Long Island · Frankston
A 160-acre parcel on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula has worn many lives: pastoral run, racing track, ostrich farm, championship golf course. This is the story of how Long Island Country Club came to be, and how it became one of four courses now under the banner of The National Golf Club.
Around 1840, the pastoral run known as Ballymarong stretched across roughly 42 square miles, encompassing the land between Aspendale and Frankston.
At this time, the area was used primarily for grazing livestock under large leasehold "runs," rather than the smaller, privately owned properties we are familiar with today.
A cadastral map of the Ballymarong run. The arrow marks the future site of the Long Island Country Club.
Following the gold discoveries of the 1850s, the large pastoral runs were progressively subdivided into smaller holdings to accommodate growing settlement.
One such parcel was a 160-acre property on the southern boundary of the original Ballymarong run. In 1901, James Grice acquired this land for the agistment and training of his racehorses, its boundaries almost identical to those of what later became the Long Island Country Club.
Grice's use of the property reflects its broader history as the Frankston Racecourse, which operated on the site between 1860 and 1917.
An aerial photograph still shows the oval ghost of the Frankston Racecourse.
Following the closure of the Frankston Racecourse, Messrs. William Bevan, Robert Bethell and Walter G. Hiscock established Long Island Estates Pty Ltd on land with a rich and varied history.
Over the years, the property had supported sheep and cattle grazing, as well as crops including peanuts, millet and beans. It even operated as an ostrich farm, supplying feathers to meet demand during the "flapper" fashion era.
Portrait of Walter George Hiscock, taken when Long Island Estates was founded, alongside the minutes of the first meeting, 2 January 1925.
Talk of developing a golf course by the directors of Long Island Estates Pty Ltd had been abandoned during the Great Depression. As economic conditions began to improve, Walter Hiscock and his co-directors revived their vision of creating a course on the property.
After consulting designers and greenskeepers, they accepted a quote from Gordon Bernard Oliver of "Modern Golf Constructions" in late 1933. By August 1934, sixty-six acres had been cleared of scrub by a team of bullocks, fenced, and prepared under Oliver’s supervision, funded entirely by Long Island Estates Pty Ltd.
Correspondence shows Oliver's proposals and the acceptance of the fuller plan of works for the sum of 35 guineas. He describes the old racecourse property as of "a very high order" and "distinctly favorable." A hand-drawn pencil sketch names possible plantings.
1933 · A second opinion
The renowned Alex Russell, arguably Australia's finest golf course architect, also assessed the property in 1933, and wrote:
“There is no doubt that you have there a piece of first rate golfing country. The area (119 acres) should be sufficient for a full eighteen-hole course; the contour of the country would make an interesting layout assured, and couch grass should do well on this type of soil. The area is nicely timbered and is conveniently situated to both road and rail. I can confidently recommend that a first class eighteen-hole course could be constructed on this area.”
George Lowe, appointed as Greenkeeper, played an integral role in the construction of the golf course over the following three years, working alongside Russell Lucas to complete the 18-hole layout.
Russell Lucas was responsible for organising the workforce and overseeing key decisions relating to the course's development. In 1936, he submitted a detailed report outlining the design and layout of each hole, which significantly influenced the final form of the course.
A snapshot of Greenkeeper George Lowe. The course plan included distance for each hole. Handwritten notes in pencil compare Long Island to Royal Adelaide.
The 18-hole course was completed in 1937, and a two-storey Tudor and Elizabethan-style clubhouse soon graced the site.
The Long Island Country Club officially opened in 1938. The Club was incorporated under the Companies Act, with founding directors Walter C. Hiscock (President), Walter R. G. Hiscock, F. Russell Lucas and Harold F. Pearson.
George Lowe was appointed Acting Manager, and Colin Campbell, later of Cape Country Club, became Golf Professional. Membership opened with a limit of 100 foundation members. In March 1938, the first hole-in-one was recorded when Mr Wilmot aced the 120-metre 7th hole. In 1939, the Club signed a five-year agreement with Long Island Estates Pty Ltd.
The Herald reported on the new course, including the layout and yardage of holes. A list of financial members from the Club's first year survives intact.
With the outbreak of World War II, the clubhouse was requisitioned by the Defence Forces for accommodation and administrative use. It remained under military control until 1944, when it was returned to the Club.
In 1939, the Victorian Golf Association formally wrote to the Club seeking its support with wartime recruitment efforts. A soldier poses in front of the clubhouse during the war years.
By May 1945, archival records describe overgrown fairways and deteriorated greens. Initial efforts focused on clearing and watering the course; however, it was ultimately decided that all greens would be ploughed and re-seeded.
With many members having enlisted for war service, the post-war period also required rebuilding the Club's membership.
Notes compare the condition of the course during the war years (image at bottom) and after.
