Portsea Golf Club president says Daniel Andrews’ membership bid will be considered on merits

The Portsea Golf Club could be on a collision course with members after its president revealed he will consider an application by former premier Daniel Andrews.

Daniel Andrews’ bid to join Portsea could split the club.

Portsea Golf Club is on a collision course with members over Daniel Andrews, with the president informing them that it would consider an application for the ex-premier to join on its merits.

The Herald Sun on Monday revealed that many of the club’s rank and file had expressed they would strongly resist any move to make Mr Andrews a member, after property baron Max Beck flagged putting the polarising ex-premier forward.

Those members had hoped their vocal opposition to any proposed move had killed any proposal before it got off the ground.

Richlister Mr Beck then hit out at the dissenters in an exclusive interview with the Herald Sun, accusing fellow players of being “small-minded” and slamming their resistance as “ridiculous”.

Daniel Andrews is a golf tragic. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

And Wednesday, in a major spin offensive, club president Phil Cramer sent a “member update” to its base, stating: “If and when a formal application is received, it will be treated in accordance with the process outlined in the Portsea Golf Club’s Constitution, which includes notification to the membership base. Please note, our next membership intake is scheduled for the end of first quarter 2024.

“The Portsea Golf Club prides itself on inclusivity and diversity of membership, and in fact has a reputation of being a very welcoming club for all to enjoy playing golf and fellowship,” he continued.

“These values have been instrumental in growing our membership and increasing rounds played annually.

“We appreciate your understanding and support as we navigate the current situation and continue to uphold the values that make Portsea Golf Club so enjoyable.”

There are fears the Andrews “situation” could split the club, with some prominent members making known their support of Mr Andrews’ proposed application.

Portsea Golf Club’s rank and file expressed anger at Mr Andrews’ bid to join.

Some members have already said that if a bid to make Mr Andrews a member was successful, they would walk away.

Others have said they will also resign if the former premier was “scared off” making an application by “the vocal minority”.

In his update, Mr Cramer wrongly asserted that the Herald Sun had “suggested” in its original article on the issue that a formal application had been received by the club and Mr Andrews had been “rejected from membership”.

The Herald Sun, in fact, reported that golfers had been made aware of Mr Beck’s proposal for him to be considered for membership, which has occurred, and that there had been strong opposition from many of those members, which has also occurred.

Mr Andrews is deeply unpopular among some of the PGC members, particularly due to his bans on Victoria’s golfing community during the pandemic and his decision to include Mornington Peninsula in metropolitan restrictions, which were often tougher than those on regional Victoria.