History
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History of Wembley Golf Complex The origins of the Wembley Downs Public Golf Course began in 1932 when a group of Perth business men formed a syndicate with a view to obtaining a lease from the City of Perth to build and operate a public golf course adjoining The Boulevard in Wembley Downs. Land had already been set aside some time previously for a golf course in this vicinity by the City of Perth. Walter Fox, a man with extensive experience of golf course design in Victoria, was instrumental in negotiating the ten year lease with the City of Perth. A lease was drawn up and a prospectus of 6,000 shares of one pound each was issued on the 25th of November 1932 and registered under the Companies Act of Western Australia. On the 20th March 1933 the Lease was signed between the City of Perth and the Wembley Downs Public Golf Course Ltd. The Company made a significant contribution to the district by building 27 holes, which increased to 36 to holes later. A private golf club of men and women, known as the Wembley Downs Golf Club, operated on the course, with members paying an annual fee to the Company. Many members helped voluntarily with the clearing of the course, usually meeting on Sundays for an organised busy-bee. The charge to members of the public was 9d for nine holes, raised to 1/6 when 18 holes were established. The economic downturn in the 1930's eventually led to unemployment, and the number of playing public using the course fell appreciably. The commencement of the Second World War saw an even greater downturn in golfing participation and the construction of open trenches across fairways to prevent enemy aircraft landing made playing difficult. These events meant considerable loss to the company and the lease was reluctantly surrendered to the City of Perth in 1943. It was not until the late 1970's that the Wembley Golf Complex would start to regain its former favour among the golfing public. The original clubhouse, which had been built by Mr H Henderson, one of the original shareholders, was renovated and extended. The control of the course was passed from golf professional Ossy Gallon to John Hadley and Len Thomas in 1974. A tavern was added and a floodlight driving range was completed one the late 1970's. A fourth nine holes was designed and construction commenced. In 1981 course control passed to Divots Golf Services headed by golf professional David Breen. The fourth nine was opened to complete the then known New Course, and by the mid 1980's a fully automated reticulation was completed on the Old Course. A major green and tee replacement programme followed. In 1987 extensive building renovations were completed with the addition of a new Pro Shop. The facility was well placed to cater for the golf boom of the 1980's and usage peaked in 1989/90 with a total of 211,000 rounds being played. In July 1994 the ownership of the facility transferred to the Town of Cambridge which was created as a result of the restructuring of the City of Perth. The Town immediately undertook major upgrading works on the back nine of the New Course. A comprehensive redesign was undertaken and development completed and opened for play in 1997. At this time the New Course was renamed the Tuart Course. In October 2002, the course control was passed onto Tee to Green Holdings Pty Ltd, led by head professional Robert Farley. The Town then commenced on another series of major renovation works including the construction of new change room facilities, and the installation of a new irrigation system for all 36 holes, which was completed in June 2005. As part of the new irrigation system, two new lakes were constructed on the Tuart Course, and these added a new challenge to golfers and great views from the Tavern. The Wembley Golf Complex continues to be one of the finest and most comprehensive golfing facilities available to golfers in Perth, and one of the world's busiest courses. Research |
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