Celebrating a century of golf

The Gilgandra Golf Club hosted the dinner event, which was attended by around 55 people and catered for by Megan O’Connor. The golfers and their family members regaled good times had on the course, which many argue is one of the most frustrating sports around. 

The local committee organised the event to celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary, since it was formed in 1923. 

Current club president Michael Wilson welcomed the crowd to the celebration. He acknowledged the ongoing support of the club and made a comparison to the club membership numbers remaining steady in the mid-50s over the 100-year span of local golf enthusiasm. 

He also gathered a bit of research of the club’s early days which included its original location next to the hospital. The club moved to Bridge Street on the eastern side of the Castlereagh River, and then moved to the racecourse in 1930. “That’s where we have been ever since,” said club president Mr Wilson. 

“I think we were [the clubhouse] at the bottom of the current racecourse grandstand, right up until the 1955 flood, and then we came up here [to higher ground]. 

“Our first club championships were played in 1930; they were a stroke event individual match plays.” 

Mr Wilson read a report from historical copies ofThe Gilgandra Weekly, on one golfing event which stated that 24 players played nine-holes with a nett score of 23, and at which the ladies served afternoon tea on the grounds after the completion of play. 

He said in the same newspaper report, there was also a golfing party held – it was a social party where the presentation of trophies was held. Mr Wilson also read a couple of other anecdotes from past reports about the club. 

He also drew the crowd’s attention to the ‘golf cart photobooth’ created by Veronica Hannelly and the table and club decorations undertaken by Kim McWhirter. 

He finished by asking the room to stand and raise a toast to celebrate the Gilgandra Golf Club.

“I propose a toast for our last hundred, and for our next hundred.”