Greener fairways par for the course at Hillston

Hillston Golf Club is attracting new members after the NSW Government invested more than $476,000 to transform its fairways from unattractive fields covered in dirt and weeds to smooth carpets of green grass perfect for golf.

The golf course is on Crown land with the upgrade funded by the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund, which enhances community facilities and recreational spaces.

Crown Lands Group Leader Shaun Flood said the club, 110 kilometres north of Griffith, used the Crown Lands funding to organise a watering system for the 18-hole course, sowing couch grass seeds and controlling weeds with a new boom spraying rig.

“Hillston Golf Club has done a great job delivering the upgrade to its fairways that will ensure local players and visitors for regional competitions enjoy top-quality recreation,” Mr Flood said.

“The investment has made the fairways safer by transforming dry ground with large cracks that posed a risk for walkers and those in golf buggies into smooth grass.

“This project showed strong community spirit with club members volunteering their time and many local companies used as suppliers to support the community and reduce travel costs.”

Hillston Golf Club Treasurer Greg Reko said the club has been attracting new members since it completed the work and is looking forward to showing off its greens at its annual open day regional event on 8 October.

“We completed seeding the second nine holes in February and with spring and summer coming on it is looking beautiful,” Mr Reko said.

“The visual difference is unbelievable. We have had about an extra 10 young players taking up golf and both local schools are now involved in golf lessons with Hillston Central School also offering golf as a sport.”

The $476,104 investment at Hillston Golf Club follows a NSW Government investment of $115,000 at Griffith Golf Course for a new amenities block completed last year.