The members of Victoria’s Churchill Park Golf Club and Waverley Golf Club have voted to merge their two clubs into one entity, to be known as Churchill – Waverley Golf and Bowls Club Limited, with the intention to consolidate onto the current Churchill Park land in Churchill Park Drive, Endeavour Hills.
The Clubs held separate Special General Meetings where both groups of members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the merge.
“This merger is the culmination of extensive work by our clubs exploring options to secure our long- term future,” says Mr Geoff Ellis, President of Churchill Park Golf Club.
“Both of our clubs have suffered for some time from the oversupply of golf courses in Melbourne, however, we both have committed and passionate member groups and we are confident the merger will allow existing and new members to be part of a competitive and exciting club for many years to come.”
This sentiment was supported by President of Waverley Golf Club Mr Roland Nicholson.
“The merger provides the foundation for a long-term sustainable vibrant club,” says Nicholson.
“We can now look forward to quality golf, bowls and leisure facilities underpinned by a diverse community business model.”
The new Board will set upon delivering the vision for a premium, family-friendly sporting club and community precinct in Melbourne’s southeast, which will set new standards in leisure activities and affordability.
When the merger is fully implemented the existing Waverley Golf Club in Bergins Road, Rowville will close and be sold for redevelopment. The club will then consolidate onto the existing Churchill Park site approximately 2.5km away.
The first step to achieving the final vision will include continuing the current operation of both club facilities during a ‘transition period’. During this period extensive works to upgrade golf courses, bowls greens and clubhouse facilities will be completed at the Churchill Park site. It is anticipated the ‘transition period’ will be in the order of three to five years.
A four-time winner of the Australian Golf Media Awards, including Best Photojournalism, Best Opinion, Best Column and Best Photographic Presentation, Inside Golf Group Editor Richard Fellner is the quintessential Golf Tragic, having played the game for over 50 years (but has never gotten any better!) He has played and reviewed courses all over the world, and has interviewed many of the great players of the game (including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Greg Norman). Richard is a member of both the Australian Golf Media Association and the Golf Society of Australia, and has been a featured guest on many Australian "sports talk" radio shows and networks, including ABC Grandstand, SEN 1116, Melbourne Talk Radio 1377, 2GB and others.
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