100TH ANNIVERSARY: Gailes GC – 100 years of golfing tradition

“The (Gailes) layout is first rate. There is little to criticise and I was tickled to death to be able to play there. I’ll bet that course develops some (great) players because they have to play golf there.” – GENE SARAZEN, 1934

GAILES Golf Club’s history is a fortunate one, made possible by Dr Henry Byam Ellerton.

Born in London in 1871, Dr Ellerton graduated from Nottingham Asylum and went on to become its senior medical assistant officer.

Then, in 1908, the Queensland Government called applications in England and Australia for a medical superintendent at the Hospital for the Insane, Goodna.

Dr Ellerton was selected from 25 applicants and took up duty on January 21, 1909.

The references from his superiors, which the government sought prior to his appointment, mention his keen pioneering interest in what was the infant science of occupational therapy. His confidence in this form of treatment was later to be of immense value to Gailes Golf Club.

He had a fanatical interest in cricket and within a few years of his arrival at Goodna he converted a swampy depression to the left of what is now the seventh fairway into a fine cricket oval.

Aged 46, the good doctor was still playing cricket but failing eyesight resulted in him turning to golf and he joined Brisbane Golf Club. To play, he travelled by hospital cab to Goodna, train to Corinda, and then another train connection to Yeerongpilly, walking the final mile (1.6km).

The travel was irksome and, to a man of his temperament, an appalling waste of time. In addition, once a week play was far from his idea of sport. 

It was Mrs Ellerton who suggested that he should build his own course. It took a little prodding but eventually he succumbed. The only land available was the uninviting waste outside his garden fence. 

Dr Ellerton convinced the state government that the unused land surrounding the Goodna Hospital for the Insane was perfect for a golf course, which would in turn provide an opportunity for his patients to venture outdoors and do some voluntary work as therapy on the course.

He was given the green light and any golfer could have foretold what was going to happen next.

Dr Ellerton walked until he knew every tree and hollow and by early 1923, he had what he wanted. He would build a course and it would be of championship standard.

Turning back the clock 100 years to February 4, 1924 nine holes had been completed and the then Queensland Premier, E. G. (Ted) Theodore, stepped up to the first tee at Goodna Golf Club and got away a drive that reportedly brought genuine applause from the gallery.

And so it was that what would eventually become known as Gailes Golf Club began a rich and successful existence of the Brisbane golfing scene.

“The foresight of a husband-and-wife team 100 years ago to decide this plot of scrubland was worth something more – and then to have the motivation and drive to design and build a community golf course on that site as a result – is truly inspirational,” said Gailes GC general manager Frank McCarthy.

“What an incredible gift to the community.”

It didn’t take long for Gailes golf course to be recognised as a stern test of golf and it soon began to host district and regional championships.

The ultimate accolade came in 1955 when Gailes hosted the Australian Open – joining Royal Queensland as the only two Brisbane clubs to have staged the national open.

South African Bobby Locke, a four-time major winner, recorded a one-shot victory over Norman von Nida and Kel Nagle. The leading amateur was Jack Coogan, who went on to become the club’s long-serving head professional.

But long before Locke won at Gailes, another world-beater rated the course Queensland’s best. American Gene Sarazen, a winner of seven majors, toured Australia with Joe Kirkwood in 1934 and played an exhibition match there against Arch McArthur and Ossie Walker.

Sarazen managed to eke out a stylish 71 and writing in the Courier-Mail the following day declared Goodna (now Gailes) Queensland’s best.

He later repeated that opinion in a radio broadcast from Sydney and strongly recommended an Australian Open be held in Queensland and that the first one should go to Goodna.

THE COURSE: The first 928 metres of Gailes golf course is rather unusual as it starts with two par-5s, which some experts believe helps speed up play.

The first is arguably the most interesting as the fairways starts with a slight rise, trees either side, then drops down a steep hill before rising again to a two-tiered green. Four bunkers guard the green and there is a pond to the right.

The players will only have two holes to warm up before reaching the first par-3 – the lengthy and challenging 169-metre (blue tee box) and 123m (red) third hole.

“We have the toughest par-3s in the country … in my opinion,” head professional Brett Barlow told Inside Golf.

“The par-3 sixth hole is 193 metres to a narrow green and being slightly uphill it plays longer than its actual length. The par-3 12th is just 126 metres, but it’s equally challenging.

“The smallish green is raised and virtually surrounded by bunkers. If you miss the putting surface there’s no guarantee you’ll get up-and-down.

“The bunkers at Gailes are quite deep so it’s important you hit your targets,” Barlow warned.

“The par-4s offer a mixture of short, mid-length and long holes that dogleg left and right giving golfers the opportunity to use every club in the bag.”

