History of the
Australian Chemists Golf
Association

In March 1950 twenty pharmacy golfers from Victoria and New South Wales walked the fairways of Melbourne's sandbelt for a week of golf, culminating in the first official interstate match of the Fripp Cup.

In March 1999, 152 pharmacy golfers from the four eastern seaboard states, chosen from over 200 applicants, will walk the fairways of Commonwealth, Kingston Heath, Victoria and Metropolitan to complete the Golden Anniversary 50th Carnival.

I doubt that those twenty golfers in 1950 would have envisaged the growth in the Australian Chemists Golf Association to the size and strength it is today. The story of the contribution and enjoyment of these men and of those who followed them, had to be told.

Keith Smith, one of the 'old and bold' as he likes to be known, took up the challenge. Having enjoyed over forty years of active participation, he was well placed to compile this history. Keith has put an enormous amount of time and energy into this publication, supported along the way by his charming wife, Betty. His enthusiasm is infectious and it is with enormous gratitude that I thank Keith for all his efforts.

The Sigma Co. Ltd for decades has been a regular and generous supporter of our Association. In addition to their carnival sponsorship for 1999 the company has provided significant financial support towards the publishing of this history - a sincere thank you once again Sigma.

Rod Hammond
President, Australian Chemists Golf Association.
October 1998

It is not possible for a book such as this to be accomplished by one person, so I wish to acknowledge the assistance given to me by my wife who has proof read the document and has helped me in producing a book which is better than it would have been without her input. All the following have contributed to what I hope will be an interesting read of the First Fifty Years of Our Wonderful Association.

Ron Clark, Peter Castellaro, Bruce Arnall, Keith Beckefeld, Geoff Belleville, Mick Bissaker, Len Castle, John Filgate, Paul Finnemore, George Gorey, Rod Hammond, Peter Murphy, Monty Ross, Jim Saltmarsh, Peter Scurrah, Phil Shay, Colin Trebilcock, Norm Turnbull, Terry White , Brian Wilson and Sid Wolifsen.

A special thanks to Ian Coghill and Lauren Statham who have assisted in producing the book and arranging for the presentation and printing.

A GRADE

B GRADE

C GRADE

VETERANS

SAMUEL FRIPP MEMORIAL GOLF CUP

VETERANS

SAMUEL FRIPP MEMORIAL GOLF CUP

THE FOUNDERS TROPHY

1981 NSW 1982 NSW Queensland1977Victoria Victoria 1978Queensland1987 Victoria 1996 Queensland 1988 Queensland 1989 NSW 1989 Queensla nd 1990 Queensland 1991 Queensland 1986 Victoria 1995 Victoria 1992 NSW 1970 Victoria 1979 Victoria 1988Queensland 1997 Victoria 1998 Tasmania THE SHEPHERD INDIVIDUAL AGGREGATE SHIELD. 1995 G Yarrow 1996 P Bond 1997 N Burgess 1998 G Yarrow

HOLE IN ONE CLUB.

1965 Stan Milburn at Royal Melbourne 1985 Alan Hartland at Gailes 1991 Ron Clark at Yarra Yarra 1994 Brian Daly at Oatlands.

The birth of official pharmacy in Australia commenced when Victoria formed the first Pharmaceutical Society in Australia in 1857.At this time there were 145 Medical Practitioners and only 260 Chemists in the Colony , some who immigrated from Great Britain with pharmaceutical qualifications and the others set up their shops ,selling patent medicines, herbs, poisons, etcetera,in competition with dispensing doctors, general shopkeepers and mutual societies. Indeed they used to practice as Dentists, Opticians and any allied profession where they could make a few pence, and even were importers of Drugs ,Chemicals ,Books and Stationary from London & Paris during this early period .. Much of the early History of Pharmacy has been gazetted in the Australian Journal of Pharmacy which was first published in 1886.

The Australian Chemists Golf Club was formed prior to 1949 by a group of chemists from Victoria and N S W. Previously there were associations of Chemists playing cricket and bowls , which is pictured in the photo showing teams from Queensland and Victoria that was obtained from the Queenslander Pharmacy magazine published ,February 9th 1928. There are records found in the A.J.P dated April 1937 with teams from Queensland N.S.W and Victoria when cricket and bowls matches were played at South Melbourne ,and a Golf match at Kingston Heath. It was mentioned that these competitions were played annually, but little is known about who organised them.

The Pharmaceutical Society over the years has organised various sporting events as part of their Annual Conferences, and it has been continued in P.S.A.N.Z conferences since 1984, where the Golf was played at Royal Melbourne, and since then a day has been set aside for sporting activities for the delegates. The History of earlier Carnivals consisted of a triangular series of cricket, bowls and golf matches held in each state.

The Victorian Chemists’ Recreation Club was formed in 1898 when cricket matches were played against the Dentists. Later on in 1908 with the support of Larry and Sam Fripp from Rocke Tompsitt and Alfred Lawrence & Co , Victoria were hosts to a N.S.W. cricket team who arrived by steamship on 20th January to play a two day match at the Richmond Cricket Ground This match was organised by Mr. S. Burrows a pharmacist from Fitzroy Victoria won this first match by 251 runs. The next year,1909, a return match was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground when N.S.W. won by an innings and 92 runs. One of the competitors was Dr. Cyril J Tonkin a highly respected Pharmacist and a lecturer at the Pharmacy College for many years. At the banquet held after the match it was suggested that a challenge shield should be competed for annually and the wholesalers from both states provided Twenty Five Pounds each for a sterling silver English designed trophy surrounded by 13 discs on which the results of the matches were inscribed.

