At the remarkable age of 99, Bill Horn is a shining example of resilience and passion in the world of golf, and he is set to be a central figure in the celebrations for the Portsea Golf Club's 100th anniversary.
While the club boasts members that include billionaires and AFL stars, it is Horn, a less publicly recognized but equally important member, who is making headlines. Every week, he makes his way to the scenic course located at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula not just to sip coffee while admiring the rolling greens, but to actively participate in the game he loves.
Horn is a proud member of a social group known as The Niners, which is primarily made up of seniors who enjoy playing nine holes before returning to the clubhouse for refreshments and camaraderie. "Golf isn’t just wonderful exercise; it’s an essential social outlet for me," he states with conviction. "This place feels like my second home," he adds, referring to the Portsea club where he has been a member for an impressive 36 years. He eagerly anticipates each game, saying, "I’ve told my friends that if I pass away here at the club, I’ll leave with a smile on my face."
A former typewriter salesman and the father of three, Horn is approaching his 100th birthday in May, making him nearly as ancient as the club itself. Portsea Golf Club will mark its centenary on January 1, and Horn has the honor of raising a flag outside the clubhouse during the festivities.
His fellow Niner, Brian Mollet, who is 86 years old, understands the importance of this sport to Horn. "It’s his true passion," Mollet shares. "He’s a consistent golfer who doesn’t require assistance to navigate the course."
The origins of the Portsea Golf Club date back to the early 1920s when Arthur Relph, who was already serving as a captain of Riversdale Golf Club in Melbourne, discovered a promising site for a golf course during a walk near his holiday home. Although he had an adventurous encounter with a bull while exploring the area, Relph was undeterred. Over the years, he successfully raised funds to purchase land from sisters Mabel and Kathleen Cain and establish an initial nine-hole course.
According to journalist Peter Hanlon, who is documenting the club’s history for its website over the coming year, the course was meticulously crafted from a landscape filled with tea trees and twisted moonah trees. Club historian Syd Thomson notes that for much of its existence, the club faced financial struggles due to a small local population and intense competition from other clubs in the Mornington Peninsula area.
During World War II, membership dwindled to just 40, and a few members even hired someone to mow the greens. Meanwhile, soldiers stationed at nearby Point Nepean used the fairways for military drills, building trenches and setting up barbed wire.
In 2004, the club found itself deep in debt, owing $600,000, with a membership base of only 900. To remedy the situation, the golf committee decided to sell off 21 parcels of land that had served as a practice fairway near Port Phillip Bay for residential development. This decisive move not only provided a significant financial boost but also led to the construction of a new two-story clubhouse opened in 2013, equipped with a hotel, dining facilities, a pro shop, and conference areas.
Today, the club proudly welcomes around 1,300 members, including notable figures like billionaire real estate developer Max Beck, AFL athletes Max Gawn and Tom Lynch, and broadcaster Steve Price, alongside tradespeople, educators, and retirees. Portsea Golf Club president, Steve Blunt, emphasizes that it is a premier golfing destination that remains inclusive, welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Despite rumors in 2023 suggesting that former Premier Daniel Andrews would not be accepted as a member, Blunt clarified that there was merely an inquiry about his potential membership which did not lead to any further action. "Everyone is welcome to apply for membership, and we maintain a uniform process for all applicants," he explained.
Among the club’s most distinguished past members was the five-time British Open champion Peter Thomson, who passed away in 2018. Blunt reflects on the club’s incredible journey, stating, "We have a vibrant, diverse, and friendly membership. Our finances are sound, and our course is highly regarded both nationally and internationally."
The centenary celebrations will kick off at 2 PM on January 1 with a flag-raising ceremony and social gathering, continuing throughout the year with various events, including a cocktail party, a women’s luncheon, and a community event on October 9. Mark your calendars for the annual celebrity Pro-Am tournament featuring well-known personalities such as Dylan Alcott, Bec Judd, and Archie Thompson, scheduled for January 4. For further details, visit www.portseagolf.com.au.
But here's where it gets interesting: what makes a golf club truly successful? Is it the caliber of its course, the prestige of its members, or something deeper, like the sense of community it fosters? Join the conversation and share your thoughts below!
