PERSONAL
As a boy, learned to play golf at a nine-hole club named Royal Park. For his 12th birthday was given a 2-iron and started practicing religiously. At 13, had a full set of clubs and became a member of Royal Park with a handicap of 20. Two years later, he won the club championship. At age 16, he was made a member of the prestigious Victorian GC…Studied and earned a chemistry degree…Later in career, developed an interest in rehabilitating drug addicts and helped open Melbourne Odyssey House…Nickname is “The Melbourne Tiger.”…Was the club professional at the Royal Melbourne GC, one of the world's top courses, for many years…Was president of the Australian PGA from 1962-1994…In 1965, joined with John Harris and Michael Wolveridge to form the golf design firm South Pacific Golf, now known as Thomson Perrett. As a designer, has worked on more than 250 golf course projects around the world, focusing on Japan, Southeast Asia and Europe. Firm has offices in Melbourne, London and Beijing…Ran for Australian Parliament in 1982 and lost by only four percent of the vote.
Was also active as a golf writer, having contributed to the Melbourne Age and the Melbourne Herald for some 50 years…Served a two-year apprenticeship as an assistant pro along Melbourne's famed Sandbelt region…Enjoys reading, the opera and painting.
