By Sonia Isaacs
THE Maleny Ladies Golf Club has celebrated a major milestone, hosting its first large-scale event in its newly completed clubhouse as players from across south-east Queensland gathered for the club’s annual Open Day.
Around 115 golfers from 21 clubs took part in the event on Thursday, July 16, which was held in conjunction with the district competition Race to the Coast — a tournament series that has been running for about five years and rotates between host clubs.
Competitors travelled from across the region, including as far north as Murgon, west to Toowoomba and south to Wantima near Albany Creek and Eatons Hill, highlighting the growing reputation of the Maleny course and facilities.
Ladies’ representative and event organiser Narelle Thamm said the day marked the culmination of more than two decades of effort to develop the course and clubhouse. “This really is the icing on the cake,” Ms Thamm said. “We’ve built the course up step by step, and now to see everyone here in the new clubhouse is just fantastic.”
The new clubhouse, built by Saltair, provided the backdrop for the event, with the company also a major sponsor. Saltair representative Michael presented prizes to the winners, while Drummond Golf Maroochydore was the other event sponsor.
Ms Thamm said the Open Day was a proud moment for members who had watched the club evolve from humble beginnings into a fully established 18-hole course.
The Maleny golf course began as the vision of three local men in 1998, with membership beginning to grow around 2000.
The course started as a nine-hole layout, later expanded to 12 holes, before reaching its current 18-hole configuration about six years ago. “Today we fielded 115 players from 21 clubs,” Ms Thamm said.
“It shows what a small community can achieve when people stick with a vision.” The competing clubs included Beerwah, Bribie Island, Caboolture, Caloundra, Cooroy, Gympie, Headland, Kingaroy, Maroochy River, Murgon, Mount Coolum, Nambour, Nanango, Noosa Springs, Pelican Waters, Redcliffe, Tin Can Bay, Toowoomba City, Wantima, Woodford.
While Thursday’s event was not the official opening of the clubhouse, it served as a soft launch and an opportunity for members to showcase the new facilities.
The overall winner of the Open Day was Barbara Birks.
Ms Thamm said the club was looking forward to officially celebrating the new clubhouse and continuing to welcome players from across the region.