Club History
Club History
Club History
The Northbridge Golf Course holds significant historical importance, serving as a testament to the local community’s determined efforts to establish a public golf course. It showcases remarkable examples of sandstone retaining walls built during the Depression era. The architecture, size, and development of the clubhouse perfectly exemplify the suburban growth of Northbridge. Spanning from the ridgetop of Sailors Bay Road to the lushly vegetated foreshore of Long Bay and Wreck Bay, the Northbridge Golf Club encompasses the majority of Northbridge Park, providing breathtaking views across the course and bays.
Originally known as Long Bay Reserve, the area comprising 95 acres was designated as Middle Harbour Park on September 7, 1910, by the Willoughby Council for public recreation, later transforming into the golf course. In 1934, Middle Harbour Park was renamed Northbridge Park and remains a Crown Reserve to this day.
The approval for an 18-hole golf course was granted in 1933, leading to the commencement of construction on a 9-hole course in November of that year through an emergency relief work scheme. The course’s construction included the creation of impressive hewn sandstone walls. While preserving the natural bushland on the relatively barren site, additional native trees and shrubs were carefully planted throughout the course, although not exclusively using locally endemic species.
The first nine holes were skillfully designed by Mr. Hugh Douglas Robb, the council’s engineer, and were officially opened by the Premier of New South Wales, B. S. B. Stevens, on April 13, 1935. In 1947, the golf course underwent further development to become an 18-hole course. A public competition held by the council resulted in the winning design of the clubhouse by A. M. Woodforde. Construction of the clubhouse, completed by builder A. E. Edwards in 1937, led to its lease by the Northbridge Golf Club, which was established in 1934. Notably, the Northbridge Golf Club is one of the few public courses found throughout the Sydney region, adding to its significance and accessibility for golf enthusiasts.