In 1921 the Waratah Golf Club moved from Mayfield to its present site at Cockle Creek. Broken Hill Propriety Ltd. (BHP) took over the vacated course to provide physical and social recreation for their Newcastle executive staff. BHP moved to the course to its current location in 1935 where it became the Steelworks Golf Club.

The 18-hole layout is par 71, 5937 metres for members and 5110 meters for ladies built on 64 hectares, enclosed with approximately 5000 trees and home to approx. 80 species of bird life.

When BHP closed steelmaking in Newcastle in 1999 the course and club were purchased by the membership. The facility was renamed Shortland Waters Golf Club and the club continues to serve as a great source of enjoyment to members, the local community and visitors to the Hunter.