Prosper Ellis and Federal GC in Canberra -- What do we know?

[Scott Warren]

I had a great time playing Federal GC in Canberra for the first time today.

Here's a look at the par four 15th (350m the back tees, 308m the next set) which is fairly indicative of the course (bar the bolder two-tier green):


I knew nothing about it beforehand and was impressed with what I saw -- great land, old-school architecture and a set of subtle but fairly fearsome greens that emphasised the importance positioning for approach angle and placement on the green to avoid the most treacherous putts.

I've been doing some web searching this evening and found that it was designed by Prosper Eliis (who I also discovered was responsible for the course I grew up playing north west of Sydney -- Windsor GC), but other than that he also wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald, I couldn't find out a lot more about him.

So what can the Aussie cognoscenti tell me about Prosper Ellis?

Further, what do we know about the genesis of Federal GC? Did, as I have been told, Alec Russell select the site and draw a routing that may or may not have been used?

Would love to hear anything on either the course or its designer as well as people's take on the course itself.

[Andrew Summerell]

Scott, I looked up a whole bunch of stuff about him ages ago when Camden Valley asked me to do some research. I have no idea where it all is now, but I'll try & find it.

I don't mind Federal. It's not great, but it is a nice little representation of 'Aussie Bushland' golf. Quite a few holes require you hit one side of the fairway for the best approach & in some cases that's the high side of the fairway, which makes positioning more difficult.

One thing that seems charactoristic of Prosper Ellis is his love of the mild dog leg. Federal is no different in this regard to Belmont, Camden Valley or Windsor. I don't think he liked straight holes.

[Neil_Crafter]

Scott
I have a little on Prosper Ellis.

Background
Prosper Ellis was born on 14th August 1895 and trained as a surveyor.   Upon his retirement, he turned to club administration being Secretary, at different times of Pymble Golf Club and Bonnie Doon Golf Club.   He was instrumental in arranging the amalgamation of the Metropolitan Golf Club at Pagewood with the Bonnie Doon Golf Club in 1950.

Designs
Although mainly a ‘remodeller’ of existing courses, his status as a leading amateur golfer certainly led to design commissions.

Remodels include The Australian, Bonnie Doon, Pymble, Killara, Castle Hill, North Ryde, Liverpool, Avondale, Blackheath, Deniliquin, Chatswood, Belmont, Tamworth, Merewether, Kogarah, Woollahra, Coolamon, Federal.

Designs include Windsor C.C.
1962-63, Muswellbrook G.C. extension by 12 holes 1964, Toronto G.L. 1968-82, Nelson Bay G. & C.C. second 9 holes 1970, Mittagong-Highlands G.C. 1972.

[Neil_Crafter]

Scott, you also asked about Alex Russell and the site that became Federal GC:


A report in “Golf” magazine of November 1st 1927 stated that:

“Alex. Russell is becoming more engrossed every day in his new-found business of golf course architecture. He recently paid a visit to Canberra to see how things were progressing in the golfing line up there. Evidently he wants to make sure that his friend the Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce, is provided with a decent class of links on which to take his recreation, now restricted almost exclusively to the Royal and Ancient Game.”

This report gives no detail as to the course, however, The Australasian newspaper reported in its October 29th 1927 edition that Alex Russell had been entrusted with the task of laying out a new course at the rear of Red Hill in Canberra, on a site that had been selected by him. Nine holes were to be constructed initially, followed by a subsequent nine at a later date. It is believed that this course was never built even though it had been envisaged as a site for Royal Canberra, who instead selected land at Westbourne Woods. By 1947, the site did eventually become a golf course, when the first nine holes of the Federal Golf Club were built there to a design by James H. Scott of Elanora.

[Scott Warren]

Neil, that's great info -- thanks a lot.

I'm interested whether the "old" holes remaining at Bonnie Doon (6, 7, 17) are Ellis holes. I'll have to do some digging around at the club.

Also interesting is that there are definite similarities in the above courses (those I am familiar with, at least) using landforms as driving hazards in place of bunkering -- the ridge in the left of the fairway on 11 at federal being a great example.

And as Andrew points out, scarcely a straight hole among them. Would love any more info you can dig up, Andrew.

[Andrew Summerell]

Designs include Windsor C.C.
1962-63, Muswellbrook G.C. extension by 12 holes 1964, Toronto G.L. 1968-82, Nelson Bay G. & C.C. second 9 holes 1970, Mittagong-Highlands G.C. 1972.

Thanks for the info, Neil. One course to add is Camden Valley Gold Resort (27 holes), formally Rugby League Country Club, just north of Narellan. Unfortunately, it doesn't exist as of August last year, but club records have Prosper Ellis as designer with the course completed in 1964.

The Liverpool GC he was involved with was the old one at Casula before the club moved to Lansvale. Liverpool, as it is now, was designed by Bob Green.

I vaguely remember reading that Prosper Ellis worked with Al Howard on a few courses. I just can't find my info at the moment. Do you know if that is true?