Monash Country Club on Sydney’s Northern Beaches has learned throughout its 75-year history that when a club focuses on its golf course, great things happen.
The name on the front entrance, as you turn off Mona Vale Rd, reads “Monash Country Club”. It’s a 75-year-old property that Sydney golfers are familiar with; a club created by a group of Jewish golfers who were unjustly refused membership elsewhere and who took the Northern Beaches site for their own club, open to all, in 1950. These days, its aura among Sydney golfers is that of a prestigious and private, but approachable, golf club renowned for hosting the 1964 Australian PGA Championship, won by the club professional at the time Col Johnston, and the 1984 edition won by Greg Norman. Or, more recently, for nurturing the teenage talent of two-time PGA Tour winner, Cameron Davis.
But if you’re a first-time visitor, as this writer was in late February, you could be anywhere in the golf world. Exactly where depends on which of Monash’s thoughtful holes one is playing.
Standing on the tee at the par-5 15th, which sits just in front of the clubhouse, the snaking, striped fairway wraps around a gentle dogleg and up a steep hill to the green – creating an eerie resemblance to the famous Valderrama in southern Spain. As it happens, the 15th shares a tee with the 10th, and once you’re walking down the gently undulating fairway of the back nine’s opening offer, a brief glance through pine trees into the neighbouring 11th conjures images of the flatter parts of Augusta National, such as the seventh hole at the home of the Masters.
In the clubhouse after the round, sipping on an ice-cold beer – several of which are local favourites from Northern Beaches breweries – and looking out over a majestic handful of treelined holes transports a golfer to some of the Golden Age, A.W. Tillinghast courses of New Jersey, known for their scenic patios.
Despite the flashes of resemblance to prestigious European or American golf clubs, Monash does have a distinguished Australiana beauty. That stems from a spectacular, hilly and fascinating layout carved out of the Garigal National Park. With a series of rocky outcrops and bushland, within and on the boundaries of the property, there is an undeniably Sydney feel to the course.
Perhaps this is best represented by the signature hole: the marvellously quirky par-4 13th, a downhill, dogleg left that measures 315 metres. A large rocky shelf stands in the middle of a two-tiered fairway and that division compels a golfer to decide: lay up with a 200-metre tee shot or attempt a booming right-to-left drive around bushland for an easier wedge approach.
After Australian Golf Digest publisher Brad Clifton and I managed to play better than either of us expected for 12 holes, we discovered the bushland beauty the hard way at No.13. After aiming left of the Bahá’í Temple in the distance, both myself, a right-hander, and Clifton, a left-hander, thought we’d flushed two aggressive right-to-left tee shots around the corner, only to find them in the bush. They hadn’t curved enough. Two forced chip-outs resulted in two bogeys, but at least they were thrilling 5s on the scorecard.
As general manager John Harrison explains, Monash views the national park as the centrepiece of the golf course.
“It’s something we’ve deliberately focused on,” Harrison says. “We’re lucky to be nestled in Garigal National Park, so we’ve worked to expose more of the bush rock and opened up tree canopies to highlight the beautiful gums. Even the drive into the course is part of that experience – we’ve tidied up the entry to give visitors a sense of the natural beauty before they’ve even stepped onto the first tee.”
That rugged beauty contrasts magnificently with the otherworldly turf conditioning at Monash as perfect fairways meander through bushland and rock. Quite frankly, it would be difficult for the average golfer to fathom how Monash’s turf could look this good – even for a well-resourced private club. The fairways place Monash among the top kikuyu courses in Australia. And at the end of each fairway, Monash’s greens roll slick and fast despite a deep, lush green appearance that gives an illusion of slower surfaces.
Monash has put an emphasis on improving what people consider as their first and most important reason to join a golf club: the course. And with Monash’s high-achieving maintenance staff, it’s paid off.
“In my 10 years at the club, absolutely the course is looking as good as it ever has,” Harrison says. “The course is playing as well as I’ve ever seen it. The feedback from members and guests reflects that, and our membership retention has been a great indicator. Of course, golf courses are always evolving, but we’re very proud of where Monash is at right now.”
