friends of VGC Inc
THE CLUB
Country Club Vincentia
(Formerly Vincentia Golf Club)
Vincentia Golf Club, affectionately called ‘The Golfie’, consists of a clubhouse and golf course located in the hills above Jervis Bay, nestled among natural bushland and teeming with abundant wildlife. The golf course is just over 55 years old. It was established in the late 1960s and officially opened on Saturday, January 18, 1969.
The Vincentia Golf Course consists of 13 fairways and greens with multiple tee zones which provides for a challenging 18 hole, Par 72 configuration (with a few tough doglegs thrown in) overlooking the stunning beaches and hinterland of Jervis Bay. The course offers a quality golfing experience for golfers of all skill levels, with golf comps offered daily for members and guests. The Vincentia course is also well-patronised by social golfers and visitors to the Shoalhaven.
The Golfie’s clubhouse is fully licensed with main bar, sports bar, restaurant and function room facilities. The Club’s verandah overlooks the 1st and 9th holes for golfers and guests to meet for a drink and alfresco dining. The Bamboo River Restaurant offers a broad selection of Chinese/Thai entrees and mains for in-house dining, or takeaway.
In the past, the Golfie was considered one of the great club destinations on the NSW south coast for bands and entertainment, enjoyed by locals and those visiting or holidaying in the Jervis Bay area.
Image Source: David Broadhurst
TIMELINE
1970
Incorporation
Vincentia Golf Club Limited was incorporated in 1970.
20 Mar 2016
Vote to Amalgamate
At an Extraordinary General Meeting Vincentia Golf Club members voted on a special resolution to amalgamate with St Georges Basin Country Club.
18 Feb 2016
Directors of St Georges Basin Country Club and Vincentia Golf Club signed the Memorandum of Understanding.
18 Jan 1969
Shire President, Clr John E. Hatton, officially opened the Vincentia Golf Course with 200 people in attendance. Among those present were the managing director of Realty Realizations Pty.Ltd., Mr Warren Halloran and Mr Brian Nelson, also of Realty Realizations.
16 Nov 2023
Council finalised the closure and transfer of Paper Roads to the St Georges Basin Country Club.
FEB 2024
Lots Consolidated
The Vincentia Golf Club land, previously comprised of multiple lots, was consolidated into 2 lots - the clubhouse DP545282 and course DP1301691, both zoned RE2.
Dec 2023
The Tully Heard Consulting report commissioned by the St Georges Basin Country Club is released to members and recommends the sale of all land and the clubhouse as the preferable option.
Apr 2017
At the time of amalgamation in 2017, the Country Club took on servicing Vincentia's $1.5M debt. With that, the Country Club gained Vincentia's assets of around $6M.
official opening
Golf was first introduced to the Shoalhaven area in 1904 when it was reported in the Nowra press that "a new element in sport has manifested itself in this district in the form of golf". Over 60 years later the Vincentia Golf Course, located on the Halloran Estate, was officially opened on Saturday 18 January 1969. Mr Halloran welcomed guests before Mr Hatton officially opened the course.
Mr Brian Nelson (left), of Realty Realizations, looks on while Shire President Mr Hatton congratulates the Managing Director of Realty Realizations, Mr Warren Halloran on the new course. Image Source: Jervis Bay Maritime Museum
Henry Halloran was a highly regarded town planner, and one of the key features of 20th century town plans was open space for recreation. His developments allowed for all sizes of parks from small playgrounds through to golf courses and national parks to provide for the health and amenity of the local community. His son Warren continued that legacy.
Designed by Al Howard, regarded at the time as the leading golf course architect in NSW, the nine hole course was the only one in the district with a complete fairway watering system.
Click on the image to view the Opening Ceremony Speeches and Press Reports. Source: Jervis Bay Maritime Museum Halloran Archives
AMAlgamation
The Vincentia Golf Club and The St Georges Basin Country Club were amalgamated in 2017 following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2016.
In preparation for the amalgamation, the SGBCC developed a draft strategic plan with a vision of becoming The Premier Club on the South Coast, emphasising the dual club relationship.
For detailed information read the Background Paper on the Amalgamation prepared by FoVGC Vice President, Rosalie Wood.
Click on the image or the link to view the Background to Amalgamation
Click on the image or the link to view the Memorandum of Understanding
Click on the image or the link to view the Strategic Plan 2016/2017
Click on the image or link to view the 2016 Strategic Plan Presentation to Members by then president Garry Buckley
Paper ROads
Council noted and considered all duly made submissions made by the community in 2021 regarding the road closure as indicated at the Development & Environment Committee meeting on 7 Sept 2021. The matter, including the submissions, were reported back to Council on 5 October 2021. At that same meeting Council resolved to close the paper roads and sell the land to the adjoining owner being the St Georges Basin Country Club. See the minutes for further details regarding the conditions of the sale.
The sale of land settled on 16 November 2023.
Click on the image or link to view the Development & Environment Committee Minutes 7 Sept 2021
Click on the image or link to view the Development & Environment Committee Minutes 5 Oct 2021
Click on the image or link to view the Reports 5 Oct 2021
TULLY HEARD report
In 2022, the Tully Heard consultancy company was engaged to produce a detailed report on sustainability for Vincentia. This report was delivered to the Board in August 2022. After revisions and updates, it was finally shared with members in December 2023.
Click on the image to view the Tully Heard Executive Summary