About The Australian Golf Club
The Australian Golf Club is one of Australia’s oldest and most exclusive golf clubs, founded in 1882. The current Kensington course, laid out in 1904 and 1905, is the Club’s fourth location. Jack Nicklaus redesigned the course in 1977, in a project funded by Kerry Packer, and returned in 2012 to guide a further $5 million upgrade, including 18 new greens and a $1.8 million landscape program.
The Club has hosted 22 Australian Open Championships, most recently in 2023. Winners on the course include Club member Matt Jones in 2015 and Jordan Spieth in 2014, the year before he added the US Masters and US Open to his collection.
The Course and Facilities
The course comprises 18 holes plus a spare hole, with USGA-spec A1/A4 bentgrass greens (1.4 hectares), Santa Ana fairways, Grand Prix tees and 78 bunkers, within a 55-hectare footprint. Practice facilities include a high-performance driving range and junior golf centre, a short game zone with bunkers, and chipping and putting greens.
Governance and Structure
The Club is a private members’ club, incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. The Board of Directors is led by the Club Captain, with a Vice-Captain, Honorary Treasurer and directors, all serving in a voluntary capacity. Standing committees cover Greens, Match, Membership, House and Finance, alongside the Foundation. The Board holds governance responsibility; management responsibility sits with the Chief Executive, who also holds the position of Company Secretary.
Key Metrics
Founded: 1882 — the oldest golf club in Australia
Location: around 70 hectares at Rosebery, minutes from the Sydney CBD and airport
Membership: approximately 1,250 across all categories, with around 41,800 rounds played by members annually
People: the Club employs approximately 65 staff FTE across all departments
Course: a Jack Nicklaus championship layout, host to 22 Australian Open Championships, most recently in 2023
Financial position: FY26 surplus of $6.34 million and net assets of $35.5 million, with no borrowings
The Clubhouse Masterplan
Stage 1 of the Clubhouse Masterplan is the Club’s first major clubhouse renovation in more than forty years, and a defining priority for the incoming Chief Executive. The scope includes a new internal lift, a refurbished entry and foyer, a new history room and boardroom, a refurbished dining room, kitchen, bar and locker rooms. The clubhouse closed to members from 12 June 2026, with practical completion targeted for 30 November 2026. An expanded outdoor offer at the Niblick maintains member service through construction.
The Opportunity
Steven Shearer, Chief Executive for the past ten years, departs in November 2026 to take up a role at Tara Iti in New Zealand. Commencing the search now allows the opportunity for an orderly handover and continuity through the current Clubhouse Masterplan works. This is the Club’s most significant executive appointment in a decade.
The Role
Reporting to the Board, the Chief Executive is responsible for the overall leadership, management and performance of the Club, including:
- Leadership and operations: running the daily operation of the Club through its department managers, and setting a high-performing, service-focused culture.
- Strategy and governance: establishing long-range goals and plans for Board approval, and carrying out major plans consistent with Board policy.
- Financial stewardship: overseeing the Club’s financial structure, budgets, reporting and controls.
- The Clubhouse Masterplan: leading completion and reopening of Stage 1 and managing member experience through construction.
- Member experience: sustaining the standard of service, events and communication members expect.
Applicant Profile
Tertiary qualifications would be expected. A minimum of ten years in a senior management position in the club or hospitality industry is required, ideally including time as CEO or General Manager at a comparable golfing institution, with a record of major project management relevant to the Clubhouse Masterplan now underway.
Knowledge of financial and accounting practice, hospitality management, golf administration and course maintenance is expected, alongside strong leadership, communication and judgement, an understanding of private members’ club culture, and a genuine golf IQ.
Remuneration
An attractive remuneration package will be negotiated with the successful candidate, commensurate with the standing of the role, and discussed in confidence with shortlisted candidates.
The Appointment Process and How to Apply
This search is being conducted exclusively by EnvoyGolf on behalf of The Australian Golf Club, and all approaches and applications are treated in strict confidence. Applications, including a current resume and cover letter, should be submitted below by 22nd August. For a confidential discussion, contact Mark Matehaere at EnvoyGolf – +61 416 205 541
