Golf Latest News
‘OLDE’ GOLF MAKES A TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO THE YARRA VALLEY
After an absence of 95 years, ‘olde’ golf was again played in the Yarra Valley on Friday, June 14, 2024, when 21 ‘olde’ golf enthusiasts marked the centenary of the opening of The Eastern Golf Club’s course at its former home in Doncaster – using 100-year-old hickory golf clubs.
The celebratory event was organised by the Golf Society of Australia Hickory Golf Co-Ordinator, John Trevorrow, and Eastern Golf Club member and historian, Ian Monks. Golf Society President, Kim Hastie, was given the honour of playing the first shot on the newly-configured Hickory Waters course – incorporating holes from the Club’s East Course and Par 3 9-hole Shark Waters. Former Club Captain, Chris Elliot, and Hastie then played a match against retired Federal Member of Parliament, the Hon. Andrew Thomson, and hickory collector, Brian Lowe.
“It was very exciting to celebrate a special moment in our Club’s rich history as members and guests took a step-back-in-time to play a match of ‘olde’ golf. Preserving the origins of our wonderful game is extremely important and it was wonderful to see players embrace the history and tradition of not only playing with hickory clubs, but many also getting into the spirit and dressing up for the occasion” – said General Manager, Brett Nelson.
Eight members of The Eastern Golf Club joined in the celebrations, with most playing hickory golf for the first time, were joined by ‘olde’ golf enthusiasts from Warburton, Yering Meadows and Eastwood Golf Clubs. Peter Crawford (pictured far left), playing off a handicap of 23, proved that a lack of ‘olde’ golf experience was no barrier – returning the best score of 45 Stableford points. Veteran hickory golfers, Peter Stickley (43 points) and Andrew Thomson (42 points), placed second and third respectively.
- Historical Background: In 1924, The Eastern Golf Club’s official opening was a gala occasion, with the opening performed by then Prime Minister and local member, Stanley Bruce. The Prime Minister invited Mrs Ben Richards, wife of Club President, Dr Ben Richards, to take the first shot. Photographs of the day showed her making a forceful swing at the ball. The Prime Minister, Dr Richards, Club Captain, C.V. Browne, and Vice-President, W.A. Boyland, then played a fourball match over the nine-hole course. The Prime Minister’s first shot was greeted by cheers from the 200 – 300 people gathered.
golf australia magazine 2024 ‘top 100 golf courses’ – south course ranked #57
We are delighted to announce that the South Course has retained its position within Golf Australia Magazine’s ‘2024 Top 100 Courses’ – being ranked #57.
The following feedback was provided by two of the judges:
“There are some seriously good holes on the South Course and most of them can be found on the inward half. I particularly like the questions the two shorter par-4s – 15 and 16 – ask” – Lucas Andrews, Judge
“The extensive upgrade of its drainage in recent years seemed to work well after the big floods within the region last summer. The layout recovered better than it would have in previous years and, generally, the course is in better shape than it has been for quite some time.” – James Walsh, Judge
View Golf Australia Magazine’s ‘Top 100 Courses’ 2024
Date: January 2024
MEDIA STATEMENT
October 17, 2023
THE REcovery process begiNS TODAY
Whilst the events of yesterday are still extremely raw for the Club, we would like to thank all first responders led by the Coldstream CFA Fire Brigade, Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police for their incredible efforts in responding to the emergency and fighting the fire under extremely challenging weather conditions – ensuring all staff and members were safely evacuated, whilst containing the damage to the clubhouse and safeguarding our golf course and neighbouring properties.
“As a Club with a history that extends back a 100+ years, the loss of our clubhouse is devastating, but it is the loss of irreplaceable trophies, photographs, artworks and memorabilia that hurts most deeply” – said Club Captain, Fred Jones.
The exact cause of the fire is still being determined by investigators.
As we begin the long rebuilding process of a new clubhouse, we are looking forward to welcoming back our members this weekend to play golf, with plans for the development of temporary clubhouse facilities and amenities already underway.
“Whilst this is undoubtedly one of the darkest moments in the rich history of The Eastern Golf Club, we are resilient, and I know that our Club will come back better and stronger” – said Jones.
Finally, we are extremely appreciative of the offers of assistance and unconditional support that has been extended by the Australian golfing community and Victorian tourism industry during this challenging time.
For further details, please contact:
Sales & Marketing Manager – The Eastern Golf Club
Tracy Hore on + 61 412 597 126 or marketing@easterngolfclub.com.au
WINTER GOLF – ARE YOU PREPARED?
