As one of the few sports patrons can still play during a COVID-19 lockdown, golf memberships have continued to soar over the past year on the South Coast.
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After several years of slowly declining membership, the first positive signs of growth appeared in the middle quarter of 2020, which coincided with COVID-19 lockdown last year.
During that time period South Coast clubs like Worrigee Links (12.27 per cent), Kiama (4.7 per cent) and Shoalhaven Heads (4.5 per cent) led the way in terms of growth - even Kangaroo Valley saw a jump in their very small member base.
Last financial year, there was a 2.7 per cent increase in member numbers across the South Coast with an additional 132 new golfers among the area's 4950 registered players.
While still early as clubs have until June 30, 2022, to report their membership numbers, the trend across South Coast fairways is expected to rise above 11.5 per cent in the current financial year - almost double the predicted state-wide average increase of 6.5 per cent for 2021-22.
Of the 12 South Coast clubs from Jamberoo to Mollymook, six of them have already reported higher growth numbers during the current financial year.
The biggest spike was at the Jamberoo Golf Club, whose numbers jumped from 398 to 524, representing a growth of 34.17 per cent.
Next up was Worrigee Links, who went from 302 to 365, for a 20.86 per cent increase.
The two other double-digit rises came at Kiama and Shoalhaven Heads, whose numbers grew by 11.64 (730 to 815) and 10.56 per cent (464 to 513) respectively.
Other courses to produce a boost in numbers were the Country Club at Vincentia (7.76 per cent - 245 to 264) and Callala (4.05 - 173 to 180).
At this stage, the Country Club at St Georges Basin, Gerringong, Mollymook and Sussex Inlet's figures are still being calculated - with the first two recording growth in the 2020-21 year and the latter two submitting small decreases.
Kangaroo Valley is set to decrease by 36.36 per cent (from 66 to 42), as Nowra is down 9.4 per cent (322 to 290).
"It's really pleasing to see the sport grow, particularly in an area like the South Coast," Golf NSW's chief operating officer Graeme Phillipson said.
"The region has plenty of great courses, and it's clear more and more people in the region are discovering the benefits of the sport.
"When COVID hit last year, the ability for people to play golf, while maintaining appropriate social distancing, was relatively easy.
"Golf is a game for all ages; men, women, and children, regardless of ability and you don't need a formal competition to get out and have a game.
"Golf NSW has, in fact, held two of our most important championships on the South Coast in the past couple of years.
"Competitors from across Australia have competed and have raved about the quality of courses on offer.
"The events were a welcome financial injection into the area, and the clubs and council went out of their way to promote the sport and the region."