From Grand Beginnings to Everlasting Memories
Mosman Golf Club: Origins, Development, and Expansion
Founded in 1922, Mosman Golf Club leased 59 acres on Middle Head for a nine-hole course, with membership initially limited to Mosman residents. By July 1923, a 21-year lease was finalized, ensuring public access while allowing military resumption if needed.
Concerns about exclusivity arose, but with £2,000 raised, course construction began under golfer D.G. Soutar. By December 1923, greens were turfed, though dry weather delayed fairway growth. Architect Alderman W. De Putron designed the clubhouse, funded through £3,000 in debentures.
The clubhouse was designed to complement the club’s prestige and was constructed with careful planning
Club Opening and Expansion
The club officially opened on April 5, 1924, with Mayor Peter Burrows driving the first ball. Hosting regular competitions, the venue quickly became a hub for social events, including its annual ball at the Wentworth Hotel, a highlight of Sydney’s Spring racing season.
In 1933, an extension of the lease to 1954 led to clubhouse renovations, although further expansion plans sparked environmental concerns over tree clearing. In July 1935, amid public protests, the club withdrew its request for more land.
World War II and the Army’s Takeover of the Golf Clubhouse
During World War II, the Army reclaimed leased land from a local golf club under a proviso allowing resumption when necessary. On July 8, 1940, military forces officially took control of the historic golf clubhouse, followed by the rest of the course.
Although the lease required the removal of any structures, the Army urgently needed the clubhouse for operational use. Negotiations between the Army and the Golf Club—through letters and phone calls—determined the conditions for takeover.
By July 20, 1940, the Golf Club confirmed that the clubhouse, built at a cost of £36,000, had undergone recent renovations, including new copper guttering, upgraded hot and cold water supply, and a fresh coat of paint. At the time of takeover, the clubhouse provided accommodation for 25 officers and men.
Mosman Golf Club’s Historic Transition: From Clubhouse to Military Barracks
On December 30, 1940, Mosman Golf Club members voted to wind up the company, accepting a Commonwealth payout of £32,476 to cover liabilities and refund memberships. Many members relocated to nearby clubs, including Cammeray, Roseville, and Balgowlah.
By January 1, 1941, the clubhouse transitioned into military use, serving as barracks for 12 L of C Signals, later renamed Eastern Command Signals.
Post-War Transformation: From Barracks to Family Homes
After World War II, in 1946, the Eastern Command Signals vacated the clubhouse, and plans were drawn to convert it into two residential flats. The estimated cost—£352—covered a central partition, bath, laundry facilities, two electric stoves, and a fuel copper.
The completed conversion led to the designation of Married Quarters 43E and 43F, Middle Head, housing families on each side.
Middle Head’s Legacy and Renewal
The Middle Head Barracks officially closed in 1997, paving the way for redevelopment. In 2001, the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act was enacted to plan the future of Sydney’s former Defence lands, including Middle Head.
Today, the revitalization of Middle Head continues, with Burnt Orange at The Club House proudly carrying forward its rich history.