Whilst we don’t officially welcome winter until June 1, we have already begun to experience winter-like temperatures and playing conditions. 
With the arrival of days that are bringing single-digit temperatures, it is time to start thinking about how to best prepare for your round and how the course will play on much cooler days.
Without doubt, the biggest adjustment that needs to be made is with regards to your club selection. Temperatures are already colder which means the ball will not be travelling as far – however, the biggest difference can be seen between morning and afternoon conditions – when club selection can vary by at least 2-3.
Without taking into consideration wind factors, a 7-iron will travel approximately 125 metres in warmer temperatures; whilst in cooler temperatures, players will need to use a 5-iron to achieve a similar distance.
In normal weather conditions, 80% of players don’t select enough club and during winter, this percentage increases. To gain a better understanding of your distance capabilities, it is important to practice in all weather conditions – both on the Driving Range and our on-course practice environment, Shark Waters. Ensuring you have the right clubs in your bag is also important and if it has been a while since you last had a club fitting, now is the perfect time to book in for one – with our EOFY Sale beginning, we have some very special offers available on our range of TaylorMade, Mizuno and Titleist golf clubs.
During the colder months, a warmup becomes even more important to minimise the risk of injury and we recommend members head to the Driving Range for 15-30 minutes of practice prior to teeing off.
What to wear on course during the cooler months is essential – being prepared for rain, hail or shine during the winter months – whilst not being bulked up so much that you are struggling to swing your club properly. Below is our winter apparel check list.
- Wet weather jacket and pants.
- Beanie.
- SKINS layering pieces.
- Umbrella.
- Rain Gloves.
- Handwarmers.
Date: May 30, 2023
course review – golf australia magazine
Eastern Golf Club has been featured within the December edition of Golf Australia Magazine – with a course review written by their Editor and ‘Top 100 Australian Golf Courses’ Judge, Brendan James.
“From the moment you drive through the gates and ease your way up the long driveway to the clubhouse, you can’t help but be struck by the splendour of the golfing landscape and its surrounds at The Eastern Golf Club. Built on the southern banks of the Yarra River and with the tree-blanketed valley wall of Christmas Hills and the Dividing Range as dramatic backdrops to the north and northwest, Eastern is simply a beautiful place to play golf. You can be standing anywhere out on this course and feel a long way from the hustle and bustle of the city and suburbs. Truth is, all of that is just down the road, which is where the roots of The Eastern Golf Club lay.” – Brendan James
Date: February 10, 2022
Image Credit: Brendan James, Golf Australia Magazine
golf australia magazine 2022 ‘top 100 golf courses’ – south course ranked #54
We are delighted to announce that the South Course has been recognised within Golf Australia Magazine’s ‘2022 Top 100 Courses’ – ranked #54 – an improvement on our ‘2020 Top 100 Courses’ ranking of #55.
The following feedback was provided by two of the judges:
‘With all the major drainage work done and bedded in, the South Course is starting to shine. It is a big, bold layout which one might expect from the Greg Norman stable, but it is the strategic lines of play and creative green complexes that get the golfing juices flowing.” – Brendan James, Editor, Golf Australia Magazine
“There’s plenty of width, good green complexes and the condition will continue to improve as the course matures over a few more growing seasons.” – Kevin Nolan, Judge
View Golf Australia Magazine’s ‘Top 100 Courses’ 2022
Date: January 7, 2022
South Course #17 in Golf Australia Magazine’s 2020 ‘Top 50 Favourite Courses’
Brendan James – Golf Australia MagazineDirector of Golf I TaylorMade Brand Ambassador
Date: April 7, 2020
golf australia magazine’s ‘top 100 australian golf courses 2020’ announced
The Eastern Golf Club has two of its three, championship courses featured within Golf Australia Magazine’s ‘Top 100 Australian Golf Courses 2020’.
South Course: Holes 1-18 (#55 Golf Australia Magazine ‘Top 100 Golf Courses 2020’)
North Course: Holes 10-27 (#84 Golf Australia Magazine ‘Top 100 Golf Courses 2020’)
Date: February 17, 2020
australian golf digest course review
“Moving house is never easy to do. For Melbourne’s Eastern Golf Club, the relocation from suburban Doncaster to Yering in 2015 was an emotional mix of sorrow and opportunity. The former sentiment was over the
loss of 90-odd years of history at one site and the latter a chance to simultaneously make a powerful statement and fortify a new chapter in the club’s history.”
To read Steve Keipert’s full course review in Australian Golf Digest please click on the link below:
Date: June 27, 2019
