As Castle Hill Country Club marks its 75th anniversary, the milestone provides a fitting opportunity to reflect on a rich legacy built on tradition, sporting excellence and forward thinking.
In three-quarters of a century, Castle Hill Country Club has set the benchmark for how a private golf club in Australia should look, feel and operate. Looks are the easy part, thanks in combination to an incredible maintenance team and fantastic land for a golf course: 68 hectares of rolling hills and cultivated woodland in Sydney’s north-west, 30 minutes from the Sydney CBD. The walk from the carpark to the pro shop at Castle Hill offers a breathtaking preview to the visual beauty golfers are in for during their round: the stunning, short par-4 16th hole is in close view and takes on a striking resemblance to Augusta National. Majestic trees frame the 294-metre downhill hole, while elegant bunkers 40 metres short of the tricky green offer a similar look to the 10th hole at the home of the Masters.
As the club marks its 75th anniversary, the milestone provides a fitting opportunity to reflect on a rich legacy built on tradition, sporting excellence and forward thinking. From its earliest days as farmland to its present status as a premier championship venue, Castle Hill Country Club’s journey mirrors the evolution of Sydney’s north-west – a transformation from pastoral landscapes to a vibrant, burgeoning community. Yet through all its changes, Castle Hill has remained a sanctuary where golf intertwines with the land’s natural beauty and the camaraderie of its members.
FOUNDATIONS OF A VISION
The story of Castle Hill Country Club begins long before the first tee shot was struck. The land itself holds a deep connection to Australia’s colonial heritage. As general manager Brenden Ellam reflects, “The land here at Castle Hill was once owned by John MacArthur, the father of the Australian wool industry, before being resumed by the Crown in 1813. It was later granted to George Acres, who established one of Australia’s first citrus orchards on the property. That fertile history is still reflected in the lush, rolling hills and rich earth of the golf course today.”
It was this natural beauty that first caught the attention of a group of golfers from North Brighton Golf Club in 1950. With vision and determination, they secured the property known as “Heywood” – an estate once home to the Acres family homestead – and laid the groundwork for what would become Castle Hill Country Club. The course’s first nine holes opened in 1951, offering a humble beginning for what would grow into one of the nation’s most admired private golf clubs.
The club’s founding ethos of preserving the land’s natural charm remains a defining feature to this day. “Castle Hill Country Club was founded by members who saw the property’s potential for a golf course,” Ellam explains. “They preserved the natural topography, and over the decades we’ve retained that sense of the land’s natural beauty. It’s a place where the landscape plays a key role in the course’s charm.”
THE COURSE TAKES SHAPE
Castle Hill’s transformation into a championship venue unfolded steadily over the decades, with each generation of members leaving its mark. The course evolved from its initial nine-hole layout to a full 18-hole design by the late 1960s, with the addition of strategic water features, sculpted bunkering and undulating greens.
By the 1980s, the club’s ambition had grown, spurred by the vision of a former president. As Ellam notes, “It was previously published that former club president Ted Rogers’ dream was for Castle Hill to become the ‘Augusta of Australia’. Throughout the 1980s, there was a significant redesign of the course, and that legacy of lush fairways, sweeping doglegs and towering trees is something we still maintain today.”
The club’s dedication to course improvement has been a continuous pursuit, with significant renovations in the early 1990s and the completion of a $5 million course improvement plan in 2019. The result is a par-72 layout that blends strategic challenge with the serene beauty of its woodland surroundings.
HOSTING THE GAME’S FINEST
Castle Hill’s reputation as a premier tournament venue is etched into the annals of Australian golf. The club first hosted the New South Wales PGA Championship in 1968, won by the legendary Billy Dunk – a triumph he would repeat in 1969 and 1970. Yet it was the 1985 Australian PGA Championship that truly cemented Castle Hill’s place on the national stage, with Greg Norman claiming victory in a performance that lives on in the club’s lore.
