News Archive

10th June 2025

Project R&M – Bulletin #3 – Now Available!

Project R&M – Bulletin #3 – Now Available!

We are pleased to share with you Bulletin #3 of the Repair & Maintenance Project, which highlights the significant progress made across Stage 1 and outlines plans for Stage 2.

Key Highlights from Bulletin #3:

  • New Holes Completed: The transformation of Holes 9, 17, 18, and 16A is now largely complete, with these new designs taking our course to an exciting new level. Subject to weather, Holes 9, 16A and 17 are expected to be in play from July, while the new 18th green and practice putting green will likely come into play in the coming months.

  • Course Enhancements and Aesthetics: The new 9th hole Waterfall Feature, made possible through generous Member support via the Foundation appeal. This iconic addition will enhance the course’s visual identity and Member enjoyment for years to come.

  • Temporary Facilities Performance: Temporary greens and tees have performed admirably during Stage 1. To maintain playability, teeing areas will undergo review and potential enlargement as the project continues.

  • Out-of-Scope Improvements: A number of additional upgrades were undertaken, including:

    • 10th hole tee extension

    • Practice putting green enlargement

    • Upgraded Clubhouse pathways and landscaping

    • Tree management for safety and playability

    • Enhanced surface water drainage

  • Stage 2 Commencement: Focus shifts to Holes 5, 6, and 8, including green and bunker redevelopment, tee enhancements, new cart paths and targeted drainage works. Stage 2 will be delivered in two phases:

    • Stage 2A (July to Mid-August) – Utilising the 8th Hole while the 18th green continues to mature.

    • Stage 2B (Mid-August to October) – Reverting to temporary holes as the 8th green undergoes work.

  • Maintaining a Full Course Experience: Through the use of temporary holes (1A/1B, 5A/5B, and 10A/10B), Members will continue to enjoy 18 holes throughout construction.

  • Team & Timeline: Our Course Superintendent Michael Hedger and the broader R&M team remain enthusiastic and committed as we move into the next phase. Work on Stage 2 is scheduled to be completed by October 1, weather permitting.

You can view the full Bulletin #3, complete with photos, diagrams and a detailed timeline of activities, by clicking the link below.

We thank you for your continued support and patience as we reshape and rejuvenate our course for current and future generations of Members to enjoy.

Click here for Bulletin #3

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6th May 2025

New Mobile App Now Available for Pennant Hills Golf Club Members – UPDATED

New Mobile App Now Available for Pennant Hills Golf Club Members – UPDATED

I am excited to announce the official launch of our new mobile app, now available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. This update follows a partnership with Northstar Club Management Solutions, aimed at enhancing Member experience with a user-friendly platform packed with convenient features.

The app is designed to be intuitive, ensuring a seamless transition for Members. The mobile app is now available for download at the following links:

Once downloaded, Members can easily log in using their Member Number as the username and the password is your last name in lowercase (No not include any special characters or spaces in your last name). The app’s home screen offers customizable shortcuts and quick access to essential features, such as notifications and profile updates.

Key features include:

  • Member Directory: Update your visibility settings to control which personal information is shared with fellow Club Members.

  • Reservation System: Create and view reservations for various club services directly through the app.

  • Notifications: Stay informed with real-time updates and club announcements.

For Members who need help with the app, the Club has made support readily available through email assistance.

For any additional assistance or queries regarding the app, drop Barnaby a line at the Club or send an email to gmanager@pennanthillsgolfclub.com.au

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6th May 2025

Membership Update and Invitation to Refer New Members

Membership Update and Invitation to Refer New Members

Dear Members,

I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying all that Pennant Hills Golf Club has to offer. As Vice-President and Chair of the Membership Committee, it’s both my pleasure and responsibility to keep you informed about the ongoing health and future direction of our Membership community. In doing so, I would also like to extend an invitation to each of you to consider playing a role in shaping that future by introducing new Members to our Club.

Our Membership – Strong, Growing and Engaged
As of March 2025, our total Membership now stands at 1,419, reflecting a steady and healthy increase year-on-year. These figures not only speak to our Club’s enduring appeal, but also to the strength of our community and the reputation we continue to uphold within Sydney’s golfing landscape. It is worth noting, however, that the Full Playing category is currently at capacity and will remain closed for the foreseeable future in order to preserve Member access to competitions and course availability. New applicants are instead being welcomed into the Limited Playing category, which offers a valuable and inclusive entry point into the Club, with opportunities to transition into higher access categories as capacity allows. This approach supports sustainable growth while maintaining the exceptional playing experience our Members expect. Of course, we still encourage applications for Women in the 6 Day 1 category.

Sharing the Experience – A Personal Invitation
With this in mind, I invite each of you to think about friends, family members or colleagues who may benefit from the unique experience we offer and who in turn would contribute positively to our Club environment. You, our Members, are our greatest ambassadors. Your personal referrals carry more meaning and impact than any marketing campaign. If you know someone who loves the game, appreciates tradition, or is looking for a vibrant, values-led community to belong to please consider inviting them to explore Membership.

