Plans lodged for $4.6 million driving range to revive old Rutherford golf site
Plans have been lodged with Maitland City Council to redevelop the site into a social golfing experience.
Swing Factory, which runs golf businesses in Sydney and Melbourne, has chosen the Hunter for its first regional facility. One of its founding directors, Nick Cutler, has links to the region.
"The Hunter Region has always been a key area of focus for Swing Factory," a spokesperson for the business said.
"It's a sporting region, and with golf booming since COVID, it makes more sense than ever for Swing Factory to invest in the region. Golf has become the 'cool' sport and is everyone's second sport. The key areas of growth for the game have been the under 35's market and women over 40, and that's no different with local courses consistently busy.
"We have seen with Swing Factory's other locations that only around 50 per cent of those who visit Swing Factory are traditional golfers. The rest are families, entertainment seekers, and groups of friends looking to have a good time. We are genuinely excited to bring the concept to the area."
The plans include a modern clubhouse with integrated alfresco spaces for casual dining and social gatherings
Undercover driving bays with lounge seating, an 18-hole mini golf course, auto-tee systems in every bay with robotic ball collection and a curated food and beverage menu.
One of the big changes is the installation of Toptracer Range technology, which does real-time ball tracking, game modes and performance analytics.
Construction is set to start in late 2025, pending council approval, with the "grand opening" pencilled in for mid to late 2026.
"At this stage, Maitland remains our primary focus. Given the region's growing population and the rising popularity of golf, we wouldn't rule out future Hunter locations."
THE former site of Tom's Golf Range at Rutherford is set to undergo a $4.6 million rebrand.
Plans have been lodged with Maitland City Council to redevelop the site into a social golfing experience.
Swing Factory, which runs golf businesses in Sydney and Melbourne, has chosen the Hunter for its first regional facility. One of its founding directors, Nick Cutler, has links to the region.
"The Hunter Region has always been a key area of focus for Swing Factory," a spokesperson for the business said.
"It's a sporting region, and with golf booming since COVID, it makes more sense than ever for Swing Factory to invest in the region. Golf has become the 'cool' sport and is everyone's second sport. The key areas of growth for the game have been the under 35's market and women over 40, and that's no different with local courses consistently busy.
"We have seen with Swing Factory's other locations that only around 50 per cent of those who visit Swing Factory are traditional golfers. The rest are families, entertainment seekers, and groups of friends looking to have a good time. We are genuinely excited to bring the concept to the area."
The plans include a modern clubhouse with integrated alfresco spaces for casual dining and social gatherings
Undercover driving bays with lounge seating, an 18-hole mini golf course, auto-tee systems in every bay with robotic ball collection and a curated food and beverage menu.
One of the big changes is the installation of Toptracer Range technology, which does real-time ball tracking, game modes and performance analytics.
Construction is set to start in late 2025, pending council approval, with the "grand opening" pencilled in for mid to late 2026.
"At this stage, Maitland remains our primary focus. Given the region's growing population and the rising popularity of golf, we wouldn't rule out future Hunter locations."
THE former site of Tom's Golf Range at Rutherford is set to undergo a $4.6 million rebrand.
Plans have been lodged with Maitland City Council to redevelop the site into a social golfing experience.
Swing Factory, which runs golf businesses in Sydney and Melbourne, has chosen the Hunter for its first regional facility. One of its founding directors, Nick Cutler, has links to the region.
"The Hunter Region has always been a key area of focus for Swing Factory," a spokesperson for the business said.
"It's a sporting region, and with golf booming since COVID, it makes more sense than ever for Swing Factory to invest in the region. Golf has become the 'cool' sport and is everyone's second sport. The key areas of growth for the game have been the under 35's market and women over 40, and that's no different with local courses consistently busy.
"We have seen with Swing Factory's other locations that only around 50 per cent of those who visit Swing Factory are traditional golfers. The rest are families, entertainment seekers, and groups of friends looking to have a good time. We are genuinely excited to bring the concept to the area."
The plans include a modern clubhouse with integrated alfresco spaces for casual dining and social gatherings
Undercover driving bays with lounge seating, an 18-hole mini golf course, auto-tee systems in every bay with robotic ball collection and a curated food and beverage menu.
One of the big changes is the installation of Toptracer Range technology, which does real-time ball tracking, game modes and performance analytics.
Construction is set to start in late 2025, pending council approval, with the "grand opening" pencilled in for mid to late 2026.
"At this stage, Maitland remains our primary focus. Given the region's growing population and the rising popularity of golf, we wouldn't rule out future Hunter locations."
THE former site of Tom's Golf Range at Rutherford is set to undergo a $4.6 million rebrand.
Plans have been lodged with Maitland City Council to redevelop the site into a social golfing experience.
Swing Factory, which runs golf businesses in Sydney and Melbourne, has chosen the Hunter for its first regional facility. One of its founding directors, Nick Cutler, has links to the region.
"The Hunter Region has always been a key area of focus for Swing Factory," a spokesperson for the business said.
"It's a sporting region, and with golf booming since COVID, it makes more sense than ever for Swing Factory to invest in the region. Golf has become the 'cool' sport and is everyone's second sport. The key areas of growth for the game have been the under 35's market and women over 40, and that's no different with local courses consistently busy.
"We have seen with Swing Factory's other locations that only around 50 per cent of those who visit Swing Factory are traditional golfers. The rest are families, entertainment seekers, and groups of friends looking to have a good time. We are genuinely excited to bring the concept to the area."
The plans include a modern clubhouse with integrated alfresco spaces for casual dining and social gatherings
Undercover driving bays with lounge seating, an 18-hole mini golf course, auto-tee systems in every bay with robotic ball collection and a curated food and beverage menu.
One of the big changes is the installation of Toptracer Range technology, which does real-time ball tracking, game modes and performance analytics.
Construction is set to start in late 2025, pending council approval, with the "grand opening" pencilled in for mid to late 2026.
"At this stage, Maitland remains our primary focus. Given the region's growing population and the rising popularity of golf, we wouldn't rule out future Hunter locations."
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