New Wentworth opens this July
The countdown is on! The new Wentworth golf club is just weeks away from opening its doors to the public, with patient members eager to get a peek inside the $25 million facility.
It has now been five years since fire destroyed the former Wentworth clubhouse on the evening of May 18, 2019.
Amalgamating with the Orange Ex-Services’ Club later that year, the construction of the new clubhouse has been faced with a few hurdles and unfortunate delays over the past five years, but it has all been worth the wait, says newly appointed Orange Ex-Services’ Club CEO, Nathan Kelly.
“It’s going to be great for our club membership and great for the city of Orange,” Nathan said. “You've really got to go back 10 or more years since a venue of this scope and size has been built in Orange, so it's really going to be good for the town.”
Construction company Renascent has been busy putting the final touches on the impressive new building, which includes a lounge and dining room, function room, cafe facilities, sports bar, new pro shop, state-of-the-art golf simulators, and a large indoor children’s playground.
But the standout feature of the new building would have to be the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the 18th green and fairway below.
“These floor-to-ceiling glass windows are spectacular!” says Wentworth Head Chef Nicole Dews, who is effusive about the new building and its dining facilities.
Well-known in the local culinary scene and former owner of Orange’s Eighteen 70 restaurant, Nicole says she could not pass up the opportunity to be part of the new team at Wentworth.
“It's state-of-the-art, it's stunning and so beautiful,” says Nicole. “So I thought I'd jump on board and be part of something amazing.
“And, as a chef, to be able to put your own spin on things is an opportunity that you just can't miss.”
When The Wentworth Orange opens next month, Nicole says to expect all your bistro classics, like chargrilled steaks and chicken schnitzel, along with restaurant-quality fare unique to Wentworth.
“We want The Wentworth to be a bit different, have its own identity,” she explains. “Bistro food, but we’ll be tweaking and putting my spin on everything… pub fare, but also leading into a little bit of restaurant quality food as well, things that you will only get when you come to Wentworth.
“I want people to come in and have a look around this stunning venue and stay for a beautiful schnitzel or a beautiful pasta while looking out over that fairway because the view is just absolutely outstanding!”
Once the final fit-out is complete, the new Wentworth Orange will be open to the public for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Cafe facilities will also be available, including a grab-and-go window on the lower terrace for golfers and walkers.
There will also be a courtesy bus service operating between the Orange Ex-Services Club, The Wentworth, and The Country Club, along with a dedicated courtesy bus for The Wentworth.