Celebrating Nick Eblen: 50 Years as a Member

Dr Nick Eblen recently turned over 50 years as a Member of Glenelg Golf Club. First joining the club in May of 1973, we asked Nick a few questions about his journey at Glenelg Golf Club. Watch the video or read along Nick’s answers.

How did you first become involved in golf and why did you join Glenelg?

I first became involved in golf through a school teacher not liking me, so I gave up playing cricket and footy. Dad was a member here, so at about 12 I used to come out and have a few hits with him and I used to get golf balls down the Pat and sell them back to the members and I just took up golf from there and we joined here because that’s where Dad was.

What changes have you witnessed over your time as a member?

Well, lots of change. The course, especially in the younger days. The quality was quite variable back in the 90s, struggling, and so redoing the course changed it dramatically. The greenkeeping to the quality of the course, the day to day presentation dramatically over the years. I remember back in probably the seventies, the fairways were being gassed to try and get the Kikuya, they were all covered in plastic. And it’s just it’s dramatic, the change and it’s all for the better, I have to say.

Can you share any memorable moments or milestones that stand out of your 50 years as a member?

It’s probably been a few. One was, I suppose, my first Simpson Cup match. I was playing in the B’s and the 11th match was now that which was then the 12th. I was playing in the B’s and they came up and said someone was sick. You’re playing in the A’s. And I actually I think I won both matches that day. So that was, that was a good introduction. Another highlight was Dave Millington making the semifinals of the Australian Amateur here. Of course winning the ’85 Simpson Cup. There’s been lots but mainly all the mates you make, all the friendships you’ve had over the years. That’s why we’re still here.

Speaking of, is there anybody specific that has played a significant role in your time here at the golf club?

Oh, I suppose most of it, your mates Dave Millington, Kim Burns. We’ve been members here for the whole time in the younger days, of course, Graham Newlands, as the pro here, he certainly helped a lot in our growing up and our maturation as golfers. But it’s just it’s just everyone. Ray Godden, who was the secretary manager when we first joined, he certainly put the fear of God up us. His office was out here on the left, and he overlooked the whole golf course. And my God, if he did anything wrong, he was out in his car and he was on to you. And that was he was good.

There was a group of doctors that used to play on Thursday, and I was the youngest at probably 20, and they went up to 90 and I don’t know, there’s a lot of them. We were chatting to them about the war and all of that sort of stuff, which was really good for a young fella. It made you appreciate how lucky we were that is this numerous highlights but even yesterday the Pennant was great. So yeah, it’s just been a good club, a really good club.

What advice would you give to new members who have just joined?

Enjoy the golf course, make plenty of friends. Respect, of course, respect the other members on the course. So look after it. We’re very lucky to have it, but above all, just enjoy it.

Finally, what are your hopes for the golf clubs future?

Well, I hope that it’s still here for another hundred years. Stays in as good a condition as what it is now. I mean, we really are lucky in the way that this is presented and that it doesn’t lose track. The fact that it’s just for the members, it doesn’t matter what job you do, where you’re from, it’s what sort of person you are. And that’s what’s good about this place.