Royal Fremantle Golf Club
Royal Fremantle Golf Club is a golf club in the Perth suburb of Fremantle in Western Australia. It was established in 1905. Multiple prominent golf tournaments have been hosted at the venue including the Australian PGA Championship and Royal Fremantle Open.
History
In 1904, roughly twenty people who lived in the Fremantle area met regularly at His Lordship's Larder, on the corner of Phillimore and Mouat streets, to talk about creating a golf course. On 20 July 1905, a club was formally created. For the site of the course, the members quickly decided to use of government land that was currently being leased to cattle famers. In early August that year, the Fremantle Municipal Council approved a loan of £500, equivalent to in, to assist with the development of the first nine holes. A month later, in September, the club had 60 members and, in November, was formally incorporated.However, there were many problems converting the designated territory into a golf course. The terrain was rocky and had an inadequate water supply. Cattle, rabbits, and goats regularly trespassed into the land. The goats were especially problematic, as they would often eat "young tree plantings as fast as they were planted." The establishment of pig wire netting was originally recommended but, in efforts to save money, the club ultimately decided to construct warning signs "that goats trespassing on the Links Reserve will be shot."
Despite the challenges, by 1906 the first nine holes "became playable." The following year the Governor of Western Australia officially opened the course. In 1909 the full 18 holes were completed. Fremantle became the first 18-hole course in the state. Two years later it hosted the state's inaugural amateur championship. It also hosted a club championship in 1909.
Membership climbed during the first decade of the club's history but abruptly dropped during World War I. However, by 1930 membership had returned to pre-war levels. In addition, in 1930 the Monarchy of the United Kingdom certified the club's At that time, Royal Fremantle was "the Premier Club in Western Australia."
The course has hosted several significant golf tournaments over its history. In 1960 it hosted the Australian PGA Championship. In the late 1970s and early 80s it hosted the Royal Fremantle Open. In 2005, 100 years after it was created in 1905, the club celebrated its centenary.