Our History
est. 1926
A journey through the key moments that built the Portsea Golf Club.
1923
1923
Arthur Relph comes across a block of land in Portsea that he described as “magnificent golf links country”. Establishes the Portsea Lands Company to acquire the land and build a golf course (designed by Jock Young).
1926
Portsea Golf Club was established with Arthur Relph as Captain and Harold Armytage as President. Leases 91 acres from the Portsea Lands Company incorporating a nine-hole golf course and a temporary clubhouse.
1926
1929
1929
Club approaches the Portsea Lands Company to buy or have a long term lease for the course in order to secure its future. After exploring options the club accepts an offer by the Armytage sisters (members and neighbours living at Delgany Estate) to buy the land and lease it back to the club with an option to purchase after 21 years at the price they paid.
1930
Implement plans prepared by Alex Russell for new and remodeled greens and the extension of the course to 11 holes.
1930
1931
1931
The Armytage Cup played for the first time. A 22-hole open event with a solid silver trophy being a gift from the Armytage sisters.
1932
Extend the course to 12 holes and would remain the same for 25 years.
1932
1939
1939
The Army occupies part of the course for the duration of WW2 leaving limited holes for play. Puts strain on the financial position of the club with Arthur Relph fearing this could lead to the club’s demise. With support from Army personnel, loyal staff and the Armytage Sisters forgiving rental payments, the club survives.
1950
Club buys the land leased from the Armytage sisters. Arthur Relph passed away just prior to the completion of this transaction. Establishes an Associates Committee which heralded the beginning of regular ladies competitions.
1950
1957
1957
Course upgraded and extended to 14 holes with 35 acres of land leased from the Army. Gus Jackson designed these changes.
1965
Course extended to 18 holes with an additional 32 acres leased from the Army. Sloan Morpeth designed the 18-hole layout.
1965
1976
1976
The club adopts the seahorse as its club emblem. The first New Year’s Pro-Am conducted with the winners being Peter Thomson and Steve Caldow.
1977
Associates (Female members/Women) granted playing rights on Saturdays. The first Spring Tournament held incorporating the Armytage Cup.
1977
1979
1979
The inaugural open amateur tournament with Ivo Whitton status played. Attracted 72 single handicap golfers and won by a young member Alan Bullas. Alan Bullas wins first of 21 club championships.
1985
Equal opportunity laws passed by the Cain Government. The majority of associates transferred to full membership and were eligible to play at any time on the Saturday timesheet.
1985
1987
1987
Installation of automatic green and tee watering system.
1993
Built new clubhouse replacing the original 1926 temporary clubhouse which over the last 67 years had a number of upgrades and additions.
1993
1997
1997
Jenny Jeffreys wins a record 12th club championship.
1998
Alterations made to the course in line with a master plan produced by Michael Clayton. This resulted in the backbone of the course we know today.
1998
1999
1999
Acquire the leased 67 acres from the state government (Commonwealth had transferred the land to the State Government in 1988).
2002
Installation of satellite tees and greens watering system.
2002
2004
2004
Host Australian Interstate team series. Delgany redeveloped and the club advised that it will not sell or compromise any part of the golf course in an effort to go into business with the developers.
2008
Commissioning of desalination plant.
First Legends Pro-Am held.
2008
2013
2013
Last staging of the Portsea New Year’s Pro-Am which ran for a continuous 38 years. Relocate to new club house and hotel financed by the sale of the old clubhouse land. Holes are altered and a new routing of the course is implemented.
2020
COVID -19 pandemic has a major impact on operations with periods of constant closure. Maree Smith elected as the club’s first female President.
2020
2021
Declines merger offer from Sorrento Golf Club.
2021
2022
Course extended to 19 holes.
2002
2023
2023
Portsea New Year’s Pro-Am reintroduced after a 10-year absence. Alan Bullas wins the men’s club champion for 20th time.
2024
Dual desalination plants commissioned to replace old plant. Secure rights to draw 120 mega litres of bore water per annum and increase water storage capacity to 2.8 mega litres.
2024
2025
2025
Complete the installation of automation and course irrigation system covering tees, fairways and greens.
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