There's no doubt there's a view of the ocean at Sea View Golf Club and it's also the third-oldest course in WA that dates from 1909. The most surprising thing is it's Sea View is a links course, although it's a 9-hole that was first found under a forest of overgrown coastal scrub.
Scotsman Peter Anderson, playing from St Andrews University, won the 9th edition of the Amateur championship at Prestwick in 1893. He beat the two time Champion Johnny Laidlay by one hole in the final. In the following year, Anderson emigrated to Australia and became the headmaster of Scotch college in Perth from 1904 onwards, a post that he held for 41 years.
The moment that Cottesloe Golf Club was formed, Anderson was called in to provide advice on the viability of the beach site selected for the club's nine-hole layout. Together with Vice-Captain N.C. Fowlie, he put the holes in an extremely compact, 45-acre parcel that was let from the municipal council with the formal opening of the brand new links being held on the 11th of September 1909.
Toby Cumming takes up the story in this edited excerpt in the book The Golf Courses of Vern Morcom:
"It was not until 1931 the year that Cottesloe Golf Club relocated to Swanbourne in 1931, the year that Sea View Golf Club was created and assumed the lease. It was a fresh start and the first two years of custodianship was transformational. Reconditioning of the greens and tees were completed The course was made more tight by a set of bunkers and paths were constructed through the most sandy areas.
Following his visit in 1938 his suggestions for improving the course were taken up with enthusiasm. The second green was redesigned by eliminating undulations, the rear portion reconstructed as well as an additional green of 6 was added. Fairways were widened on 2 3, 6 and 7. The 7th was the first. A new green was designed behind the one that was already there with the bunker that crosses the front of the green to be covered with a new green.
Thirty-five years after the idea was first thought of an clubhouse in the reserve of the golf course was constructed and was inaugurated on the 21st March 1970. The order of holes was modified, and it was changed to the order which is still played. In 2006, following years of lobbying by participants, Council made the momentous decision to shut down Jarrad Street. The danger of hitting cars by golf balls flung at them was put to rest."
