Royal Fremantle Golf Club

"I never knew that Fremantle possessed such a spot. Look at the island through the hills, with the ocean intervening; and look, on the other side you can see the harbour with steamers and ships, and all around you there is not one spot that does not please the eye. My word, it's grand!"

Thus remarked a poetic visitor to the Fremantle Golf Club in 1906, after having taken the threepenny tram fare from the Railway Station to watch the game and view the course. What that visitor would see today would be dramatically different and even more pleasing to the eye.

HISTORY

During 1904 a band of some twenty enthusiasts met at His Lordship's Parlour (now His Majesty's Hotel) for the purpose of forming a Golf Club. Fremantle Golf Club came into being on 20 July 1905 when a deputation met the Oval, Parks and Reserves Committee of the Fremantle Municipal Council with the proposal that a golf club be formed.

Following the initial approach, delegates led by A M Oliphant, were invited to meet a full Council Meeting where, in spite of an eloquent plea for golf, the meeting erupted in an uproar of dissent.

Later in the Mayor's Parlour, Oliphant learned that the chief opponent was the Chairman of the Parks Committee but he was cultivated by Oliphant to such a degree that the Committee subsequently reported to the Council that; "Members were unanimous in expressing the opinion that everything possible should be done by the Council to assist the Golf Club in its efforts to promote golf playing in Fremantle, and that the Council should be urged to meet the Golf Club in every possible way with a view to the immediate occupation of the grounds for that purpose".

The 1st hole gracefully sloping away to the east is aptly named Oliphants Drive. Many years after his namesake's efforts in establishing the club, David Oliphant ran his proshop (now dismantled), from beside the tee. The undulating course boasts many commanding views from elevated tees.

Subsequently the Reserve Committee Chairman became one of the Club's strongest supporters. This set the pattern for the unfailing assistance of the Council since.

All development had to be done by voluntary labour and the first stupendous task, with the help of explosives, was to remove the capstone that covered the reserve. Initially "landing stages" of about 20 yards square were cleared and couch was planted .The ball was played over scrub and rock to these areas en route to the green. These were enlarged over time and were in use until 1928. The Club was rescued financially early on when the Council Engineer decided the mountains of limestone could be used in roadworks. He took all the stone at the ruling price and gave the Club generous measurement.

THE COURSE TODAY

The midday arrival of the wind played an important part in bringing the sailing ships into the old port of Fremantle. So it was named - "the Fremantle Docker", often coloquialised these days as the "Fremantle Doctor".

While this wind was welcomed by the dockers in days gone by, it has always been feared by the golfers. The exposed long par 3, 17th hole is hard to hit on any day, but is a real test in the wind.

Like Royal Melbourne, this course can be tamed on still day, but when the weather changes dramatically and the wind blows in, only those with the best swings survive. Over the years the Royal Fremantle Golf Club has produced golfers with some of the best swings around.

Royal Fremantle's fantastic record in 1st Division Pennants is testimony to its ability to produce superb players including the Carbon brothers and Dennis Bell who won the Club Championship on eleven occasions, was State Open Champion on three occasions and four time winner of the State Amateur title.

The club won its first A grade pennants in 1925 and 1926, however, its domination of WA golf came later. RFGC won 5 pennants in 1970's, 8 in 1980's and 4 in first half of 1990's. Over this golden period they dominated the scene to the extent that there were only 5 occasions between 1975 and 1995 when they didn't win.

Trainee professional Mark keeping in touch with the traditions of the game out on the 17th.

Along with the 17th hole, the 16th and 18th form a very difficult close. The 16th is a very long par 4 requiring a 220 m carry onto a plateau off the tee to set up any hope of getting home in 2. Even then a long iron targetted through a narrow entrance to a small exposed green is needed.

The 18th requires a good drive with out of bounds left and tall trees guarding the inside of the dogleg right, grief is lurking on either side.

The 7th is a memorable hole; dogleg left and like the stairway to heaven - ascending all the way. From tee to green there is no flat at all.

Playing doglegs well is the key to a good round here but accurate tee shots are rewarded on so many holes. At the 5th, 10th and 15th for example a precision drive leaves only a short iron to well-bunkered greens. However when a shot goes astray there is always the chance to manufacture a shot from under the trees, unlike some of the more modern bushland courses.

The 9th looks perfect. The umbrellas are out on ladies competition day to shield the players from the scorching summer sun.

The honours boards and trophies reveal almost a century of memories and legends. Take for example T (Tommy) Howard who visited the Club in 1926 as the Australian Professional Champion. He later became Club Professional for 22 years, and was teacher to one of Australia's golfing icons - Norman Von Nida. Norman used to caddy for Tommy and perhaps owes his many National titles to Tommy's coaching.

Life Membership of the Club is a rare honour given in recognition of outstanding service and usually conferred with the sanction of members at an Annual General Meeting. This distinction has been shared by: C Hudson, L E A Allnutt, F C Feely, E C East, J H Chilvers, W H Tickell, C H Nicholas, F E Gibson, F G Bennett, R S Jefferies, T E Howard, C F Secome, A M McKee, G L Davidson, H Camm, L B Smith and A W Butler.