Club History

The Club can trace its origins to an inaugural meeting on the 24h April, 1907. Things happened quickly and the first record of play was one month later on the 25th May. The Men paid 10 shillings ($1) annual subscription and Women paid 5 shillings (50c). Visitors were charged two shillings and six pence (25c) per week.

Play was on a 9 hole course laid out on both sides of Causeway Road and fronting the Vasse River. Between 1914 and 1928 records were sparse and archives suggest there may have been various temporary courses in that time. A new Fairlawn course opened in 1928 (in the vicinity of southern Strelly Street, in the light industrial area) before the Club moved again, in 1940, to McGregor's Paddock (near the drive-in cinema).

From 1948 to 1978 the "Old Course" in Sussex Green was the Club's home. The clubhouse was recognised as the West Busselton "tavern" and the course was a little gem. But it stood in the way of urban development. After considerable investigation the Club accepted a favourable offer to move to its existing Ambergate course.

Since 1979 the course has matured and is recognised as one of the best in rural Western Australia. And the process of improvement continues with a new irrigation system installed in 2001 and the use of recycled water to irrigate the course.

Besides the courses there were two other significant milestones in the Club's history. A Managing Secretary was employed in 1979, and the former women's Associates accepted an invitation to become Ordinary members in 1994

Who will forget Stephen Leaney's second place in the 2003 "US Open"? Stephen's references to his Busselton roots put the Club into world news. He stormed onto the scene in the late '80s and worked his way through the ranks to national representation before turning professional in 1995. In the '70s Dot Whiteland forged an impressive record at state and national level. There is a new batch of Busselton juniors wanting to follow Dot's and Stephen's leads.

Busselton Golf Club has faced many challenges and its members have demonstrated an ability to keep marching on.