Existing 18 holes in doubt as Sandringham Golf Course faces possible redevelopment.

Fresh from the news out of Sydney that Warringah Golf Club looks certain to be forced by council to downsize its 18-hole golf course, comes word of an interesting proposal to do the same thing with the popular Sandringham golf course in southeast Melbourne.

In Sandringham’s case, the suggestion for a reduction in golf has apparently come from its tenant, the neighbouring Royal Melbourne Golf Club. Bayside City Council announced this week that it had given Royal Melbourne permission to proceed with the design of plans for redevelopment. Those plans are said to include ‘a revised layout to cater for skilled players as well as attract new and younger players.’ Some might argue that Sandringam has been doing both successfully for the past 70 years.

The local industry is rife with speculation, including that the preferred option for the property is to convert the course into a 12-hole layout or to increase the number of par threes, and use the rest of the land for practice facilities and elite golf. There is also talk of using the $10 Million committed by the Victorian Government at Sandringham, for the Golf Australia - PGA of Australia Headquarters concept. Ross Perrett has apparently been working on the Masterplan, and is understood to be among the candidates to redesign the golf course.

With a storied history, the golf course at Sandringham has many admirers and any substantial change or downsizing is sure to meet opposition. Few Melbourne golfers, outside the Sandbelt elite, are unfamiliar with its existing holes. 

Like others in the local industry, we will be interested to review the plans when they are put forward by the Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

From the Bayside City Council press release:

Bayside City Council has given permission for the tenant of Sandringham Golf Course to proceed with design of a proposal to update, improve and invest in the course.

Bayside City Council Mayor, Cr Alex del Porto said this decision will enable public consultation to be conducted on the proposal.

“Council will work with the tenants of Sandringham Golf Course to consult the community and all stakeholders on a detailed plan for improvement and investment in the course. The outcomes of this consultation will be reported to Council to decide whether it will support the proposal,” Cr del Porto said.

The proposal includes a revised layout to cater for skilled players as well as attract new and younger players. It also includes opportunities to improve the environmental sustainability of the course with stormwater capture and storage.

In addition to the reconfiguration of the golf course, the proposal includes a driving range, training facilities and a new administration building. It may also include an option to return land abutting the Tulip Street sports precinct to Council to meet the future needs of the Leisure Centre site.

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