These matches continued until 1914 and due to the Great War did not recommence until 1925. The depression caused the Carnival to lapse until 1934, when cricket, bowls and golf were played annually ,until 1939 when once again it was interrupted by the War. Reports in the AJP in these years mentioned the good spirit in which these competitions were played and the social functions they fostered did much to bring the profession together. It was not uncommon to have groups of up to 100 pharmacists and allied professions attending and when you consider that travel was more arduous in those days it is obvious that the events were highly regarded. During this period Felton Grimwades and Rocke Tompsitt (Both Wholesale Chemists and Druggists.) played a football match at Scotch College which was won by the latter wholesaler. During half time prizes were given for a one mile cycle race and a 120 yard sprint the prizes being a silver watch and chain and a gun metal watch.

I have a record of Bill Timmony winning at Manly in 1935 with a score of 3 up in A grade and Cliff Gostelow 3 down in B grade so this may have been the beginning of the main C & D Day which is still held annually, in Sydney.

There was a carnival in Brisbane in 1936 when cricket and bowls was played at Victoria Park and golf at Royal Queensland ,Yeerongapilly and Brisbane Golf Clubs where 50 men and 8 ladies competed and the contingent of 140 stayed at Lennons.

The earliest cup in our possession was given to me by Greg Belleville of Melbourne on which is inscribed the following.
VICTORIAN CHEMISTS 3RD ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT VICTORIA GOLF CLUB
September 17th 1931
Canadian Foursomes won by
G W Tait and E C McLelland THE KODAK & ASPRO TROPHY
Another cup of interest passed down from Geoff Belleville’s father was one inscribed,
C & D GOLF NICHOLAS TROPHY 1935 Best H’Cap Score under 27
Won by
G. Belleville.

There are some interesting anecdotes concerning Greg Belleville, Harry Henshall, Norm Turnbull and Noel Theggie who spent a week at Barwon Heads playing golf, drinking, playing cards and on the Sunday the first three devout Catholics went to church and dragged their mate with them and told him to do whatever they did, so he would not be embarrassed. When the time came to put some money in for the collection poor Noel asked how much he should contribute and was told Two Quid as it was a poor Parish. Noel coughed up and the three devout Catholics put two bob each into the plate. Needless to say Noel Theggie being a mason was not impressed and hell broke loose on the bets of the day, on the golf course and at the poker game at night. Rumor has it that the catholics won. Like father like son so the adage goes, Geoff Belleville organised a similar competition which was held before the Carnivals the first of which was held at Kooralbyn Country Club back in 1978.

The catholic group was Geoff Belleville ,Toby Pearson, Peter Slattery and Frances Xavier O’Sullivan and the opposition were Alan Fulton ,Colin Trebilcock ,Grant Marsh and Peter Scurrah (all worthy freemasons ) I asked who had been the victors , and as spake by F X O’S “we always kick their arses in and win with the help of prayer and sanctifying grace .” The losers pay for the Saturday night’s dinner but have welshed on paying for the wine because of the expensive tastes of the winners who really only drink Penfolds 389. I think the loses are lucky because it could have been 707 or Grange and they would drink at least half of the spoils.

Apparently at this event Alan & Colin were returning back to the clubhouse in their golf cart and took a wrong turn and collided with the assistant golf pro who happened to be a lovely lady The boys however lost interest when they careered over a cliff and Colin landed on (mother’s) chest nearly breaking his ribs. After several whiskies and a visit to the doctor , who declared Alan could not play golf next day, the kindly opposition offered him two extra shots as an incentive to play, and being a good sport, he played. The protestants won by two shots. Never again was this mistake made! After the unfortunate death of Grant Marsh his place was taken by Laurie Litaze and “Mother Fulton” became too old to cope with youngsters and being retired could not afford to pay out every year. The competition continues to this day when the group take off on the Wednesday prior to the Carnival even if in Melbourne where they play at the Peninsula Golf Club. John Filgate has taken the place of Alan Fulton ,so the tradition continues.

The inaugural meeting to form the Victorian Chemist Golf Club was held at the Pharmacy College in 1946 and was convened by Larry Fripp. Harry Henshall was elected the first president.

Previously, records from the AJP in 1928 have “The Victorian Chemists Recreation Club” which organised cricket and bowls interstate matches between Queensland, NSW and Victoria and it was about this time that H G McRoberts started the C & D Cup for golf. He was a very good golfer himself having been champion of Riversdale Golf Club when it was in Camberwell, and later became President of Yarra Yarra Golf Club in its present site at the sand belt. Later he was president of the VGA and in business was managing director of Felton Grimwade and Duerdins.

Ted Beacham succeeded Harry Henshall as president and instigated the President’s Cup to encourage members to participate in all the golf days. This coveted trophy is an aggregate event won by the member who scores best over four rounds out of five nominated days in each year. Ted also generously made his factory of Riley Williams the venue for the beginning of many carnivals in Victoria and used to have sumptuous food and drinks unlimited for us to begin our week. After his passing Ray Riley continued the tradition with Monty Ross as his assistant, until the numbers increased to such an extent that it became impractical, so future receptions were held at hotels.

