Oakleigh Standard Times, Wednesday August 30, 1978

Author unknown

There were two very distinct groups of visitors at the opening of the Oakleigh Municipal Golf Course last Sunday.  Clustered around the microphone were the invited guests and dignitaries, all ready to congratulate the city council for a magnificent job.

But away from the microphone and with eyes, more for the first tee than for the plaque about to be unveiled were small group of enthusiastic golfers.

And it was less than 30 minutes after the mayor had begun his opening speech that the first golfer was tee-ing off.  The Mayor, Cr Perryman welcomed the guests including former councillor Norm Ladner whose earlier efforts had helped to get the project of the ground.

“I and my council are extremely proud of the establishment of this course,” Cr Perryman said.

“Our current policy of updating the city’s parks and gardens gives me a great deal of pleasure.”

Cr Perryman said the area where the course has been established around Scotchman’s Creek has been let go in the part, “in blunt terms, it’s been rather scruffy”.

The new professional in charge of the course is Mr Tim Silver who has had nine years professional golfing experience. 

Mr Silver will be trying to attract schools to use the course and Cr Perryman said: “We hope social clubs will also make use of it.”

Speaking to the Standard Times after Mr Silver had hit off the first ball, Mr Roher Johnston, MHR for Hotham said: “All too often golf is left out of the schools as a sports subject and it is perhaps surprising to see this country producing so many world class golfers.

“In this course, Oakleigh is definitely helping the Australian cause.”