Toowoomba Golf Club – a big hitter for change
Toowoomba Golf Club has always been a club on the move, having set up home in five locations during its almost 125 years. Now there’s another new chapter in the club’s history with construction of a retirement community within the course.
Work is under way on The Ninth Middle Ridge, a retirement living community by Aura Holdings providing something exceptional for retirees on the Darling Downs. The Ninth Middle Ridge will offer 85 apartments and community facilities.
The Toowoomba Golf Club, established in 1896 from humble beginnings, is proudly Queensland’s second oldest golf club (only beaten by Townsville Golf Club three years earlier).
The first club, with 21 original members, is believed to have established a nine-hole course on Drayton Road in Harristown. Rough fairways were formed in the heavily timbered area.
The club later moved to Toowoomba’s east to open vacant land on Herries Street where St Vincent’s Hospital now stands. Players often lost balls in the long grass with reports a gun dog was trained to “point’’ the balls.
In 1901-1902 the club’s next move was to the Toowoomba Turf Club on the western side of town. Sharing the track site became difficult as golf could not be played on race days. Play continued at the racecourse while the new layout was constructed for the club’s next home.
After much negotiation, the club headed to Willowburn where permission was granted to play on the grounds of the psychiatric hospital. The course began as a nine-hole and eventually grew to 18 holes. The Toowoomba Golf Club officially opened in February 1910 and remained at Willowburn for 16 years. Golfing hazards included the fresh manure left behind by the cattle that roamed the course. The site, on the city’s northwestern outskirts, is now home to the Baillie Henderson Hospital.
By 1925 the club had grown substantially. Water supply was an issue so the search was on for yet another site for a course. Club members agreed on a Middle Ridge site, its fifth and current home, and around 3,000 pounds was paid to purchase six small holdings in 1926.
The Middle Ridge site on Rowbotham Street was described at the time as being “2300 feet above sea level with the whole area on a magnificent plateau immediately overlooking the wonderful range view. No finer panoramic views are obtainable from any part of the range and the altitude a mild, even temperature with invigorating mountain air.’’
A photo, on display in the foyer of the clubhouse, shows a crowd gathered for the official opening on December 4, 1926. The then Queensland Premier William McCormack hit a long drive to officially open the 18-hole course for play.
Large crowd at the opening of the golf clubhouse, 1926
Item is held by John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland.
The first clubhouse was no more than a small cottage and it has been extended over the years.
Toowoomba Golf Club general manager David Marr says: “One of the hallmarks of the club has been the consistency that has been offered to the community in service and quality for 124 years. The club looks forward to celebrating its centenary at Rowbotham Street in 2026.
“The club, which now has more than 1100 members, is well situated to provide a fantastic social and physical outlet for the community, and with the club currently enjoying a vibrant environment, it looks forward to another re-invigoration when it welcomes the residents of The Ninth Middle Ridge.’’
To find out more about living at The Ninth Middle Ridge within the Toowoomba Golf Club, call (07) 4602 9099 or email live@theninthmiddleridge.com.au