Dan Andrews was blocked from the elite golf club due to lingering resentment over its strict Covid-19 rules

Daniel Andrews has suffered an embarrassing defeat after the golfing tragic was blocked from joining one of Melbourne’s most elite clubs by angry members.

The former Victorian premier’s partner Max Beck subtly approached the powerbrokers at Portsea Golf Club to ask if Mr Andrews could become a member.

However, Mr Andrews has been told in no uncertain terms that his chances of becoming a member are non-existent, with early suggestions that he will not even have the option to submit a membership application.

There remains much anger on the Mornington Peninsula over the former Prime Minister’s metropolitan lockdowns during the Covid pandemic, which covered the region despite being 70km from the Melbourne CBD.

‘No, they haven’t [forgiven him]” said former professional golfer Mark Allen.

An avid golfer, Andrews tried to join Portsea Golf Club but was turned away

‘They have not forgiven him and I can tell you this: on Friday evening at the Sorrento Hotel it was the talk of the region and to the point where not only members of Portsea but also members of other clubs said that if he tries to to tie into this somewhere, they just won’t let him.

“Well, remember, on one side of the peninsula they could play and on the other side of the peninsula they couldn’t play.

“There is one time that is overwhelming [consensus]”It’s very easy to put a black line through their name,” he said.

Beck, a property baron, backed his friend Andrews and attacked the members’ “narrow-minded” attitudes.

“I can’t believe how small-minded people can be,” Beck said.

The Portsea Golf Club (above) is one of Victoria’s most elite clubs

“It’s just about a guy who wants to play golf and enjoy the rest of his life. It is ridiculous.

‘He has done his utmost for the state with his convictions.

‘I’m very disappointed, but we’ll see if the [Portsea Golf Club] The committee will take into account his political beliefs, his personality and his golfing skills – those are the two things they have to judge him on.”

When asked if Andrews had been demonized, Beck said, “Oh, 100 percent. He is a very nice person. A straight-shooter and a very good golfer. He has a handicap of less than 10.

‘He is very pleasant to play with. What does his political alliance have to do with golf?’

Andrew remains a controversial figure on the peninsula, with one resident telling News Corp: ‘Dan is just toxic here.’

He has a checkered history with the region. In March 2021, he fell and was seriously injured while on holiday in Sorrento. The incident caused a lot of commotion among the local population.

In a 2013 car crash, the Andrews’ family car also reportedly collided with a teenage cyclist. The incident remains the subject of proceedings in the High Court.

He plays at Kingston Heath Golf Club and would like to join a club on the Mornington Peninsula.