Wollongong Golf Club turns to local brewers, distillers for a unique anniversary

Salty, fresh and with a hint of a sea breeze?

That's just what Jared Smith of Headlands Distilling Co thought when asked by Wollongong Golf Club to design a limited edition gin to celebrate the club's 125th anniversary.

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"We started off with a classic gin recipe, using juniper and citrus peels, and then gave it a twist by using coastally foraged botanicals from along the golf course," Mr Smith said.

These ingredients included Warrigal greens, wattle seed and salt bush found on the greens themselves to give the gin salty and herbaceous notes with the flavours of a coastal breeze.

Best paired with a quality tonic or served up from the Tap Inn bar as a French 97, a twist on the French 95 that references the course's founding year 1897, Headlands is producing a one off run of 125 700ml bottles that can be purchased through the golf club.

The idea to produce the gin and an accompanying 1897 Lager from Five Barrel Brewing began in November last year, said Leigh Hingston, CEO of Wollongong Golf Club.

Springing from a decision to stock one of the bars at City Diggers - amalgamated with Wollongong Golf Club - with locally made beers, wines and spirits, the project coincided with the 125th anniversary of the golf club.

"We're privileged to be the oldest golf course on its original location [in Australia] and these partnerships are the thing that cements our reputation in the local community," Mr Hingston said.

The partnership with Five Barrel Brewing, located only a few blocks away from the course is a testament to this.

Having spotted owner Phil O'Shea in a Five Barrel t-shirt, Mr Hingston invited the craft brewery to come on tap at the 19th six years ago and it has remained there ever since.

"Even in the face of the big guys, Wollongong Golf Club has always stood up to make sure that they have a local product on tap," Mr O'Shea said.

The 1897 Lager that Five Barrel Brewing has produced is also designed with the course in mind.

"The inspiration for this is the picturesque scene of doing nine holes at Wollongong golf course and then skipping the next nine and coming to the 19th," Mr O'Shea said.

"We wanted a beer that was for playing golf. It's not too strong, it's light and crisp and refreshing."

Both the 1897 Lager and 1897 Gin feature a drawing of the original nine holes when the golf course was established in the 19th century and while the history of the course is important, Mr Hingston said he hopes the beverages are a draw for players and social members.

"We've got a wide catchment of members in the city of Wollongong, we have become a reputable destination for food, beverage and hospitality and we're proud of that," he said.

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