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Nearly 200 people gathered in a marquee at Omaha Beach Golf Club on Saturday, November 8 to celebrate 50 years since the course was opened.
Members, staff and supporters enjoyed drinks, dinner and dancing to mark the club’s growth and success over five decades, from just nine holes and a handful of players in 1975 to more than 1100 members and the top 18-hole links-style course it is today.
Club president Rob Begg said the anniversary marked not only 50 years of golf, but five decades of community, friendship and shared achievement.
“When you look around this room, you see people who’ve poured countless hours into this place – people who’ve shaped our fairways, built our facilities and created the culture that defines us,” he said.
“Omaha Beach Golf Club has never been stronger. Membership is at record levels, the facilities continue to evolve, and the atmosphere – both on and off the course – is buzzing.”
Begg said Omaha’s next major milestone would be the completion of a long-term project to redevelop and improve the original ‘Northern 9’ that had already seen extensive course improvements, lake extensions and completely new 15th, 17th and 18th holes.
“Now, it’s time for the final stage: rebuilding and merging the old 2nd and 3rd holes into a modern, flexible Par 5 3rd hole that will complete the northern layout,” he said, adding that $300,000 needed to be raised to make that happen.
General manager Frazer Bond said while he had only been at the club for two years, even in that time the pace of growth and improvements was impressive, and Omaha was “miles ahead of what other clubs are doing”.
“What I love about this club is how success builds on success – as the course improves, so do the facilities, and the whole place lifts together,” he said.
“I came from private clubs and used to think that was the best model for how a club should run. I can honestly say I was wrong. Here at Omaha, the mix of people – from all walks of life, ages and levels of golfing experience – creates something truly special.”
Both Begg and Bond singled out course superintendent and head of the greenkeeping team Corey Wilcox for his passionate devotion to the course and club for more than 25 years.
“Balancing perfectionism, weather, budgets and member expectations is no small task – but Corey, you’ve done it with heart. The club is better because of you,” Begg said.
