History

The Royal Park Golf Club was formed in 1903 a group of golf enthusiasts who leased the land and established and maintained the golf course on the Royal Park at their own expense. The original first hole started in the same spot that Bourke and Wills began their historic expedition.

In 2023 we celebrated our club’s 120th anniversary, making it a member of an elite group of the oldest golf clubs in Australia. Originally designed as an 18 hole course, it was shortened to 9 holes in 1911.

In 1925, access to the course was greatly improved by opening of the tram and train lines through the course.

The full history of the club has been documented in a booklet by Denise Hilton and is available for free from the club on request. (Email RoyalParkGolfClub@gmail.com for your copy and include your name and delivery details.)

Peter Thomson

Whilst we are proud of the many hundreds of members who have enjoyed their golf at Royal Park Golf Club during our over 120 year history, our most famous member was Peter Thomson, who won our club championship in 1945, at the age of 16, went on to win the Australian Open and British open championship five times in the 1950s and 1960s. Peter maintained close contact with the club including the introduction  in our centenary booklet.

In 1970 the original clubhouse was destroyed by fire. One of the few things to survive was a 3 wood, used by Peter when he won the 1948 amateur title and subsequently donated to the club.

In 1973 a new pro-shop and restaurant were opened and in 1974 the Royal Park Men’s Golf Club was formed (following formation of the Royal Park Ladies Golf Club in 1972).

The course underwent many changes during the 1990’s, with the redevelopment of the zoo, and culminating in the release of the Royal Park Masterplan in 1997.

In 2002 the pro-shop and clubhouse were renovated by Melbourne City Council and the club celebrated it’s centenary year in 2003, with the Lord Mayor and Peter Thomson attending celebrations.