The new Wentworth Golf Club opened to the public on Monday morning, with many keen members waiting at the doors to be the first inside the $25 million building.

Eagerly inspecting the new club facilities, the reactions from those entering the club were overwhelmingly favourable. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the 18th green and fairway immediately drew positive remarks.

For members, it is the end of a journey that began five years ago, when the former clubhouse was destroyed by fire on May 18, 2019. The golf club amalgamated with the Orange Ex-Services’ Club later that same year and all involved have followed the construction of the impressive new building with interest.

“I'm sure everyone in Orange will remember the night it burnt down,” said Orange Ex-Services’ Club board of directors president, Graham Gentles, at The Wentworth on Monday.

“One of the reasons we got involved some years ago… from the fire and then through to amalgamation, we as a club could always see the potential out here,” he said.

“The decision was made by the board and management to build something that, as a true business centre in food and generally hospitality, was the place to be. So hence the expense of this lovely building we are now standing in. On the western side of Orange, this will be the premium spot!”

Orange Ex-Services’ Club CEO, Nathan Kelly, said he and his team are looking forward to welcoming members and guests to inspect the new building, which includes a large lounge and dining room, function room, cafe facilities, an indoor children’s playground, sports lounge, a new pro shop and two state-of-the-art golf simulators

“It's the culmination of five years of hard work,” Nathan said. “There'll be some fine-tuning in the first few weeks but we'll get to the point where we will have one of the best offerings in the Central West!

“We'll be showing live sport in our sports lounge, a lot of entertainment and raffles, so while we will be a golf clubhouse facility, we still won't lose sight of the bread-and-butter club activities.”

The Wentworth Orange is open to the public for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Cafe facilities are also available, including a grab-and-go window on the lower terrace for golfers and walkers.

A bus will also operate between the Orange Ex-Services Club, The Wentworth, and The Country Club, along with a dedicated courtesy bus for The Wentworth.