A Club of Excellence – And Opportunities to Belong
There has never been a better time to join Pennant Hills Golf Club. Beyond the prestige of playing one of Australia’s most beautifully designed courses, the only one in the country crafted by the world-renowned Player Group, we offer a holistic and deeply rewarding Membership experience:

  • A striking and architecturally designed clubhouse
  • Gourmet dining and a curated wine selection
  • A vibrant calendar of competitions and social events
  • Access to national and international reciprocal clubs
  • Personalised PGA coaching and mentoring opportunities
  • Touring parties and interstate golf adventures

We are more than a golf club. We are a place where Members connect, belong and grow on the course and beyond.

Incentives That Open Doors
We’re proud to support a diverse and welcoming Membership through a number of special incentives and policies currently available:

  • Introductory Programs: Our “Get Started”, “Get Golfing”, and “Get Golfing Plus” programs offer a structured entry to golf. Upon completing these, new Members receive a Heritage Fee discount equal to the full cost of participation.
  • Family Discount: Applicants related to a current Member (excluding House Members) may receive a 50% Heritage Fee discount. This includes spouses, life partners, children, parents, siblings, and in-laws.
  • Women’s Discount: Female applicants aged 21 and above may receive a 50% discount on the Heritage Fee in eligible playing categories.
  • Spousal Joining Benefits: While we do not promote a formal “Husband & Wife” policy, our current structure can provide significant dual benefits if spouses apply sequentially one under the female discount and one under the family discount. This arrangement allows couples to join together with meaningful financial advantages, while retaining flexibility and discretion in application order.

These incentives are designed not only to ease the path to Membership, but to ensure that Pennant Hills continues to reflect the diverse and vibrant fabric of our wider community.

Heritage Fee – Likely Changes Ahead
Our Heritage Fee is a one-off fee, currently $8,000 for Full Members, it buys an incoming Member the right to immediate access and enjoyment of existing amenities that have been developed and funded by present and past Members. It recognises the value of our world-class facilities, which have been built and nurtured by generations of Members before us. Given increasing capital investment on our course, Clubhouse infrastructure and other capital initiatives, the Board is currently reviewing this fee and how it is structured across membership categories. While no immediate changes have been confirmed, it is likely that an increase will be introduced in the near future. Prospective Members who apply under current rates and take advantage of the generous discounts outlined above, stand to benefit significantly by joining now, before these adjustments take effect.

Membership That Reflects Our Values
At its heart, Pennant Hills Golf Club remains a place defined not just by rolling fairways and elegant function rooms, but by people. People who live our values of camaraderie, respect, inclusiveness, and integrity. We are proud to foster a culture where each Member feels seen, heard, and supported, whether they’re teeing off at dawn, sharing stories in the Clubhouse, or volunteering behind the scenes. As we look to the year ahead, your continued support, in introducing new Members, sharing your pride in the Club, and upholding the traditions we all cherish, is both appreciated and vital. Should you wish to discuss Membership for someone you know, or have any questions about policies or fees, please feel free to speak with either Kim or Barnaby. They are always happy to speak with you directly or meet with potential applicants personally. Our dedicated team will provide full support and assistance through the application process.

Thank you for being a valued part of our Pennant Hills Golf Club family.

Kindest regards,

Sue Fabian
Vice-President
Chair Membership Committee
Pennant Hills Golf Club

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1st March 2025

Living History – Uncovering the Hidden History of Holes 9, 10, and 18

Living History – Uncovering the Hidden History of Holes 9, 10, and 18

A fascinating piece of Club history has recently come to light, thanks to the diligent research of the Living History Group. In 2023, Bruce Jones created a short video showcasing iconic images of holes 9, 10, and 18 overlaid on current photos. This unique approach allowed us to see exactly where the original photographs were taken and provided valuable insights into the course’s evolution.

However, an important discovery regarding the 18th hole has rewritten a long-standing narrative. The existing history books have consistently misreported key details about holes 17 and 18. To correct the record, Bruce delved into the Board minutes from the early 1930s, extracting crucial notes that have enabled a more accurate reconstruction of these holes and tees. Accompanying this research, rare old photographs have been used to confirm the findings and piece together a more complete and accurate history.

This revelation may come as a surprise to some members, as these long-hidden facts challenge what has been previously documented. With the Course Repair and Maintenance project well underway, holes 17 and 18 are set to become standout features on our course, making this newfound historical clarity even more significant.

We encourage Members to watch Bruce’s video and explore the rich heritage of our Club’s iconic holes. Understanding our past helps shape our future, and this discovery adds another layer of appreciation for the course we all know and love.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to celebrate and preserve the history of PHGC.

Click here to view video.

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1st March 2025

President’s Letter – ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

President’s Letter – ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

I am writing the annual letter advising subscription levels for the 2025-26 year prior to sending out invoices in March.

