Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall with Inverell Shire Mayor Paul Harmon, Cr Di Baker, Cr Paul King and Ashford Golf Club’s Reg Dodson and Paula Beveridge.
Tuesday, 6 February 2018
TROUBLING white ant damage in Ashford Golf Club will be brought under control, with an $8,000 grant from the NSW Government to replace the 70-year-old clubhouse’s ceiling and supports.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall recently announced the funding at the club and inspected the damage, which has left many areas held together by the paint alone.
“The Ashford Golf Club is a stellar facility run entirely by volunteers but after years of damage by white ants, works are desperately needed to keep a roof over their heads,” Mr Marshall said.
“The ceiling and wooden fittings have been largely eaten away, leaving volunteers concerned about the security of the drop ceiling.
“This funding will tear out the termite-stricken fittings, upgrading them with better looking and structurally secure mouldings, reassuring golfers that they’ll be hearing ‘Fore!’ on the course, not at the bar.”
Mr Marshall said the 18-hole sand-green Ashford course was well loved by the local community and had to be preserved.
“The Ashford Golf Club has over a dozen members ranging from 15 to 83, with many volunteering to keep the clubhouse, sand greens and fairways in good condition,” he said. “With the nearest major town 45 minutes away, the Ashford Golf Club is not only a popular sporting option but a vital hub for the local community.
“If you lose these country facilities you can never get them back – so we need to ensure they’re well maintained and can be lovingly used by the community for decades to come.”
Ashford Golf Club Treasurer Paula Beveridge said the upgrades would future-proof the club for years.
“The ceiling is in great need of replacement, so it will be a lot safer and aesthetically pleasing when it’s fully intact,” Ms Beveridge said. “The clubhouse is a good option for community functions – we often have Christmas parties and birthdays, and they will soon be much nicer!”