Storms that hit Yarrawonga Mulwala last Tuesday evening caused considerable damage to the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort clubhouse and closing the golf course for several days.
Club CEO Peter Savy said the storm ripped through the club at around 7pm, bringing with it strong winds and hail almost the size of golf balls.
“The storm caused significant damage to our courses, with the Murray Course hardest hit.
“We also had considerable damage to areas of the clubhouse including the boardroom and one of the toilets where drains could not cope with the build-up of hail.”
Mr Savy expects the overall damage cost to be close to $100,000 but was waiting for an exact figure after a meeting with the insurers.
“It’s frustrating, we seem to get hit with something each year,” Mr Savy said.
“The clean-up is a massive task, and with safety audits still ongoing, our ground staff are in for a very busy few weeks.”
In recent years the club was hit by a severe storm in late December 2021 where members pitched in to get most of the course opened by Christmas.
Then in November 2023, floods engulfed 75 per cent of the course again keeping ground staff busy to have it ready for the busy holiday period.
Mr Savy said members have again assisted in getting the Executive and the Lake Courses re-open.
“It has been a wonderful, combined effort with members and staff, thank you,” he added.
“It is important to have golf available for our guests and accommodation bookings.
“It would have been a big financial loss for the club if we could not offer any golf, but competition golf had to be cancelled,” Mr Savy added.
Mr Savy said excavators will have been called in to assist in clearing the Murray Course before it is opened.
“We hope it will be open by Friday (December 6) and will have competition resume the next day.”
For all golf enquiries, please contact the Pro Shop on 5744 3983.