The History of the SGA Kelly Gang Shootout

 

Launched in 2006, The Kelly Gang Shootout was originally conceived as an 18-hole "warm-up" event played prior to The Bushranger Cup (an invite-only event) where the teams could get together for a round of 4-ball ambrose and a day of fun. It earned its name as a nod to

the Kelly Gang and their infamous last stand in Glenrowan, where a team of four squared-off in a shoot-out to the bitter end.

 

In 2008, the event underwent a dramatic change, transforming from an 18-hole one-day event into a “Major Championship”-calibre, 36-hole weekend bonanza of golfing fun. It thus became the first official "Bushranger Golf Series" event. As the Murray region has beautiful winter weather and the Kelly siege in Glenrowan was in the last week of June 1880, the plan emerged to stage the KGS in July each year.

 

Now in its 18th year, the Kelly Gang Shootout has become one of SGA’s most popular events, where gangs of four team converge along the Mighty Murray for a weekend of great golf, light-hearted competition, and (most importantly) camaraderie and fun.

 

On behalf of the entire SGA team, we welcome you to the KGS, and we hope you have a barrel of fun this weekend!

 

 

The History of the original Kelly Gang Shootout

 

The Kelly Gang arrived in Glenrowan on 27 June 1880 and took about 70 hostages at the Glenrowan Inn. They planned to derail a train of police coming for them and while they waited for the train, they kept the hostages entertained by breaking out the turps and firing up a party that was a rollicking good time. The party lasted for two days. Meanwhile the police avoided the derailment and laid siege to the pub.

 

The gang members, Ned Kelly, Dan Kelly, Steve Hart and Joe Byrne, donned their now-famous helmets and armour (weighing about 44kg), and fought a gun battle with the police. Before dawn on Monday June 28, Ned Kelly left the rear of the inn in his armour and circled behind the police.

 

As the dawn broke, Ned cast an eerie figure marching out of the morning fog in his armour and overcoat, firing his revolvers. Police bullets bounced off his armour and it was not until the police shot at his legs that he slowed. He eventually collapsed and was captured beside a large gum tree. He was near death and not expected to survive.

 

The rest of the gang died in the pub, probably from gunshot wounds, although the police bravely made sure by torching the building and burning Annie Jones’ pub to the ground. The police suffered only one minor injury: the senior officer, Superintendent Francis Hare, copped a scratch to his wrist, then fled the battle and was later suspended for his cowardice. Police bullets struck several of the hostages during the siege, at least two fatally. Ned lived and left on the train they tried to derail.