‘I’ll tear up my membership’: Popular broadcaster Steve Price declares he will ‘quit’ the Portsea Golf Club if Daniel Andrews is allowed to join

A well-known broadcaster and journalist has sensationally declared he will “tear up” his membership to the Portsea Golf Club if former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews is allowed to join the prestigious institution.

On Monday the Herald Sun revealed there would be strong resistance from rank and file members if Mr Andrews attempted to join the Portsea Golf Club, as many golfers are still angry with the former Victorian premier for banning golf during the pandemic.

But broadcaster and Portsea Golf Club member Steve Price revealed there had been an update on Wednesday, with the club’s president telling members the former premier’s application would be considered on its merits.

“The President of my club, the Portsea Golf Club, has said that there won’t be any new members put up until the second quarter of next year. But if Dan Andrews is nominated, he’ll let the process run as the Constitution of the club says it should,” Price said on Sky News Australia.

“But I can give the President a message tonight… If Dan Andrews is allowed to join the Portsea Golf Club, I’ll quit, I’ll resign, I’ll tear up my membership and I’ll go and play golf somewhere else.”

Price said that golf clubs are places where people like to get along with each other, and the majority of Portsea Golf Club members he knows “would be very uncomfortable having him there.”

“This is the premier who stopped us playing golf for two years during COVID,” the broadcaster said.

“This is the premier who locked down this community even though we’re 120 kilometres out of the city. The same premier who let people on the other side of the bay play golf. No way that should that man come into the golf club.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mornington Peninsula was classified as metropolitan Melbourne and therefore was subject to the strict restrictions for inner city residents. In contrast, the Bellarine Peninsula was deemed regional and not subject to those rules.

Portsea Golf Club President Phil Cramer sent a message to members on Wednesday saying “If and when a formal application is received” from Mr Andrews, “it will be treated in accordance with the process outlined in the Portsea Golf Club’s Constitution, which includes notification to the membership base.”

“The Portsea Golf Club prides itself on inclusivity and diversity of membership, and in fact has a reputation of being a very welcoming club for all to enjoy playing golf and fellowship,” Mr Cramer said.

“These values have been instrumental in growing our membership and increasing rounds played annually.”

Mr Cramer asked for members’ understanding and support while the club navigated the “current situation”.

The prospect of the former Premier joining Portsea Golf Club was raised by property developer and Mr Andrews’ friend Max Beck.

Mr Beck was furious when he heard his friend’s membership had been met with disapproval, telling the Herald Sun he couldn’t believe “how small-minded people can be.”

“It’s ridiculous. He’s worked his guts out for the state with his beliefs,” Mr Beck said.

“I’m very disappointed, but we’ll just see whether the committee takes into account his political beliefs; or his personality and his golfing ability – they are the two things they should be assessing him on.”

However former professional golfer Mark Allen said golf clubs are entitled to do what they want, adding that it was common for well-known or prominent applicants to be rejected by disapproving members.

“I think once the membership starts talking, once it becomes overwhelming (consensus), it’s a very, easy thing to do to put a black line through their name,” Mr Allen told 3AW Mornings host Neil Mitchell.

“Lots and lots of people, and particularly sporting identities and media persons, have been blackballed from a lot of clubs for different reasons.”