One of the established second-tier courses in southeast Melbourne, Rossdale was born in the early 1920s when legendary golfer Ivo Whitten laid out a golf course in Aspendale for members of the Australasian Golf Club. That club dissolved during the Depression and after several years as a public course a small group of members formed the Rossdale Golf Club in 1949 and took control of the property.

Rossdale is located in a desirable suburb, and has significant value in real estate terms. It seems, at times, that the golf is less loved here than at nearby clubs and attracting new members and golf groups to play the course has always been a challenge. There had been rumours of mergers and relocations for several years, and in 2023 the club announced that it was planning to sell its Aspendale land and relocate. Such a move would be disappointing for golf in a heavily populated corner of the city.

The Rossdale course itself is quite heavily treed, narrow and prone to being damp through the wetter months. It’s far from the worst course in Melbourne, but also too far from the best to be safe from the unfortunate financial realities of a game that prior to Covid was in decline.

Unless there is an upturn of those within the southeast corridor looking to join a golf club, the future for Rossdale seems bleak. The ideal outcome for Victorian golf, would be a partial sale of the Rossdale site and the retention of 9 holes on its land. The club should also revisit merger discussions with Keysborough Golf Club. Keysborough are also looking to sell their golf course and relocate, yet with an injection of funds and a boost of members from Rossdale, could be a terrific golf facility.