By Michael Davis on Comments Off on Objections ignored for redevelopment of the former Kingswood GC site
WHILE members of the now defunct Kingswood have been enjoying the fruits of their club merging with Peninsula for 13 years only now, the developer has finally received the go-ahead to build more than 900 homes on the land where their venerable course once stood And only after an alleged clerical slip-up by a local […]
By Michael Davis on Comments Off on RM’s Forsyth moving on following Aus Open success
THE official letter to Royal Melbourne members from club captain, Ben Hasker, telling them their Hall of Fame course superintendent Richard Forsyth is moving on after 16 years at the top of the tree, is puzzling. Perhaps he has nothing more to prove after reaching the pinnacle of his craft. But his resignation is surprising, […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on Besties, birdies and BMW: The ultimate road trip
By Raquel Stevens Raquel Stevens with besties, Laureen Deale, Mignon Stewart and their BMW iX2. WHEN my boss offered a “work” assignment involving my girl gang, the brand-new BMW iX2 and golf on the Great Ocean Road, I didn’t just say yes—I did a literal victory lap. From the moment I pulled up to the curb […]
By David Newbery on Comments Off on GM driving growth and culture at Mount Osmond
IN just three years at the helm of Mount Osmond Golf Club in Adelaide, general manager Damian Wrigley has achieved what many industry leaders would consider a decade’s worth of progress. His efforts were recognised recently when he claimed his second successive Management Professional of the Year award at the South Australian Golf Industry Awards. […]
By Michael Davis on Comments Off on Bill blows the ‘Horn’ on Portsea celebrations
Bill Horn (right, blue sweater) raises the flag to kick off Portsea Golf Club’s centenary celebrations. IT says a lot about the eclectic nature of the 1300 strong membership at Portsea Club that it chose a 99-year-old member, Bill Horn, to begin its centenary celebrations. The club could have selected any one of its big-wig […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on Husqvarna Title Partner of the British Masters
ROBOTIC mowing technology maintaining Australian courses is now being showcased at elite international tournaments. Husqvarna, a global leader in robotic lawnmowing and part of Husqvarna Group, has signed a multi-year agreement to become the new Title Partner of the British Masters – one of the world’s most historic golf tournaments. The 2026 Husqvarna British Masters […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on A new chapter for Augusta Golf Cars
THE Australian golf industry thrives on strong partnerships, long-term thinking and people who genuinely care about the game. The recent acquisition of Augusta Golf Cars by Berckmans Pty Ltd is one of those moments that reflects all three. First and foremost, this transaction is an opportunity to acknowledge and thank the previous owners of Augusta […]
By Rob Willis on Comments Off on Nick O’Hern – Talkin’ birdies, BMW and all things golf
Nick O’Hern, alongside BMW Ambassador Elvis Smylie at the 2025 BMW Golf Cup National Final at Royal Pines. GOLF fans will have seen and heard Nick O’Hern during the telecasts of the Crown Australian Open and the BMW Australian PGA Championship. Many tune into the number one rated golfing podcast Talk Birdie To Me where […]
Inside Golf reader Ross Davidson sent Inside Golf a copy of a letter he addressed to the Moore Park South Project Team in opposition to the proposed changes to the Moore Park course in Sydney. See David’s letter below in support of the alternative proposal submitted by the Save Moore Park Collective. Email your thoughts […]
By Michael Davis on Comments Off on Sold! Fox family buys Capital
MEMBERS of Rossdale Golf Club had their hopes of a new home dashed at the last minute when they were gazumped by the Fox family in their bid to buy the Capital Golf Club. The developer who has undertaken to build new houses on the site of the current Rossdale golf club was the under […]
By Michael Davis on Comments Off on Keysborough to stay put
AFTER 10 years of lobbying by the developer to convince authorities to rezone Keysborough golf course for 800 new houses, members have decided to stay put. “The development is not going to go ahead. We came to the end of our 10-year option agreement with the developer,” said long time club general manager, Darren Eckhardt. […]
By Michael Davis on Comments Off on Anglesea in good hands
AT 33 years-old and just months into his first GM’s role at Anglesea on Victoria’s surf coast, Chris Mandas represents a new generation of golf club leadership, while he is ever so thankful to have had the privilege of being mentored by industry legend Peter Parks (Kooringal). Several people who have worked under Parks now […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on VIC, NSW & SA Golf Industry Awards
State’s best acknowledged at Victorian Golf Industry Awards THERE was a spread of regional and metropolitan recognition while two of the biggest names in Victorian golf were inducted into the Hall of Fame as the industry gathered at Southern Golf Club for the state’s Golf Industry Awards. Robert Allenby, a dominant force in Australian golf […]
By Rob Willis on Comments Off on Mollymook Hilltop – making good even better
WITH its dramatic scenery, tree-lined fairways, undulating greens and overall variety of holes, the Hilltop course at Mollymook never fails to deliver a memorable golfing experience. Number 38 on Inside Golf’s Australia’s Top 100 Public Golf Experiences, readers and industry experts agreed that Mollymook, located some three hours from Sydney on the NSW South Coast, […]