One of the funny incidents that has been told concerning Monty (who was promoted as Sales Manager of Riley Williams) and Hymie Eizenberg was when Hymie walked into his room to congratulate him on his promotion. Monty was in the shower and Hymie took the “Old feller” and shook it saying “Congratulations on your appointment & Good luck.” Both gentlemen’s countenance remained poker faced during this incident!

As well as the President's Trophy, and The Chemists and Druggists Cup we have a Charity Legacy Trophy to commemorate Bill Alcock who was secretary from 1949-1980, and was instrumental in working for The Girl Guides Extension Auxiliary to which the Victorian Chemists Golf Club contributed $1000 plus per year for many years. It would be remiss of me not to mention Harvey Wastell who was a fantastic treasurer during this period and did not retire from the job until 1987. Colin Trebilcock took on the finance of the club and has done a wonderful job ever since. Syd Hirsh was president during 1973 and 1974 and died during his term of office. A memorial trophy has been played in his honour since 1977.

In 1990 it was passed at an Annual General Meeting at Keysborough Golf Club that in future we would be renamed “The Victorian Chemists Golf Club Incorporated” with the following purposes and powers:

1. To promote the game of golf and other athletic sports and pastimes
2. To arrange and conduct golf competitions for members and their guests on a regular basis.
3. To arrange and conduct golf carnivals to which members of equivalent interstate clubs will be invited to attend.
4. To co-operate and liase with interstate clubs and to assist in arrangements to enable members to attend interstate golf carnivals.
5. To arrange social functions for members and their guests.

In order to further the purposes set out above, the Association was to empowered to take over all funds, assets and liabilities of the former Victorian Chemists Golf Club and to carry out administration in all aspects of play, donations to the community, patriotic and charitable institutions and to invest monies of the Club into shares, debentures or other securities to enable them to have funds available for carnivals and other events.

As in the original rules there is a proviso that only a pharmaceutical chemist can be president and that we all have a wonderful time where ever and whenever we meet, be it interstate or in our home state.

Our final event of the year in Victoria is now a two day event at Barwon Heads.

where we take over the house as well.

The first day we play for Phil’s Cup, which started as the introduction of fellow pharmacists to the joys of Chemist Golf. Phil Shay invited Stuart Baker to play at Queenscliff on the day before the Barwon Heads golf day in 1991, and to stay over at his home for the night and partake of a few reds. Word got around so that the next year, Michael Tyndall and David Norton turned up for a game, a meal, a bed and accompanied by a bottle of red. The early days hold many memorable moments,the most notable the liquid announcement by Tyndall of the need for a cup for the winner, and so “Phil’s Cup” was born. Stuart actually won this cup, but due to a technicality another liquid executive decision was made not to inscribe his name in 1992. Following the golf was what has become  the beginning of the traditional Five Hundreds card game and the putting lessons against the Shay’s architrave in their lounge room. The latter would have been okay had it not been at 3am, so since this date all golf has been outside and at a reasonable time of day

(by “petticoat law.” )

The lessons did not help anyway as Michael still can’t putt. Since then the cup has been won by Bjorn Vedelsby, Chris McConnell, Michael Tyndall, Frank Montegano, Peter Berman and, in 1998, Geoff Belleville.

As luck would have it Michael Story, Victorian State Manager of Sigma (who had been on the job for a week), decided after a sumptuous meal and good fellowship that sponsorship for this event could be arranged and this is now the case. More mature players joined the group in 1996 and numbers increased considerably so that it became necessary to play Barwon Heads only. One golfer apparently was not told of the new arrangements and arrived to play at Queenscliff and played solo. Hence the birth of the “ Stuart Baker Best” at Queenscliff trophy won that year by Stuart himself. The main trophy of the day was won by none other than Norman Burgess, the same golfer who took everything at the previous carnival including B Grade and the Aggregate Shield donated by Barry and Brian Shepherd. What started out around a dining roon table will be well remembered in the annals of Chemist Golf and gives us lucky ones a great opportunity to play golf and, of course, drink some obligatory reds.

Some 18 months or so after the VCGC was formed Harry Henshall noticed a reference in the Australian Journal of Pharmacy that NSW had formed a Chemists Golf Club, with Alan Weir as its first President, so he with Ted Beacham journeyed to Sydney in 1949 and invited a team to come to Melbourne the following year to play for the “Fripp Cup”. Larry Fripp donated the “Samuel Fripp Cup”in honour of his elder brother who had founded the inter-state cricket matches much earlier in 1908 when Sam Fripp (jnr) of Rocke Tompsitt was managing director. This cup is still in existence and is kept at the Victorian College of Pharmacy.

The Fripp Cup has been played for each year from 1950 to the present day with a team of 7 players from each state playing match play, but has since been changed to aggregate scratch stableford . It has been won by NSW, 26 times, Victoria, 15 times, Queensland ,7 times and Tasmania once in 1993 at The Pines Sanctuary Cove. The Founders Trophy formerly presented to V C G C by the Students in 1960 in appreciation of the Club financing sporting equipment such as footballs ,etc and originally was known as “The Students Trophy. ”It.is played for by a team of seven in each state on current handicaps for best stableford score. N S W has won this 8 times Victoria 15 times Queensland 8 times and Tasmania 4 times.It was through the foresight of Ron Clark and Alan Reid who organised the change of name to “The Founders Trophy.”

