Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has visited Harden Country Club to learn how a $432,000 NSW Government grant is helping the club drive its golfing plans forward.
The funding, which came as part of a $3.16 million package for 22 community projects in the Hilltops region, is providing a state-of-the-art computerised irrigation system for the club’s golf course.
“Once this new system is up and running, which will be in the next few days, Harden Country Club will be able to keep its tees and greens in top condition,” Ms Cooke said on Friday.
“The original system was not water or energy efficient, and it also required members to do a lot of manual watering, whereas this system can be set on a timer or it can be controlled from a smartphone.
“It means the tees and greens will be at their best all year round, rather than only six or seven months of the year, as was the case previously.
“Having a course in top condition means the club can hold more tournaments and attract players from not only the Harden region, but also further afield such as Canberra. This means a welcome inflow of tourism dollars, boosting the local economy and increasing job security.”
Harden Country Club General Manager Chris Longbottom said the irrigation system will enable the club to build on its already successful golf tournament offering.
“We’ve already got a large event which is very successful every year, the Australian 2-Person Ambrose,” Mr Longbottom said.
“That event alone brings 200 golfers to Harden, so when we have the golf course in better shape for a longer period of time during the year, we can hold larger and more successful events.
“We can look at holding a professional tournament or a pro-am, or larger amateur events, and we will be working with the South West District Golf Association to get lager events here to Harden.”