By Michael Davis on Comments Off on Kathie Shearer’s ‘Last Orders’
Kathie Shearer, with maybe some help from her special ‘friend’ Alphie, has penned a book Last Orders. THE indefatigable, Kathie Shearer, wife of the late champion Australian golfer, Bob, has penned a book. The gregarious and hugely entertaining Kathie was a constant in golf media for many years including at the Australian Open. She met […]
By Rob Willis on Comments Off on Grace is getting to know grass – with the help of Husqvarna
PROFESSIONAL golfers know grass. Or at least they think they do. Most can tell the difference between couch and kikuyu fairways, a good lie from bad, bent grass greens from Bermuda and which is better suited to their putting stroke. But do they really know grass? Especially when it comes to maintaining courses and presenting […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on Dan Cook and Greenway Turf Solutions raising the standard
EVERY golfer knows the feeling of stepping onto a perfectly prepared tee box, watching their ball roll true on smooth greens, or taking a divot from lush, consistent fairways. These moments don’t happen by chance. They’re the result of expertise, dedication, and countless hours of work by golf course maintenance teams. That’s why Greenway Turf […]
By Michael Davis on Comments Off on Cheltenham blindsided by their nearest neighbours
The future of the Cheltenham Golf Club is under threat. PROFESSIONAL golfer, Matt Griffin was one of many Cheltenham Golf Club members who spoke passionately at a recent Bayside City Council meeting urging councillors to renew the long term lease the club has on land which borders Victoria Golf Club. Cheltenham is believed to have […]
By Michael Davis on Comments Off on Lamerton finds a home at Flinders
AS a young boy growing up in Kent in the UK, Steve Lamerton used to sneak onto the Royal St George’s course near his home and play a few holes. “I fell in love with links golf almost straight away, just love the game,” says the urbane expatriate Englishman who recently landed in the general […]
By Rob Willis on Comments Off on For Husqvarna’s VP of Golf – it’s all about Robotics
DURING a week where Husqvarna celebrated a 30-year anniversary as an industry leader, commemorating what was believed to be the world’s first robotic lawn mower, a special guest was in town in an indication of the significance of the Australian market. David Plaster, Vice President – Golf & Sports Husqvarna Group arrived from the US […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on A fantastic membership offer at McLeod CGC
FOR those who love their golf and enjoy fitting in a game after work, then the McLeod Country Golf Club has a fantastic clubhouse membership offer. For only $10 a year the Clubhouse Membership offers twilight afternoon golf for 12-months of the year, for only $18 for 9-holes, representing a saving of $17 for every […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on Husqvarna – leading the way with robotic mower innovation
IINDUSTRY leader Husqvarna was due to celebrate 30 years of robotic mower innovation at a special event to be held in Sydney’s iconic Centennial Park during September. The occasion was planned to commemorate what was believed to be the world’s first robotic lawn mower, known as the Husqvarna Solar Mower. A leader in robotic mowing […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on MOTOCADDY LAUNCHES DIRECT TO AUSTRALIAN GOLFERS
World’s leading electric buggy brand offering golfers more choice and better value Motocaddy, the world’s leading electric golf buggy brand, is proud to announce its official direct launch into the Australian market, bringing world-renowned innovation, reliability and customer support, while offering golfers unrivalled choice with unbeatable value. Available exclusively through www.motocaddy.com.au, the expansion marks a […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on Carbrook Golf Club celebrates official re-opening
CARBROOK Golf Club recently hosted its Official Re-Opening Ceremony, celebrating the completion of vital restoration and resilience works funded through the Community and Recreational Assets Recovery and Resilience Program. The event welcomed dignitaries from all levels of government, highlighting the unity and collaboration that made the recovery possible. The Honourable Tim Mander MP, Minister for […]
By Michael Davis on Comments Off on New Mornington course a nod to the game’s changing face
DUNCAN Andrews and his son, Cameron, owners of the Dunes and 13th Beach, are building a new 10-hole golf course on the St Andrews Brewery site on the Mornington Peninsula. The land involved is 36 hectares or 90 acres, on which are the brewery, an old racetrack, part of the Freedman Bros racing stables, an […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on Getting ‘smart’ with course marshalling courtesy of On-Pin
HAVING undergone somewhat of a makeover in recent years, St Michaels golf club in Sydney’s east easily ranks alongside the best courses in all of NSW. With its breathtaking ocean views, the conditioning and presentation of the course and the challenges of the links-style layout, it’s no wonder St Michaels is a popular choice for […]
By Michael Davis on Comments Off on Clubs go HeartSmart with new CPR Helper device
WHILE most golf clubs have defibrillators at the ready in case a person suffers an on-site heart attack, a new device is now available to help save patients’ lives. Melbourne company, HeartSmart, has secured the world-wide distribution rights for a mechanical device called a CPR Helper which sits on the chest outside a patient’s clothing […]