The fourth is the shortest par-4 and a definite birdie opportunity while the slight dogleg right 15th at 403m, is the toughest assignment as it goes downhill for the first half, then uphill.

Longer hitters can reach the par-5s in two, but only if they hit their tee shots to the correct side of the fairways – generally down the right because the fairways do slope from right to left.

Of course, Gailes caters for golfers of all abilities with four tee positions (black, blue, white and red) from which to choose. 

From the black tee markers, the course measures 6245m (slope 127), 6148m from the blue tees (slope 126) and 5984m from the white tees (slope 124). From the red tees, the course measures 5339m and has a slope rating of 128.

One of the advantages of playing Gailes is you don’t need a box of golf balls to negotiate the course.

“Gailes is a friendly course as far as lost balls are concerned,” Barlow said. “You won’t lose too many around here because there isn’t a lot of water.”

And if you do miss a fairway, you will most likely have a gallery of kangaroos as company. Kangaroos are a feature around the picturesque course and it’s not unusual to see the marsupials close to the clubhouse and putting green.

What makes Gailes unique is that no tee or fairway do golfers look into the sun and all fairways have a slight slope to keep water from laying on the surface.

While Gailes is not long by modern standards, it consistently resists low scoring. It is a pleasure to play because there isn’t the faintest suggestion of trickery or artificiality in the design.

On finishing your round, head for the commodious clubhouse that has all the expected comforts including a dining and bar area that caters for 120-plus people.

It’s a popular venue for weddings and other functions including seminars and corporate golf days.

A progressive and friendly club, Gailes welcomes visitors and guests.

GAILES GOLF CLUB INFORMATION

General manager: Frank McCarthy

Head professional: Brett Barlow

Teaching pros: Matthew Guyatt and Warren Austin

Lessons: $75 for 30 minutes (visitors); group lessons available

Green fees: Mon-Fri $35 (18 holes) – $30 (nine holes). Weekends and public holidays: $45

Special offer: Mon-Fri two players in a shared golf cart $99 (excluding public holidays)

Cart hire: $45 (18 holes); $30 (nine holes) 

Pull buggy: $5

Best days to visit: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

Practice facilities: Gailes Golf Club boasts one of the largest driving range practice facilities in Brisbane. The range, which is now able to be used from both ends thereby doubling its capacity, measures approximately 300 metres. Practice balls are available at the pro shop.

In addition, the range has a dedicated practice green complete with sand bunkers for those wishing to hone their short game skills. 

Open event: The popular Dingo Hill Classic is a black marker event that is part of the Western Suburbs Challenge with Oxley, Wolston Park and McLeod golf clubs. It costs visitors $45 (burger included) and is a real test of skill. There are prizes galore.

Membership: Gailes GC offers 15 membership categories from seven-day to social membership. (See club’s website).

The 100th anniversary book: The Gailes Golf Club – 100 years (1924-2024) book launch will be on February 4, 2024. The book’s author, Vicki Mynott, is a former English and History teacher and librarian. 

Contact: Gailes Golf Club, 299 Wilruna Street, Wacol Qld 4076

Phone club: (07) 3271-2333 

Phone pro shop: (07) 3271-1045 

Email: office@gailesgolf.com.au

Pro shop: proshop@gailesgolf.com.au

Website: www.gailesgolf.com.au

Road distances:

Gailes is 25km southwest of Brisbane’s CBD (a 25-minute drive)

Brisbane Airport: 33 minutes

Surfers Paradise: 55 minutes

Three golf courses – Wolston Park, Oxley and McLeod – are within a 10-minute drive from Gailes.

How Gailes Golf Club will celebrate its centenary year

Saturday, February 3: Gailes Centenary Pipe Opener – Clive Boyce Cup

Sunday, February 4: Gailes Centenary Event – Long lunch and book launch

Thursday, July 11: Gailes Ladies Centenary Open Day Event

Monday, July 15: 2024 PGA Associate Trainee 18-Hole Centenary

Pro-Am

Thursday, August 8: PGA Legends Centenary Pro-Am

September 23-24 (Monday-Tuesday): Bobby Locke Junior Classic – Golf Australia 2-day event

Sunday, September 29: Brisbane Amateur and Mid-Amateur Event

November/December (date TBC): Centenary Official Closing Event

Other commemorative features:

• Centenary logo

• Wall mural in the Coogan Room – ‘The First 10 Decades’

• The First 10 Decades – expanded for the Heritage section on the club’s website.

• Stories from 25 independent interviewees – accessible through the club’s website

• Slideshow of highlights and personalities running in the Coogan Room.

• Merchandise – various items carrying the Centenary logo available in the pro shop.