cheers: Bill Horn,second from right with mates,from left,Walter De Laps,Peter Neville-Jones,and Brian Mollet (far right) at Portsea Golf Club’s bar after playing nine holes. Credit: Joe Armao

“He’s a good, steady golfer. He doesn’t need help from anyone to get around the course.”

Arthur Relph, who in the early 1920s in Melbourne was already captain of Riversdale Golf Club, founded the Portsea club after stumbling on a paddock while on a walk near his holiday house at Portsea and declared it a splendid site for a golf course.

Australia’s Oldest Golf Club Finds New Life

The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Australia’s oldest golf club, has a captivating history. Founded in 1891, it hasn’t always been the prestigious destination it is today.In fact, it’s faced periods of decline and even military occupation.

Originally established on the shores of Port Phillip Bay, the club moved to its current location in Black Rock in 1906. But even then, things weren’t always smooth sailing. During World War I, the club’s membership dwindled. By 1917, membership had fallen to just 40, and members had to pay someone to mow the greens. To make matters worse, soldiers stationed at nearby Point Nepean used the fairways for training exercises, digging trenches and stringing up barbed wire.

More recently, in 2004, the club was struggling with $600,000 in debt and a membership of 900. The committee made a bold decision: they sold 21 blocks of land that had been used as a practice fairway for housing. This move proved to be a turning point, bringing in much-needed revenue.

The club’s fortunes continued to improve with the opening of a new two-story clubhouse in 2013. This modern facility includes a hotel, dining room, pro shop, and conference facilities, attracting more visitors and members. It’s a far cry from the days of struggling membership and military drills!

Today, the Royal Melbourne golf Club is a world-renowned golfing destination, hosting major championships and attracting players from around the globe. It’s a testament to the club’s resilience and its ability to adapt and thrive through changing times.