While golf in Greece can be traced back to the late 1890s, it’s said that it wasn’t until the 1950s that many Greeks had heard of the activity. Then came the 1960s and 1970s, when Greece began investing to become a golfing destination, with the very first modern course opening in Glyfada in 1962.
Over in Cyprus golf is fairly new, with the Cyprus Golf Federation being founded in 2000 and as of 2008, all of the island’s golf clubs are certified. Over the past decade, Cyprus has developed into a year-round golfing destination.
Meanwhile here in Australia, the earliest records of golf dates back to 1839 when a short-lived club was formed on a farm in NSW.
In 2004, the first Australian Hellenic Golf Open was held in Melbourne. This three-day event was organised by the Aegean Golf Club to bring together Greek Aussie golfers.
A well-rounded success, this presented an opportunity to become an annual event, but support would be needed for other clubs.
So, the Australian Hellenic Golf Federation (AHGF) was incorporated in 2005, to promote and develop the game within the Greek community and to strengthen cultural and sporting links with Greece.
Events have been held not just in Australia but in Greece too.
Today many Greeks enjoy golf across Australia, with many clubs having been formed over the years.
Some of the older clubs include the Double Eagle Golf Club, who is said to be the oldest Greek golf club in Melbourne, forming in the late 80s. The Greek Gentlemen’s Golf Club is another, which is over 20 years old.
These two clubs are constituent clubs of AHGF, alongside founders Aegean Golf Club and Golden Olives Golf Club, and Pin High Golf Club (Adelaide) and AHEPA Golf Club (Sydney).
Another long-time club is the Hellenic Golf Club of South Australia, which dates back to 1997, having been founded on the premise of using golf to strengthen the bond between the Hellenes of Adelaide. Since its inaugural year the club has grown to have a multicultural member base.
That is just some of the Hellenic based golf clubs in Australia, but another more recently formed club, is the Cypriot Golf Club.
Based in Melbourne, the Cypriot Golf Club started out as an amateur club by a group of friends with Cypriot heritage just over a decade ago.
Secretary George Dimiotis founded the club after he had the opportunity to join a well-established group, but he decided to bet on himself.
“When I joined Long island Country Club, now The National, in 2013, there were many Greek members who were also members of the Aegean Golf Club,” he tells Neos Kosmos.
“They invited me to join their social club but I kindly declined.
“I remember a while ago before that two cousins ran a yearly meet up of the Agrotis clan and played a game of golf as an AMBROSE event with a BBQ to follow.”
So, he used that memory and then formed The Cypriot Golf Club. They played their first game with seven golfers in June and by September the club was incorporated.
Now the club averages 22 players every month, but are always looking for more to join their competitive multicultural group.
Even though Cypriot is in the name, all are welcomed, with about half of the group coming from a non-Hellenic background.
With the help of sponsors, the club also donates to organisations like the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
“Our club raise money at every event through ‘fines’ and jokes, each member may pay up to $5 in fines,” says Dimiotis.
“We are a great club with good foundations, our committee are truly dedicated to providing its members with a unique golf experience at every event – with mateship, lunches are typical banter.”
