THE BEGINNING (as told by George Baker – Foundation Member)
“Football in the early sixties was a way of life at West Perth, we had record memberships and enjoyed success on the field. Members supported many club functions which included the very popular Pleasant Sunday Mornings. However during the off season the natives were very restless. It was during this period Oct – March I suggested golf.
A notice calling for starters was placed in the club. Owing to heavy bookings at Wembley a field of 20 was required. We had no problem reaching this number, some that come to mind are Len Harman, Ford Gregory, Ray King, Murray Leeder, Terry O’Day, Erni Dyson, Bill Dempsey (should have stuck to football), Kevin Veaney, Len Roper, Eric Prior, Keith Samuels, Ern Boyle and myself.
All games were played on the original north nine at Wembley (now the new 18). These outings commenced in 1963 and proved successful enough for us to continue. Tee off was at 10 am and after each game we would retire to a player’s home and enjoy a few drinks and listen to the hard luck stories.
In 1964 I was approached by Tom Moiler of Swan Districts and Stan Smith of Perth and we then commenced a three way series of social outings which carried on for a few years. This was the lead up to the present Interclub Association. In 1969 Eric Prior approached the other clubs and the Umpires Association and in 1970 the Interclub competition came into being.
We were originally known as the West Perth Golf Club and members had to be financial members of West Perth Football Club and I am proud to be a Foundation Member and Life Member.”
Following this start at Wembley the West Perth Golf Club continued to grow and continued to be a member of the Interclub Association. As more of the football clubs joined, the Interclub Association became known as the League Football Clubs Golf Association (LFCGA).
Due to the difficulty of teeing off at Wembley the increased number of members West Perth shifted to Rosehill Golf Club. This became West Perth’s home course for both interclub fixtures and LFCGA fixtures.
Not long after Hamersley Golf Course opened West Perth shifted to this public golf course and played all its fixtures here.