Nowadays the teams for the Fripp and the Founders are announced on the Wednesday and all are presented with a team shirt for representing their state the next day. The A Grade Championship has been dominated in former years,Brian Daly winning 13 times and Laurie Skinner 10 times and in latter years it has been shared equally by other members of various states which is great to see as it engenders competitiveness between individuals in all grades.

Mention should be made of Brian Daly who has been to all carnivals except two since 1955 when he played one day only at the Championship and was the correct choice to follow Alan Weir who was President for 22 years and affectionately known as “The Count”, probably because he was always a dapper dresser and had a manicured moustache, a cravat or bow tie and addressed the meeting with a firm “Gentlemen” although occasionally he forgot where he was and said ,“Brethren” Brian, however was a quiet unassuming man who played wonderful golf and it was a pleasure to be in his company on and off the golf course. His only misdemeanor happened at Palm Lake Motel in 1974 when having arrived from Geelong after a very hot day he was partaking of a few Ales in his 3 rd floor room. Looking over the balcony he saw a few fellows having a late night swim and being a generous man offered one of them ,who happened to be Peter Sewell, a drink .He dropped a full glass down to him and Peter missed the catch. Miraculously the glass bounced up unbroken and not being a slips fieldsman he missed it again,with the result that it broke into a thousand pieces and all he got was a sniff of beer.

Brian Daly, Mick Bissaker and Frank Montegano have been to all except a couple of carnivals each and it is a credit to them and to our club that they have wanted to be part of the great tradition. Ron Clark has been coming to the carnival for many years and it is Ron’s “Little Red Book” that has been responsible for much of the early history of our club. The following excerpts are his anecdotes of former pranks that have happened over the years. The venue for one of the days during the second interstate visit was at Barwon Heads and on their return to The Australia Hotel in Melbourne late at night, Ted Beacham drove a ball down Collins St, which fortunately was straight and no windows were broken .The “boys” must have been in high spirits. On the final day at Commonwealth in 1967, Ted played with his old mate Jack Storman against his former apprentice, Tom Hollinsworth & John Plunkett. They played at the end of the field and the bet as usual was a box of balls for each corner--3 dozen balls was quite a bet in those days .Jack & Ted were one down playing the last hole and Tom was having a hard time keeping John Plunkett from winning as he refused to partake of the whisky after each hole ( which the rest were taking for medicinal reasons of course.) Tom & Ted both put their balls in the scrub short left of the green and all were looking for their balls except Stormo who kicked Plunkett’s ball under a tap cover. When they couldn’t find Plunkett’s ball he accused Jack of stealing his ball so Jack turned out his pockets and of course it was never found , so the match finished square.

Another incident happened in 1961 on a Wednesday, which used to be a free day , when Arthur Bailey (who owned Amolin ) took a group for a sail around Sydney Harbour. When boarding the yacht Ted was helping the Count on board ,when somehow he slipped and he finished in the drink. He was fished out, but had to dive back to get his camera, which happened to belong to Bill Alcock ,so this did not please him one iota as he was always a dapper dresser and he finished cruising around the harbour in his underwear, while his clothes dried. Dudley Palmer , famous for drinking a glass of beer whilst standing on his head ,was one of the early group along with Cliff Gostelow, Laurie Skinner, Brian Daly, Keith Beckefeld, Ralph Bray ( Hon Sec ) Hymie Eizenberg (of Monash Fame ) and many others. A wager of ten shillings was made at Metropolitan in 1950 by the two Presidents that Victoria would win the Fripp Cup. Harry was so sure we would win that he decided he wouldn’t play Norm Turnbull nor himself to give our visitors a chance. He further declared that should NSW win he would burn his favorite no 3 wood. Things looked safe enough early with 3 matches up and 3 square after 9 holes and Paddy Cornell leading after 12 holes, but as you may have guessed NSW won 4/3 when Paddy lost on the 19th. With due ceremony Harry burned his 3 wood and the ashes were put in the Cup. The ashes seemed to have disappeared over the years ,but Alan Weir framed the ten shilling note he won from Harry Henshall. In 1951 Harry had his revenge when in spite of a heavy night’s drinking at a Rose Bay restaurant organised by Alan Weir, he refused to let the Victorian team drink after 9.30 pm. Victoria were winners of the Fripp Cup next day.

As the N.S.W. team returned home without the Fripp Cup a burial service for Warwick Rourke’s putter was held as the ship steamed down Port Phillip Bay. This club was blamed for the loss of the Fripp Cup when Warwick missed a short putt on the 20 th. With matches 3 all,Victoria won 4/3.

Sid Wolifsen told me a few stories attributed to the Count, who had a court case against him with the Pharmacy Board which was a test case in pharmacists being absent from their pharmacies and leaving unqualified staff in charge. In typical Weir fashion he fought hard ,but lost. Another case was an argument with the taxation department when it is rumored that he had to pay thousands of Pounds which he had neatly kept folded in a 44 gallon drum, and it is said he happily paid the fine in twenty pound notes and still had half a drum left. David Wells tells me he played his first game in the carnival with Alan Weir 33 years ago. One of David’s buddies is our old mate from Toowoomba, Doug Moreton who has also been coming for ages as well. and it was at a conference at the Monteray Peninsular in California in the 70’s that we snuck off to play Pebble Beach and Spy Glass Hill Golf Courses with Barry Hall and Graham Lake. The scorecard is still in my possession as well as the receipt for the four of us at Pebble Beach,which was $160 including carts.

