September 12th, 2026Hepburn Springs Golf Club with Jan Smith
Hepburn Springs Golf Club traces its origins to the vision of local community leaders and golf enthusiasts who sought to establish a high-quality golf course in the scenic hills surrounding the town.
The driving force behind the project was George Parker Jr, a prominent Daylesford figure and chair of the Daylesford Progress Association and, later, Mayor. Although a golf course had already been quickly established at Victoria Park, Daylesford, in 1921, Parker remained committed to creating a superior course among the hills of Hepburn.
In the early 1920s, members of the Daylesford Progress Association searched extensively for suitable golf-course land. Parker spent several years planning the purchase of approximately 123 acres in Hepburn that would eventually become the club site. To finance it Hepburn Springs Golf Estates Pty Ltd was established by Parker, James McDonald, Daylesford chemist and Managing Director of Hepburn Spa Limited and Reginald Austin Simmons, of Camp St, Daylesford, civil engineer. The company issued 1000 £1 shares to finance not only a golf course but also a wider tourism and recreation development.
The vision included guest houses, tennis courts, a bowling green and about 50 residential allotments to build a “mountain home”. These allotments were all alongside the golf course and along what is now Lakeside Drive. Public meetings held early in 1926 attracted considerable enthusiasm, reflecting the belief that golf would strengthen Hepburn Springs as a major tourist destination. Promotional material linked the project with the region’s famous mineral springs and bathhouse and argued that modern holiday resorts required high-quality golf facilities.
Professional golfers and course designers Mr Keating of Woodend and later Mr Cates of Ballarat assisted in planning the layout. Cates praised the naturally undulating land, which offered variety, challenge and scenic beauty. His reports emphasized that the landscape was ideally suited to golf and could accommodate players of differing abilities.
Construction during 1926 involved extensive clearing of timber and scrub. Although weather slowed progress, local newspaper reports described the transformation as remarkable. Great emphasis was placed on the impressive panoramic views and attractive natural setting. Initial development focused on a nine-hole course, with longer-term ambitions for a full 18-hole layout.
At the same time, Hepburn Springs was experiencing broader tourism growth. Development of the new Hepburn Mineral Springs Hotel from October 1926 complemented the golf project, with promoters presenting the springs, hotel and golf course as interconnected attractions capable of drawing large numbers of visitors from Melbourne and beyond.
By mid-1926, nine holes had been completed, greens and tees had been sown, and a clubhouse was under construction overlooking the first fairway. The clubhouse was designed as both a sporting and social venue, featuring gathering spaces and a wide verandah. Reports predicted that the golf course would become one of the district’s greatest assets. Improvements included bunkering, fairway mowing, water supplies for greens, scorecards, telephones and visitor permit systems. The course quickly attracted favourable comment from local and visiting golfers.
Hepburn Springs Golf Estates leased the course to the Hepburn Springs Golf Club which had been formed in 1926 with George Parker and Dr. J.C.M. Harper as foundation members. Club competitions commenced with afternoon teas as an attraction. In November 1926, the club hosted its first Annual Open Tournament under the auspices of the Victorian Golf Association. The event provided competitions for men and women and established the club on the golfing calendar.
To keep the company afloat during the 1930s a few committed locals purchased 20 of the residential allotments and Parker guaranteed another £2000. The golf course and 26 building lots were passed in at auction in April 1938 despite a bid of £3500 by Mr. A.D. Anson. On August 8, 1938 Mr. E. Dowling, acting for the Mineral Springs Hotel, bought it for £4250. The golf club held a lease into1939 and then negotiated a lease on an annual rental basis from the freehold owners, the Mineral Springs Hotel. In return, the hotel guests were entitled to free golf.
The members proved to be committed to retaining the name Hepburn Springs Golf Club in 1939 when a proposal was made to rename the organisation the Daylesford-Hepburn Springs Golf Club. Supporters believed this would improve regional promotion, while opponents argued that the Daylesford name might be needed for a future separate club. Hepburn Springs members were the most invested in this decision, believing that the joint name would diminish Hepburn, and they ultimately voted against the change.
Next edition – The second nine holes…
Compiled by Daylesford & District Historical Society volunteer and Hepburn Golf member Jan Smith. Thanks to the society and Ross Baker, whose collection of golf club history filled in many gaps.
