The first meeting held to form a Golf Club at Virginia was held in the Northgate School of Arts when it was decided to inspect several sites on the following Sunday. The present site was chosen and two brothers Jack and Bert Roach cleared the area, whilst the plans for a 9 Hole Course was designed and drawn up by Mr D A Crawford a Main Roads Engineer who later became Commissioner for Main Roads and Foundation President. This all happened in 1928.
George Maynard and Albert Klemm were the first employees on the course followed by Jack Hall in 1931. Jack later became Head Greenkeeper and was in the employ of the club until his retirement 45 years later.
Sir James Blair the Lieu. Governor of Queensland opened the 9 Hole Course in 1929 and the Hon H E Sizer MLA became patron. Alex Gemmell was the first paid Green Keeper and Professional, appointed in June 1931. He was required to work 32 hours per week on the course and the balance of time he spent as Professional.
During the 1930-31 season the Club had 73 members, 64 Associates and 5 Juniors, the first Club Champion was Mr Wyndham Wilson. In 1933 a large Marque was erected for the Annual Dinner at a cost of 2 pounds, and McWhirters catered a three course meal for 3 shillings per head. Another early report states that the membership had jumped to 80, Associates to 129, and Juniors to 14. The accounts for payment during the month were 59 pounds 9 shillings and twopence. Expenditure was a 2nd hand Spring Cart 4 pounds and a Horse 10 pounds, 60 loads of sand were purchased for 15 pounds.
The 18 Hole Course was opened by Mr John Ross on the 17th September 1933. Mr Ross was a Past President, Life Member and a retired Grazier who also loaned the Club 750 Pounds to build the Clubhouse, which was built by Laurie Bright Snr., his sons Gordon and Laurie Jnr. Mr Bright Snr. was the Foundation Hon. Secretary. At this stage the Members Fees were 5 pounds 5 shillings per annum, Associates 2 pounds 10 shillings with an optional debenture of 10 pounds for each Member and Associate. Mr Rupert Black was hired as Head Greenkeeper in 1934 at 4 pounds per week and Mr Alex Gemmell became full time Professional.
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A group photo from 1932 of some of the Club's original members. |
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Taken in 1935, this photo shows the associate members by the fountain adjacent to the original 10th tee. |
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Member Wyndham Wilson putts on the old 18th green. |
During the years from 1955 to 1961 the first half of the Course was reticulated with water from Downfall Creek. Mr Frank Adler Snr. installed a new Cold Room and Glass Washer at a cost of 1820 pounds. A hydraulic lift was also installed to service the cold room etc. Having had news from Royal Queensland that resumption of land was the talk of the town, we established an association with Mr Alan Fletcher (Minister for Lands) later to become Sir Alan and Alex Dewer the local MLA. Both these men helped us greatly.
George Maddern, our Club Captain, was selected by the Queensland Golf Union as Manager of the Qld Junior State Team, this position he held for many years very successfully.
It was not until 1958 after threat of land resumption a further 72.5 acres of ground adjoining the course was purchased. This land was purchased in the name of James Wilson a committee man, as the land owner was not on good terms with the Golf Club. The land was cleared and graded during 1963 and Mr Al Howard a course Architect from Sydney was appointed to integrate the existing 18 Holes with additional holes on the freehold land to give a 27 Hole Layout. Mr Norman Von Nida was a great help in this venture, especially in the latter stages.
Jack Hall the Head Green Keeper was given the honour of striking the first ball on the new development and together with members of the Q.G.U and B.D.G.A. played a round of Golf on the New Course. This course was divided into 3 Nines each having their own Score Card or a combination giving three different layouts, this opening was held on the 30th May 1968. Meantime Paynter Dixon were building the new Club House which was opened by the Hon. The Lord May of Brisbane Clem Jones on Saturday 8th November 1969.
In recent years, Virginia has come to be known as “The Course Of Champions.” Many rising stars have honed their skills on the challenging layout and used it as a platform to launch their careers. The list of Club Champions includes major winners Greg Norman (1972 and 1973) and Wayne Grady (1976 and 1977). Of the five Queenslanders to have won the Australian Amateur Championship, two have come from Virginia – Jack Rayner in 1955 and Andrew Buckle in 2001.
One of the greatest moments in the Club’s history came in November 1989 when Greg Norman and Wayne Grady returned for a one-off match against young guns Shane Tait and David Podlich. It was known as the “Battle of Origin” and an estimated 10,000 people flocked to the course on a Monday morning to see it unfold. It was a sight never before seen at the Club - every tee, fairway and green was surrounded by a huge gallery. Norman and Grady won the match and the day raised a substantial sum of money in support of junior golf in Queensland.
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Greg Norman and David Podlich during the 1989 Battle Of Origin. |
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The view up the 4th fairway during the 1989 Battle Of Origin. |