Oral History Project

Recognising the need to record our living history, the Society initiated its Oral History Project in 2013. Since then, Carol McKirdy from History Herstory has interviewed some of the outstanding past personalities of golf in Australia, and drawn out their thoughts on many aspects of the game.

Each of the interviews is available here, with the length and file size listed - e.g. (1:07:15 -  61.57 mb).

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1. Tom Moore

Tom Moore's career in golf started as a 16-  year-old in 1947 at Asquith Golf Club, and - a  bit like Johnnie Walker - is still going strong.  His professional career began in 1953, and  saw him serve at Bert Oldfield's Sports Store,  at Muirfield Golf Club for 23½ years, and at  the Auburn Municipal Golf Course for a  further 20 years.  In this interview, Tom explains the life of a club  professional in the 1950s, 60s & 70s, the way  that equipment has changed and evolved in  his experience and the role he played in  establishing the heritage golf movement in  Australia.  Recorded 15 March 2013.

^{Play the complete Tom Moore interview (1:07:15 -  61.57 mb)} 
Click here for full interview transcipt.

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2. Dan Cullen

With a dream of being a Club Professional,  Dan Cullen entered his first pro shop at the   age of  14 completing a Traineeship at the  Western Australian Golf Club under the  guidance of Eric Alberts.  He won the 1937 and 1938 W.A. Opens,  and in 1939 defeated Bobby Locke in an  exhibition Royal Perth Golf Club. He  moved  to Sydney, and by 1941 was in the  RAAF.  Dan passed away in January 2016 aged 101,  and we were indeed privileged to share the  insight into his long, varied, and fruitful life  that he provided here.  Recorded 28 March 2013.

^{Play the complete Dan Cullen interview (1:08:55 - 63.10 mb)}

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3. Edgar Oakman

In his 60 years as a professional, Edgar  Oakman has done time in the workshops of   Carnegie Clark (under the direction of  Carnegie himself), and then worked at the  Avondale, Killara, Moss Vale, Rabaul,  Dunedin,  Katoomba, Nelsons Bay, and  Wentworth Falls Golf Clubs.    In addition to telling the story of his long,  interesting and varied life, Edgar also explains  the genesis of the 'Edgar Oakman Collection'  which today graces the Australian Golf  Heritage Society's Museum at Granville.  Recorded 22 April 2013.

^{Play the complete Edgar Oakman interview (1:38:35 - 90.26 mb)}
Click here for full interview transcipt.

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4. Alex & Dave Mercer

One of golf's great double acts, Alex and  Dave Mercer discuss their respective careers  that began in the 1950s and are still going  strong.  Their strong backgrounds in teaching give a  different perspective on the role of the club  professional, and their views on the changes  in equipment over the years are insightful.  They also speak with some authority on the  PGA, and the changes that the organisation  has undergone over the years.  Recorded 30 September 2014.

^{Play the complete Dave & Alex Mercer interview (1:23:41 - 76.61 mb)}

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5. Frank Phillips

With 17 wins on the PGA Tour of Australasia -  including two Australian Opens - and the   national Opens of the Philippines, Singapore,   Malaysia and Hong Kong, it is easy to see  why Frank Philips was rated as one of the  best ball strikers of his era.  In this interview, Frank discusses his life and   professional career, and shares his thoughts  on golf in Australia in the 50s and 60s, the  best players he ever saw and how they  compare to the players of today, his choice of  the best courses, and his philosophy on the  game.  Recorded 21 March 2015.

^{Play the complete Frank Phillips interview (1:25:22 - 78.15 mb).}

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6. Margery McWilliam

Margery McWilliam's life was steeped in golf.  Encouraged by her father to take up golf after  being injured playing hockey, Margery  married professional Bill McWilliam and  naturally followed him as he moved from  country NSW, to metropolitan NSW, to  Malaysia, and then back to metropolitan NSW.  Her more than considerable contribution to  women's golf in NSW is discussed at length,  as is her similar career in club golf.  Margery has been honoured by the NSW  Sports Federation, NSW Sports Awards, and  with an Order of Australia for services to golf.  Recorded 7 June 2015.

<sup>Play part one of the Margery McWilliam interview (53:45 - 49.22 mb).

Play part two of the Margery McWilliam interview (22:53 - 20.95 mb).</sup>

7. Edwina Kennedy

The name Edwina Kennedy is familiar to any  student of Australian golf.  Allegedly presented with her first set of clubs    at the age of two, Edwina joined the   Wentworth Falls Golf Club at the age of seven  and had broken 100 by the following year.  At sixteen, she won the Australian foursomes  with Sue Goldsmith, and then the Australian  junior championship four years in a row.    In 1978, on her nineteenth birthday, Edwina  became the first Australian to win the British  Women's Amateur Golf Championship.  Recorded 5 January 2016.

^{Play the complete Edwina Kennedy interview (1:45:15 - 96.30 mb)}

^{The AGHS 'Women in Golf' project is supported by Arts NSW's Cultural Grant Program, a devolved funding program administered by the Royal Australian Historical Society on behalf of the NSW Government.}
     

8. Marea Hickey

At the age of 10 Marea was given a cut down   hickory shafted club by her parents, so that  she could have a hit when she strolled around  the golf course.  Showing great potential, Marea came under  the coaching of Gosford Golf Club pro Peter  Churcher who was a firm believer that Marea  was born to be a golfer.  In 1962 Marea joined the L.G.U Coaching  Squad and as this was her last year at school,  she entered in the NSW Schoolgirls Golf  Championships. This was her first competition  and with surprise she won!  Marea was the youngest woman to win both  the Australian and New Zealand Titles in the   same year (1964), at the age of 18.  Recorded 15 March 2016.

9. Judy Perkins

As a youngster in Goulburn, Judy Perkins  showed promise early by reducing her  handicap from 36 to 4 in a matter of eleven   months.  From practicing around the Goulburn  course with fellow member Bruce Devlin as a  15 year old, to winning the Australian   Foursomes Championship, becoming a   NSW rep player, representing Australia  locally and overseas, being twice Australian  Amateur champion, being recently made a  life member of the ALPG, and still playing  golf  off a single figure handicap, Judy's  story is nothing but fascinating.    Recorded 13 May 2016.

^{Play the complete Judy Perkins interview (1:11:18 - 65.28 mb)}

^{The AGHS 'Women in Golf' project is supported by Arts NSW's Cultural Grant Program, a devolved funding program administered by the Royal Australian Historical Society on behalf of the NSW Government.}
       

10. Noel Bartell

Noel's record in amateur golf was nothing  short of outstanding.  From the early 1950s until the late 1990s,   Noel's golfing resume included national,  State and club honours, including the unique  achievement of two NSW Champion of  Champions victories, and 48 club  championship events at NSW Golf Club.  In this interview, Noel reflects on his life,  his outstanding and prolonged playing  record, his administrative experiences, and  the time he spent over the years with various  golfing identities.    Recorded 7 October 2016.

Click here for Noel's playing record.