Carbrook Golf Club Bounces Back Stronger After Devastating 2022 Floods

Major government-backed upgrades build flood resilience for Logan’s community golf hub

Carbrook Golf Club, one of Logan’s most recognisable golfing destinations, has completed a major flood-resilience overhaul, ensuring the members-owned course is better prepared than ever for future natural disasters.

The project was made possible through the Community and Recreational Assets Recovery and Resilience Program, jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. The program supports community sport and recreation facilities impacted by the severe weather events of 2021 and 2022.

For Carbrook Golf Club, the February 2022 floods were a turning point. Situated between the Logan and Albert Rivers, the course bore the full force of rising floodwaters, with damage so extensive that the club was forced to close for 30 days — and take another five months to bring the course back to a playable standard.

“You put your heart and soul into it and then it’s just taken away,” recalls Club Manager, Scott Wagstaff. “It gets me a bit emotional, just remembering the journey in front of us at that time.”

From devastation to recovery

The scale of the damage was daunting. All 21 greens were submerged, each requiring six to eight hours of cleaning by a crew of five. The club’s 240-volt above-ground irrigation system went underwater, sheds were inundated, every bunker needed rebuilding, and countless smaller course items, bins, tee markers, and signage were washed away.

Despite the challenges, Carbrook’s members, staff, and volunteers rallied. “It’s not just about the big-ticket repairs,” Wagstaff explained. “It’s also the hundreds of small things that have to be replaced before you can open the gates again.”

A smarter rebuild

While the natural instinct after such a disaster might be to restore things exactly as they were, the club took a different approach. “Rather than rebuilding the same old stuff, we looked at ways we could make our club more resilient and get open quicker in the future,” said Wagstaff.

With funding support secured, Carbrook embarked on a rebuild designed not just to recover from the 2022 event but to prepare for the next one.

Key upgrades included:

• Retaining walls to prevent erosion near the first tee and car park, protecting vital infrastructure.
• Four kilometres of concrete cart paths replace gravel tracks, eliminating the costly and time-consuming task of re-graveling after floods.

Before, gravel paths buried under mud had to be scraped out, removed, and replaced — a process repeated across kilometres of the course. “You can imagine how long that takes and how much it costs,” Wagstaff said. “Now, we don’t have to worry about that.”

Tested and proven

The true value of the upgrades became clear in early 2025, when ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred brought flooding to the region. The improvements cut recovery time by two-thirds — just 10 days from inundation to reopening.

“In 2022, that same flood scenario meant 30 days with no golf and no income,” Wagstaff said. “This time, we were back in business in a week and a half.”

A community hub, not just a golf course

Carbrook Golf Club attracts more than 69,000 visitors annually and has long been a key player in developing junior golf through partnerships with local schools. The club also serves as a venue for charity days, wakes, and celebrations of life, strengthening its role as a community gathering place.

“Our members are incredibly proud of what’s been achieved,” said Wagstaff. “The club’s never had any money, we’ve always done everything on the smell of an oily rag, but now we have a golf course that’s one of the best in our area.”

Government support driving resilience

The Community and Recreational Assets Recovery and Resilience Program is part of a broader government initiative to help community clubs clean up and rebuild stronger after natural disasters. For Carbrook, the funding has turned a traumatic event into an opportunity for renewal.

“Facilities like Carbrook Golf Club play an important role in the fabric of Queensland communities,” a spokesperson for the Queensland Government said. “By investing in their resilience, we’re ensuring they can recover faster, resume operations sooner, and continue providing valuable social and sporting opportunities.”

Looking ahead

While no golf club in a floodplain can be entirely flood-proof, Carbrook’s experience proves that smart infrastructure choices can significantly reduce downtime and financial strain. For Wagstaff, the investment is already paying off, in course quality, member satisfaction, and peace of mind.

“We know the rivers will rise again,” he said. “But now, we also know we can get back on our feet faster, keep our members playing, and keep our community connected.”

About Carbrook Golf Club
Located in Logan, Queensland, Carbrook Golf Club is a members-owned, 18-hole championship course renowned for its unique layout and commitment to junior development. The club hosts more than 69,000 visitors annually and offers a range of community-focused programs and events.

About the Community and Recreational Assets Recovery and Resilience Program
A joint initiative of the Queensland and Australian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, the program supports the repair, restoration, and improvement of sport and recreation facilities impacted by the natural disasters of 2021 and 2022, with a focus on building future resilience.