A growing Sunshine Coast golf club is poised to replace its modest clubhouse, which consists of two shipping containers, with a $1.5 million facility.
The Maleny Golf Club is set to get a fit-for-purpose venue to complement its award-winning 18-hole golf course.
Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of a special resolution authorising the board to debt-fund construction of the new venue at a general meeting held on November 2. It’s expected to be operational by mid-2026.
The resolution empowered the board to borrow sufficient funds from members, banks or other institutions to finance the project, which also recently received owner’s consent from the Sunshine Coast Council as lessor.
Club president Doug Evans said the clubhouse would provide a much-needed upgrade to the club’s ageing temporary facilities and would be shared by other community groups such as the Brisbane Astronomical Society.
“This is a major milestone for the Maleny Golf Club to finally have a permanent headquarters,” he said.
“Our members have shown incredible patience and support for this project to deliver a modern, functional clubhouse which reflects the quality of our course and depth of community support.”
Mr Evans said that, since opening the first nine holes in 2015, the golf club had operated essentially debt-free from temporary headquarters created from two old shipping containers.
“This cost-effective arrangement enabled us to channel grant funds and surplus cash into the establishment of a state-of-the-art maintenance facility, completion of our second nine holes and acquisition of equipment to raise the course presentation to an exceptionally high standard,” he said.
“However, our temporary clubhouse was always just that and becoming increasingly unfit for purpose due to the condition of the facility and the club’s continued growth in membership and visitor patronage.”
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Members have already offered loans totalling $725,000, demonstrating strong community confidence in the future of the club and its course, which has evolved into a must-play destination for golfers.
The club also has a preliminary agreement in place with the Bank of Queensland for a 10-year loan of up to $750,000, contingent on final contract documentation with a Sunshine Coast-based modular building specialist.
Mr Evans said the modular design of the 422sqm clubhouse would allow for efficient, off-site prefabrication and future expansion when required.
“This development marks another step forward for Maleny Golf Club as it continues to strengthen its position as one of Queensland’s premier regional golf destinations,” he said.
Site works will begin in January, after which the building will be delivered in six modules and lifted into place in a single day, becoming operational within approximately eight weeks.
The club, which has been recognised with Queensland Golf Industry Awards and a National Turf Industry Award, has about 550 members.
