Our History
Warringah has a proud history dating back to 1935 when the first nine holes, north of Kentwell Road, was opened as the Warringah Golf Course.
Warringah has a proud history dating back to 1935 when the first nine holes, north of Kentwell Road, was opened as the Warringah Golf Course.
In 1928 an area of 55.5 hectares was resumed for public recreation between Brookvale and Manly. In 1930, 28.75 hectares was designated for a 9-hole course on the northern section of the park. This area now constitutes our front 9 holes. In 1934 the course was expanded to the full extent of 55.5 hectares to include what is now our back 9 holes.
In the early days, there were a lot fewer trees on Warringah. It was a much friendlier course for those that hit it sideways.
These aerial shots from 1967 and 1986, show a much different course to the one we know now.
What we know today as the front 9 was designed in 1935 by the first professional associated with Warringah, Cecil Byrne. Prior to the setting out of holes, the 40 acre area was cleared of lantana, bracken and blackberry bushes by one man, Peter Elliot assisted by one apprentice.
Based on the support of public players, the capital was accumulated to fund the clearing of the area south of Kentwell Road to develop the second nine holes which were opened in 1939.
Through the late 1950’s significant work was done to raise the level of fairways and establish new tees and greens.
Over 500 trees were planted, the beginning of the tight fairways we play on today.
In 1968 a night practice range was established however due to declining patronage this was closed in 1977.
Being a low lying, flat course, Warringah has suffered from flood events over the years. During the heavy rains of 2022 many parts of the course became unplayable. The Board began a focused plan to improve drainage throughout the course with special attention on the worst hit areas. This has improved the resilience of the course to withstand heavy rain events and drain quickly.
Warringah Golf Club was formed following a public meeting in September 1936. The formation of the club was enacted based on an initial thirty-six applications for membership, 19 Full Playing members and 17 Associates.
Like the course, the clubhouse has developed and undergone many changes over the years.
The original clubhouse was constructed on 394 Condamine St in 1939. For a cost of £737 which included furniture and fittings.
After the Second World War, membership increased significantly and a decision was made to extend the clubhouse building with these extensions opening in 1949. The clubhouse was further extended in 1968 and has had renovations and extensions carried out over the years with the last of these being done in 2000.
In 2016 due to declining patronage and an ageing building a general meeting of members resolved to sell the building and seek relocation onto or adjacent to the course.
In the following years the golf club has experienced many challenges including
the possible loss of a portion of the golf course to be the site of the new Northern Beaches Hospital, a review of the District Park Plan of Management taking two years plus to finalise and the appointment of an Administrator to amalgamate the three beaches Councils decision to reduce the course back to 9-holes.
However, following the amalgamation of the three Councils to form the Northern Beaches Council his decision was reversed. A twenty-year lease for 18 holes was signed in 2021 and a Heads of Agreement for relocation to the Warringah Recreation Centre with a 20 year lease was agreed and signed.
In 2021 the old clubhouse was sold and in 2022 operations were relocated to the old buggy storage building which was renovated to accommodate a staff office & bar services until we were able to design and build our new clubhouse.
In 2025 the construction of our long-awaited new club house commenced and was completed in September 2026 giving us direct access to the course and views over our great course.
Council has added new tennis and squash facilities on the precinct to compliment what will be a state-of-the-art sporting venue attracting patrons from all over the Northern Beaches and beyond. WGC will be a central hub for the many local sporting bodies that utilise the surrounding area.