Future of Innes Park country club near Bargara uncertain

The fate of a popular Bundaberg golf club with 150 members has become murky following its sale in late 2022 to new owners.

The long-term future of Innes Park country club in Bundaberg is up in the air after the club was closed by new owners on Friday, June 30. Picture: supplied

The long-term future of Innes Park Country Club in Bundaberg is up in the air after the club was closed by new owners on Friday, June 30.

Louise Cole and Gary Peat, who had owned the property for six and a half years, wanted to retire, so they decided to sell.

The property, including an 18-hole golf course went to auction in November 2022.

New owners bought the property and from February 2023 Louise and Gary managed the club until June 30.

Louise, 72, said when the property went up for auction, she never expected the golf club would not stay open, even though discussions had taken place about partial development.

“We sold it in good faith, never imagining that this would be the outcome,” Louise said.

“There is no way in the world we would have ever thought that they would not continue running it.

A spokesperson for the Innes Park Country Club’s new owners said they were maintaining the property as they explored options for the property.

“As the new owners, they might have wonderful ideas to go forward with it to whatever, I don’t know.

“They have not enlightened us because I think they are not sure themselves.”

Louise said her and husband Gary were saddened that the golf club that they had built up over the past few years would not stay open and was sorry for the 150 members who had made the club their home

“Gary put his heart and soul into that course,” Louise said.

“It is very hard for both us.”

A spokesperson for the new owners said they had retained two staff to maintain the property in the short-term while they weigh up plans for the property’s future.

“It needs a decent amount of investment,” he said.

“We will have to see what the next chapter brings.

“Gary and Louise need to move on and unfortunately we have been unable to find new operators.

“We’ve got a couple from the current workforce staying on with us to keep the asset in good condition, and we’ll just review what works best and what can be done.

“I’m sure there is a bigger and better future for the property, but we will just have to see what the next chapter holds.”