Monash has undergone a series of minor facelifts during the past 11 years that left Clifton, upon our visit in February, blown away by the beauty, presentation and layout since his last visit. I had never played Monash before, so it was all new and high calibre to me.
The club’s dedication to course improvement has transformed what was once considered a Northern Beaches gem into one of greater Sydney’s premier golf clubs. Under the guidance of course superintendent Rob Sain, every hole has undergone enhancements during his nine-year tenure, combining meticulous daily maintenance with long-term vision.
Recent projects have seen the complete rebuild of the 17th and 18th holes, led by course designer James Wilcher, while a new $1.7 million irrigation system – rolled out gradually over seven years – has elevated fairway conditioning to exceptional standards. Seven historically complex holes have benefited from recent sand-link drainage installations, ensuring year-round playability despite heavy rainfall.
The greens are the most improved, with a new look and feel but the same true speeds. Most notable is the new version of the 18th, which Wilcher redesigned in 2017. The old version of the 18th green had a wicked top shelf, but Wilcher’s re-do made the green less severe.
Four other greens were replaced before that 2017 redo, when Bob Harrison redesigned the second, third, eighth and 11th greens in 2014. Fans of Australian golf architecture will notice the different contouring of the Harrison greens, which include shoulders, minor ridges and pockets where balls can collect rather than the overall subtly sloping surfaces Monash was known for. The rippled eighth green is an impressive finale to a 267-metre par 4.
“We’ve also focused heavily on the playing surfaces,” says John Harrison. “Our irrigation project has been a gradual seven-year process, but it’s paid off. The fairways are in pristine condition year-round, and we’ve extended the sprinklers into the rough to improve grass coverage in areas that were previously bare.”
Greenside bunkers have been rebuilt using the innovative ‘matrix’ system, providing superior drainage and consistent playing surfaces. Extensive tree trimming has opened fairway corridors and improved sunlight penetration, while new paths on six holes enhance both aesthetics and accessibility.
“Our aim has always been to maintain playability for golfers of all abilities, not just the elite players,” Harrison says. “One of the key initiatives was introducing a new forward-tees course, which helps keep members in the game longer and provides an alternative for juniors, cadets and ladies coming through development pathways.”
Complementing the on-course improvements is a state-of-the-art teaching facility, featuring two indoor Trackman bays and an all-weather hitting area. With the club’s 75th anniversary celebrations in April and the Australian Senior Amateur set to be hosted in October, Monash is ready to showcase its revitalised layout.
Future plans include a purpose-built chipping green, with the club’s touring professional, Davis, expressing interest in its design when he was home in Sydney from his US base in late 2024.
“Cam has expressed a real interest in being involved, which is fantastic,” Harrison says. “When he was back here in December, he sketched out some ideas based on the best practice facilities he’s seen around the world. He’s a guy who loves practising, especially his short game, so having him lend his insights would be incredible.
“The plan would be to create an extra-large green (also incorporating our spare hole) with different slopes, undulations and bunkers – somewhere you could hit anything from short chip shots to 30-metre pitches. It would be a huge asset to the club, and having Cam’s name attached would make it even
more special.”
Monash Country Club may be celebrating its 75th year, but all signs indicate the best years are yet to come.
“I think we genuinely offer something for everyone,” Harrison says. “Whether you’re a serious golfer chasing competition or someone who just wants to enjoy a social round in beautiful surroundings, there’s a place for you here. Our practice facilities have been upgraded with Trackman and covered teaching bays, and we have a pleasant social atmosphere – particularly among couples and families. Monash is a place where people want to spend time with friends and immerse themselves in the game, and that’s something we’re really proud of.”
THE DETAILS
Monash Country Club
Where: Powderworks Rd, Ingleside NSW 2101
Phone: (02) 9913 8282
Web: monashcc.com.au
Photographs by Gary Lisbon
