Celebrating 100 tee-rific years

DEEP in the heart of the region lies a significant piece of golfing history.

In 1921, a small, privately owned golf course was established in the mines, creeks, and gullies of Quarry Hill.

Now, 100 years since its inauguration, the club is holding a number of events to celebrate its history.

Treasurer and life member of the club Sandra Davey said the club is thrilled to commemorate the centenary of Quarry Hill.

“We’ve been encroached by development so it’s a green space that in our hearts we want to keep for our children and generations to come in Bendigo,” she said.

“The centenary is a celebration of the forethought of our ancestors to open it up, we’re planning to have a tournament and make that in memory of the forefathers.”

Through many years of hard work, the Quarry Hill Golf Club was established, under the guidance of founding father of federation Sir John Quicke.

The first competition featured a nine-hole course among slate quarries, hills and iron bark gum trees.

Members had their fair share of hazards to contend with, including the deep gullies, or potentially losing their ball in a mullock heap of one of the many surrounding mines.

Through the depression, members took to the course with picks, shovels and wheelbarrows to shift a mullock heap and improve the playing conditions of the hills.

In 1935, the first hole-in-one at the club was scored on a former hole where players had to hit their ball over Houston Street, adjacent to the club.

In September 1948, tragedy struck, and the clubhouse and many old records were destroyed by fire.

In 1949, the new clubhouse was built and in 1995 it was extended to its present state.

“We’re now an 18-hole sandgreen, our volunteers continue to make the course a lovely place to play,” Ms Davey said.

“We have eight people out their volunteering every day, watering, mowing, fertilising and maintaining.”

Ms Davey said they can’t wait to celebrate Quarry Hill’s history.

“May 8th is our opening day with our two-person Pinehurst event,” she said. “Then in August, Friday the 13th we’re having two-person four-ball stableford event.

“On Saturday the 14th we’re having a centenary dinner and the following Sunday we’re having a four-person Ambrose.

“Also, in September we’re having a memorial day to recognise past members and their family members may like to contribute to the day.”

The club is accepting memorabilia from past members and their families, to be displayed during the dinner.

“Photos, anything members might have that relates to the club we’d love to see it,” Ms Davey said.

“If they want to donate to the club, we’re more than happy to store it for them.”

In the spirit of honouring past members, Quarry Hill Golf Club has also established a memorial garden for families to plant a rose in memory of their loved ones.

Ms Davey said the garden, featured at the front of the clubhouse, will be an ongoing celebration of the happy times at the course.

Call the clubhouse on 5446 8610 to book your spot and get ready to celebrate the legacy of Quarry Hill with a round or two of golf.