ST MICHAEL'S GOLF CLUB Golf by sea
St. Michael’s Golf Club overlooks the shores of picturesque Little Bay, about 13km south of Sydney’s CBD. The course, a testing par-72, has a rich history of hosting big events including the Australian PGA, NSW Open and, more recently, the NSW Amateur Championship. The club welcomed more than 300 players from across Australia as well as International teams. The players were treated to a tournament-ready course and the layout certainly stood up to the very talented field with only 14 players breaking par over the two days of stroke play.
‘’Every day the course got better and better. The more I play it, the more I enjoy it,” said Grace Kim, the 2020 NSW Women’s Amateur Champion. Golf NSW General Manager Graeme Phillipson added: ‘’It has been 20 years since St. Michael’s has hosted the NSW Amateur and the improvements made have been remarkable. The course was in great condition for the players throughout the week and certainly provided a good test of golf. The comments from the players only reiterated this’’
During the past two decades, St.Michael’s has evolved as one of Australia’s few environmentally aware golf links by implementing specific programs aimed at protecting our resources, flora and fauna. The objective is to reduce our carbon footprint, protect the endangered species of the region and to be responsible for the way in which we function as a golfing business.
While current course architecture philosophy seems to favour clearing courses of bush to create roomier fairways and large rolling greens, St. Michael’s continues to embrace its narrow fairways within the amphitheatre of the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, and the several unique blind tee shots that intimidate golfers of all standards.
Ranked No.69 in Australia’s Top-100 Courses published by Golf Australia
magazine, and recently voted by golfers as their Top-5 favourite Australian course to play, is testament of the consistent high quality course conditions and enjoyment factor St. Michael’s is renowned for. The course has long been regarded as a tough layout, however recent enhancements – including the conversion of its fairways from kikuyu to couch grass – has transformed the layout into the elite class. St. Michael’s has commenced a green replacement program, which has seen Ben Chambers Centreline Golf Design and Darby Muller Golf Shapes introduce greens with more undulation as the club continues to implement their course master-plan. The new greens have been introduced to ensure the links style course offers a variety of options on each hole. Former PGA Tour professional and now club General Manager, Jeff Wagner, along with newly-appointed Course Superintendent, Lee Sutherland, have worked closely with Ben and Darby, and the current St. Michael’s Board of Directors to ensure the course goes from strength to strength.
The club’s business model is almost a hybrid model that embraces the components of a private members Club, whilst hosting more than 120 corporate golf days and 50 weddings a year. The club’s ability to operate at a constant pace can be credited to its excellent team of staff. Director of Golf, Robert Travis and Head Professionals, Chris Rose and Neil Sarkies, ensure every golfer that steps foot into the club, gets the attention and service that matches the quality of the golf course.
St. Michael’s is one of the leaders in the corporate golf market because it offers complete golf day management, outstanding catering and hospitality, a 75-cart fleet with integrated GPS and a location close to both Sydney CBD and Sydney airport. The corporate golf manager can be contacted on (02) 9326 8003 if you wish to discuss a potential golf day.
St. Michael’s has recognised the importance of non-golf revenue streams. As a result the club hosts 50 weddings a year EVERY DAY THE COURSE GOT BETTER AND BETTER. THE MORE I PLAY IT, THE MORE I ENJOY IT. – GRACE KIM, 2020 NSW WOMEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPION with guests treated to unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean. If a newly engaged couple is looking for the ideal wedding venue, please contact our functions manager Morgan or Raquel on (02) 9326 8004. One of the leading junior development programs in the country calls St. Michael’s home. This program is spearheaded by the Head Teaching Professional and NSW State Coach, John Serhan. Ably supported by PGA Professional Anthony Summers, they both have a real understanding of the game. Not only do they produce champion golfers but they encourage and channel free play and long term athletic development, which encourages young people to play the game for life.
St. Michael’s also operates the Cullen’s driving range, the only grass range in the region. The range continues under the name Cullen, in honour of the late Dan Cullen Senior, Australia’s longest serving PGA member and World War II decorated hero.