Laurie Skinner really enjoyed life and had a special trick which he used to perform at night in the motels after having partaken of the amber fluid. He balances two golf balls, one on top of the other and hits the lower ball , whilst the top ball pops up and he catches it. That is all very well, but when you are playing the shot from the Palm Lake Motel across Queens Rd, to Albert Park Lake or when at the Coronation Motel in Brisbane into the Brisbane river there could be a challenge if the direction of the ball is not very straight. Another story concerning the lovable Skinner was told by Barry Shepherd who played him at Monash in a Fripp Cup match. He was beaten 6/5 and Laurie was 8 under with “a few preferred lies???” Barry was also pleased with his golf at Victoria many years ago (when he was much younger) when starting at the 10th he finished at 18 with an albatross, 1st & 2nd holes birdies and par on 3. He did not tell me what he had on any other holes,but that is not bad for an amateur. Will we ever forget the first game at Ocean Shores in 1985 when Leon Brosnan was President and promised us in his welcome “The greatest golf carnival in living memory.” The members of Ocean Shores bent over backwards to make sure our visit was a success and dragged our buggies from the 18th to the clubhouse in their carts. For those that were there will remember the course has 6 par 3’s ,6 par 4’s , and 6 par 5’s the last two of which are 17 and 18 up hill ,and against the prevailing wind. The day was memorable for several reasons amongst which was it was raining heaps and the after dinner stories were hilarious. Lester Hilyard had us in stitches with his jokes one of which was the story of the Great Lake. In his early days Graham was known to take big (no huge ) divots and Lester said he organised a 3 ton truck to follow them so it could fill up his divots otherwise there would be too many lakes on the course after it rained. Lakey is a sight to see on the golf course usually attired in either baggy strides or ill fitting shorts generally of a nice shade of pink or blue and a roomy shirt and to complete the picture his size 18 golf shoes. We will never forget him for many reasons amongst which is his eating habits which often included a “Chateau Briande” for two (but for one ) his large breakfasts and his unsatiable thirst when he would drink a schooner for each glass of his mates.

Lester called in to see Mick Bissaker on his way to Sydney at Goulburn and Mick invited him to have a cup of coffee next door to his pharmacy.

Lester said “No I can’t because I have my mother in the car.” Mick went out to the car to say hello and looked in the front seat to find no one there, and said “Where is she ?” Lester said “She’s in a box on the back seat and I’m taking her ashes to Sydney at her request.” Another Mick Bissaker story occured when after playing at Monash he was not in a fit state to drive his own car and delegated another fellow to take him back to the Motel. Unfortunately the driver failed to take an “S.” bend at the razor back and the car careered down the cliff rolling over several times until it came to rest against a tree. Mick took out his matches to fire his car to get insurance, but could not get the driver out of the driving seat because he was fast asleep at the wheel. So ends the story.!!

Frank Montegano who until 1997 had been to every carnival ,well remembers rooming with Louie Dunn at Wooloomooloo in 1973 who he says to quote “ate little but drank big” On this particular first night and in the early morning Louie was not feeling very well and in his fatigued state, flushed his false teeth down the toilet.

Frank rang Louie’s wife next morning to send his spare set post haste to Sydney , which was duly done. Lou was not seen by his mates for two days, after which he then fronted up with his usual pearly smile to continue the fun, much more sedately.

A true story happened at the Coronation Motel, Brisbane in 1966 when soon after the boys arrived they were ringing reception for refreshments to be sent to their rooms. Unbeknown to them, somehow ,Mick Bissaker had conned the receptionist to let him answer the calls , with the result that he told each caller, that they had had enough to drink and wouldn’t send any more liquor up to them. The manager of the Motel was duly notified of the “rude” receptionist and he took appropriate action by removing Mick from reception. Bobby Conn’s recollections are many but not all printable, however he does remember the dinner in Melbourne in Phil Messenger’s time as President when we visited the “Argonaughty”?? Also the time Leon Brosnan had too much to drink { he can’t take a lot I hear} and was returning to his room at the hotel and fell asleep on the floor of the lift and was rescued several hours later still fast asleep, on the floor of the lift. His other recollection was what he named as “Clarky’s Mystery night” which was held at the Salzburg Lodge in Heidelberg when half the contingent were poisoned from the seafood. He remembers well ,as we all do, the fantastic oysters at Riley Williams on opening nights and the final fare at Monash during Hymie’s times.

Alan Weir and Hyme Eizenberg were the two gentlemen who formed the NSW Chemists Golf and were the stalwarts who got a wonderful crew together over the years . Alan was President for 22 years A fantastic effort proving the love he had for the game and the players from all states.The first Interstate Carnival in Sydney was held from 5 th to 10th March 1951,and matches were played at Pennant Hills, Elanora ,a picnic meeting in the Blue Mountains at Blackheath ,a free day on Thursday when the visitors were taken for a sail around the harbour and the final day was at La Perouse when the Fripp Cup was won by Victoria, 4 matches to 3.

