Northern Beaches institution Warringah Golf Club has the green light to construct its new golf “and community” clubhouse, after years of trials and tribulations.
Established in 1935 with the opening of the first nine holes to the north of Kentwell Road, success of the club quickly led to land clearing to the south for a further nine holes and construction of the original clubhouse, in 1939.
On its way is a new $8.7 million two-storey, ‘family-friendly’ clubhouse for the North Manly links that will include facilities also intended for the general public and other sports organisations.
It will contain a range of drinking and dining options, with a sports bar and garden lounge at street level and restaurant seating 60 people on the first floor. There will also be a function room, pro shop and offices for administration.
And as a result of an agreement with Northern Beaches Council, the new club will be pokies-free.
The plans, which are underpinned by an extended, 20-year lease on the golf course and site of the new clubhouse, comes around six years after a move by Council to reduce the course back to nine holes, to make way for more sporting fields.
Club president Scott Campbell says the disputes are over and they now enjoy a positive relationship with Council, which has been extremely supportive of the plans.
“We’re very pleased and grateful now that things are moving in a positive direction, and just very relieved it is finally coming to fruition.
“We’re looking forward to the new clubhouse going up and being able to share it with the community.”
Set to be located on the course’s eastern edge, on the corner of Pittwater and Kentwell roads, it is better positioned to attract locals.
The new structure will replace the existing tennis centre, adjacent to Warringah Recreation Centre, which is scheduled for demolition, making way for highly anticipated new facilities that will include new synthetic tennis courts and lighting, squash courts, and better amenities and parking.
Warringah’s new club facility replaces its dated former venue, which failed to attract social members and was sold off in 2021, providing funds for the new build.
A contract has now been inked with Sydney builder Prime Projects, marking a major milestone.
Construction is due to begin late July and will be self-funded by the club. The 10-month build is slated for completion in May 2026.
Seeing around 60,000 social rounds and 22,000 member competition rounds played each year, WGC has no shortage of foot traffic and looks forward to welcoming both club members and recreational players, including from Council’s expanded sports precinct, to become a “recreation destination” for the Beaches.
“Now we can get on with continuing improvements to the course, which have already started,” adds Campbell.
“We simply had to bite the bullet and look to the future.”
