The beloved Corowa Golf Club is on the brink of closure, leaving the community in shock and scrambling for solutions. But here's where it gets controversial: can the iconic golf course be saved without the club itself? Club Corowa is stepping up to the tee, expressing interest in taking over the course's operations—though not the club or pro shop. This move could be a game-changer, but it’s not a hole-in-one yet. The club’s general manager, Ashley Boyd, confirmed that while administrators haven’t been appointed, a ‘controlled exit’ is imminent, likely within weeks. ‘We’re running business as usual until the Summer Classic ends,’ Boyd explained, adding that the tournament, running from February 20 to 22, will be a bittersweet farewell for the 53 staff members facing job loss. And this is the part most people miss: the club’s water rights, a critical asset for any golf course, are up for sale to pay off debts. ‘Assuming you’ve got the money, you can buy water rights,’ Boyd noted, hinting at a potential lifeline for the course. Club Corowa’s CEO, Peter Norris, emphasized that while they can’t bail out the insolvent club, they’re committed to saving the course as a vital community asset. ‘We can’t loan money to a failing business, but we can step in to keep the course alive,’ Norris said, highlighting the legal constraints under the Corporations Act. He also pledged to support departing staff, though vacancies are limited. Federation councillor and former club director David Harrison called the closure ‘devastating,’ not just for golfers but for the entire community. ‘Losing the club means losing jobs, opportunities, and a piece of our town’s identity,’ he lamented. Golf NSW is monitoring the situation, offering legal and financial support to keep the club operational. But the question remains: will these efforts be enough? Is saving the course without the club a fair compromise, or is it like keeping the green without the flag? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation the community can’t afford to miss.
