Orbs on the fairway, apparitions in the rough and 'creepiness' felt on the green; have all been experienced at Mount Lawley Golf Club, Western Australia. Hole 11, 'Clooties Elbow', is where the activity takes place.
Are the experiences a manifestation of the spirit of a man, found there in 1930?
Are the experiences a manifestation of the spirit of a man, found there in 1930?
Tragedy not too uncommon at golf clubs. Miss Margaret McKinnon, along with friend Ella Thomas, was enjoying a lovely winters day round of golfing at the Mt Lawley Golf Club. The two had played a game or two, and it was assumed that the rest of the day would be no different. Unfortunately, Miss McKinnon was not going to have the chance to see if she had beat her personal course record. Before the round was up, she had dropped dead from a heart attack.
I suppose it is not unusual for a golf club to see a few deaths during its life time. With a large percentage of patrons being retired and older, and the sport itself at time taxing on the body, heart attacks are no strangers to the green. Lightning strike have also taken their toll on more than a few golfers nationally (and internationally), over the years.
However, Mt Lawley Golf Club has another type of death to add to its records, but we will get to that soon enough.
I suppose it is not unusual for a golf club to see a few deaths during its life time. With a large percentage of patrons being retired and older, and the sport itself at time taxing on the body, heart attacks are no strangers to the green. Lightning strike have also taken their toll on more than a few golfers nationally (and internationally), over the years.
However, Mt Lawley Golf Club has another type of death to add to its records, but we will get to that soon enough.
Tragedy at Mount Lawley
Golf Club History
Mt Lawley Golf Club, the early days. Mt Lawley Golf club was founded in 1928, after two neighbours Harry Glick and Carl Klem, initiated several meetings in the then outer Perth suburb of Mt Lawley. The aim of the meetings was to form a new golf club situated in a under utilised reserve.
After a series of in-home meetings, they stepped up the process to involve the greater public. In 1927, they held a meeting in the local cinema, after which over one hundred people had each pledged what would be half a years annual membership to the soon to be established club.
From there the actual construction of the course was underway. The original design was for an 18 hole course with a separate 9 holes for the women but, unfortunately, financially this could not be supported, so 10 holes were developed instead.
The course finally opened to play in 1929, and according to the Mt Lawley Golf Clubs official website, 'As the fairways were still in the very early stages of their development, many had large sandy patches, and soon golf balls became the same colour as the ground and very hard to spot.
After a series of in-home meetings, they stepped up the process to involve the greater public. In 1927, they held a meeting in the local cinema, after which over one hundred people had each pledged what would be half a years annual membership to the soon to be established club.
From there the actual construction of the course was underway. The original design was for an 18 hole course with a separate 9 holes for the women but, unfortunately, financially this could not be supported, so 10 holes were developed instead.
The course finally opened to play in 1929, and according to the Mt Lawley Golf Clubs official website, 'As the fairways were still in the very early stages of their development, many had large sandy patches, and soon golf balls became the same colour as the ground and very hard to spot.
Hole next to which the body was discovered. The solution was to paint them red, in order that they could be easily distinguished. However, the brightly coloured balls soon attracted the attention of the resident crows, and many a well-driven ball disappeared mysteriously from the middle of the fairway.'
The course has changed quite substantially since its early days, now featuring a full 18 holes.
The Golf club officially opened May 31, 1930, but saw itself featured in the headlines a few months beforehand. At 8:20am on the 10th February, the clubs green keeper James Elliot Tinlin was doing his morning work, when he stumbled across a body in some scrub between holes. Next to the body was a partially empty bottle.
The course has changed quite substantially since its early days, now featuring a full 18 holes.
The Golf club officially opened May 31, 1930, but saw itself featured in the headlines a few months beforehand. At 8:20am on the 10th February, the clubs green keeper James Elliot Tinlin was doing his morning work, when he stumbled across a body in some scrub between holes. Next to the body was a partially empty bottle.
Tragic Death and Ghosts
The body was later identified as Michael Kelly, a middle aged out of work sawmiller who had also seen service in World War 1. His last known movements concerned the purchasing of the poison. He left his home in Maylands, (a nearby suburb to Mt Lawley), and walked to a nearby chemist shop. After he was refused the poison 'to kill dingoes' he left, but later returned with a friend/witness for the purchase. The next time he was seen was dead on the golf course, the coroners inquest came to the conclusion of suicide by poisoning.
The shop the poison was purchased? It is stated that Michael Kellys' body was found near hole 11, otherwise known as 'Clooties Elbow' (Clootie means 'The Devil' in Gaelic). It is around this hole, also dubbed 'Satans Elbow', that a lot of paranormal activity is said to take place. This activity includes apparitions seen in the scrub that frames the fairway, and 'orbs' seen with the naked eye.
Some psychics and clairvoyants have felt 'unusual sensations', and one claimed she had 'never felt so terror stricken in her entire life'. According to Golf Australia, Mt Lawley 'is the most haunted golf course on the planet!'
A pretty big call considering some of the encounters people have had at the Royal Perth Golf Club, which has an even more macabre tale to tell...
Some psychics and clairvoyants have felt 'unusual sensations', and one claimed she had 'never felt so terror stricken in her entire life'. According to Golf Australia, Mt Lawley 'is the most haunted golf course on the planet!'
A pretty big call considering some of the encounters people have had at the Royal Perth Golf Club, which has an even more macabre tale to tell...
Ashley Hall 2013
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