Golf, one of the most popular sports in Australia, is featured in a new set of 5 commemorative stamps issued today (September 27) by Australia Post. The issue coincides with the hosting of The Presidents Cup at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in November.

The issue consist of 5 stamps. Two of the three 60 cent stamps feature golf equipment: golf shoes, golf balls and golf gloves. The third 60 cent stamp shows The Presidents Cup itself. The $1.65 stamp is illustrated with a golf club posed to strike a golf ball. The set is rounded out with a golf bag and set of clubs on the $2.35 stamp.

Australia Post has also issued a miniature sheet containing all five stamps with a photograph of the clubhouse at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

The five golf stamps, the miniature sheet and other related philatelic items can be purchased online at shop.auspost.com.au.

Royal Melbourne Golf Club

Golf was played in Australia during the 19th century, for example in Tasmania in the 1820's, in Melbourne 1847, Adelaide 1870 and Sydney 1882. Clubs were formed but disbanded at least for a period. The Melbourne Golf Club, which has existed continuously from 1891, is regarded as the oldest golf club in Australia.

Many important tournaments have been played at The Melbourne Golf Club, including the Eisenhower Trophy (1968), World Cup, [previously the Canada Cup] (1972, 1988), the Australian Open on numerous occasions, the 1988 Australian Bicentennial Trophy and the Heineken Tournament for four years between 2002-2005.

In 1998 the Club hosted the Presidents Cup, the first time the event was held outside the United States. The International team scored its first and, to date, only win over the US team. When the event returns to Royal Melbourne in November, the Club will achieve the distinction of being the first course outside the United States to host The Presidents Cup more than once.

The current clubhouse, shown on the miniature sheet, opened in 2003.

The Presidents Cup

The Presidents Cup is one of the most anticipated and highly-watched events in the world of golf. Every two years top players from the United States and an International Team selected from the ranks of the best golfers outside Europe battle on a global stage in four days of team match-play competition.

Players are not personally paid to participate in The Presidents Cup. Instead each participant allocates an equal portion of the funds generated to charities of his choice. Since the event's inception, nearly $22 million has been raised for charities around the world.

Technical details

Issue date: 27 September 2011
Issue withdrawal date: 31 March 2012
FDI withdrawal date: 25 October 2011
Denominations: 3 x 60c, 1 x $1.65, 1 x $2.35
Stamp and product design: Jo Mure
Printer: McKellar Renown
Paper - gummed: Tullis Russell
Printing process: Lithography
Stamp size: 26mm x 37.5mm
Minisheet size: 170mm x 85mm
Perforations: 14.6 x 13.86
Sheet layout: Two panes of 25
National postmark: Cheltenham North, VIC 3192

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