Regarded as one of the most progressive golf clubs in Australia, Maroochy River, located on the Sunshine Coast will enter a new era after its members overwhelmingly supported a facility upgrade which will include a new par-3 course by 2028.

The club’s members recently held a formal vote for the proposal (pictured right), receiving 82.5 percent (75 percent was needed to progress) support towards the addition of a nine-hole, par-3 course, a 19th hole for use when the present course is being renovated, a turf nursery and earthworks for a future ‘executive-style’ course. 

The par-3 course includes plans for a TPC Sawgrass-style island green and the executive course being designed by Melbourne architect Darius Oliver, taking up land on the eastern side of the property.

Golf Australia’s club and facility manager – Queensland and Northern Territory, Andrew Leventis said the club’s approval of the upgrades (needing council approval) were a strong step forward for golf in the region.

“It’s super-important given the enormous demand for golf in the Sunshine Coast, one of the fastest-growing local government areas in the whole country,’ he said.

“It’s going to bring a huge boost for participation opportunities on the Sunshine Coast and it’s going to bring new people to the game through facilities that people who are not yet rusted-on golfers can connect with and enjoy.

“Maroochy River just gets it in the participation and growth space and I applaud what they have done here.”

Maroochy River’s 18-hole course is perennially ranked inside the top 100 courses in Australia and caters for more than 85,000 rounds of golf a year and also boasts a mini-golf facility and modern driving range.

Story by Nick Creely

Images courtesy of Golf Australia/Maroochy River GC Facebook