The President, Board and Staff of Golf Victoria (GV) express their deepest sympathy at the passing of much respected former Victorian Golf Association (VGA) and GV Board Council Member, Mr. Murray Cropley, aged 78 years.

A member of the Latrobe Golf Club for over 40 years, including serving as a director and Club Captain, Murray was elected to the VGA Council in 2007 and then to inaugural elected Board of Golf Victoria in May 2011. He made an outstanding contribution to Victorian Golf over that time, particularly via his involvement with the areas of Rules, Handicapping and Course Rating, the Victorian event program, especially Melbourne Pennant, Golf History/Heritage and Junior Development

Over the duration of his involvement in golf, Murray particularly enjoyed his involvement with refereeing at major competitions including the Australian and Victorian Opens. He had attended the inaugural State Referee’s Program in 1993 and achieved National Referee status thereafter.

He retired from the GV Board in 2017 but continued to be active in Victorian golf as a State Referee at both Australian and Victorian events and as a committee member with the Golf Society of Australia, curating the game’s heritage collection. He also proudly developed the Match Tracker online database that now lists comprehensive results of Victorian Pennant over many decades.  

A celebration of Murray Cropley’s life will be held on Thursday 31 March at 3pm at the Latrobe Golf Club (8 Farm Road, Alphington). This occasion has unfortunately been delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

 To assist in finalising attendance numbers and catering requirements, those planning to attend are requested to contact Jess at the Latrobe Golf Club on (03) 9497 1000 by Friday 18 March.

Golf Victoria’s sincere condolences are extended to his wife Lynne, sons Stephen and Christopher and the Cropley family at this time. Murray was a thorough gentleman with a passion for golf, a friend to all and will be sadly missed.