Club History, About Us

Tirhatuan Golf Club Inc. formerly known as Tirhatuan Park Golf Club Inc. was formed in 1981 when a number of regular players held a meeting at the Dandenong Town Hall with a view to form a club on the course. Soon afterwards Tirhatuan Park Golf Club was formed.

Our original clubhouse has been extended. The extension was added to the right hand end of the building in the above photo, extending towards the 10th tee. The change also includes an increase to the size of the pro-shop as well as the totally new members clubroom. Work began on 7th March 2006 and we moved into our new premises at the beginning of June. 

New Clubrooms

The clubroom verandah is a perfect place to relax after a game and provides a wonderful view of the course, particularly the 10th and 18th holes. The new clubrooms also take in views of the 11th hole.

 Construction Records of the New Club Rooms.

 Work began on 28/02/2006 when work crews commenced fencing off the area of the new development. On 7/03/2006 the old spike room was  demolished and excavations commenced to prepare for the slab foundations. The slab was poured on 9/03/2006.

 The framing work for the new building began on Tuesday 14/3/2006 and rapidly progressed into a recognisable building. Roof trusses and the  verandah extension are now done.

Update 4/4/06. Rapid progress is being made. The windows have been fitted and the roof is being installed. The bricks are on site and bricklaying will begin later this week.

Update 11/4/06. What a difference a week makes! The roof is on, the verandah is in place, most of the brickwork has been completed and the internal plaster walls and ceiling are close to completion.

Update 1/05/06. Despite some inclement weather, much progress is being made. Sructurally, the building is complete and is now about to undergo fit-out. Outside, the paving under the new verandah is being layed and the pavers for the rear courtyard are on site.

Update 24/05/06.  The new clubrooms are nearing completion and the "move in" date is getting very close. During the coming week, most of the interior fit out will be complete, including new carpeting and cabinet work. Members will have noticed the new landscaping at the approaches to the 10th tee and the paved members courtyard at the rear of the building. The builders, contractors and Tirhatuan Lakes management and staff have all done an excellent job and should be congratualted on getting the new work to this advanced stage in so short a time.

Update 3/06/06.  The clubrooms are all but complete. The carpet was laid on Wednesday and with the exception of just a few minor jobs to be completed, it's all systems go. The club commenced the moving of furniture and equipment today, and the transistion should be complete later this week. Despite the changes that are inevitable with such a move, things will quickly settle down for us.

Update 13/06/06.  We have now fully moved in to the new clubrooms and are gradually bedding things in. There's still a few jobs to be completed, which should be done over the course of the next couple of weeks. The committee extends its thanks to all the members who gave their time and helped with all the work that needed to be done.

A Brief Course History

The first nine holes of the course (currently the back 9 holes) were opened in November 1978, and the second nine holes(currently the front 9 holes) in February 1982. The head professional at that time, and still to this day, is Brian Barugh. In recent years Brian has not only been responsible for directing golf, but also has taken on the maintenance of the course, which has undoubtedly led to an enhancement in the course presentation.

If you have never played the course before, or remember the course from its early years, take the time to venture down and we are sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

Funny Name, What Does It Mean?

The name "tirhatuan" is generally thought to be an aboriginal word referring to the "flying or gliding possums" which once   abounded in the area. The Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps) is a small gliding possum native to eastern and northern mainland Australia, New Guinea, and the Bismarck Archipelago, and introduced to Tasmania. Once common, the tirhatuan can still be found in the area.

It is around 16 to 20 cm (6.3 to 7.5 in) in length, with a slightly longer tail, and weighs between 90 and 150 grams (3 to 5.3 oz). The fur is generally pearl grey, with black and cream patches at the base of the pink ears. The tail tapers only moderately and the last quarter of it is black, often with a white tip. The muzzle is short and rounded.

   Our club has proudly adopted the tirhatuan as our club logo.

Early Settlement

In August 1838,  the Rev James Clow obtained squatting rights and  established a large pastoral run in the area named "Corhanwarrabul". He built his homestead "Tirhatuan" near Wellington Road on the banks of Dandenong Creek.

Tirhatuan (correctly pronounced "tirha-tuan") was the name James Clow gave to the homestead he erected in 1841. The homestead stood on a rise on the east side of Dandenong Creek near Wellington Road and the site has been excavated by the Archaeological Society of Victoria.

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