Founded in 1894, The Kew Golf Club is Melbourne’s third-oldest golf club. It was established by solicitor James Anderson and architect Fred Fitts to provide a dedicated golfing venue for the residents of Kew and Hawthorn. The first course, designed by Australia’s first golf professional Richard Taylor, was located about one kilometre south of the Club’s present site, near the Old Outer Circle Railway. By the late 1890s the course had expanded across land bounded by Asquith Street, Belford Road and Willsmere Road, and attracted prominent early members including Olympic champion Edwin Flack, statistician W.H. Archer and parliamentarian Sir Frank Madden.

Kew was a foundation member of both the Victorian Golf Association and the Victorian Ladies Golf Union, and its members—such as Fred Waters, Norman Lockhart, Don Walker and Mrs Merritt—were influential in the early development of Pennant Golf in Victoria.

After losing land to subdivision in 1916, the Club took a major step forward in 1922 by purchasing 92 acres of freehold land at Belford and Kilby Roads, extending to Meldrum Street and the Yarra River. A new course was laid out on the river flats by club professionals Jock Robertson and Jock Young. Despite occasional flooding, this period marked a new era of stability, supported by long-serving staff and the construction of a substantial clubhouse that stood for more than four decades.

Significant change occurred again in the 1960s when the proposed Eastern Freeway required the surrender of key course areas. The course was redesigned and extended east across Glass Creek, only for further freeway expansion to threaten the clubhouse itself. A second major redesign followed, along with new land acquisitions including the present fourth and sixth greens, areas within the Yarra River loop, and the Grant Hay Triangle, which had been sought for many years.

By the early 1970s, after a decade of reconstruction, the modern course and clubhouse were complete. Renowned as one of Victoria’s finest inland courses, Kew’s layout makes striking use of natural lakes, billabongs, Glass Creek and the Yarra River. Its tight fairways, abundant birdlife and strategic dogleg par fours continue to define its character. The 6,179-metre, par-72 course is maintained in excellent condition year-round.

The clubhouse, built in 1972 and regularly refurbished since that time, offers expansive views across the course and the Yarra Valley, and remains a key part of the Club’s identity today.