The Long Island Country Club officially re-opened in April 1946, inaugurated by General Sir Thomas Blamey G.B.E., C.B. The event was attended by representatives from all branches of sport, alongside leading soldiers and airmen.
Many members and prospective members had served under Sir Thomas, and were pleased to see him appointed as the Club's Patron and first Life Member. Luncheon was served to hundreds of guests, followed by an afternoon game played by visitors.
"The success of the day speaks well for the future of the Club and for the exceptional work undertaken in organising the event by the secretary, Major D.C. Whillans (known as 'Jock')." (Frankston Standard, April 1946).
From 1947, Long Island built a strong relationship with the RSL by hosting Diggers' Golf Week each year. The week became a major reunion for ex-service men and women, and quickly grew into a large-scale fixture, with thousands of RSL rounds played at Long Island.
General Sir Thomas Blamey, Patron and first Life Member; alongside a snapshot from an early Diggers' Golf Week.
In 1954, a legal dispute arose between the four directors of Long Island Estates Pty Ltd (the company that owned the Long Island Country Club property) over the future ownership and direction of the land.
W.A. (Bill) Todd and C.J. (Chris) Abbott sought to sell the company to the highest bidder, while Len Jewson and Alf Lester argued that the property should instead be offered to club members at a fair and reasonable price to preserve its future as a golf course.
The disagreement centred on whether there had been a binding commitment to transfer ownership to members once they were financially able to purchase it.
The four men credited with setting the Club back on track in the 1940s: Len Jewson, Alf Lester, Bill Todd and Chris Abbott.
The matter was heard in the Supreme Court of Victoria before Chief Justice Sir Edmund Herring in late November 1954. After five days of proceedings, the case was later settled out of court on 19 January 1955.
Todd and Abbott agreed to sell their shares to club members for £9,371 each, allowing ownership to transfer and the Club to be established as Long Island Country Club Ltd.
Subsequent legal action regarding an attempted sale of the land to the Housing Commission was also successfully defended, ensuring the property remained a golf course.
In recognition of their role in securing the Club's future, the four original founders, Jewson, Lester, Todd and Abbott, were granted Life Membership. Membership expanded, a formal committee was formed, and Alf Lester was appointed Life President with Len Jewson serving as Life Vice-President.
The Transfer of Shares document, sealed and signed, May 1955.
The first Annual General Meeting of Long Island Country Club Ltd was held on 28 October, 1956, with members now responsible for managing their own affairs.
Spectators enjoy a golf tournament in the 1950s.
Discussions to establish a bowling club began in 1959, with the facility becoming operational in 1962. Mr Charles Allen was appointed as the club's first President.
The club commenced with 14 women members and 21 men. Membership fluctuated over the years, eventually peaking at almost 100 men and 50 women. Bowlers achieved significant success in pennant competition, with several members progressing to state-level representation.
The Club's country-style offering was further strengthened with the addition of tennis courts, which were completed and ready for use in 1984.
Aerial photograph showing the bowling green top right; alongside bowlers gathered at the new pavilion.
Clubhouse extensions were completed, enhancing the facility and supporting the continued growth of the Club.
Jack and Ross Williams played a significant role in the construction process, providing heavy equipment and contributing extensively to key infrastructure works, including the development of roads and pathways surrounding the clubhouse.
In recognition of their contribution, the Jack Williams Shelter stands as a lasting tribute to their support.
The 1964 News & Views announced the planning of the extensions; the Jack Williams Shelter, opened in tribute, stands at the entry.
From Racecourse to Fairways was launched to commemorate the first 50 years of Long Island Country Club.
The publication was written by Robert M. Morphett and designed and printed by club member Alan McKenzie, with a foreword by Club President Cec Wilson.
Members of the History Sub-Committee, such as Allen Cleary, contributed research along with original Sub-Committee members J. Kelly (Convenor), R. Walton, C. Wilson (President) and L.K. Black (Secretary).
From Racecourse to Fairways: the Club's 50-year history, written by Robert M. Morphett.
In 2014, Long Island Country Club entered a new and exciting chapter through its merger with The National Golf Club. The National had been seeking to expand its offering to include a metropolitan/sandbelt-style course, making Long Island a natural fit.
Since its design in 1938 by Scotsman Gordon Oliver, Long Island had developed a strong reputation for its championship layout, distinctive bunkering and consistently smooth, fast greens.
With the support of both memberships, the merger created a unique opportunity, bringing together two distinguished clubs to form Australia's only golf club offering four world-class courses.
The National's red chequered flag flying over a Long Island green.
Continue reading
Long Island is one of four courses now under the banner of The National Golf Club. Read the full history of the Club at Cape Schanck: its founding in 1985, its three Cape courses, and the philosophy behind them.
Read The National's history