Daniel Andrews’ Portsea Golf Club membership bid divides Mornington Peninsula golfers

New details of property baron Max Beck’s divisive push for former premier Daniel Andrews to join Portsea Golf Club have been uncovered.

Mercure Portsea Golf Club and Resort.

Property baron Max Beck’s push for former premier Daniel Andrews to join Portsea Golf Club was discussed at a membership committee meeting late last month.

New details of the membership bid that has divided golfers on the Mornington Peninsula links course have been uncovered by the Herald Sun.

Mr Beck first approached Portsea Golf Club chiefs about the prospect of Mr Andrews becoming a member in the first week of October, before it was taken to the committee and then revealed by this masthead on November 13.

Paperwork for Mr Andrews’ application was prepared by Mr Beck, but is yet to be formally submitted.

Property baron Max Beck is backing Daniel Andrews bid to join Portsea Golf Club. Picture: Josh Robenstone

A local tradesman was listed by Mr Beck as a “seconder” in the draft paperwork.

It comes as a former state Labor minister, who is among the club’s ranks, is understood to be “incensed” at suggestions Mr Andrews will not be admitted.

Members have also claimed that Portsea president Phil Cramer was pressured to release a statement on the Andrews “situation” on November 15 – asserting that “no formal membership proposal for Mr Andrews has been received by the club” – in a bid to take the heat out of the divisive issue.

It remains unclear whether Mr Beck will proceed with his application when the next member intake assessment period begins early next year.

Daniel Andrews. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

“Everyone is taking a deep breath and considering their position,” one club insider said.

Mr Beck and Mr Andrews were seen golfing with a senior Portsea Golf Club figure at Kingston Heath, believed to be in a bid to “soften him up”, last Tuesday.

But a Portsea member told the Herald Sun the former Victorian premier was “very long odds” to join the club.

“It’s a tricky one because he (Andrews) has every right to apply to be a member but then it’s up to the membership base to decide whether that person is appropriate for their club.

“You can’t just ban people because of their political beliefs.”

Mr Beck has hit out at the anti-Andrews forces, accusing fellow Portsea members of being “small-minded”.

Supporters of the former premier have pointed the finger at a group of women’s members who they say have been agitating against Andrews on a WhatsApp chat group.

Members at the nearby National Golf Club, where Mr Beck also tees it up, have expressed their own concerns over Mr Andrews joining their ranks.