By Michael Davis on Comments Off on New Sandhurst CEO up for the task and qualified to deliver
The Sandhurst Club boasts two championship golf courses, a clubhouse which is a popular hospitality space and a housing estate with 4000 stakeholders. IF you’ll pardon the pun, Sandhurst Estate’s CEO, Dean Jamieson has never been one to let the grass grow under his feet. As a youngster, fresh out of Mentone Grammar, where he […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: R&J Batteries – An Australian success story celebrating 30 years
R&J Batteries Doveton Branch. IT has been a significant year for one of Australia’s fastest growing battery distributors —R&J Batteries. What began in a run-down shed in Ballarat, Victoria has grown into an Australasian success story. As R&J Batteries celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025, it reflects not just on the milestones achieved but on […]
By Peter Owen on Comments Off on Maroochy members approve exciting new plans
Maroochy River will soon be home to a flood-lit, nine-hole par three course. MAROOCHY River, the Sunshine Coast golf club whose very existence was in doubt 15 years ago, may soon boast facilities that will make it equal to any other golf complex in the country. Members last month overwhelmingly approved a plan to build […]
By Peter Owen on Comments Off on Seymore departs after 34 years
WHILE Maroochy River celebrated its 10th anniversary at its Bli Bli site on May 31, popular head professional Sean Seymore packed his bags and prepared to leave after 34 years at the club. Seymore, who was an assistant professional at Horton Park, before sharing the role of head pro with Mal Robertson for many years, […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on Aged Care? No thank you. Welcome to Suite House.
SOMETHING new is coming to Mermaid Waters and it’s set to change how we think about care in later life. Now Open, Suite House is the latest evolution from the team at Esprit de Vie, and it’s offering a lifestyle that’s anything but typical. Suite House isn’t just another aged care residence. It’s aged care, reimagined. Designed […]
By Peter Owen on Comments Off on New hotel, even better golf course for Noosa Springs
NOOSA Springs Golf and Spa Resort, already boasting one of Australia’s top 100 golf courses, will be further improved following Noosa Council’s recent decision to approve the construction of a luxury boutique hotel within the resort’s grounds. Work on the 69-room hotel, which will be operated by an international, five-star branded hotel manager and is […]
By Michael Davis on Comments Off on The Heritage G&CC is ‘On Pin’ and on time
LET’S face it. Most people who are as slow as all get out on the golf course have no real idea of how annoying they are. They get caught up in their own little world and are largely unaware of their on-course foibles and idiosyncrasies which annoy the heck out of their playing partners and […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on Course upgrades and a retirement village approved at Newcastle GC
Newcastle Golf Club and Principle Living have announced that development consent has been granted by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel for a substantial retirement village on the Club’s land fronting Nelson Bay Road at Fern Bay. The proposed village involves 172 independent living units and associated infrastructure, with the development consent following […]
By Michael Davis on Comments Off on Commonwealth GM returns to golf – and he’s ‘loving it’
A trio of greens at Commonwealth. All new greens and bunker complexes at the 7th in the foreground with the 10th top left and 12th top right. HAVING ‘fine-tuned’ a hook and a block well before he arrived at Commonwealth Golf Club as GM three years ago, Peter Paccagnan light-heartedly says the newly renovated course […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on On time and ‘On Pin’ at Cronulla GC
MONTHLY Medal stroke rounds taking five hours, regular men’s and women’s club competition events four hours, 45, can be a common occurrence at both private and social golf clubs around the country. Some courses may live with taking that long to play however it wasn’t good enough at Cronulla Golf Club and they did something […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on Cumberland project to combine retirement living with green open spaces
A VISIONARY partnership is set to deliver a mid-density, wellness-focused retirement community on prime golf course land in Sydney’s western suburbs. Pariter Pty Limited, a business specialising in the development and operation of community infrastructure, in collaboration with the Cumberland Country Golf Club, has announced a project which will enhance community and lifestyle, with approval […]
By Inside Golf on Comments Off on Clublinks to manage the redeveloped Chatswood
CLUBLINKS, a leading community and recreational facility management specialist has been appointed to manage the newly redeveloped golf course and state of the art community facilities at Newgreens Chatswood, on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. The prestigious precinct, redeveloped for Chatswood Golf Club, by the Pariter and Watermark Living partnership, will leverage Clublinks’ extensive expertise in […]
By Peter Owen on Comments Off on Dojo GC – Where golfers play for free
THERE are few enough golf courses on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast that we shouldn’t welcome another one – even if it’s not of a resort standard, or the likely home of a future Queensland PGA Championship. In fact it’s a nine-hole course situated on 9ha of land at Diddillabah, less than 8km from Maroochydore beach, and […]