NSW golf course loved by Aussie sporting royalty saved after community outcry

The people have spoken – and Crescent Head golf course has been saved from ruin. Following a huge community outcry, Kempsey Shire Council (KSC) has overturned a proposal to construct a loop road through the unique six-hole layout on NSW's mid-north coast.

Opponents of the plan successfully lobbied KSC to drop the plan, pointing out a ring road would decimate the golf course and risk its very existence. It means the current tenant – Crescent Head Country Club (CHCC) – is free to negotiate a new 21-year lease with council to maintain and run arguably the most picturesque course in Australia.

The only Golf Australia-accredited six-hole course, it snakes around a rugged headland down to one of the best surfing breaks in Australia. Crescent Head has been home to sporting royalty for decades, with high profile rugby league identities Andrew Johns, Craig Bellamy, Paul Harragon and Paul Vautin among the regular visitors.

Australian surfing greats Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson have also visited and are believed to have played the course during their stay. PGA tour member Andrew Campbell, who is based in nearby Coffs Harbour, was among those campaigning to keep the course intact.

"Crescent Head golf course provides a social hub, recreation space, community inclusion, sustainable stewardship, physical activity, sport and quality of life," he said. "(CHCC) must be entrusted to continue caring for this iconic course."

Crescent Head Golf Club saved after community outcry

Busloads of supporters were transported the 24km from Crescent Head to Kempsey Shire Council to ensure their voices were heard at Monday night's meeting. They expressed their fear over the golf club's future and anger over what they felt was a campaign of misinformation.

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Within 24 hours, KSC had killed off the ring road proposal. CHCC secretary-manager Colan Ryan told Yahoo Sport Australia: "It's a victory for commonsense, it’s a victory for community spirit and tenacity and it's a victory for the town of Crescent Head.

"It was a David v Goliath battle but the council ran into some very determined people who were not going to let this happen. There is no other 6-hole accredited golf course in Australia and there is nowhere that compares to the majestic beauty of Crescent Head and that was being threatened. Thanks to all that backed us, from near and far, and thank you Yahoo and other media outlets for giving the issue the exposure it warranted."