A year after it committed to a modernisation drive, Mandurah Country Club is now recognised as one of Australia’s most forward-thinking and community-centric golf facilities.
Following an exceptional 12 months of growth and development, the club was named as the Most Outstanding Club, Facility or Place to Play (Metropolitan) at the inaugural Golf Australia National Awards of Excellence in September.
Mandurah CC adroitly combined strategic governance reform with significant financial investment and a clear vision for inclusivity – all while delivering its most successful year to date.
Membership climbed past the 1,200 mark, rounds played exceeded 72,000 and the club posted an operating surplus of more than $940,000. In short, Mandurah CC has reimagined how a member-governed club can operate.
For starters, a shift from a traditional committee structure to a six-person board supported by specialist subcommittees has sharpened decision-making and ensured long-term strategic alignment.
“Balancing tradition with innovation in a member-governed club is challenging, but our leaders and members have embraced this responsibility,” said Grant Shortland-Jones, General Manager of Mandurah Country Club.
The club’s investments have been equally forward-thinking. A $350,000 clubhouse extension created new spaces for members and guests, while a fully funded $2m irrigation upgrade will safeguard the course’s future.
The course itself has also shone, hosting the 2024 Nexus Advisernet Bowra & O’Dea WA Open in fine style and earning plaudits from both GolfWA and the PGA of Australia.
The club runs multiple junior programs during each school term
Epitomising the bigger picture
Despite operating with just a handful of full-time staff, Mandurah CC continues to punch above its weight. It hosts major events, runs four junior programs each school term and is pioneering Indigenous engagement through their partnership with the Clontarf Foundation.
The club has become a beacon for inclusivity, with women now representing almost 30% of total membership and its Indigenous programs growing participation in an under-represented demographic.
“Our Indigenous golf initiative goes beyond the sport – we are now creating pathways to employment opportunities for Indigenous youth and want to continue to build on this,” Shortland-Jones added.
“Women have always played a vital role in our club. We were home to Australia’s first full-time female manager, Billie Friedlander, and have had several women Presidents over the history of the club.
“We’ve never had segregated membership categories. A huge strength of our club is our women.”
The club’s recent successes may be a testament to Shortland-Jones’s approach to management, but he was quick to pay tribute to the efforts of the wider club community.
“We hope our entire club community feels a sense of pride in this recognition – it’s a testament to their dedication and time,” said Shortland-Jones. “The members and community absolutely deserve it.”
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