The history of the VWGL
Our story from 1936 to 2024.
The Victorian Women's Golf League VWGL
1936 through 2024
A brief history on the Development of the Victorian Women's Golf League Inc.
On the 7th December 1936 a group of ladies representing six clubs who played at public courses met to discuss the idea of forming a golfing body to look after the interest of those women playing in clubs on public golf courses. Two of these clubs, Ivanhoe and East Malvern, are still members of the League. The first official meeting of the Victorian Golf League Associates took place on the 26th May 1937. By this time they were organized and competing in events.
In 1996 our name was changed to the Victorian Women’s Golf League Inc. and by that year, we represented 34 clubs. In 2011, the total number of clubs affiliated with the VWGL is 40. A pennant competition commenced in 1946 and the pennant player of the year was first awarded in 2000. The VGLA/VWGL cup commenced to replace the Sun Trophy, which originated in 1956. The first Foursomes event was played in 1938. The Veteran’s Trophy was donated in 1948. This competition was originally for players with handicaps of 50+ and Grandmothers.
The current format of Veterans, Senior Veterans and long markers has been in use since 1976. The Life Members Trophy for broken handicaps was first played in 1956. The first championship was played over 36 holes of stroke and four rounds of Match Play. The Joan Hope Memorial Salver was first held in 1988, in honour of the President of the League, who passed away in 1986 while in office. Joan Hope was instrumental in the VGLA/VWGL being part affiliated with WGV, which enabled our handicapping system to be in line with the State system. Prior to this, our members, when invited to play at Private Golf Courses, had to be provided with a handicap which they where allowed to use for that day only.
With the success and increased participation in the VWGL Foursomes event, the Executive decided in 2010 to introduce a further pairs event, the VWGL 4BBB Presidents Trophy, and a nine hole event. This nine hole event has two categories – a Trophy to encourage long term members to continue participating in League events, and an open nine hole event to promote a 9 hole competition to all members.
In November 2010, an amalgamation between the two State golfing bodies in Victoria, Women’s Golf Victoria and the Victorian Golf Association, was voted on. The newly formed entity will be known as Golf Victoria. This decision followed the amalgamation in 2006 of Women’s Golf Australia and the Australian Golf Union to become Golf Australia after the decision was formally ratified at a meeting in Melbourne in August 2005. Today, most States have amalgamated to become known as the “Golfing Body” of each state.
With the amalgamation in Victoria, it is assumed that all Country Districts and the VWGL and VGL will amalgamate. This happened on the 29th of February, 2012, at a meeting held at Box Hill Golf Club.
With all the changes in the Golf industry, we remain committed to promoting the game of golf for women playing on public golf courses and to encourage as many women as possible to participate in golf and join a Club. This includes working for the best interest of women golfers and by organizing and conducting golf and social events.
