Sydney club mixes with big boys

The beautiful new clubhouse of Strathfield Golf Club won rave reviews worldwide. Images: SGC

Strathfield Golf Club may have lost a king, but it has defeated a president on the way to special worldwide fame for his new clubhouse.

Club representatives were enthusiastic this week when the US Golf Inc magazine announced that the West Sydney location had won third prize in the worldwide category & # 39; best new clubhouse & # 39; for public clubs.

Managing Director Neil Hardy said it was an "extraordinary prize" to recognize the culmination of a $ 25 million project that completely changed the club's appearance.

"It's very satisfying … in an internationally rated competition where we compete against clubs in the United States, Europe, and Asia," said Hardy.

“It was a long seven-year project from the moment we decided to sell our fairway and clubhouse practice course until we finally moved from one side of the course to the new clubhouse in September 2018. . ”

The jury committee highly praised Strathfield and his close rivals for his "clean lines and modern design elements dedicated to increasing sustainability". They also refer to all winners who have old-fashioned grace with modern functionality for, such as the club insisted on architecture firm Altis, the pleasure of all golfers and guests.

An aerial photo of the course and the new clubhouse.

The clubhouse itself is spread over three floors with the top floor, on the ground floor, home to all social activities in three interconnected pavilions with external terraces. On the middle floor there are changing rooms, pro-shop, golf simulators and cart storage, while in the basement there is room for a maximum of 170 cars.

The clubhouse has several foyers, a balcony and a garden shed; a restaurant that can accommodate up to 150 people; three rooms suitable for 650 guests; and a member lounge with sports screens and two boardrooms.

"Special thanks to Altis architects who designed this amazing and iconic clubhouse – there is nothing else like this."

The winner of the top gong was Royal Golf Marrakech, owned by the Moroccan king Mohammed VI, the second being Papago Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona. Only an honorable mention was given to US President Donald Trump's own Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx, New York.