It is interesting to recall the members of the group which were the following: Harry Henshall (Pres.), R. Anderson, Pip Appel, Ian Barnes, Ted Beacham R Broderick (Secretary for many years before Bill Alcock took over) E Collis, Paddy Cornell, V Dickens, B Donald, R Francis, Tom Fisher, Wal Gear, George Gorey, Ben Haigh(Sigma Chairman), C Hoffman, B Davis, U Lucas, Frank Montegano, A Norris, T Ready, Noel Theggie & Norm Turnbull. The NSW team was Warwick Rourke (Capt)W McPherson P Neil H Eisenberg J Cohen W Northam & W Blade. Ralph Bray was Secretary R Bennett Treasurer and members we remember include Cliff Gostelow (Son John followed a few years later as president in1979) Bill Timmony, John Plunkett, Rupert Frew, Arthur Bailey, Stan Palfreyman,Mick Bissaker, Theo White and Phil Gray.

Frank Payne gave me a tankard which his father won at Manly in 1952 with the following inscription:
N.S.W. CHEMIST GOLF CLUB.

6 . 4. 1952.

de V .C .PAYNE.

I assume that the N.S.W. Chemists Golf was becoming stronger at this time as it is recorded that there were golf meetings every two months and the Rules of the NSW Chemists Golf Club were passed at a meeting in March 1975.

1. The Club shall be called The New South Wales Chemists’ Golf Club and shall comprise 200 duly elected members or such member as the Committee shall determine who are directly associated with the Pharmaceutical Profession., with the object to organise golf competitions at two monthly intervals at various courses and thus promote friendly liaison.

2. Any eligible person who is a member of an affiliated golf club may apply for membership to the Hon Secretary and after acceptance by the Election Committee and payment of an Annual subscription to the Hon.Treasurer shall become a member.

3. The Management of the Club shall be vested in a Committee which shall be elected at the General Meeting to be held in August each year . Candidates are to submit their names to the Hon. Secretary 28 days prior to the meeting.

4. The Committee shall consist of the following: : President ,2 Vice Presidents,Hon.Secretary, Hon.Treasurer,Captain.,Handicapper.,Publicity Officer. and 12 Committeemen. The President and Captain shall be retail Pharmacists and the remainder of the committee shall be representative of Retail and Wholesale, and meet at least twice yearly. Various rules were passed to form two sub-committees known as an Election and Match Committee and at all times the Competitions of the Club would be conducted in accordance with the Rules of Golf as promulgated by the R & A Club of St Andrews. The rules may be altered or added to by a simple majority of the members voting at a General Meeting, providing a Notice of Motion of such alteration was forwarded to the Hon Sec. 28 days prior to the meeting. Finally in the event of anything occuring not within the scope of these rules,the Committee may deal with same in the best interests of the Club and may issue any by-law which shall be binding to all members.

TO THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE AND TO THOSE WHO COME AFTER

Written in the Year of Grace 1991 by Peter Castellaro
with a few additions by K.G.S. to bring it up to date.

The Queensland Chemists Golf Club as we know it ,was formed as a result of a meeting held in the Pharmacy Guild Rooms ,Drysdale Chambers on Tuesday 29th November 1952. At this meeting, Mr Jack Richardson was appointed chairman. He pointed out to those present that the object of the meeting was to form the Queensland Chemists Golf Club. All present agreed.

The election of officers then took place. Mr Jack Richardson was nominated for President by Mr Stewie Greig and seconded by Mr A.B.(Abe) Chater. Mr Chater was nominated for Vice-President by Mr Greig,seconded by Mr W.(Bill) Stanley. Mr Cliff Noble was nominated for Hon.Secretary by Mr Greig and seconded by Mr B.Williams. All these nominations were carried unanimously and hence these gentlemen were our first office bearers. The membership fee was set at One Guinea. ($ 2.10)

A book of rules taken from the N.S.W. Chemists‘Golf Club was submitted by the secretary for consideration. It was decided that certain amendments were required. The meeting also decided that consideration be given to the inclusion of female members and a list of potential prospects was compiled. To this end the secretary was to seek the co-operation of Miss Zena Edwards.

The meeting duly closed at 9.30 p.m.

There is evidence that a Chemists Golf Club existed before World War 2. The Kenneth Mitchell Cup,which is still one of our major trophies,was won in 1938 by Mr Al.Parton. Kenneth Mitchell was a sundries wholesaler in Queensland who died in 1988. He was a long time supporter of our club.There were reports that teams of golfers,cricketers and tennis players journeyed south to engage their counterparts in sporting competitions.

The second meeting of the Queensland Chemists Golf Club was held on the 19th February 1953. At this meeting an invitation was received from Mr Ralph Bray.Hon Secretary of N.S.W.Chemists Golf Club,for two chemists and two representatives from the wholesale trade to participate in the Chemists Golf Carnival in Sydney from the 8th to 14th March.The following members represented the club; Messrs Jack Richardson,Abe Chater Jack Wheeler(Chemists.) and Bill Stanley (Trade.) Bill Stanley,incidently,won the Club Championship of the Brisbane Golf Club in 1950.He was a representative of Johnson & Johnson and later Helena Rubenstein.

The first golf day of the Q.C.G.C. was held at Redland Bay Golf Club on Sunday 17 th May 1953. The fees for the days were fifteen shillings($1.50) which covered green fees and lunch. A total of 45 men and 7 ladies attended.

A brief meeting was also held that day and a committee of 6 was elected. These were Messrs Jack Wheeler ,Len Fogg, ,Bryan O’Connell, Bill O’Shea and J Gane all chemists and Bill Stanley from the trade. The President again appealed to the ladies to form an associate club.

