The prestigious Pennant Hills Golf Club in north-western Sydney is driving its future, kick-starting a strategic partnership with The Player Group for a sympathetic modernising overhaul.
Building on a century of history, the project marks one of the club’s most important chapters and comes as a result of its proactive approach to course stewardship and long-term vision.
Long admired for its Australian parkland character, PHGC was well aware of the need for major reinvestment. The cumulative effect of under-capitalisation had seen it slip from its historical ranking in the Top 100 courses of both NSW and Australia.
Ageing infrastructure no longer performed to contemporary standards, such as the greens, rebuilt in the mid-20th century, which suffered poor drainage and inconsistent turf.
GM Barnaby Sumner says there are poignant reminders that “excellence requires continuous stewardship”.
Selection of The Player Group was the result of a comprehensive design review in 2022, involving concepts tested by members of varying abilities, and a defining feature of the project is a commitment to keeping a full 18-hole course in play throughout, requiring installation of temporary greens.
Marking the most significant course renewal it has undertaken in more than 75 years, the program of works adheres to the club’s tradition of honouring tradition while ensuring it remains relevant to modern golf.
It will become the first golf course in Australia shaped under The Player Group banner, crystalising a shared philosophy marrying respect for classic course architecture with updated principles of playability, environmental care and member enjoyment. The course will retain its lauded parkland character while improving conditioning, sustainability and playability.
The redesign will be led by renowned course architect Phil Jacobs, who boasts extensive experience working alongside golf legend Gary Player on acclaimed global designs.
“The Club views this partnership as an opportunity to elevate its standing within Australia’s private golf landscape,” explains Sumner.
“On completion, Pennant Hills will stand alone as the only Gary Player-associated course in the country.”
Vision for the upgrade centres on enhancing natural contours, improving strategic interest and refining the overall aesthetic, while retaining its timeless charm.
A highlight is the larger greens and introduction of ‘Pure Distinction’ bentgrass, for the kind of consistent, weather-tolerant putting surface expected of leading Australian private clubs.
Construction will take place across six sequenced stages, scheduled to be completed in 2027. The project team is a deliberate blend of in-house capability and specialist input, bringing together PHGC’s own experienced course staff under the leadership of superintendent Michael Hedger.
Stage one of the transformative journey, project ‘Repairs and Maintenance’, is already underway and aims to deliver twenty-one USGA-standard greens, rebuilt tees, modernised bunkers and improved strategic interest across the layout.
Key areas are being reshaped and renewed to address the requirements of infrastructure, notably improved drainage and turf quality. Sumner says this phase will focus on essentials and conditioning “that will underpin the broader redesign”.
Beyond foundational issues the makeover paves the way for long-term prosperity, with benefits expected through the course’s improved resilience in wet weather, reduction in maintenance, enhanced reciprocal opportunities and appeal – hopefully ushering the return of its Australian Golf Digest Top 100 ranking – and ultimately, stronger member attraction and retention.
PHGC sees this as an important moment in its development, and a significant step in preserving history while elevating its standards and viability for future generations.
The Player Group collaboration reinforces PHGC’s reputation as one of Australia’s leading private golf clubs, and the plans demonstrate to the broader golf community a methodology for preserving legacy while embracing opportunity.
“The Club’s choice to partner with The Player Group marks a bold yet respectful step forward, one that reflects both the weight of history and the promise of what lies ahead,” concludes Sumner.