The decision was made three weeks ago by the board, but members only found out about the change this week with several of them putting together a petition to oppose the move.

As of Friday the petition had been signed by a dozen members, including Michael Middleton.

According to Mr Middleton the decision wasn't run by members before it was announced, with many still unaware of the decision.

Mr Middleton has been a member of the club for 25 years and said the move was a "gross brain-snap by the board".

"Everyone up here who's heard about it is up in arms," he said.

If the proposal goes ahead members are concerned the professional running the Pro Shop for the club, John Furze, and other staff associated with the shop, may be made to reapply to new external operators.

Mr Middleton said he was worried the club may lose Mr Furze who is one of the most highly-qualified golf instructors in the country.

Mr Middleton said people came from all over the Central West to see Mr Furze, who he called a "bio-mechanical guru" and "the best [Pro] they've had up there".

Duntryleague president Dennis Shultz said he would be convening the board "in the next 48 hours", or by Monday at the latest, to discuss the petition and feedback from members about the decision.

He confirmed members hadn't been consulted before the decision had been made.

"When you have any type of golf club you have board members elected by members to represent their best interests," he said.

Mr Shultz said it would be in the best financial interest for the club to pursue an outsourced Pro Shop instead of running it in-house.

He said this mirrored the 2001 decision to outsource green keepers which he said had been a sound financial decision.

"It certainly would have financial benefits and less risk management," he said.

The petition is available to be signed at the Duntryleague reception, bar and the Pro Shop.