By Peter Douglas
AS THE sun sets on 88 years of local history this month, Emerald Golf Club members are making the most of their last chance to play the beloved course.
Most importantly, lapping up the chance to play the game they love with their mates.
The scenic course, which is home to the Emerald and Olinda golf clubs, will close after Malaysian businessman Alex Wee and BSF Golf Management couldn’t reach an agreement over maintenance of the course.
Members of the Wednesday team – also known as Old Farts Golf (OFG) – took time to speak with the ‘Mail’ to celebrate their involvement in the club’s long history.
The club has operated since 1928 – and through World War II – with the only break happening from 1993 to the early 2000s, owing to a disagreement between club members and Mr Wee.
OFG member Mike Litchfield said the club owed a great debt to both founding and prominent members.
“Many of the early members were military serving personnel,” he said.
“Among our life members include Maurie Murphy and Sam Ritchie, who played a huge role in making the club what it is today.
“One of our most prestigious prizes is the Servicemen’s Trophy, which is made from artillery shells and is very heavy.”
The Servicemen’s Trophy has been vied for among civilians and ex-servicemen, and is generally one of the more highly-sought trophies on offer.
Mick Petrie reminded that although small in number, the club remained highly competitive to this day.
“Both pennant teams won the pennant competition this year – the senior and handicap pennants – which is a pretty good effort for a small club,” he said.
Meanwhile, long-time member and nearby resident, Dennis Fuller, said the course would be sorely missed.
“We’re just a group of blokes who like to come here, get together and have a hit,” he said.
But Mr Fuller acknowledged there was a deeply historic aspect to playing the course and being around the impressive old clubroom, too.
Not to forget a heritage-listed Japanese japonica tree on the site, which is much-loved and important to the members.
“It’s a special place and the building should be preserved, it’s great up there with the big fireplaces and the dancefloor … we’ve had some great times here,” he said.
“People who don’t even play golf are upset about this, they like it to be here … to know it’s here because it’s a part of the history.”
Mr Fuller said the Emerald Golf Club would go into recess in the hope the circumstances may change, though he held little hope the decision would be overturned.
“Most (members) are going to Garfield because it’s more of a country feel, this is really a country club, despite it being a semi-urban area,” he said.
Mr Fuller hoped the site would be maintained in some form moving forward, but had no idea what Mr Wee has planned for the future.
He also feared for the security at the site, with the club enduring issues with motorbikes illegally accessing the area and doing “circle work” on the greens.
The OFG crew will play their last round on Wednesday 28 December and are planning to hold a presentation to celebrate their playing days.
