Strathfield Golf Club might have lost to a king, but it has beaten a president en route to special worldwide acclaim for its new clubhouse.
Representatives of the club were thrilled this week when the American-based Golf Inc magazine announced the western Sydney facility had won third prize in the global “best new clubhouse” category for public clubs.
General manager Neil Hardy said it was an “extraordinary award” to recognise the culmination of a $25million project that has totally transformed the club’s appearance.
“It is very satisfying … in an internationally judged competition where we were up against clubs in the United States, Europe and Asia,” Hardy said.
“It has been a long seven-year project from the time we decided to sell our practice fairway and clubhouse site to when we finally relocated from one side of the course and moved into the new clubhouse in September 2018 on the other side of the course.”
The judging panel gave Strathfield, and its nearest rivals, high praise for its “clean lines and modern design elements devoted to increasing sustainability”.
They also refer to all the winners having old-style grace with modern functionality for, as the club insisted to architectural firm Altis, the pleasure of all golfers members and guests.
The clubhouse itself is split over three tiers with the upper floor, at ground level, home to all social activities in three interlinked pavilions with external terraces.
The middle floor underneath houses locker rooms, pro shop, golf simulators and cart storage, while the basement area has parking for up to 170 cars.
The clubhouse has multiple foyers, a balcony and a garden gazebo; a restaurant that seats up to 150 people; three function rooms capable of hosting 650 guests; and a members’ lounge with sports screens and twin boardrooms.
“Special thanks to Altis architects who designed this amazing and iconic clubhouse – there is nothing else like it.”
The winner of the top gong was Royal Golf Marrakech, owned by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, second was Papago Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona.
Only an honourable mention was afforded to US President Donald Trump’s own Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx, New York.
