The Links Kennedy Bay, one of Western Australia’s best golf courses, looks set to officially reopen its full 18 holes in November after years of redevelopment. 

Perennially ranked as one of Australia’s top courses, the club confirmed on the Golf Australia website recently that it was looking forward to golfers being able to utilise the full 18 instead of two rounds of nine.

Led by superintendent Mark Bilsborough, who oversees a crew of seven that have been involved in the construction and grow-in process, the project is the biggest he has been involved with in a career spanning 30 years. Bilsborough, who works for NewGround which oversees maintenance of the course, joined as superintendent just under three years ago when the redevelopment was in its early stages. 

The original Links Kennedy Bay course was designed by Michael Coate, Roger Mackay and Ian Baker-Finch and opened in 1999. WA industry legend Trevor Strachan played a key role in its construction then and has also been involved with the most recent works as well. 

The current redevelopment has primarily focused on the construction of a new back-nine layout after the existing back nine holes were turned into a major residential development by Links Kennedy Bay’s Singaporean owners. Other holes on the front nine (5-8) have also been rerouted along with changes to the 9th and driving range. The new holes have been designed by Graham Marsh with NewGround’s construction division overseeing works on the new back nine.

Some of the features of the new course include a new Rain Bird IC irrigation system and Grundfos pump station, which is critical due to the windy nature of the site, which is nestled on the edge of the Indian Ocean between Perth and Mandurah.

The new-look course also features new undulating greens sown with 007 bentgrass, new tees and synthetic revetted bunkers. They also have their own version of ‘Hell bunker’ on the 15th hole (pictured), which takes inspiration from the iconic hazard on the Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland. The new fairways have been stolonised with Wintergreen couchgrass, while there has been extensive reveg/planting works to naturalise the new holes. Bilsborough and his crew are also operating out of a new maintenance facility which was moved as part of the redevelopment.

Perth’s inclement weather remains the final obstacle to overcome to get the course in pristine condition ahead of the reopening, with the 1st and 9th fairways, alongside several green surrounds in need of a good spring to grow in.

The club is confident it can see an increase of 60% in membership growth upon the grand reopening, with a target of bringing more women and girls into golf.

For an in-depth look at The Links Kennedy Bay’s new course, including exclusive insights from course super Mark Bilsborough, keep your eyes peeled on the next few editions of the Australian Turfgrass Management Journal for editor Brett Robinson’s feature story on the redevelopment.

Story by Nick Creely/Pictures by Brett Robinson (ASTMA)