Robe Golf Club to build six new holes for the full 18.

26 Jul 2017

Fresh from news that an exciting resort development on Kangaroo Island had been approved, comes an announcement from the Robe Golf Club in southeast South Australia that plans to add 6 new holes to their existing golf course were also approved at Government level. In the case of Robe, final regulatory hurdles involved the Commonwealth Government, and concerns over the environmental protection of a 20Ha parcel of land adjacent the existing course.

Interestingly, the Robe Golf Club had downsized from 14 to 12 holes a few years ago, in order to sell land for a local subdivision. The club actually experienced an increase in membership during the ensuing years, and are now in a position financially to be able to add six superior holes to the scrubby duneland closer to the shoreline.

Meanwhile, ten kilometres south of Robe is a stretch of partly exposed sand dunes at Nora Creina that have been earmarked for 36 holes of golf to be designed by Bob Harrison. The Nora Creina Golf Course and Tourism Resort development was designated a Major Project in 2014 and is currently awaiting final regulatory approval, for a resort that includes an assortment of hotel and accommodation options. If approved, the project and the new holes at Robe would add significantly to the golfing appeal of a region not currently on the mainstream golf radar.

From the Robe Golf Club announcement:

Robe Golf Club is very happy to announce that we have achieved final approval in a long list of approvals the final being the Commonwealth government’s environment protection approval.

This now allows us to commence construction of an additional six golf holes, taking the course to a full 18 holes within the centre of Robe.

The approval has been gained after many years of countless man hours of volunteered time to achieve a great outcome for the club and the wider community.

About four years ago we reduced the course from 14 to 12 holes, this allowed us to convert the two fairways of Davenport St into the Lost Fairways Estate.

This residential development has been conducted selflessly by dedicated golf club members with the sole aim of generating the income required to build the clubs next six holes.

Being part of the community since 1926 the Robe Golf Club has continued to respect its place in the fabric of town and uses local contractors and businesses in every facet of its operations.

We have a policy of using our loyal sponsors products and services first and foremost wherever possible.

This has seen the generation of work and income within the community with the Lost Fairways Estate and this will increase with the construction of the new course.

Once completed this will attract additional visitors that will not only play golf but patronise the many wonderful businesses and attractions within the district.

Over the last four years despite having reduced the course to 12 holes we have experienced a 15 per cent increase in membership and extend a warm welcome to all who would like to be part of the Robe Golf Club.

The reason we have been able to achieve such success is due to the careful consideration and respect of process and the environment that needs to be cared for.

We purchased 20ha of private land adjacent to the existing course that had been left to overgrow with weeds and vermin, 8ha of which containing the least significant flora will be carefully cleared to establish our new fairways and greens.

The remaining 12ha will be placed in a managed heritage flora agreement.

In addition to this we have also purchased 180ha of significant and delicate dunes that stretch from third ramp south towards town.

This constitutes a major chunk of the dunes behind Long Beach.

This land will also be placed into a heritage agreement for its long-term protection.