Luxury Vacation & Golf Tours — Best of AU Golf
Luxury Vacation & Golf Tours — Best of AU Golf
A Legacy of Design Excellence and Golfing Prestige
Nestled in the heart of Melbourne’s iconic Sandbelt, the Victoria Golf Club boasts a rich history and a course design that has stood the test of time. From its founding days in 1903 at Fisherman’s Bend to its transformation into one of Australia’s premier golf courses, Victoria’s journey is as captivating as the game itself.
The club’s roots trace back to William “Billy” Meader and Oscar Damman, whose contributions to Australian golf are often overlooked. Meader, a banker and secretary-treasurer of the Victorian Golf Association, was instrumental in establishing the club. Alongside Damman, a skilled golfer and businessman, he championed the move from Port Melbourne to Cheltenham in the 1920s, recognizing the potential of the Sandbelt’s natural terrain for creating a world-class course.
Though neither Meader nor Damman had formal experience in course design, their initial layout of Victoria Golf Club showcased an intuitive understanding of the land. Yet, the finishing touch came from none other than Dr. Alister MacKenzie, the legendary designer of Royal Melbourne’s West Course. Upon Meader’s request, MacKenzie reviewed the layout, suggested modifications, and crafted the bunkering plan, cementing Victoria’s place as a strategic and challenging course.
Victoria’s reputation as a shot-maker’s paradise quickly grew. Its layout prioritizes strategy over power, demanding thoughtful play and precision. The course became a breeding ground for champions, including Peter Thomson, a five-time Open champion, and Geoff Ogilvy, the 2006 U.S. Open winner. Gabi Ruffels also made history in 2019 as the first Australian to win the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.
As Thomson himself once wrote:
“Some clubs have a special character that sets them apart… It is more essentially the membership, past and present, and the file of achievements over such a period of decades that creates such a tradition.”
Victoria’s timeless appeal extends beyond its celebrated members. Walking past the bronze statue of Thomson near the first fairway, one can feel the weight of history and tradition that defines this club.
By the late 20th century, Victoria’s original design had been overshadowed by overgrowth and misplaced renovations. Recognizing the need to recapture its former glory, the club turned to renowned architect Mike Clayton in 1995. Using a 1934 aerial photograph as a guide, Clayton meticulously restored MacKenzie’s iconic bunkering and the course’s original brilliance.
Clayton remarked:
“It was an extraordinary course when it was built… The redesign wasn’t an attempt to modernize Victoria but to put back what was there originally.”
In 2018, the OCCM design firm—comprising Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking, and Ashley Mead—took Victoria to the next level. They refined several holes and replaced the original greens with Pure Distinction bentgrass, enhancing their playability and increasing pin placement options. These changes elevated Victoria’s greens to rank among the finest in the country.
Victoria’s opening hole, a deceptively short 233-meter par-4, sets the tone for the round. It lures players with the promise of a birdie but punishes missteps with sandy wastelands and deep bunkers.
The par-3s, particularly the 164-meter 4th, demand precision and creativity. Each uphill hole presents a unique challenge, with the 4th’s narrow green and penal bunkering testing even seasoned players.
The back nine is where the course truly shines. The 12th, a 402-meter dogleg par-4, combines dramatic terrain with strategic bunkering. Meanwhile, the 15th, a short 289-meter par-4, offers a thrilling risk-reward proposition. Big hitters might go for the green, but a strategically placed bunker ensures no easy birdies.
Victoria Golf Club embodies the best of Sandbelt golf—a perfect blend of strategy, tradition, and natural beauty. Whether you’re drawn by its storied past, its challenging layout, or its world-class greens, Victoria is a course that captivates from the first tee to the final putt.
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