Hout Bay Golf Club turns 97

Hout Bay Golf Club captain Trevor Quirk, right, receives the 2018 Tramway Trophy from chairman Richie Gold during the clubs 97th anniversary celebrations, last month.

Members of Hout Bay Golf Club gathered at the Westlake Golf Club to celebrate its 97th anniversary on Thursday November 15.

And, according to chairman, Richie Gold, it has been 97 years of ups and downs.

The club, for instance, never settled in one base, which meant they have been nomadic for most of its existence.

“The club was established in 1921 by members of the City Tram and Bus company on ground bequeathed by the Company and utilised the Hout Bay Hotel’s (Now Manor) Rotunda as the clubhouse,” he said.

“The ground was bordered by what is now Tierboschkloof, Kronendal School, The Spinney, went across the Disa River by Pont and back to the hotel via the Passageway until 1948 when the new owners decided on development of the area. This year have played at 12 different venues culminating in the AGM and dinner on November 15 and our final outing at the Westlake Golf Club on Sunday November 18,” he said.

That outing saw 67 players compete for the coveted Tramway Trophy, which was donated in 1921.

Gold also noted that they compete for a number of “significant trophies,” which date back many years. These trophies, he said, bear names of some of the club’s esteemed members and residents of Hout Bay. The club has also recognised their growing “expat” membership from all over the Peninsula and even a number of overseas members.

The future, he said, therefore looks bright. “In 2021, we will have our centenary celebration and hope that the tradition will last long into the future. This year the Tramway Trophy, which is played in the medal format, was won by that well known commentator and raconteur, Trevor Quirk,” he said.

A serious setback for the club happened when former chairman, Charlie Upton, died in a hijacking in 2009, where his satchel containing a number of valuable records was taken.

“It is with regret that in spite of a massive effort by members and contacts, we have lost track of four very valuable trophies that to this day remain unreturned by the winners of that time. The trophies are as follows: The Bob Pyott Trophy – last know awarding 2003, The Call Boy Cup – last awarded 2003, Herbert A Wilkens Trophy – last awarded 2009,Walter Long Trophy – last awarded 1996,” he said.

The trophies have a Hout Bay Golf Club inscription on them for easy identification.He said they would appreciate it if the trophies could be found and returned to the club.

Call Gold on 082 553 8576 or Quirk on 083 260 2417.