Cowra Golf Club has completed a significant upgrade to its course infrastructure, restoring pathways and bunkers that were badly damaged by flooding in 2022.

The project, supported through the NSW ClubGrants program and the NSW Golf Foundation, involved excavating and resurfacing cart paths with blue metal, sand and cement, and installing 250 timber posts along the course’s edges. A large portion of the labour was carried out by club volunteers, underlining the community-driven effort behind the restoration.

The damage dated back to severe flooding from the Lachlan River, which inundated the course and forced a month-long closure. In the years since, deteriorating dirt and gravel paths had become a source of frustration for members and visitors, with exposed tree roots and erosion-prone sections creating hazards for carts and increasing the workload of the greenkeeping team.

Cowra Lady Golfers Captain Jenny Dresser said the upgrade had addressed a genuine concern for players.

“Due to tree roots and uneven ground, the existing pathways had become a safety hazard,” she said.

“A safe, attractive course will attract repeat and new visitors.”

Head Professional James Hundy echoed that sentiment.

“The addition of several new cart paths will provide a welcoming and modern aesthetic to members and visitors alike,” he said.

“The increased maintenance costs and time loss for the greens staff alone made the case for this a financial one, but the benefits go well beyond that.”

The project was managed by Greens Committee Chairman Peter Kirwan and delivered with the support of contractors Hibbo Hire and Fagan Earthworks. It also drew backing from across the community, including from Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke MP.

“The Club is celebrating 100 years of continuous community operation and is a great asset for the community,” she said.

“The work has contributed to the safety of the course for all its users.”

The club, which hosted the 2025 Men’s NSW Country Championship earlier this year, has positioned itself as a key venue for regional and state events. Situated on a 33-hectare riverside site two kilometres from the Cowra town centre, the newly upgraded course is ready to welcome competitors and visitors in better shape than it has been in years.