One of the oldest social golf clubs in Australia, Kogarah Bay Social Golf Club, is celebrating its 69th year and is still aiming to be nearest to the pin.
The Social golf club was born out of Eveleigh Railway Workshops in the 1930's. A group of railway workers converted an old pig farm near Cooks River into a golf course; later to be named North Brighton Golf Club.
With the expansion of Sydney Airport in the 1940s and the imminent demise of North Brighton GC, some members moved and developed a parcel of land at Milperra,and other disenchanted players, not wanting to travel so far, approached Kogarah Council in 1950 seeking a lease to play at Beverley Park Golf Club on Saturday mornings.
The rest is history with the club going from strength to strength over the next 68 years and the Social Golf Club enjoying a good working relationship with host's Beverley Park Golf Club.
Over the years, many members have represented the club in Pennants competition and the President of the Kogarah Bay Social Golf Club, Rennick Arnold also serves as Vice President of Beverley Park Golf Club and has been a Director for the past four years.
Despite the competitiveness of the members, the most important thing is promoting the social aspect of the club. This has proven to be a wonderful way of attracting members into a friendly group of all ages; with young members encouraged to bring their mates along to play.
There are some great golfers in the Social Club and then those that play for the weekly enjoyment ,camaraderie and cajoling.
Every week members play in a variety of events, and there are also two annual golf trips away. The November trip to the Blue Mountains and Orange as well as the March trip to different parts of Australia, or sometimes abroad.
Each member is assigned a number to denote his length of membership. The lowest number belongs to Allen Taylor- #6.
Allen joined Kogarah Bay SGC in 1958. Now at 88, he still makes the round trip from Engadine early each Saturday morning to play with his mates.
Allen readily admits he is a C grader, but his straight drives up the middle, rarely sees him get into trouble and his stories from years past are endless, as is his encouragement of the new members .
There are many who travel from the Shire and beyond and Kogarah Bay Social Golf Club is still keen to welcome new members; especially younger players, above 15 years of age. If interested, please contact Rennick Arnold on 0414 229 774, or visit Beverley Park Golf Club on Saturday afternoon around 12 noon and say Hi.
