THE Uralla Golf Club has received a welcome boost in the form of more than $251,000 of grant funding from the state government.
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The club, which has had a difficult time keeping its course alive during the drought, has received a $251,020 grant to redevelop its watering system and clubhouse.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said the grant would help secure the club's long-term future.
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"This grant is the sweetest and most celebrated hole-in-one ever sunk on the Uralla course," Mr Marshall said.
"It's been a torrid year for the club and to pull through with the course intact has been a herculean effort and this funding is a just and deserved reward."
The funds have gone toward the installation of two new bores, which will help the club's grass survive the big dry and limit the amount of water needed for the course to thrive.
"This grant is the sweetest and most celebrated hole-in-one ever sunk on the Uralla course," Mr Marshall said.
"It's been a torrid year for the club and to pull through with the course intact has been a herculean effort and this funding is a just and deserved reward.
"During the worst of the drought the club relied on Uralla Shire Council and the generosity local volunteers to truck water in to keep the course alive.
"With Water NSW approvals now in place this grant will support the club to sink two bores at strategic sites on the 5,710-metre course.
"The club will use these bores as an emergency water supply when its storage dams get low.
"Funds will also allow a smart watering system to be installed, replacing the existing 50-year-old scheme.
"The new system will control sprinklers on the tee and greens remotely and provide up to date information on the amount of water being used on the course.
"Automation of the sprinkler system will reduce the amount of physical labour needed to maintain the facility, easing pressure on the single green keeper and club members."
Club president Darrell Carson said the club was very grateful for the support.
"Every day we had volunteers turning up to the club, first thing in the morning, and giving up their time to water the greens from shuttles," Mr Carson said.
"We have 18 holes here at Uralla which requires a lot of man power to water.
"It was incredible to see some of those who volunteered were not even members, just people who wanted to see the club survive.
"Despite best efforts many of the greens have still suffered horribly with patches dying.
"I am hopeful through this funding we are able to bring the course back to life for the enjoyment of the community."
Of the more than $250,000 in funding, $88,220 of the grant will be spent renovating the clubhouse to make it more publicly accessible.
"The Uralla Golf Club really is a venue for the whole family with a bistro open on a Friday and night meat raffles of a Sunday," Mr Marshall said.
"Parts of the aged facility are in need of refurbishing and this grant will be used to update both the male and female toilets, as well as install a new disabled toiled in the building.
"Currently Uralla Golf Club has 300 members and I expect with the addition of these improved amenities we will see more people become associated with the club, and if not, take up the sport at least make it their local."
