Having a state-of-the-art and modern golf course is vitally important if a club wants to be in contention to host a major event.

The PGA Tour of Australasia is the primary tour, allowing players to earn world ranking points. Those who excel on it can earn the right to compete on other top tours, such as the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.

The premier tournament of this tour is the Australian Open, which is played across many of the top golf courses nationwide. The Australian Golf Club in Sydney has had the honour of hosting it the most times, with its last in 2023 being the 22nd time. Melbourne’s Royal Melbourne Golf Club has hosted it 16 times, while the Royal Sydney Golf Club in Sydney is next with 15.

One reason these golf courses have been able to host so many editions of this prestigious event is due to the facilities they offer. As has been witnessed in other sports, including Italian football, where stadium renovation and modernization have become a key talking point, there is an importance placed on the modernity of the facilities and the infrastructure available to fans at the venues. If they are not up to standard, then there is a chance the venue will be overlooked and not considered until things improve.

What investments have been made by Australia’s top golf course clubs?

Unsurprisingly, given the three golf clubs mentioned above and their frequent hosting of the Australian Open over the years, tens of millions of Australian Dollars have been spent on ensuring the facilities offered are of a world-class standard.

Spending this kind of money has enabled players to receive the best possible playing experiences. At the same time, fans can enjoy the available infrastructure, which provides a viewing experience that rivals some of the best in the world.

The Australian Golf Club in Sydney

The Australian Golf Club in Sydney invested $5.72 million in a multi-stage infrastructure upgrade, which included a new maintenance facility, storage bays, a cutting-edge water treatment plant for water reuse, and a new administration building featuring staff amenities and locker rooms. These improvements enable better course maintenance and tournament logistics.

In addition, the club installed underground fibre-optic cabling to provide fast and reliable internet connectivity, critical for tournament operations. To enhance what they offer to players, they’ve also invested in a new $2.4 million practice facility that includes a player lounge, world-class training equipment, and enhanced netting designed to support elite player preparation.

Royal Melbourne Golf Club

The Royal Melbourne Golf Club has also made significant investments over the years to enhance the offerings it provides to players and fans.

They have made significant efforts to modernise what is offered to everyone who visits, including an improved practice facility, the installation of artificial turf, the upgrade to the latest golf simulator technology, and an upgraded practice pavilion with a café.

The golf course has also recently completed the 3PS Project, which upgraded parking with a large underground car park that accommodates vehicles, golf carts, and electric buggies. These things can often go unnoticed, but they have a huge impact on the overall experience that everyone who attends an event like the Australian Open receives.

Royal Sydney Golf Club

Significant investments have been made at the Royal Sydney Golf Club in recent years to enhance the overall experience offered. Many of the investments made were part of a $17.4 million redevelopment project that aligned with the club’s 2030 Strategic Plan to maintain championship standards for hosting major events, such as the Australian Open.

The golf course underwent a comprehensive renovation led by renowned designer Gil Hanse, reopening its Bay Course with improvements that include redesigned holes, increased fairway space (64% more), and strategic bunker updates featuring new drainage and sand.

The new design also saw the club transition its course style from parkland to heathland, better reflecting the natural terrain and improving play quality. The club also installed SubAir infrastructure for improved turf health, a new irrigation system supported by a larger dam and pump station, and rerouted bores for a reliable water supply. The renovation also removed problematic trees to enhance airflow, sunlight, and safety. 

Importance of investing money into modern facilities

While investments can amount to a considerable sum of money, they are vital in ensuring the golf club remains a viable option, especially if it wants to be in contention to host some of the top events, such as the Australian Open.

Without spending money, they may fall behind some of their rival venues. Indeed, investing in modern golf facilities can even help underperforming clubs to become attractive destinations. It’s perhaps why New South Wales Golf Club got its chance to host its first Australian Open in 2009 (it has not had one since).

Still, clubs cannot stop investing. A lack of investment could see golf clubs only host one Australian Open and never be considered again; Gailes Golf Club hosted one Australian Open in 1955 and has not since, with Melbourne’s Commonwealth Golf Club (1967) and Royal Hobart Golf Club (1971) in the same category.