A brief history on the Development of the Victorian Golf League Inc.
The formation of the VGL was due largely to the efforts of two men, namely English born Saxon William Sidderley and James Wilson, both of the Elsternwick Park Golf Club.
Sidderley founded Elsternwick Park Golf Club in 1932; seven years after Elsternwick Golf Club left Elsternwick for the sand belt and became Kingston Heath. At the time, most public course players, knew little about the rules, handicapping and competitions. Sidderley and Wilson wanted Clubs established on all Public courses with properly conducted competitions, and official recognition of their status.
Jack Dillon, the Herald's golf writer, wrote in November 1933
“To date, public links golfers have been like sheep without a shepherd they are outside the pale of organised golf and may not compete in open meetings. A move has been initiated to set up a governing body for public course golfers. It is planned to conduct the games played on these links, in the same manner as the VGA controls official golf."
On June 14th 1935 five Clubs were represent at a meeting in Sidderley's rooms in Elizabeth Street, and agreed to form the Public Golf Links Association of Victoria. The Clubs present were: - Ashburton, Australasian, East Malvern, Elsternwick Park and Wattle Park (which moved to Box Hill the following year).
The objectives were to form and control, public links golf Clubs, promote interclub and pennant games and annual championships, to improve the standards of golf, and introduce uniform methods of handicapping in conformity with the requirements of the Australian Golf Union.
At a second meeting on August 25th 1935, the name was changed to the Victorian Golf League. Sidderley was elected President, Wilson Secretary, and Russell Keon-Cohen (then President of the VFA) honorary Solicitor.
Doncaster Golf Club joined later that year and in 1936 Ivanhoe, Rosanna, Medway, Mount Albert, Hampton and Brighton joined making 13 Clubs.
Sidderley's next big task was to win the right for members of Clubs to complete in Victorian Golf Association events and to have their handicaps recognised throughout Australia. He began lengthy correspondence in 1936 applying for affiliation with the VGA, similar to that granted to country associations. Eventually, the VGA was satisfied that the conduct of events and procedures were well up to the standards required, and the VGL was granted affiliation in 1939, giving VGL members recognized Australian handicaps, to compete in all open events.
By 1939 there were 20 clubs, the others being Patterson River, a newly formed Wattle Park (which later generated Whittlesea), Sandridge (Port Melbourne), Ranfurlie, Forest Hills, Sandringham and Latrobe.
Hampton, Sandridge, Doncaster and Mont Albert went out of existence when their land was sold for housing development. Doncaster later became Eastern Golf Club and Rosanna went to a new course when its land was taken over for development.
The first VGL Open Championship was held at the East Malvern Golf Course in November 1935. the 36 hole event attracted 90 entries and in wet and blustery conditions Mr N Yeo of East Malvern (a former Essendon footballer) won the event with a score of 170 (82,88) by one stroke from his club-mate W Burgess. The Star newspaper donated the perpetual trophy, which was lost during the war years.
Annual Open Foursomes Championships, and Mixed Foursomes Championships began in 1936, as did Interclub Pennant matches. Up until 1997 the League Pennant was played in 3 grades. A grade was an Open competition, B Grade for handicaps over 12, and C grade for handicaps over 17. Many clubs entered teams in all 3 grades.
After the war, several strong Clubs came into the League. Among these were Lakeside (which was formed after the Albert Park Club moved to Keysborough), Eastwood, Ringwood, Glen Waverley and Moorabbin. Various Clubs then transferred to the VGA namely, Box Hill, Chirnside Park, Eastern, Eastwood, Latrobe, Medway, Patterson River, Rosanna and Whittlesea.
In 1985 celebrating its 50th year, the League consisted of 25 clubs: Acacia, Australasian, Brighton, Camberwell, Creekside, East Malvern, Elsternwick Park, Forest Hills, Frankston, Glen Waverley, Hillview, Lakeside, Moorabbin, Mount Martha, Northcote, Oakleigh, Olinda, Ringwood, Riverview, Royal Park, Sandringham, Tirhatuan Park, Westgate, Willmott Park and Yarra Valley.
By 2004, the League had 30 affiliated Clubs, and in 2005, The league grew again to 32, with the additions of Growling Frog and Yarrambat.
By early 2007 the League stood at 35 Clubs, with the inclusion of three Clubs, namely Eastern Sward, a 9 hole course situated at the South Eastern Treatment Plant, Wellington Links situated at Kingston Links in Rowville, and Waterford Valley which is also in Rowville.
Burnley Golf Club became the 36th Affiliated Club in November 2007. In March 2008 at our AGM, The Harp Golf Club became our 37th Affiliated Club.
At the November 2008 Council Meeting, it was sad to say goodbye to the Moorabbin Golf Club
who has disbanded owing to the decision to close the Kingston City Golf Course at Dingley. The Club have been with the League since 1946. At the same time we welcomed the Emerald Golf Club who transferred from the West Gippsland Association to us.
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Click here to see Where and what our Affiliation Fees to the VGA are for)
Mirboo
In 1989 the League started to conduct junior golf Camps at Mirboo North Golf Club in West Gippsland. These Junior Golf Camps have continued ever since, and are held for one week, in September School Holidays, every year.
In 1997 the League investigated the idea of establishing its own accommodation at Mirboo North for the golf camps. After discussions with Mirboo North Golf Club, a parcel of land adjacent to the 1st Tee, was offered to the League for a perpetual lease. In 1998 negotiations were concluded, and the League, with approval from Council members, commenced the project to build a 13 room motel beside the 1st tee of the golf course. The "1st Tee Motel" was opened in 2002.
The motel is used by Affiliated Golf Club Members on Golf Packages. Also by The Victorian Golf Association [VGA] and Women's Golf Victorian [WGV] who conduct their Junior Golf Camps at Mirboo North.
Please refer to the 1st T Motel Page on this web-site for further details and bookings.
