Ballina Golf Club celebrates 50 years with a swingin’ party

BALLINA Golf and Sports Club will swing into party mode with about 200 people expected to celebrate its 50-year anniversary this month.

The course and clubhouse on Jamieson Avenue has been a hub for golfers across the region and continues to grow in popularity.

The club will host a 1970s disco-themed party on Saturday, February 15.

Golf has a long history at Ballina and can be traced back to its first recorded competition in 1908.

The course was on Owen Street with 21 men and six women playing.

It had various homes before the current clubhouse was contracted to be built in 1973 for $240,000.

“Only a small fraction of our members now will remember it being anywhere else,” golf operations manager Chris Hawkins said.

“It will be a nostalgic event and hopefully turn into a memorable celebration.

“We’re doing as much as we can in the lead-up with a few more special activities.”

The club has invited 66 golfers who have been members for more than 40 years to a morning tea.

Hawkins said the club had built a strong membership base over the last five to 10 years.

He expects it to continue to grow with plans to upgrade the course as part of a six-year project.

The club has produced several talented junior golfers over the years with some going on to play professionally.

Hundreds of people have played over the summer break, including Australian Test cricket opener Usman Khawaja. Ballina is widely regarded as one of the premier courses in the region along with Byron Bay and Lismore Workers Golf Club

“The course here is right up there,” Hawkins said.

“It’s user friendly and has a great reputation across the Northern Rivers.”

The anniversary party starts at 6pm with live music from the Survey Street band.