We show our respect and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Dharawal Country, Elders past and present, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Vale Golf Course was established by Wollongong City Council, with funding support from the Australian and NSW Governments.
Planning for the course began in the 1960s, when Council recognised the need for a public golf course in Wollongong's northern suburbs. By 1978 the current site had been chosen as the most suitable location, and a Golf Course Committee was formed.
Before being transformed into a golf course, the site at Russell Vale had been used as a brick manufacturing plant, then as a waste disposal depot. To allow the land to be redeveloped, it was filled using thousands of tonnes of coal wash from the nearby South Bulli Colliery.
Work on the course began in 1984, and the first nine holes were opened on 31 October 1986.
Additional land was then acquired and filled to create the second nine holes (10 to 18), and an updated design was developed. The second nine holes were officially opened on 14 February 1990.
Over the years, Council has continued to improve the course and its facilities, including the club house, pro shop, amenities, fairway watering systems, and extensions to some of the holes.
As you move around the course, keep an eye out for signs that provide a glimpse into the fascinating mining history behind each hole's name.
Acknowledgement
This page is based on information from Wollongong City Libraries' Local Studies Collection.
You can also visit the Libraries' website for more information about the history of Russell Vale.