By Michael Burt
More investment from the Northern Rivers region has swung into Bellingen’s tourism and community assets with the Bellingen Golf Club entering a new round of private ownership.
Owners of the Eltham Hotel near Lismore, Luke Sullivan and Matt Rabbidge, have purchased the clubhouse and the golf course after it went into administration in May this year.
Golf is back in full swing, and the clubhouse will have a new restaurant and bar open in February next year. More than 100 members have joined the renamed Loyal Bellingen Golf Club, with a pro rata membership available until July next year.
The significant private investment coincides with the transformation of 8 Church Street into a Banya Bathhouse by fellow Northern Rivers hotelier Brenden Lawless.
“Our pitch to the Board of Directors and the Administrators was to put golf and community first and we are sticking to that. We don’t have experience in golf courses, but we’re fast learners,” Mr Sullivan said.
Mr Sullivan and Mr Rabbidge also run two restaurants in Bangalow, one of which recently won a regional restaurant of the year title.
Their venture into the golfing world was inspired by a beer with a mate and a positive community energy vibe that rivals Northern Rivers communities like Mullumbumby and Eltham.
“One of our mates, Ben Tooth, who is a local and was a member of the club, told us about the club over a beer. Ben is a chippie and has since been helping out with the club refurb.”
“The Eltham Hotel has a great community feel to it, and we feel a similar community energy in Bellingen, and we saw the Bellingen Golf Club as a great opportunity to create a community space.”
“Our expertise is in hospitality and creating community spaces. I don’t mind a hit of golf but running the golf side of things as business is new to us.”
Mr Sullivan said the first priorities have been reviving the golf course and getting cold beer on tap.
“We have been concentrating on the golf course for the first few months and getting it up to a playing quality.”
“It’s been a lot of work, but we were fortunate enough to get former greenkeepers Bruce and Errol back on board and they led the charge. Bruce’s knowledge has been invaluable.”
“The putting greens were full of weeds, but they now are back to where they were six months ago.”
“Myself, the licensee and some volunteers spent five days a week for two and half month mowingthe course. We are fortunate that
it was already a beautiful boutique course.”
Mr Sullivan said former members were the first to play the golf course in mid-November.
“We’ve had a steady flow of members and visitors checking out the course since then.”
Saturday morning competition events are back on, with a new Wednesday contest underway and a Friday ‘Quick Nine’ competition on the cards.
“Golf is now 100 per cent back on, and the focus is on the clubhouse. Putting in a nice wide timber bar to lean on is one of the first steps.”
The clubhouse is open and is currently serving beer, pies and sausage rolls while undergoing a facelift.
“Our plan is to have the venue fully functional with an operating kitchen, restaurant and bar in mid-February. We will be taking charge of kitchen, and we have a few great local chefs involved.”