A brief history of the Club
Cranbourne Golf Club was formed in 1951, following discriminatory practices
against Jews and other minority groups by a significant number of Victorian
Golf Clubs.
The prime mover in the formation of the Country Club was Sydney Kaufman, who
called a meeting of his Jewish friends on June 14, 1951. Some 20 people
attended. A provisional committee with Syd Kaufman as President, Harold
Lasky as Vice-President and David Morley as Treasurer was elected and the search
for suitable land to construct a golf course commenced.
Because of the rapid expansion of housing estates in the Dandenong area, the
search was concentrated in the Cranbourne district. Assisted by Sam Berriman,
Curator of Huntingdale Golf Club and a noted golf course architect, the present
site was chosen and purchased as suitable for a championship golf course.
The course took over two years to construct and was officially opened by Syd
Kaufman on April 9, 1954. Sam Berriman’s lay-out measured 6,304
metres and provided for 87 bunkers. The course was never completed precisely
to Berriman’s design and at the commencement of play measured 6,330 metres
with 71 bunkers constructed.
Cranbourne Golf Club was formed on May 4, 1953 and assumed responsibility for
maintenance and the completion of construction. The first elected executive
was Syd Kaufman – President, Harold Lasky – Vice-President, Harry
Cohen – Captain, David Morley – Treasurer and Barnet Cohen – Secretary.
Ossie Pickworth was appointed the first club professional. His record
as 4 times Australian Open Champion gave the Club prestige in the eyes of the
golfing community of Victoria. He played in the foursome at the opening
of the course along with fellow professional Martin Smith, former amateur champion
Bill Higgins and leading Jewish golfer Sam Fink.
Gordon Black was curator for more than 20 years. Under his supervision
thousands of trees were planted, to change the face of what previously was
barren market garden land. These trees now provide outstanding character,
as well as both golfing difficulty and enjoyment.
Cranbourne staged the Victorian P.G.A. Championship on March 4 & 5, 1960. Television
coverage was provided by Channel 9, and the event attracted considerable comment
in the daily press. Jack Dillon wrote in the Sporting Globe – “The
best field ever will compete for a record £1,200 prize money over the
toughest course for years in this event”. Peter Thomson wrote in
the Melbourne Herald – “Hats off to Berriman – Cranbourne
Golf Course is another Huntingdale. What I realised in playing here this
week is that we have an Architect of rare talent. The courses of Sam
Berriman are classic. All the shots are there ..... narrow drives at
some holes, and long wide ones at others, and at most a preference for one
side of the fairway or the other. What I do like are par 3’s with
traps at front and back, making it a test of length and not so much direction. Another
great course has been added to our “sandbelt” and one worthy of
any major tournament”.
The course consists of 4 par threes, 4 par fives and 10 par fours, with an
ACR of 72. This championship course is a delight for both amateur and
professional golfers. The front nine is of excellent quality and design,
but it is the back nine, which is outstanding, and widely regarded as among
the best nine holes in Australia.
One cannot but agree that the founding fathers have achieved their aims, a
championship course, and a membership today of widely varying ethnic and religious
backgrounds over which discriminatory or restrictive practices have never been
applied. Cranbourne today is a Club where each visitor will be impressed
by the warm and friendly atmosphere, and bears testament to the foresight and
endeavours of those founding fathers.
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