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11 months ago
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Former Victorian premier Dan Andrews is reportedly heaping pressure on senior figures at the prestigious Portsea Golf Club in an attempt to be admitted as a member.
Andrews' attempt to join the club on the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne's south-east divided members, with some still angry at the ex-leader for his strict Covid-19 rules while in office.
By having restrictions on the Melbourne metropolitan area extended to the Peninsula, Andrews basically banned the playing of the sport during the pandemic.
Andrews (pictured teeing off at the Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club) has divided members of the Portsea Golf Club, some of whom are staunchly opposed to him joining
The former Victorian premier (pictured with Golf Australia chairman John Hopkins) has reportedly started putting pressure on senior figures at the Portsea club to be admitted
The ex-premier's friend, property developer Max Beck, approached the club about Andrews becoming a member in early October, with the matter taken to the committee despite no application being formally submitted, the Herald Sun reported.
Andrews and Beck were then seen golfing with a senior figure from Portsea at the Kingston Heath club last Tuesday in an attempt to 'soften him up', according to the publication, which also stated that a former Victorian Labor minister is 'incensed' by the possibility Andrews will not be admitted.
One Portsea member revealed that Andrews is at 'very long odds' to win admission to the club.
'It's a tricky one because he has every right to apply to be a member but then it's up to the membership base to decide whether that person is appropriate for their club,' they said.
'You can't just ban people because of their political beliefs.'
One member of the Portsea Golf Club (pictured) believes Andrews is at 'very long odds' of gaining membership
A former Victorian Labor minister is reportedly 'incensed' at the possibility of Andrews being knocked back as a member of Portsea
Beck has called the anti-Andrews faction at the club 'small-minded' and supporters of his membership bid have singled out a group of female members who they claim have been campaigning against the ex-premier online.
Portsea's next intake of new members is due to begin early next year but it's not known if Beck will keep on with the Andrews application.
The furore at Portsea follows members at the nearby National Golf Club staging a revolt when Andrews tried to join.
Members sent a letter to the club's committee outlining their clear stance against the premier's potential membership.
One member boasted about hitting a golf ball with the ex-premier's face printed on it, while another had customised 'FUDA' number plates added to their BMW, with the letters standing for 'F*** You Dan Andrews'.
The letter from the National Golf Club members urges the committee to adhere to its standard membership process when assessing Mr Andrews' application.
One member of the nearby National Golf Club had their number plates customised on their BMW to read 'FUDA' - an abbreviation of the phrase 'F*** you Dan Andrews'
This includes the 'crucial' step of sharing a candidate's name to the club notice board for 21 days from when the application is submitted.
It also expresses the opinion of more than 100 golfers, claiming Mr Andrews does not have the qualities that align with the 'fundamental values of the club.
'It is imperative that any potential member, including Mr Andrews, aligns with the fundamental values of our golf club' the letter says.
'Demonstrating good character, sociability, and a genuine interest in meeting and befriending fellow members.
'Regrettably, it is noted that Mr Andrews lacks these qualities, and his inability to recall scores for each hole due to poor memory further underscores concerns about his compatibility with our club.'
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