At the committee meeting on the 28th May.1953 an amount of Two pounds sixteen shillings ($5.60) was handed to the Treasurer, apparently from the by then defunct pre war Chemists Golf Club. It was decided that the trophies were to cost no more than Ten shillings and sixpence.($1.05.) each. The Pharmacy Journal and the Queensland Dispenser were used to publicise the Club’s activities. It was also suggested that consideration be given to playing mid week.

An interesting item appears in the minutes of the committeee meeting held on Monday 31st August 1953 under the heading “Liquid Refreshments”. The Chairman pointed out that he was endeavouring to purchase 10 gallons of “Amber fluid”. It must be remembered that in those days the sale of alcohol was prohibited on Sundays and the restrictions place a severe financial burden on golf clubs and bowling clubs. Most clubs did sell alcohol to members and visitors on sundays but there was always the danger of a police raid,although the “bush telegraph” worked pretty well.

At the Annual Meeting on the 25 th March 1954, Jack Richardson resigned as President and A.B.(Abe) Chater was elected President and Jack Wheeler was elected Vice-President. Bill Dowd retired as Treasurer and was replaced by Jack Dowling. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of One hundred & sixty nine pounds six shillings and sixpence.($338.65) for the year ending December 1953

On the 16th May at Nudgee Golf Club outing ,Mr J Game was appointed Captain for the day only .He was thus the first captain of the club. This custom of appointing the captain for the day only was to continue for several years.

The outings were usually every two months and the Courses played were Redland Bay,Peninsula.(now Redcliffe ) Nudgee,Virginia ,Gailes and Oxley. The second captain appointed was Bert Asprey who would be remembered by the senior members of our organisation.

At the Annual meeting held on the 23rd February 1955 Mr Abe Chater resigned as President and Bert Asprey was nominated by Mr Mansell Lyne and seconded by Mr Max Lawton. He was elected unopposed. Mr Eric Nicholls replaced Jack Dowling as treasurer. Eric is still a financial member of the club at the time of writing. This makes Eric Nicholls the most senior member of our club.

In 1955 the N.S.W.Chemists Golf Club again invited Queensland to send four members to the Carnival in Sydney commencing May 1st. It appears from the minutes that 5 members attended; Jack Richardson,Abe Chater ,Jack Wheeler , Bert Benjamin and Bert Asprey. The name Pat Seeney begins to appear in reports at this times.

At a meeting held on 21st February 1956 two important decisions were made :
1. To purchase a trophy called the Queensland Chemists Golf Club Trophy. This is still one of our major trophies.
2.That the Australian Chemists Golf Carnival be held in Brisbane in May 1957 and that 40 interstate visitors be invited.

It was in March 1956 that a contingent from Queensland first attended a Carnival in Melbourne viz, Jack Richardson,Abe Chater, Eric Nicholls , Max Lawton, Bert Asprey, Ian Brusasco, Keith (Tiny) Bates and Pat Seeney. The last four gentlemen journeyed to Melbourne by train and when met by Frank Montegano at the station were not in the best of health (to say the least.)

Pat Seeney, a youthful newcomer,and a boy from the bush, had just taken up the game, having previously excelled as a batsman at cricket. Not owning golf shoes,he played his golf in cricket boots. He was told to wear golf shoes at the Melbourne Carnival. The new shoes caused much pain and blisters and he had the distinction of playing the last nine holes at none other than Royal Melbourne in bare feet. To make matters worse his shirt for the day was a bright zebra stripe. Approaching the 18th green, Wally Pinerua and Hymie Eizenberg wrapped him in a great coat and escorted him passed the members bay window to the side entrance of that august club .Up to this time the Carnivals alternated between N.S.W. and Victoria. At the closing dinner of the carnival the President of the other state would formerly invite the host state to the next carnival. In his speech the Victorian President thanked the visitors for coming and made special mention of the Queenslanders. At the conclusion of his speech it was the N.S.W. President, Alan Weir (The Count), who would normally respond and formerly issue the invitation to the next carnival in Sydney.However, the Queensland President (Bert Asprey.) beat Alan Weir to his feet and responded on behalf of the Queenslanders. He thanked N.S.W. and Victoria for inviting Queensland to the Carnivals. He then invited them to attend the next carnival in May 1957 in Queensland. This came as a complete surprise, as it had not previously been made known nor canvassed. Alan Weir spoke in favor and supported the addition of Queensland to the interstate carnivals. Hence Queensland was admitted to the Australian Chemists Golf Association in 1956.

It was also in 1956 that Mr Jack Brockelhurst presented the display case which encloses the Queensland Chemists’ Golf Shield. Jack was the state manager of Turner Tools and Turner Washing Machines Company.

At the Annual Meeting in 1957 Jack Wheeler was elected President, as Bert Asprey thought that a chemist should be President of the club. This has now been incorporated into the constitution of the club. He was then elected Vice-President of the Club. Cliff Noble and Bill Fitzgerald were elected joint Secretaries.and R S Greig Treasurer. As yet no permanent captain had been appointed.

At the committee meeting on Tuesday April 9th 1957, three weeks before the carnival concern was expressed that the Southerners had not yet forwarded their numbers and the Secretary was to phone for the information .(Sounds familiar, does it not.?)

