Gatehouse, Eleanor Wright (1886–1973)
Gatehouse, Eleanor Wright (1886–1973)
Australian golfer . Name variations: Nellie Gatehouse. Born Eleanor Wright near Geelong, Victoria, in 1886; died in 1973; married James Gatehouse, in 1909.
A golfer from her school days, Eleanor Wright Gatehouse, known as Nellie, was the winner of three Australian championships and five Victorian titles. In 1906, she was the first Royal Melbourne Women's Champion, a title she captured another ten times over a period of 30 years. She won her first national title in 1909, which was also the year of her marriage to James Gatehouse. Known for her administrative skills as well as her golf swing, she served as president of the Australian Women's Golf Union and of the Royal Melbourne Associates. In addition to golf, Gatehouse contributed a great deal of her time to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, serving seven terms as president. The Nellie Gatehouse azalea was named in her honor.