For over 60 years, Barnwell Park Golf Club has stood as a testament to community spirit, perseverance, and a love of the game. What began as a humble social club on reclaimed swampland has grown into a cornerstone of Five Dock—a place where golf is played, memories are made, and locals return year after year.

In the 1930s, the land we now call Barnwell Park was nothing more than a mangrove swamp and Council tip. But thanks to a vision—and a donation from Alderman W.T. Barnwell’s family—it was reclaimed, filled, and renamed Barnwell Park in 1942.

By 1964, Drummoyne Council had constructed the first nine holes and a modest brick pro shop. It was affectionately known as “The Out House.” That same year, a 22-year-old Erik Royds became the club’s first PGA professional. At just 17, he’d already been the youngest to turn pro in Australia—a record that still stands.

In December 1964, Royds opened the doors of the shop and helped launch the club’s very first competitions. With a £1 membership fee and help from locals like Pat Bradwell and Ray Aspen, Barnwell Park Golf Club was born. By 1968, the club had formally incorporated and acquired a lease for its own land. Construction of the clubhouse followed, completed in 1974—the same year the second nine holes were officially opened.

This wasn’t just a golf course; it was a co-operative triumph, built on debentures, weekend working bees, and pure passion. Even the women of the club played a vital role—organising fundraisers, social events, and family days that became the fabric of the club.

Today, Barnwell Park remains proudly community-owned and member-driven. Our unique course—welcoming to both newcomers and veterans—is designed for all stages of life and skill. With the launch of STONE, a new restaurant embracing raw, honest cooking, and the club’s ongoing commitment to local events and inclusive membership, Barnwell is once again transforming. But its heart remains unchanged.

We’re still the friendly club by the bay. And we’re just getting started.