Bonnie Doon GC History

One of Australia's most influential golf clubs began with an assembly of 'golf mad cranks' at the home of Marrickville Doctor Charles Adam Patrick in 1897.

Now, more than a century later, it is a club with a host of traditions, the third-oldest in Sydney, and unique in that it has existed at three different sites. ;xNLx;Under its original name of Marrickville Golf Club, it was a 12-hole course amid what were then the estates and grand homes that dotted the hills of Tempe. One of these was the notorious 'cliff hole', which required a lofted iron shot to carry up the rocky face of a 15-metre cliff. ;xNLx;Membership at Tempe started with men, of whom many were bookmakers, jockeys and hoteliers, but very early, women were encouraged to join. The first ladies monthly medal was played less than two years after the club was formed. Subscriptions were all of 10/6, or just $1.05 a year.;xNLx;The club moved to a new site at Arncliffe in 1907, also prompting a change in name. Bonnie Doon was the title of the grazing property the club purchased - land included in Cook's original charter of Botany Bay - and that was the name chosen by a majority of members.;xNLx;Now the club boasted an 18-hole course and a grand homestead for its clubhouse.;xNLx;Following World War II, expansion plans for Mascot aerodrome included land occupied by 13 of Bonnie Doon's 18 holes. Members again picked up their clubs, this time moving to the present site at Pagewood.;xNLx;Taking over the much younger New Metropolitan Golf Club in 1947, Bonnie Doon's 850 members now played on a pure links-style course of wide fairways and natural hazards, carved out of sandy heath and banksia scrub.;xNLx;In the years since, the nature of the course has changed, the membership has grown and facilities have developed to bring the club up to Group One standard. But the character of 'The Doon' has remained - 'first and foremost, a golfer's club'.

1891-05-22 13:47:15

The Melbourne Golf Club Formed

100 founding life members start The Melbourne Golf Club.

1893-04-18 13:47:15

Inaugural British Ladies Amateur

Played at Royal Lytham & St Annes

1893-05-01 13:37:32

The Sydney Golf Club Formed

The Club was formed and started play on a links at Concord

1894-01-01 07:30:36

USGA Established

United States Golf Association established

1897-09-01 08:31:24

R&A Rules of Golf Committee Formed

The first universally accepted Rules of Golf from the R&A Rules of Golf Committee, formed in Sept 1897.

1897-09-29 19:43:08

Marrickville Golf Club Formed

At a meeting held at Dr Patrick's house, Marrickville-Road, on Wednesday, 29th instant it was resolved to form a club, to be known as the Marrickville Golf Club.

1897-10-16 21:41:25

New Links at Enfield Opened

Enfield Links formally open. Later named Strathfield Golf Club

1897-10-27 18:37:59

First President of Bonnie Doon

Minutes of the first meeting of Bonnie Doon Golf Club were confirmed on this day by Dr Charles Adam Patrick.

1897-10-30 21:41:25

First Monthly Medal

The newly-formed Marrickville Golf Club held its first monthly medal competition for a trophy of 18 balls, presented by the patron of the club, Mr F Gannon, on Saturday.

1898-01-18 01:15:40

Wollongong Golf Club Formed

Wollongong golf course was laid out by Messrs Dobbin and Kent from Royal Sydney Golf Club

Bonnie Doon GC History

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