History

1890s: Foundation and First Fairways

The Yarrawonga & Border Golf Club was founded in 1897 when a group of local enthusiasts met at Farrell’s Victoria Hotel to form a club. The fledgling club obtained permission to lay out a rudimentary course on the town racecourse and nearby Victoria Park. In September 1897, the first organised match was played over 13 informal “links,” marking the beginning of competitive golf in the district. Facilities were minimal – there was no clubhouse, and the greens were simple sand scrapes – but member enthusiasm was high. By Easter 1899, the club inaugurated an annual tournament, establishing a tradition that continued into the next century. These foundation years set the stage for the club’s future, driven by the dedication and foresight of its earliest members.

1900s: Growth of Competition and Community

During the 1900s, the young club steadily grew in membership and activities. A regular competition calendar took shape, anchored by the popular Easter tournament, which was held each year. New events emerged – notably, in 1903, the club held its first ladies’ tournament, an early milestone for women’s golf in Yarrawonga. Week by week, men and women competed in mixed foursomes, handicaps, and friendly inter-club matches, fostering a lively golf community. The course remained a modest sand-green layout (roughly nine holes laid out on public land), and finances were humble (the club treasurer reported just £3 in hand in 1904). Yet, through member donations and volunteerism, the club thrived. By the end of the decade, Yarrawonga & Border had established itself as a flourishing country golf club with a strong camaraderie among players and a growing reputation in the region.

1910s: Trials of War and Steady Progress

The 1910s brought both advancement and adversity. Early in the decade, the club continued to host its annual open tournaments and matches, further entrenching its status in the Murray River district; however, World War I (1914–1918) severely curtailed activities. Many members left to serve in the armed forces, and the club’s competitions were largely put on hold during the war years. In place of the usual tournament schedule, a special “War Medal” competition was introduced to keep golfers active and raise funds for the Red Cross. No annual Open Tournament was held at the height of the war, and membership dwindled sharply. Despite these challenges, the club persevered – maintaining the course to the best of its ability – and ensured that golf would resume after the conflict. By decade’s end, with peace restored, the club was ready to rebuild its membership and return to a full golfing calendar.

1920s: A New Course and Bold Expansion

The 1920s were transformative for Yarrawonga & Border. After the hardships of WWI, the club rebounded with renewed energy and set its sights on a more permanent home. A visionary plan emerged to acquire land across the Murray River (in Mulwala, NSW) to build a proper 18-hole course. In mid-1928, the club purchased approximately 109 acres of gently undulating sandhill terrain for about £1,300. Under the guidance of Mr. J. A. Sloane – a founding member and accomplished golfer – the new course was laid out and constructed in a matter of months. Members pitched in to clear and prepare the fairways and sand greens in time for the annual tournament in September 1928, which was the first played on the “new links” across the river. The results were impressive: players praised the delightful, rolling setting, predicting that Yarrawonga’s new course would soon be “unequalled outside Melbourne”. The acquisition of a dedicated course (free from the limitations of the old racecourse site) was a giant leap forward. By the decade’s end, the club had its own championship-calibre 18-hole course and was gaining renown as one of the finest country clubs in Victoria, thanks to the foresight and hard work of its members and supporters.

1930s: Clubhouse, Improvements & Resilience

In the 1930s, the club solidified its facilities and endured external challenges. Despite the Great Depression, members rallied to construct Yarrawonga’s first true clubhouse on the new course. In 1933, the club began building a clubhouse overlooking the course, and by 1934, it boasted a proper lounge, kitchen, and water tank – modest amenities but a source of great pride. The course itself underwent upgrades: in 1935, the committee purchased its first motorised fairway mower to replace the old practice of burning off the grass, significantly improving playing conditions. Annual Open Tournaments continued and even grew in prestige during this era, drawing competitors from around the region (for example, the 1933 tournament produced record scores and strong fields for both men and women).

Despite progress, the club navigated some serious hurdles. The construction of the Yarrawonga Weir (creating Lake Mulwala in 1939) and the new Oaklands railway line brought uncertainty, as parts of the club’s land were affected by resumed ground and periodic flooding. The club engaged in negotiations for compensation and adapted its layout as needed. Through it all – economic depression, flood, and infrastructure works – Yarrawonga & Border Golf Club showed resilience. By the end of the 1930s, it had an improved 18-hole course, a sturdy clubhouse, and a loyal membership, living up to predictions that it would become one of the premier country clubs in the state.