The financial result for the 2024-25 year is expected to be a satisfactory outcome but will fall short of budget by some $84k which is around 2% of subscription income. More than 50% of the shortfall is due to a rise in insurance charges and the increased cost of gas and power. We are also feeling the pressures from wage and salary increases, inflation in the food and beverage activity as well as general cost increases of fuel and course chemicals. Fortunately, the revenue budget has held up, the issue is on the expense side and is contained to a large degree by careful management and deferring some activity.

The course repair and maintenance project is running to schedule. Stage 1 is on time and on budget and I remind Members that this is funded by internal cash generation over the following 2½ years. Hence the importance of operating to a disciplined financial plan.

As I indicated last year the Club is now operating with a managed waiting list for admission to Full Playing Membership, the course is at capacity on most Saturdays and many Sundays, cost increases can only be met by raising individual subscriptions. The volume effect on revenue of the past years has come to an end, the unavoidable and general increase for 2025/26 will be in the order of 5.7%.

Once again, the Board is willing to accommodate some movements between Membership categories within the caps that have been set. Transfers for men and women to Limited Playing as well as transfers for men to 6 Day 2 will be considered. This frees up space to admit more Full Playing Members who pay the current $8,000 Heritage Fee payable on admission to Membership. This fee is effectively a “buy in” by new Members to immediate enjoyment of amenities provided by the subscriptions of existing Members. It is likely to rise substantially after 1 April this year and again as the R&M Project reshapes our wonderful course.  

Members who are ill or who face extenuating circumstances are eligible to transfer to become Absentee Members. This maintains their golf link number and enables them to play golf according to the conditions and entitlements of an Absentee Member and return to a playing category when their circumstances allow.

Emeritus Membership is available to Members generally over the age of 70, and who are not playing golf and who have been Members for 20 years or so. Members who meet these criteria may seek transfer to become Emeritus Members as part of the Membership renewal process. This new category has been a wonderful success and was introduced to recognise and celebrate the contribution of long serving Members of our Club. It allows the cohort to attend the AGM and enables them to continue their ongoing relationship after golf with the many friends they have made over the years at our Club.

Fees are set according to the needs and priorities of our Club; they are not set relative to other clubs. However, the comparison is inevitable, and it is sensible to check that we are pricing and therefore operating in relation to our peers. The following table provides a comparison of full playing subscriptions at peer clubs. Please be aware that the subscriptions of peer clubs in the table are for the 2024/25 year whilst PHGC is for the 2025/26 year. Peer club increases generally apply from 30 June.

 

PHGC

Concord

Pymble

Avondale

Killara

Castle Hill

Full Playing

$6050

$5660

$5957

$6620

$6430

$4860

Limited Playing

$4300

$4240

$3654

$3900

Women’s

$5150

$5660

$5185

$5600

$5787

$4275

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The rates of subscription for 2025/26 and the actual cash increase over the previous year are outlined in the following table. A more comprehensive table including senior and special playing categories can be found on our web site, click here to view.

Working with the Kendal Binns Junior Fund Committee, the Board has amended the categories of Membership for Juniors to better align to the needs of each cohort and the cost relative to market practice. This has resulted in an overall decrease of fees for certain Junior Member categories. The importance of Junior Members is best illustrated in our Major Pennant squad where some of them are regular Members of the team.

Once again, the Board has elected not to increase the basic House charge for the 2025/2026 year. This recognises the stretched nature of some household budgets in current economic circumstances.

Membership Category

2024 / 2025 Fees

2025 / 2026 fees

Sub

House

Total

Sub

House

Total

$ increase

Full Playing

$5750

$500

$6250

$6050

$500

$6550

$300

6 Day 2  

$5250

$500

$5750

$5600

$500

$6100

$350

6 Day 1  

$4800

$500

$5300

$5150

$500

$5650

$350

Limited Playing

$3950

$400

$4350

$4300

$400

$4700

$350

Flexible

$1900

$350

$2250

$2000

$350

$2350

$100

Under 21

$1420

 

$1420

$1500

 

$1500

$80

Age 15 – 17

$1420

 

$1420

$1350

 

$1350

-$70

Age 12 – 14

$1420

 

$1420

$1150

 

$1150

-$270

Age under 12

$1420

 

$1420

$950

 

$950

-$470

Country 

$1450

$250

$1700

$1530

$250

$1780

$80

Absentee

$530

 

$530

$530

 

$530

 $0

Emeritus

$530

$250

$780

$530

$250

$780

 $0

House Family

$330

$250

$580

$330

$250

$580

 $0

House

$430

$250

$680

$430

$250

$680

 $0

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Members should also note that our Financial Year is the traditional fiscal period from 1 July to 30 June while our subscription year commences 1 April and ends 31 March. This allows the Board to set a budget with greater certainty as subscription income is known.  

Membership invoices will follow this letter; I trust it puts the fees and the fee setting process in perspective.

Good luck with your golf,

Michael Rowan
President

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