By Ollie Lewis for Daily Mail Australia
08:52 November 15, 2023, updated 08:55 November 15, 2023
- Portsea Golf Club has hit back at recent reports
- Dan Andrews reportedly blocked from joining
- But the club president says that’s not the case
The president of an elite golf club in Melbourne denied reports that they blocked Daniel Andrews for admission as a member, insisting they would consider an application for membership from the former premier of Victoria.
Earlier this week it was claimed members of Portsea Golf Club blocked Andrews’ approach after his friend and property tycoon Max Beck carried out a touch survey on his behalf.
Members of the club, located on Melbourne’s wealthy Mornington Peninsula, still harbor ill will towards the former leader over his Covid pandemic restrictions, in which the golf club was included in lockdowns metropolitan areas although it is 70 km from the CBD.
Richlister Beck described these furious members as “mean-minded” and called their resistance “ridiculous”, and club president Phil Cramer has now sent out a “membership update” clarifying that all applications will be welcome.
“We wish to clarify that, contrary to these reports, no formal membership offer for Mr. Andrews has been received by the Club,” Cramer wrote.
“Portsea Golf Club prides itself on the inclusion and diversity of its members and indeed has a reputation for being a very welcoming club where all can enjoy golf and camaraderie.
“These values have been instrumental in growing our membership and increasing the number of rounds played each year.
“We appreciate your understanding and support as we navigate the current situation and continue to uphold the values that make Portsea Golf Club so great.”
Cramer further emphasized: “If and when a formal application is received, it will be processed in accordance with the process outlined in the Portsea Golf Club Constitution, which includes notification to the membership base. Please note that our next wave of membership is planned for the end of the first quarter of 2024.’
According to the Herald Sun, the subject of Andrews’ membership application has divided the club, with some supporting the move while others say they will leave if he joins.
Reflecting on the views of those who opposed Andrews’ arrival at the club, former professional golfer Mark Allen said: “No, they haven’t forgiven him.
“They haven’t forgiven him and I can tell you this: Friday evening at the Sorrento Hotel, we talked about the area and to the point where not only Portsea members, but also members of other clubs were saying that s If he tried to register anywhere here, they just won’t let him register.
“Well, remember, on one side of the peninsula they could play and they could move to the other side of the peninsula, they weren’t allowed to play.
“Once there is overwhelming consensus, it’s very easy to put a black line over their name,” he said.
Andrew remains a controversial figure on the peninsula, with one resident telling News Corp: “Dan is just toxic here.”
It has a checkered history with the region. In March 2021, he fell and seriously injured himself while on vacation in Sorrento. The incident caused a lot of intrigue among locals.
A car crash in 2013 also saw the Andrews’ family car collide with a teenage cyclist. The incident is still the subject of proceedings before the Supreme Court.
He plays at Kingston Heath Golf Club and is looking forward to joining a club on the Mornington Peninsula.