1940s: War Impact, Women’s Committee & Post-War Revival

The 1940s were a decade of both disruption and rejuvenation. World War II brought lean years once again: by 1943, membership had plummeted to only 17 men and 19 ladies as many locals enlisted. The club did its best to “keep the lights on” – notably by allowing sheep to graze on the fairways for income and maintenance, which kept grass in check and provided much-needed funds during the war. The old clubhouse from the 1930s was sold off along with some excess land to raise money, and a rudimentary new clubhouse facility was pieced together on the remaining course property (records show the club paying a builder £17 in 1944 for a small structure with a chimney). Even in wartime, the spirit of golf endured in Yarrawonga: the committee decided to continue with limited play, and a handful of locals continued to compete casually, keeping the club alive until peace returned.

After World War II, the Yarrawonga and Border Golf Club experienced a strong revival. In 1946 the club’s women golfers – who had long been active as “associate” players – formally established their own committee. The creation of the Yarrawonga & Border Associates that year gave women an official role in club governance and competitions, with Miss Eve Bruce elected as the first Ladies’ President. The late 1940s saw a resurgence of major golfing events. In 1947, the club proudly hosted the Victorian Ladies’ Golf Union championship on its course, a two-day state tournament that was hailed as a huge success. Members and volunteers rallied to accommodate visitors for that event, even converting the tiny clubhouse (nicknamed “the Kipsey”) and surrounding gum trees into makeshift dining areas and refreshment tents. By 1949, the club had fully rebounded – it was once again debt-free and owned its entire 109-acre course outright. With improved maintenance (a greenskeeper was hired, and watering systems were discussed) and a renewed post-war enthusiasm for golf, the club closed the 1940s in a far stronger position than it began, poised for the boom to come.

1950s: Modernisation – Grass Greens and New Amenities

The 1950s ushered in an era of modernisation and growth for the club. A pivotal change was the transition from sandy scrapes to proper grass greens. By the mid-1950s, Yarrawonga’s leadership committed to building an entirely new championship course. Work began in 1958 on a redesign of the original layout: the club brought in noted course architect Sam Berriman to design an 18-hole course with grass greens and extensive bunkering. This ambitious project – costing around £6,000 – culminated on 26 June 1959 with the grand opening of the new course. Golfers found the transformation remarkable: lush turf replaced the old sand, and the improved 6,784-yard layout (par 73) was immediately acclaimed as “one of the finest country courses in Australia”. Alongside this, the club added a short practice 9-hole course and began investing in better irrigation and machinery, bringing its facilities to a new standard by decade’s end.

The 1950s also saw significant upgrades to the clubhouse and recreational facilities. Being just across the state border, the club took advantage of New South Wales’ legalisation of poker machines in the mid-1950s, which created a lucrative revenue stream for club improvements. The clubhouse obtained a full liquor license and was expanded to include a bar and lounge, serving the growing membership. In 1956, the club diversified its sports offerings by installing a lawn bowling green, giving members a summer sport and social hub (a second bowling green would follow a few years later). Golf continued to thrive competitively; the annual Yarrawonga Open tournament attracted larger fields, and starting in 1956, the club hosted professional-amateur events. By 1958, the Pro-Am tournament drew notable pros like Ossie Pickworth and Bob Brown to Yarrawonga’s fairways. By the close of the 1950s, Yarrawonga & Border Golf Club had evolved from a quaint country club into a modern facility – complete with grass greens, a licensed clubhouse, bowling greens, and the financial security to dream even bigger.

1960s: Consolidation, Irrigation and Steady Growth

With its new course maturing, the 1960s were focused on consolidating the club’s gains and improving infrastructure. A significant initiative was irrigation: between 1960 and 1962 the club installed a comprehensive turf irrigation system for all greens, tees, and fairways. This was a game-changer, turning the course into a true all-weather layout and ensuring lush conditions even through hot summers. The well-conditioned grass greens and beautiful tree-lined fairways earned high praise and kept Yarrawonga among the top country courses. Member numbers continued to rise through the ’60s, reflecting golf’s growing popularity. The club responded by extending facilities – the clubhouse saw updates and extensions (plans in the mid-60s added a dedicated associates’ locker room, a manager’s office and a larger members’ lounge). Social activities at the club grew as well, with regular dinner dances, “happy hour” mixers, and an annual Club Ball becoming part of the tradition.

