About the Woollahra Golf Club
Woollahra Golf Club can be what you want it to be; whether to improve your game, become part of a community or join the pleothera of social activities that are available too. Click here for the latest club events.
Public playing times
Monday: tee open all day except 2-2:45pm
Tuesday: tee open to 8:15 am, 12.00 pm to 12:45 pm and after 2:00 pm
Wednesday: tee open all day
Thursday: tee open to 8:15 am, 12.00 pm to 12:45 pm, after 3:00 pm
Friday: tee open all day except between 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm
Saturday: tee open after approximately 3:00 pm
Sunday: tee open after approximately 2:30 pm
Dress regulations maintain that a suitable standard of dress that is neat and tidy must be observed at all times. Tracksuits or thongs, work clothes or the like are unacceptable at any time. Please note that playing times are subject to change without notice. Please ring to confirm availability.
History
The formation of the Woollahra Golf Club was initiated in 1927 by John Lough,Town Clerk of the Woollahra Council. The council agreed with Mr Lough's recommendation re council land and engaged James Scott, the Elanora professional to lay out a course of eight par three holes and one par four hole. Alf Mackie was appointed as greenkeeper and C. Barnes as Professional. The site bounded by O'Sullivan Road was being used by leasees, Chinese market gardeners who refused repeated orders to vacate the land.
After much legal delay, the council took the drastic action of eviction. When the course was opened to the public on 11 April 1931, the Woollahra Golf Club was allocated thirteen playing times of four persons on Saturdays and Sundays. A club room in the Grimley Pavilion at Woollahra Oval was made available. The first President was Sir Eric Harrison MHR followed by Hon. John Watson, the Labor Prime Minister back in the 1900's.
In 1942, on the morning after Japanese submarines had entered Sydney Harbour at night, shell craters were found adjacent to the pump house on the sixth fairway. In 1953 Woollahra Council obtained an area of land from Royal Sydney Golf Club enabling the course to be significantly expanded and enhanced. In 1956 the present clubhouse was opened and the Golf Club began operating as a company with a new constitution. Then in 1960 when the Golf Club took over the management and maintenance of the course from the council, Prosper Ellis was commissioned to design a new layout comprising seven par four holes and two par three holes.
The Golf Club management is responsible for all maintenance of the course and clubhouse and pay the council a percentage of all public green fees in return for the licence with defined hours of competition. Al Howard and Carnegie Clark were the professionals in the 1940's followed by Bill Podmore from 1947 for 37 years then Wayne Podmore for 6 years. Brae Dawson is the current Professional since 1990. Ian MacDonald has been the Greenkeeper since 1979.
The Club's outstanding golfer has been Monty Fairhall, a State Junior team member whilst Mona Picone has won the associate championship on twelve successive occasions. The club won the A Grade Pennants for the C2 Group in 1950 and the Warren Shield in 1974. The associates were the Bronze Interclub Premiers in 1980,1999 and 2000. Long serving Presidents include Erl LeBrun 31 years, Noel Blanch 13 years, John Black 12 years. Alan Stevens was captain for 11 years. Extract from "Golf in New South Wales" by David Innes published by New South Wales Golf Association. Compiled by Keith Lawson and edited by John Spruce.
Membership
By Joining Woollahra Golf Club not only are you joining an exceptional golf course and club house but you are also joining one of the most active memberships in Sydney. Woollahra GC is a friendly club where you will meet new friends, be invited to social events, have free access to our practice facilities as well as playing great golf out on the course.
Members are able to play rounds during any public time and also have reserved times for competition every Saturday and Sunday and also hold tee times for social competitons every day of the week where you can play in fun social games with your new golf friends.
If you would like to find out more about membership at Woollahra Golf CLub and all the benefits it gives, please contact Andy on 9327 5404.
