⛳ Maccabi Golf Club
2025 has been a milestone year for Maccabi Victoria Golf. Membership grew, new formats gained momentum, and the club continued to strengthen its role as the main gathering point for Jewish golfers across Melbourne. With the closure of Cranbourne Country Club set for February 2026, this year also marked the start of a new era, with clear focus on junior development and Next Gen engagement to secure the long-term future of our community in the sport.
2025 Impact
Gender count
- Male: 125
- Female: 14
- Differently identify: 1
Age groups
- Under 18: 4
- Under 45: 24
- Over 45: 116
Launching the Next Gen Jewish Championship
This year introduced the Next Gen Under 45 Jewish Championship, designed to engage younger adult members and broaden the club’s future playing base. The strong turnout and enthusiasm confirmed the need for this new division and signalled a long-term shift toward a more contemporary and inclusive competition format.
Junior Coaching and School Partnerships
The club continued to invest in youth development through coaching programs delivered in partnership with:
• Bialik College
• The King David School
These sessions, supported by the Cranbourne Country Club, gave students access to quality golf coaching and reinforced the importance of early skill-building and engagement.
A Breakout Year for Benjamin Lewis
A defining moment of 2025 was the exceptional rise of 12-year-old Benjamin Lewis. His achievements included:
• Winning the Jewish Championship
• Winning the Individual Matchplay
• Claiming the inaugural Next Gen (Under 45) Jewish Championship
Benjamin’s success across both open and junior events set a new benchmark for young Jewish golfers and showcased the strength of the club’s development pathway.
Maccabi Inter-Club Teams Event
The second annual Inter-Club Teams Event brought together more than 175 golfers from seven Melbourne clubs over a two-month series. The tournament was played in a friendly but competitive spirit, with Cranbourne Golf Club taking out the overall win. Once again, this event benefited greatly from the ongoing support of the Cranbourne Country Club.
Final Jewish Golf Championships at Cranbourne
After 41 years at Cranbourne Country Club, the 2025 Championship doubled as a farewell to a historic home.
A full field of 132 players took part across all categories, with memorable results including:
• Benjamin Lewis winning both Strokeplay titles
• Ian Bejer taking out the overall Stableford
• Myra Goldman leading the women’s division
• Joel Hamilton impressing on debut
From 2026, the Championships will move to Huntingdale Golf Club.
Intergenerational Family Fun Day
A growing favourite on the calendar, this event brings families of all ages to the course to enjoy a relaxed day of golf together. The 2025 edition continues this momentum, promoting connection across generations.
Upcoming Events at Heritage
The annual December two-day event will be held at the Heritage Golf & Country Club for the first time. With play across both St John and The Henley, this has shaped up to be one of the most anticipated weekends of the year.
As we look ahead, the club’s primary focus remains on bringing together Jewish golfers from across Melbourne, creating inclusive, meaningful experiences that celebrate both sport and community.
With the closure of Cranbourne Golf Club scheduled for February 2026, Maccabi Golf Club will play a pivotal role in maintaining connection among Jewish golfers. This includes:
- Supporting the growth of junior and Next Gen players
- Facilitating access to top-tier courses
- Continuing large-scale community events such as the Championships, Inter-Club Teams Event, and December weekend
- listening to member feedback, including through the upcoming club-wide survey
The club enters 2026 with clarity and confidence. The focus on inclusivity, community, and long-term development will guide planning for the next phase of Jewish golf in Victoria. As the location of major events shifts and new programs are introduced, the aim remains the same: creating meaningful, accessible golf experiences for players of all ages and abilities.