The club also expanded its auxiliary sports and social offerings. The bowling club flourished – a second bowling green was constructed in 1961 to accommodate demand – and talk of adding other leisure pursuits (such as croquet and tennis) emerged. On the course, Yarrawonga’s golfers competed successfully in district pennant competitions, with both men’s and ladies’ teams winning local titles and promoting the club’s name around the region. By the end of the 1960s, the Yarrawonga & Border Golf Club had established a stable and prosperous footing. It had an excellent 18-hole course (one of the best-irrigated courses in the area), a lively clubhouse supported by gaming revenue, and a strong membership base – all of which set the stage for the explosive development of the 1970s and beyond.

1970s: Emergence of a Resort Destination

The 1970s marked a turning point as Yarrawonga & Border evolved from a regional club into a true resort-style complex. Fueled by booming membership and finances, the club undertook ambitious expansions on all fronts. The clubhouse was substantially enlarged and modernised during this decade – a major extension completed in 1979 added a new lounge area and an expanded “casino” gaming room, significantly increasing the venue’s capacity and comfort. Dining facilities were also upgraded, allowing the club to host larger functions and offer nightly bistro service for members and guests. By 1979 the club had 95 poker machines in operation (up from just a handful in the ’60s), which generated significant income – over $198,000 profit in 1979 alone – to fund these improvements. Membership surged to roughly 2,300 by the end of the decade, reflecting the club’s growing reputation as a premier golf and social venue on the Murray.

Crucially, the club expanded its golfing footprint beyond the original 18 holes. In 1977, plans were laid to add a third nine-hole loop to the course. Land to the west of the clubhouse was secured, Thomson and Wolveridge (renowned golf architects) were engaged, and construction of the additional nine holes began in 1979. At the same time, Yarrawonga ventured into on-course accommodation – a move that would define its resort character. The first batch of eight self-contained holiday units opened in early 1978 and proved instantly popular. More units were quickly added: by late 1979 the club had 20 units available for golfers’ lodging, complete with access roads and landscaped surrounds adjacent to the clubhouse. These affordable cabins enabled visitors from Melbourne and beyond to stay on-site and embark on multi-day golf trips, a concept relatively novel at the time.

Important governance changes also took place. In 1977, for the first time, women were granted full voting rights as members of the club (previously, lady associates could not vote in club general meetings). This milestone was soon followed by the election of the club’s first female Board member (which would occur in 1981, with Mrs. Pat Ward’s appointment). The inclusion of women in club leadership reflected broader social changes and ensured the club’s management represented its entire membership. By the end of the 1970s, Yarrawonga & Border Golf Club boasted 27 holes of golf (with the new “Gold Nine” nearing completion), extensive sport and leisure facilities, on-site accommodations, and a forward-looking governance structure. It had truly begun to emerge as Yarrawonga’s golf resort, setting the stage for the massive milestones of the 1980s.

1980s: 45 Holes and National Prominence

The 1980s were a decade of major milestones as the club realised long-envisioned projects and gained national prominence. Early in the decade, the focus was on completing the course expansion. In July 1981, the new “Gold Nine” opened, giving the club a 27-hole layout (three interchangeable nines) and immediate flexibility for golfers. That same year, history was made off the course when Mrs. Pat Ward became the first woman elected to the Board of Directors, reflecting the club’s progressive inclusivity in governance. The early ’80s also saw continued investment in amenities: by 1983, a substantial $850,000 clubhouse renovation was completed, adding a large dining room, a billiards room, a new foyer and office, and expanding the club’s motel accommodations from 32 to 40 units. The dining space was reconfigured into a modern bistro, enabling the club to cater to the influx of golf tourists and members drawn by its growing reputation. With these improvements, Yarrawonga & Border’s hospitality offerings were on par with the best in regional Australia.

