Virginia Golf Club holds a proud place in Queensland’s sporting history as Brisbane’s oldest golf course. Established in 1928, the club has grown from a local initiative into one of the state’s most respected sporting institutions.
An inaugural meeting was held at the Northgate School of Arts in 1928. A site was selected, and brothers Jack and Bert Roach began clearing the land. The course was designed by D A Crawford, a Main Roads engineer who later became Commissioner for Main Roads and the club’s founding president.
The nine-hole course was officially opened in 1929 by Sir James Blair, Lieutenant-Governor of Queensland, with the Hon H E Sizer MLA appointed as patron. In its first years, the club recorded strong membership numbers, with 73 members, 64 associates and five juniors. Mr Wyndham Wilson became the first Club Champion.
On 17 September 1933, the full 18-hole course was opened by Mr John Ross, marking an important milestone in the club’s early development. Virginia continued to expand, and between 1955 and 1961, the first irrigation system was installed using water from Downfall Creek. In 1958, an additional 72.5 acres of adjoining land were purchased to support the club’s future growth.
Champions, Legacy and Modern Era
A new clubhouse was opened on 8 September 1969 by the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Clem Jones, signalling a modern era for the club.
Virginia Golf Club has become widely known as the ‘Course of Champions’. It has served as a training ground for some of Australia’s most successful golfers. Greg Norman played here in 1972 and 1973, while Wayne Grady followed in 1976 and 1977. The club also produced two winners of the Australian Amateur Championship – Jack Rayner in 1955 and Andrew Buckle in 2001.
Today, the Virginia Golf Club stands as a respected and enduring part of Queensland’s golfing landscape, with a reputation built on nearly a century of growth, competition and excellence.
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