“Castle Hill’s proudest moments came in 1985 and 1986 when the club hosted the Australian PGA Championship,” Ellam recalls. “Greg Norman’s victory in 1985 with Steve Williams on the bag and Mike Harwood’s victory in 1986 are a special part of our history – a testament to the quality of the course and its place in Australian golf.”
Indeed, Norman’s 1985 victory reverberated across Australian golf. As the defending champion, Norman posted a four-round total of 273 to beat Magnus Persson of Sweden by eight shots. On the final day, with a slight breeze, Norman posted a three-under-par 69 to clinch the title.
The Canon Challenge followed in the 1990s, with champions such as Michael Campbell, Peter Senior, Paul Gow and David Smail adding their names to the club’s honour roll. In more recent years, Castle Hill has played host to the NSW Open, Webex Players Series and NSW PGA Seniors Championship, reaffirming its status as a venue worthy of elite competition.
Castle Hill’s influence extends beyond hosting events. The club has been a cradle for emerging talent, with members such as Brendan Jones, David Ecob, Daniel Gale and Gow ascending to professional ranks. Gow’s record-breaking round of 60 during the 2001 Canon Challenge remains a benchmark of the course’s potential to inspire greatness.
A COMMUNITY BUILT ON TRADITION
While the course itself holds pride of place, it is the Castle Hill community that has shaped the club’s enduring identity. Generations of members have woven a tapestry of stories and traditions, from the Spring Cup – first played in 1956 – to the Eric Apperly Shield triumphs that have become hallmarks of the club’s competitive spirit.
Figures such as Keith Lowery, Keith Watson and Tony Hunter have left indelible legacies, embodying the values of service and camaraderie. The club’s culture of inclusivity was exemplified in 1996 when Castle Hill became one of the first clubs in Sydney to grant female members equal playing rights – a landmark moment in the club’s history.
“Castle Hill has always evolved alongside the changing landscape of Sydney’s north-west,” Ellam says. “We’ve embraced the younger generation of golfers, with our average member age sitting below the national average – a sign of how we’ve adapted to the growing population and continued to foster the next generation of players.”
The club’s junior development program remains a cornerstone of its future. “Our junior program is something we’re extremely proud of,” Ellam continues. “With more than 130 juniors in the program, we’re investing heavily in creating a pathway for young golfers to stay in the game and reach elite levels, just like Brendan Jones and Daniel Gale have done before them.”
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
As Castle Hill celebrates its 75th anniversary, the club is embarking on an ambitious new chapter. A five-year plan is already underway, encompassing a series of projects designed to elevate the member experience and secure the club’s legacy for future generations.
Central to this vision is a plan to renovate the clubhouse, a transformation that will blend modern elegance with the club’s timeless charm. Alongside the clubhouse refurbishment, a state-of-the-art greenkeeping facility will support ongoing course improvements, ensuring Castle Hill continues to set the standard for conditioning and sustainability.
“We’re preparing for some exciting projects – partnering with architects, Quattro, to construct a new greenkeeping facility, and with Bergstrom architects on the clubhouse renovation,” Ellam shares. “These developments will enhance the member experience and ensure Castle Hill remains one of Sydney’s premier golf clubs for years to come.”
The club’s 75th anniversary celebrations, set for October, will serve as a fitting tribute to Castle Hill’s remarkable journey. The week-long festivities will include a ‘Welcome to CHCC’ open day for visiting golfers, an exclusive delegate invitational and a members’ gala dinner – a celebration not just of the club’s storied past, but of the vibrant community that continues to shape its future.
“This milestone is a chance to celebrate everything that makes Castle Hill special – our history, our people and our future,” Ellam reflects. “The 75th anniversary week will be a real showcase of the club’s spirit.”
From its pastoral beginnings to its place among Sydney’s finest clubs, Castle Hill Country Club stands as a testament to the enduring power of community, vision and respect for the land. As the next chapter unfolds, the club remains guided by the same principles that have defined its journey – a commitment to excellence, a reverence for tradition and an unwavering belief in the future of the game.
