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History

The story of Commonwealth Golf Club is one of vision, perseverance, and a deep respect for the game. From humble beginnings in Flatman’s Paddock prior to 1914 to the establishment of the Club in South Oakleigh in 1920, each chapter reflects a commitment to excellence both on and off the course. Over the decades, the layout has been carefully shaped by dedicated individuals, international influences, and a series of thoughtful improvement programmes. Today, Commonwealth stands as a testament to its proud heritage: a course of character, challenge, and enduring beauty.

Where It All Began: The Founding of Commonwealth

Commonwealth’s origins can be traced to a small group of golfing enthusiasts who, for some time prior to 1914, had laid down six holes in what was known as Flatman’s Paddock extending from Murrumbeena Road to Koornang Road Carnegie, as Murrumbeena Golf Club.

It was in 1914 just before the outbreak of war that negotiations were commenced to lease land east of Darling Railway Station extending across towards Ashburton. Eighteen holes were laid down by the professional, Sam Bennett by 1915, and the Waverley Golf Club was established.

The fourth and sixth holes were played across a deep cutting of the old Outer Circle railway line between the present Alamein and Ashburton stations. With the revival of golfing activities in 1919 the Club began to expand, and, with the expiration of the lease in sight, efforts to secure a suitable freehold property were commenced. A new club, Commonwealth Golf Club, was constituted in April 1920 and land, regarded as scrub country and comprising only 89 acres, was purchased near Centre and Warrigal Roads, South Oakleigh.

From Vision to Fairway: The Course Takes Shape

The first holes were laid out by the club professional, Sam Bennett, and play commenced in February 1921. By late 1923, early 1924 eighteen holes were in play. Charles Lane, Captain of the Club from 1923 – 1933, travelled abroad in mid-1926 studying golf course architecture, including with Harry Colt, a former partner of Alister MacKenzie, returning to put the finishing touches on greens and bunker design.

Much of this work literally was carried out by Charles Lane himself, often being found out on the course stripped to the waist digging out bunkers. Then, in a three-year programme completed in 1938, all 18 greens were redesigned and returfed, a completely new system of greenside bunkering was implemented, many fairway bunkers were altered and new teeing grounds were constructed. This work was planned and supervised by Sloan Morpeth, Secretary/Manager of Commonwealth for 33 years, 1930 – 1962.

A Stage for Champions: Redesign and Tournament Legacy

In subsequent years, additional purchases of land and changes to the course layout have been made. Significant changes were made in the mid-1960’s when the 10th and 11th holes were redesigned by Sloan Morpeth as Course Architect. The new 10th hole was opened just in time for the 1967 Australian Open, which is the only Australian Open Championship played over Commonwealth’s layout. It was a windy week in Melbourne for the event, with Peter Thomson a master in these conditions, scoring 281, 11 shots under par, defeating Colin Johnston by seven strokes.

Other major tournaments include: the Women’s Australian Open in 2010 and 2011, the Victorian Open in 1961 and 1972, the Australian Amateur in 1957, 1983 and 2013, the Australian Seniors Amateur in 1986, 1991 and 2007, the Australian Amateur Interstate Series in 1957 and 1997, and the Victorian Women’s Open in 1988 and 1989.

Modernising for Performance: The 1992 Course Enhancements

In 1992 the Club commenced a programme to improve the drainage on all its greens. During this reconstruction programme the opportunity was taken to modify the surrounds of several greens and to carry out bunkering, mounding, drainage and reticulation work. The final stage of this programme included alterations to the 6th and 12th holes and the construction of a new 7th hole. Kevin Hartley, the architect retained by the Club to assist it with the greens drainage programme, designed these changes.

As a result of the greens drainage programme and associated works in 1992, the length of the course was increased by 211 metres from 6169 metres to 6380 metres.

Renewal and Precision: The 2012–2016 Course Improvement

Commencing in 2012 and finishing in late 2016, a Course Improvement Programme was undertaken which included re-building all 18 tees and a re-vegetation review, including significant re-planting of the Club’s boundary. At the completion of the programme, a Men’s Black Tee course had been introduced for tournament play measuring 6473 metres. The Men’s Blue course however measured 6335 metres and the Women’s red course measured 5400 metres.

Nature, Challenge, and Legacy: The Character of Commonwealth

Commonwealth is revered for its challenging driving holes and subtle sloping greens which call for accurate shot making when playing from the fairway.

The trees that line Commonwealth’s fairways have long been considered amongst the finest stands in golf in this country. Credit for their selection, planting and tender care in the Club’s formative years is due in a large part to long-term Captain and past Life Member Alec Brahe. Today, an extensive tree management programme continues.

Centenary Book

100 Year - Centenary Book

Commonwealth Golf Club “The First 100 Years”

Foreword by Tom Doak

One of my favorite quotes about golf course design was written in 1929 by the English designer Tom Simpson, the godfather of minimalist design:
“The educated taste admires simplicity of design and sound workmanship for their own sake rather than over-decoration and the crowding of artificial hazards.”

As it turns out, the club secretary Sloan Morpeth was also a big fan of Simpson’s book, and used it as his guide when he rebuilt Commonwealth in the late 1930’s. This must be, in part, why I felt an instant connection to the golf course, on my first visit to Australia in March of 1988. The property is no different than anything else nearby, but the layout of holes provides great variety in terms of green sites, hole lengths, and tempo. The shaping and placement of bunkers and greens ensure that the golfer who knows his limits and executes the shots he assigns himself will have a great chance against any opponent.

When I listed Commonwealth among my favorite courses in the initial edition of my Confidential Guide to Golf Courses, I did so in part because it was the only great sand belt course not visited by Alister MacKenzie.
I always wondered how that could be, since the course was coming of age just as MacKenzie arrived. This lovely book provides the answer to that question, as well.

While MacKenzie was in Australia, Commonwealth’s major domo, Charles Lane, was in England for his own six-month tour to learn about golf architecture, spending time in the office of Harry Colt and visiting as many of the great links and heathland courses as he could. Lane’s trip sounds remarkably similar to the one I undertook after college, with a postgraduate scholarship from Cornell University, and I have no trouble imagining that he returned home as full of ideas as I did.

In the century since these great courses were built, some have evolved for the better, and others not. The one that has consistently improved is Royal Melbourne, thanks to greenkeepers like Mick Morcom and Claude Crockford and Richard Forsyth, and to club leadership who have not succumbed to the temptation to make changes to the layout. For the members of Commonwealth to truly appreciate the work of Charles Lane and Sloan Morpeth, you should show their golf course the same deference.

Traverse City, Michigan, USA
May 2020

Heritage Publications

Course Designers Short History of Commonwealth Then and Now Then and Now Part 2 The Famous Stained Glass Windows The History of the Clubhouse The Legendary 16th Hole