Castle Hill members teed off

Castle Hill Country Club will review its proposed course masterplan following a backlash from members at an extraordinary general meeting.

The Hills News obtained a letter from club president David Geraghty dated July 5, sent to members following a recent meeting after all resolutions weren’t approved.

The plan presented was the board’s response to a members’ survey. It addressed water issues, boundary protection, security mitigation and the construction, number, positioning and playability of bunkers.

“Given the amount of work that had gone into the preparation of the plan, the result was disappointing but nevertheless provided us with a greater insight of how members were feeling about the plan,” Mr Geraghty wrote.

“There is merit in a great number of the proposed improvements to the course and those should not be lost by the unpopularity of some elements of the entire plan.”

The letter addressed the “aggressive and intimidatory manner” of some members.

“Having said that, we as a board understand, have listened to and will take on board all comments from the evening and come back to members with a greater variety of options,” Mr Geraghty wrote.

One member made a formal complaint to ClubsNSW.

“The club welcomes any investigation of our process by Clubs NSW or any other authority,” Mr Geraghty wrote. ClubsNSW was unaware of any previous complaints.

“One complainant has made an application to the Code of Practice regarding the club. As per standard practice, as this is an open matter I am unable to comment on particulars at this time,” a spokeswoman said.

Club general manager Melissa Ellis refused to comment. “We don’t discuss club matters with the media.”

The club hosted the NSW Open in 2013 and was named Australian Golf Digest club of the year in 2014.