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Devonport Golf Club HistoryA 500-metre tree lined drive from the entrance gates to the clubhouse offers the golfer a charming introduction to one of the prettiest golf courses on the North West Coast of Tasmania. Devonport, astride the Mersey River, is one of the four largest population centres in Tasmania and the fastest growing area outside of Hobart and Launceston. Shortly after World War I, sportsmen in Devonport, who had previously enjoyed hitting golf balls around the Victoria Parade area near the mouth of the Mersey, decided it was time to form a golf club and at a public meeting on the 14 January 1921 the Devonport Golf Club came into existence. A nine-hole course was first formed at East Devonport but in 1956 transferred to the present site at “Woodrising”. The first competition on the new nine-hole course was played on the 17 November 1956 and the present 18-hole layout was officially opened on the 22 April 1961 by the then Premier of Tasmania, the Hon. Eric Reece. The name “Woodrising” can be attributed to an Anglican Clergyman, Claude William Roberts, B.A., son of the Rev. Arthur Roberts M.A., of Woodrising, Norfolk, England. He arrived in Tasmania with his wife and 10 children in 1879 and after spending some months at St. Johns Church, New Town, Hobart, moved to the North West Coast. They landed at Torquay, now East Devonport and travelled by small river steamboat to the property the family had purchased. He named the property after his father’s parish “Woodrising” in England. Designed by Vern Morcom, who was also responsible for the Royal Hobart course, the Devonport layout measures 5910 metres with a par rating of 70 for Men and 5292 metres, Par 74 for Women. The current course record stands at 61 set by local member, and Head Greenkeeper, Stuart Matthewson in the 2nd round of the 2001 Morcom Cup. “Woodrising” was the host of the Tasmanian Open Golf Championships from 2005 to 2008. This event attracted players from interstate as well as overseas players. The Senior Professional Open is run concurrently on the first two days of the Open and includes such players as Maurice Bembridge, John Clifford, Mike Ferguson, Paul Firmstone, Terry Gale, Brian Jones, Garry Merrick and Randal Vines. Winners of previous Tasmanian Opens held at Devonport: 1967 – R. J. (Bob) Stanton (P)(NSW)1972 – E. W. (Bill) Dunk (P)(NSW) 1975 – S. (Stewart) Ginn (P) (Vic) defeated Ross Metherill in a play-off 1979 – M. (Marty) Bohen (P)(USA) 1983 – R. (Bob) Shaw (P)(NSW) 1989 – I. (Ian) Stanley (P) (Vic) defeated Peter O’Malley in a play-off 1998 – G. (Geoff) Ogilvy (A) (Vic) 2005 – A. (Ashley) Hall (A) (Vic) 2006 – B. (Ben) Parker (A) (UK) Also joint course record holder (62) 2007 – R. (Rohan) Blizard (A) (NSW) 2008 – T. (Tim) Stewart (A) (NSW) (P) Denotes Professional |
Email us at: devonportgolf@bigpond.com
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