On the competitive front, the club reached new heights. It became a regular stop on various professional circuits: in 1982 Yarrawonga hosted the Victorian PGA Championship (concurrent with its own Yarrawonga Open and an amateur Champion of Champions event). Top Australian professionals participated, with one (Trevor McDonald) setting a new course record of 67 on the Blue-Gold configuration. The club also fielded strong pennant teams; for instance, the men’s A-grade team won the district title in 1985 (as evidenced by the celebratory photo of that year’s pennant winners). All these activities solidified Yarrawonga’s status as a marquee venue for golf in the state.

The crowning achievement of the 1980s came in late 1986: the opening of the Murray Course, a second full 18-hole championship course. This ambitious project had been years in the making – after completing the Gold Nine in 1981, it became clear that demand warranted another 18 holes. The club acquired an additional 100 acres of land along the Murray River in 1985, and legendary golfer Peter Thomson’s design firm (Thomson, Wolveridge & Associates) was commissioned to design the new course. Built at a cost of approximately $1.2 million, the Murray Course officially opened on 29 November 1986 with a gala event attended by some 1,500 people. Australian golfing icons Kel Nagle and Peter Thomson were on hand for the festivities, with Nagle hitting the ceremonial opening shot and an exhibition match following. The Murray Course immediately wowed players and visitors: it winds through towering river red gums on a riverine floodplain, with several fairways bordered by natural lagoons, offering a scenic yet challenging test of golf. The addition of this 18 brought the club’s total to 45 holes, making Yarrawonga & Border the only 45-hole golf facility in Australasia at that time. This unique distinction put the club firmly on the map as a premier golf resort. By the end of the 1980s, Yarrawonga & Border Golf Club had fulfilled the bold visions of its founders and leaders – growing from a one-course country club into a nationally renowned golf complex with multiple courses, extensive accommodations, and first-class clubhouse amenities.

1990s: A Leading Resort and Centenary Celebrations

In the 1990s, Yarrawonga & Border Golf Club built upon its success while adapting to new challenges in the leisure industry. The early ’90s brought competition from newly legalised casinos and gaming venues in Victoria (for example, Melbourne’s Crown Casino opened in 1997), which meant the club could no longer rely solely on its unique cross-border gaming appeal. In response, Yarrawonga doubled down on its strengths as a golf resort. Significant investments were made to upgrade and expand the on-course accommodation. In the mid-1990s the club constructed a set of new two-story motel-style units on the clubhouse ridge, a project costing about $1.1 million (paid for in full from the club’s reserves). These modern apartments, opened around 1994, offered luxurious views of the course and significantly enhanced the resort experience for guests. Existing cabin-style units were refurbished as well, ensuring a range of accommodations from comfortable cabins to deluxe suites. By the late ’90s, the club had over 40 units with annual occupancy rates nearing 90% – a testament to Yarrawonga’s popularity with golfing tourists.

The club also continued to refine its facilities and services. The clubhouse saw further enhancements, including new locker rooms, an updated pro shop and additional dining options, to maintain a high standard for members and visitors. Yarrawonga’s reputation as a golfing destination earned it accolades; golf magazines frequently listed it among Australia’s top resort courses, noting its warm hospitality, comprehensive facilities, and the impressive scale of its 45-hole complex. In 1997, the club proudly celebrated its 100th anniversary (marking a century since its 1897 founding). The centenary festivities highlighted how far the club had come: from a handful of players on a dusty racecourse to a thriving resort drawing players from around the country. As the 1990s closed, Yarrawonga & Border Golf Club stood as the largest golf club complex in the nation, offering an unrivaled combination of golf, accommodation, and entertainment. It entered the new millennium well-positioned – with cautious optimism about the gaming landscape but full confidence in the enduring appeal of its core product: great golf on the Murray.

Sources: The above summary is based on the Yarrawonga & Border Golf Club’s official centenary history (1897–1997), local newspaper archives, and club records detailing the development of courses, clubhouses, and competitions over each decade. This condensed history captures the key milestones – from course expansions to governance innovations – that shaped the club’s first hundred years. For readers interested in more detail, a full historical booklet is available for download above, containing year-by-year accounts, photographs, and personal anecdotes that enrich the story of this remarkable club.