About Us

Monash Country Club is situated high in the hills above Narrabeen, surrounded by the natural beauty of Sydney’s Northern Beaches and with views extending towards the Pacific Ocean.

The Club’s story began in 1931 with the formation of the Monash Social Golf Club. Named in honour of Lieutenant General Sir John Monash, one of Australia’s most distinguished military leaders, the Club was established by a group of Jewish golfers who, at the time, faced restrictions in gaining membership of many established golf clubs.

Without a permanent home, the original members played at courses throughout Sydney, including Ashlar at Blacktown, Bonnie Doon, Kogarah, Moore Park, Eastlake, New Brighton and St Michael’s. At St Michael’s, the members were provided with a small temporary clubhouse.

In 1946, the members made the ambitious decision to establish a course of their own. The new club would welcome people irrespective of their faith or background, provided they satisfied the Club’s membership requirements. Reflecting this broader purpose, the name was changed from Monash Golf Club to Monash Country Club.

A magnificent property overlooking the coast was identified at Elanora Heights and arrangements were made for Monash Country Club to lease the land from Monash Holdings Limited. Work began in late 1947, with bulldozers clearing the rugged bushland in preparation for construction of the course. An Air Force hut was purchased to serve as a temporary clubhouse while plans for a permanent building were developed.

The first nine holes opened for play in 1950, marking the beginning of Monash as a permanent golfing home. The original clubhouse was completed in 1952, but disaster struck in December 1957 when a bushfire completely destroyed the building. The fire occurred during one of the worst droughts in the Club’s history.

Undeterred, the members rebuilt. A larger and more substantial clubhouse opened in 1959, and Monash was subsequently elevated to Group One status by the New South Wales Golf Association.

Over the following decades, Monash established itself as one of Sydney’s leading private golf clubs. The Club hosted the Australian PGA Championship in 1964 and again in 1984, when Australian golfing legend Greg Norman claimed the title.

The clubhouse and course have continued to evolve. Major clubhouse extensions were completed in February 1992, while more recent improvements have included a significant irrigation upgrade, the redevelopment of the 17th and 18th holes by course architect James Wilcher, improvements to greens and bunkering, upgraded practice facilities and the introduction of an indoor TrackMan teaching studio.

The enduring relationship between Monash Country Club and Monash Holdings Limited was formally recognised at the 2025 Monash Holdings Limited Annual General Meeting. Monash President Jeff Bresnahan presented a commemorative plaque to outgoing Monash Holdings Chairman Ilia Vilensky, acknowledging the organisations’ long-standing partnership and shared commitment to the preservation and continued success of the Club.

The plaque featured the words of Monash’s inaugural President, Hyman Eizenberg, which continue to reflect the principles upon which the Club was established:

“Monash Country Club, where a person’s worth is judged solely by his good character.”

— Hyman Eizenberg
Inaugural President, 1950–1971

In 2025, Monash celebrated the 75th anniversary of the opening of its original nine holes. A memorable anniversary programme brought members together through a series of golf and social occasions, beginning with a sold-out Gala Night in April. Following the postponement of Anniversary Week due to exceptionally wet weather, the celebrations continued across September and October, culminating in the Gotcha4Life Charity Day, which raised $50,000.

The anniversary year also saw Monash host the Australian Senior Amateur Championship, bringing many of Australia’s leading senior golfers to the Club and providing national recognition for the quality of the course, facilities and member hospitality.

From its beginnings as a social golf club without a permanent home, Monash has grown into a highly regarded championship course with a proud and distinctive heritage. Its history reflects the determination, generosity and vision of generations of members, qualities that continue to guide the Club today.

For more information on “A Course of History” please contact us.