MOORE PARK GOLF More Reasoned Insights from Golfers’ Perspectives

Here are a number of insights from golfers’ perspectives after the recent decision to convert part of Moore Park Golf Course into a public park, offering a podcast and articles for a balanced view.

The NSW Government looks to have Sydney’s major news media outlets on board regarding the shock announcement that they plan to convert 9-holes into a park. Full of false tropes, uninformed golf stereotypes and bizarre comparisons to 2000-year-old cities, it’s hard not to wonder how they all got on board to support the plan so quickly.

Let’s not forget, that neither Golf Australia, Moore Park Golf, or the wider golf community were consulted on this most recent announcement. No plans were put forward to ensure everyone benefits, including golfers, and future housing developments for the City of Sydney.

I’ll add more on what the NSW Government could have done in the coming days…

In the meantime, if you’re looking for some more reasoned, albeit golf-biased commentary on the matter, here are a few links to make sure your arguments are informed ones.

The State of the Game podcast – Episode 129 – The Politics of Golf with Dan Andrews
Former Victorian Premier Dan Andrews joins Rod Morri, Mike Clayton and Geoff Shackelford on the latest episode of The State of the Game to understand the decision and the politics behind it. It’s an informed discussion of all sides of the decision including the need for green space, more affordable housing and alternatives to the proposal put forward for Moore Park golf course put forward by Chris Minns and the current NSW Government.

Listen below or via your preferred podcast listening service.

Golf Australia Magazine – What next for Moore Park?
Rod Morri has been a vocal advocate for public golf for many years so it may come as no surprise to know he wrote a fabulous, rightfully cranky piece soon after the shock announcement.

Congratulations on a staggering exhibition of short sightedness, even for a group of people for whom short sightedness is a stock in trade.

For those perhaps just catching up it seems all but a done deal that Moore Park Golf Course, 5 kilometres from Sydney’s CBD and one of, if not the busiest golf course in Australia, will be reduced to nine holes in 2026 to become – wait for it – mostly a park.

Yes, a park. Right next to one of the biggest parks already in Australia. It would almost be less offensive it the plan was to turn it into houses.

Housing is, of course, at the centre of this decision though even those who are anti golf would not be bold enough to suggest the leap straight from golf course to urban streetscape.

Read the full piece over at Golf Australia Magazine.

Australian Golf Passport podcast – Episode 33 – What next for golf in Moore Park?
Mike Clayton also joined Matt and Scott on the latest episode of Australian Golf Passport where the dangers of the Moore Park decision is discussed and a bunch of great alternatives are offered up.

Australian Golf Digest – The fight that just won’t go away, no matter how popular golf becomes
Moore Park isn’t the only golf course Australian state governments have been eyeing for future housing developments. Along with the now infamous Kingswood Golf Club debacle, Melbourne’s Northcote golf course and Oakleigh golf courses are also fighting for their survival. Australian Golf Digest editor Brad Clifton recently ran an interview with Australia’s greatest advocate for public golf, Sandy Jamieson.

Oakleigh, though, doesn’t share the same physical footprint as Northcote. What’s more, it’s already given up valuable real estate previously for the construction of a community bike track.

“We’re the cheapest and most accessible outdoor recreation facility for people with disabilities – why would you want to get rid of that?” asks Jamieson, who’s very passionate about the Reach and Belong golf program he runs at Oakleigh. The program embraces community inclusion and provides people with a disability the opportunity to play golf and become community golf instructors themselves. Yet Oakleigh’s role in the community – and any public golf course for that matter – extends
way beyond helping those in need, Jamieson says.

“The most powerful thing golf has to offer to building communities is a timesheet. We pair you in groups of four. You join up with other people, you mingle over a round of golf, you’re exercising outdoors, and you can talk for hours and find out what you have in common with each other. What can be more valuable to a community – big or small – than that?”

Read the full article over at Australian Golf Digest.