The proposal would see the club, which has been operating under administration after declaring financial insolvency in August 2024, receive a large financial injection in order to redevelop its facilities, as well as pay creditors.
Mr Haddow, the president of the Australian Institute of Architects and a partner at architecture consultancy SJB, has connections to the club through his father, who is a member.
The couple have formed Mad Golf Pty Ltd and have ambitions for the golf course to become a premier golf course attracting major competitions, and they also want to upgrade the clubhouse and improve the food and beverage offerings to help generate income for the club.
Administrator Rebecca Hindson, from Taylor Insolvency, said some club members ‘cried tears of happiness and relief’ at the meeting.
“What it means is that for the transaction to progress so that Michael and Adam, Mad Golf Pty Ltd, will take over the management rights of the club,” she said.
Ms Hindson said she couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
“It’s starting from a really good place with Mad Golf coming – everything they’re doing is from the right perspective, which is from the community perspective,” he said.
“So if you start with that, you’re going to win.”
Club president Charlie de Fegely said the members were ‘extremely happy’ with the outcome.
“It’s unbelievable – for the golf club and for Ararat,” he said.
Mad Golf will take over management of the club in the first half of 2026, pending liquor licensing arrangements.
The entire December 23, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