This was an important year for the Club as it was the first time that a Carnival was held in Queensland. The visitors stayed at Lennons Hotel in George St. (It was the premier Hotel at the time and has since been demolished ) It was also the venue for the official reception. The courses played were Brisbane, Coolangatta-Tweed Heads, a rest day,although golf was organised for those who wished to play, then Indooroopilly and Royal Queensland. The Carnival was a great success and many congratulatory letters were received. The cost of the Carnival was Nine hundred and fifty one pounds thirteen shillings and ten pence ($1903.39). It was recommended at a meeting after the carnival that Queensland make every endeavour to stage the 1960 Carnival and thus keep its place on the A.C.G.C. calender. In August 1957 an invitation was received from N.S.W. Chemists Golf Club for Queensland to send 30 golfers to the Sydney Carnival from 4th to 9 th May. This was an important decision as it placed Queensland on an equal footing with the other states.

At the Anuual Meeting in February 1958 Jack Wheeler was re-elected as President and Bert Benjamin,Vice-President. Max Lawton was elected Treasurer in place of R S Greig ,who resigned as he was the incoming President of Oxley Golf Club. At this meeting it was decided to appoint a permanent Captain and Bert Asprey was elected. Two new members elected to the committee were Ian Brusasco and John Lehmhase. Peter Castellaro began playing with the club at this time.

Eighteen members of the club attended the Sydney Carnival in May 1958,and in the Samuel Fripp Trophy,Victoria defeated Queensland 6 matches to 1. The late Bernie Cooney from Warwick being the only Queensland winner.

In October 1958 a visit to Toowoomba was arranged. The purpose of the visit was to try to encourage the country chemists to join the organisation. The Brisbane Chemists played the local Chemists and were successful by 259 points to 234. The name Doug Moreton appears as a Toowoomba Chemist. Doug is still a member of the club attending interstate carnivals. It was also moved that every effort be made to increase the attendance of Associates. At the committee meeting of the 3rd September 1959 ,Bert Benjamin resigned as President as he was moving to Sydney, and Pat Seeney took over as President. It was also decided that the 1960 Australian Carnival be held in Brisbane from 3rd to 8th April. The courses selected were Royal Queensland, Coolangatta-Tween Heads a rest day with golf optional , then Gailes and Brisbane.

An interesting feature of this era was that committee meetings were held monthly. At the Annual Meeting held on 9th February 1960, Pat Seeney was re-elected President and Jack Wheeler was vice-President and Cliff Noble was secretary. Max Lawton was Treasurer and Bert Asprey remained Captain. As this was Carnival year, it was decided to increase the committee to eight in order to spread the work load. Those elected were Norm Svendsen, Ian Brusasco, Les Hood, Jack Dowling, John Lehmhase, Peter Hunt, Basil Cowan and Mansell Lyne.

At the early carnivals the visitors would be transported to and from the golf courses in the host state in members’ cars. As parking was not allowed in front of Lennons Hotel in George St during the morning peak hour, the Queensland members assembled at the Roma St Railway station and a car would leave every 2 minutes to pick up the visitors who would be waiting on the footpath.

An amusing story concerns the late Tom Hollingsworth and Bert Asprey, neither had met before. Bert walked into Tom’s room and found him sitting on the toilet with his customary trade mark in his mouth( a long cigar ).and not a stitch on. Quick as a flash ,Bert’s first words were “Excuse me sir, which end am I addressing?”

The total cost of the 1960 carnival was One thousand two hundred and ninety two pounds four shillings and seven pence, ($2584.86.) and was considered a great success. At the Toowoomba outing in October 1960 Alan Hartland’s name appears. He and the late Jim Cooney won the four ball best ball trophy of the day.

The final outing of the year was held at Gailes Golf Club on 14th December 1960 followed by a family barbecue.

Some Gailes’ Golf Club fairways adjoin the Goodna Mental Asylum. On this final day the temperature was 108 F. and the inmates were seen watching the golfers go past gently fanning themselves,under the shade of the trees and Tiny Bates remarked as his four trudged wearily in the boiling sun,”the wrong people are locked up!"

Pat Seeney remained in charge of proceedings as President at Lennons Hotel in 1963 and the Coronation Motel in Brisbane in 1966,but then the younger breed started to make their presence felt and with Terry White as President in 1969 they persuaded the committee to venture South to the Gold Coast where we stayed at the Broadbeach Hotel,which was then like a shag on a rock in the middle of sand dunes . So different from our venue in 1997,when we stayed at the newly named Grand Mercure Hotel ,which had been thoroughly refurbished. Alan Hartland and his committee organised a wonderful week of golf at some fabulous courses : Arundel Hills, Robina Woods, Hope Island, Royal Pines and the latest Jack Nichlaus , Lakelands Golf Course Terry carried the banner for the 1972 Carnival which remained at the Gold Coast and Bobbie Conn,Leon Brosnan and “Jeeps” Powell were the Presidents for the ensuing years and all made their mark as wonderful hosts for we lucky southerners. Jack Anderson’s 44 th Annual Carnival held at Hyatt Sanctuary Cove Resort Hotel was certainly a Comfortable Carnival incorporating a few more new ideas from the brains trust in Queensland when later shot gun starts was the order of the day. This seemed to be a great idea ,but of recent years we have found , particularly on Ambrose Days , that we are on the course for a long long time, as was the case in Perth 1998. We were fortunate to play the new Hope Island Course twice during the week which was terrific,as well as Palm Meadows and the Palms and Pines at Sanctuary Cove ,so no wonder we all finished the week with reduced handicaps !!!. Later in this short History of our club there are many stories and anecdotes ,most of which has happened in the happy Carnivals when we have been looked after by the Queenslanders,for which we are forever grateful.