NO self-respecting country town would be complete without a golf course.
And while Wellington, in the region known as the Central West of NSW has some famous landmarks such as Wellington Caves, Lake Burrendong and the nearby Mount Arthur Reserve, it’s the golf club where the locals often love to gather.
Famous for its established trees, Wellington Golf Club is a challenging and enjoyable 18-hole course that attracts golfers of all levels.
The greens are immaculate with irrigation from tee to green, gentle undulating fairways, valley views and beautiful gardens.
Locals boast that conditions for golf are great all year round.
. . . And visitors are always welcome for a social round with stay-and-play packages offering affordable accommodation near the course.
Players with a Golf Australia handicap are invited to play in Wellington’s competitions each Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. There is also a ladies’ competition on Wednesdays, conducted in conjunction with the men’s event.
And with summer fast approaching, a Thursday Twilight Season competition played over nine holes always attracts some healthy competition and now runs from October right through until March.
The club is also planning to offer half-year memberships for summer competition.
The veterans aren’t left out in the cold either with Diggers Golf held two Sundays of every month throughout the year.
And with the course a mere 500m and adjacent to the award-winning Wellington Caves and Holiday Park, the club is available for parties, weddings and wakes in a rustic aspect.
“It’s all about community, family and this town,” says Wellington Soldiers Memorial Club secretary-manager Stephen Hodge.
“Part of our strategic plan includes adding a bowling green and a substantial children’s play area.
“That may include a putt-putt mini golf course to attract more families to come and give it a try.
“Eventually we hope they’ll take a look at our golf course as well and maybe decide ‘let’s go and have a game’,
“There’s plenty of other things in the pipeline too. There will be Keno available shortly and a TAB will be available as digital form.
“The Wellington Soldiers Memorial Club’s idea is that it is here to help the community and endeavour to take the golf club on and work with it for the community.
“That will more than likely involve extending the hours of the clubhouse.
“And a pro-am at Wellington is certainly something we’ll be looking at. I’m aiming to run one in 2026, at this stage, so we can chase sponsorship and get the community involved.”
The club has been spending to ensure the club’s future and with the hotter months just around the corner, visitors will be delighted to know $500,000 has just been outlaid on irrigation for the course.
“We’re also considering running a basic kitchen at this stage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, possibly as a barbecue.
“But we’re looking at all options, maybe pizzas, spaghetti bolognaise, anything that would attract families to the club.
Membership is always welcome and full membership costs just $630 while for those age 67 or above, it’s $525 while junior membership for those under 18 is just $100.
That also gives players an AGU golf handicap and Golflink number enabling them to play in club competitions where ever they travel.
The Wellington course is a par 72, measuring 5998 metres from the back tee and 5338 for women.
Longest hole on the course is the par-five 524m finishing hole while the par threes are regarded as a stern test as well with the shortest being the 144m par-three eighth.
Yet two of the par threes (holes three and 14) stretch over more than 190m and many struggle to reach the greens.
Still that wasn’t a problem for current club champion Kurt Cusack, who still holds the course record of 64 and as a former greenkeeper at the course knows just about every blade of grass on Wellington’s long-established layout.
Cusack was off a plus five handicap when this issue of Inside Golf went to press, although he often faces plenty of opposition from fellow family members Gary and Mitchell Cusack, who know their way around a golf course too.
There’s also a Sporting Membership category at Wellington for $370 which offers members access to all club facilities at members’ prices and schoolkids currently play social golf for free.
MORE INFORAMTION:
Wellington Golf Club
Caves Road, Wellington
Telephone: (02) 6845 2130
www.wellingtongc.com.au
Wellington – Rich history, natural beauty
You’ll be keen to learn a bit of the history of Wellington while you’re in town.
Wellington is the second oldest New South Wales settlement west of the Blue Mountains.
Known for its rich history and natural beauty, the town is a nature-lover’s paradise.
Here you can unearth the mysteries of the megafauna that once roamed Australia and find out what those miners were up to 100 years ago on the Phosphate and Fossil tour.
Immerse yourself in the serenity of Wellington’s countryside at the 2,100 hectare Mount Arthur Reserve.
There are six marked walking trails which range from 30 minutes to a half-day trek and vary in difficulty with all trails delivering spectacular views of the surrounding valley.
The Reserve offers scenic viewpoints as well as picnicking, bushwalking, horse riding and bike opportunities.
One of Wellington’s hotels, the Lion Of Waterloo, was established by Nicolas Hyeronimus in 1842 and is the oldest hotel operating west of the Blue Mountains.
Near to The Lion of Waterloo is the location of the last recorded duel fought on Australian soil: And that was in 1854.
Wellington is a little over four hours drive from Sydney, around an hour from Orange and not quite as far west as Dubbo.
