GOLF
By LIAM DURKIN
GOLFERS looking for a course literally within walking distance of their home could be well advised to buy up in Monash Views Estate, Newborough.
The rapidly expanding estate will soon border the Yallourn Golf Club, which is in the process of constructing three new holes.
The construction of these new holes is the result of a partnership between Yallourn Golf Club and developers of the Monash Views residential sub-division on the west side of the club that will result in the replacement of the second, third and fourth holes.
Since developing the partnership, Yallourn Golf Club has set its sights on refreshing and
redeveloping the golf course.
Yallourn Golf Club vice-president Peter Brown said the project had been some years in the making.
“In combination with the Monash Views
development there has been an arrangement in place right from the very start that once three new holes were constructed there would be a land swap between the golf club and the developer,” he explained.
“We have a permit that started back in 2004 that is now coming to fruition.
“Basically what is happening is the existing course stays as it is at present – but there are three new holes being built in the adjacent property to the east of Monash Views.”
The design and construction of the holes is being undertaken by world famous golf course architects Ogilvy Cocking Mead, who have completed a host of well-known upgrades such as Peninsula Kingswood Golf Course, Kingston Heath and Royal Queensland.
Most notably, Ogilvy Cocking Mead has been engaged to redevelop the number three course at Medinah Country Club in the USA – which will host the President’s Cup in three years’ time.
Monash Views has supported the golf club over the last few years, and it is hoped the estate’s 200-lot development adjacent to the golf course overlooking the new holes will bring a strong community that will embrace the lifestyle options available in the vicinity of the development.
There will be approximately 50 houses backing onto the course with the remaining 150 all within close proximity.
Brown said the union with Monash Views had meant an exciting time for the club.
“It is a big positive, it started by looking at ways the viability of the club could be ensured long-term,” he said.
“Effectively what has happened is the town (Newborough) has been brought up to the golf course rather than be separated from the township.
“We have started clearing now, that has been in process for a couple of weeks, irrigation to service the new holes and accommodate the changes to the course lay-out have started.”
The club is anticipating to have the holes
constructed by November, and commence playing in 12 months’ time.
YALLOURN GOLF CLUB
NEW HOLES UNDER CONSTRUCTION
2nd Par 3 120 metres
PLAYING downhill from an elevated tee to a kidney shaped green with two bunkers on the left-hand side and a spring fed creek that meanders in front of the green and its approaches. It sits amid a stand of native vegetation that will frame the green complex.
3rd Par 5 490-500 metres
THE third hole has been noted by the designer as what could be “one of the best three shot holes in the state.” At 490-500 metres length, the hole has a terrific abundance of natural ground movement with minimal earthworks required to provide an outstanding hole. The feature of the hole is an old creek bed running the full length of the fairway’s right-hand side, with a number of strategic options facing golfers of all handicaps. The golfer will experience superb views of the mountains to the north as they play the hole, and the green complex will provide a number of interesting short shot choices.
4th Par 4 350 metres
A SHORT walk across a bridge over the old creek bed will lead the golfer to the tee. The old creek bed again frames the right-hand side of the fairway which contains a natural ‘hogs back’ that will put a premium on placing the drive close to the ravine to give the best shot to a green angled from front right to back left.
5th will also change
THE existing fifth hole will revert from a Par 5 to a Par 3 of 150 to 170 metres, utilising the existing green and adding two bunkers to accentuate the natural contouring of the land to take a well-shaped shot across the green and down to the flag.
