The way forward for the Cheltenham Golf Membership is underneath risk.
PROFESSIONAL golfer, Matt Griffin was certainly one of many Cheltenham Golf Membership members who spoke passionately at a current Bayside Metropolis Council assembly urging councillors to resume the long run lease the membership has on land which borders Victoria Golf Membership.
Cheltenham is believed to have been considerably blindsided by an apparently unsolicited proposal by Victoria to contest the present council lease which expires in 5 years.
Victoria says it’s involved in regards to the security of its members, employees and guests from errant balls hit by golfers enjoying Cheltenham. Native soccer, netball and soccer golf equipment have voiced their issues alongside Victoria.
Whereas publicly at the least, the problem appears to be about security for golfers, Cheltenham members assume Victoria has larger plans ought to it efficiently contest and be granted the lease. And that’s to construct a two-tier commercially operated driving vary and change the present nine-hole format with a pitch and putt facility.
The council was reminded Cheltenham has been working as a private-public golf course since 1930. Members advised council it’s a area open to walkers, bike riders and nature lovers to benefit from the plentiful wildlife. It is usually a group hub for non-golfing teams just like the Probus Membership.
“As an eight-year-old, I first skilled golf at Cheltenham with my mother and father and grandparents. After I was 12, I used to trip my bike right here and play with my mates,” Griffin stated.
“It was my introduction to the sport and it allowed me to go on and make a long-term 20-year profession in skilled golf.”
Griffin stated many golfers learnt to play the sport at Cheltenham. “Certainly one of them was (US Open champion) Geoff Ogilvy,” he stated.
“Cheltenham is a uncommon place the place generations can play alongside one another, and younger golfers could be taught the etiquette and guidelines of the sport in an inexpensive atmosphere.”
Broadcaster Sam Hargreaves advised the assembly the public-private Cheltenham membership was a protected haven and inclusive of everybody.
“A member who misplaced his spouse 12 years in the past advised me not too long ago it was the place he felt most at house since her loss of life. One other homosexual man in his 50s advised me it was the one place he ever felt protected,” Hargreaves stated.
The Bayside Council has referred to as for the group’s response earlier than deciding on whether or not to resume Cheltenham’s lease with a closing resolution in November.
This follows an 800-signature petition to council led by Victoria GM and Bayside resident, Warwick Hill-Rennie. It asks council to provoke a public expression of curiosity course of to permit group teams, golf equipment and organisations to place ahead proposals which might “improve leisure and sporting outcomes for the group”.
“It is a uncommon alternative to re-imagine how this land can serve the Cheltenham and Bayside group for many years to come back,” Hill-Rennie stated.
“We encourage council to prioritise group outcomes and to actively interact native residents and golf equipment in figuring out the location’s future use.”
Skilled golfer Matt Griffin, a four-time winner on the PGA Tour of Australasia, spoke passionately in assist of Cheltenham GC.
Cheltenham actually has the means and plans to mitigate works to maintain their neighbours protected.
Bayside Council stated in an announcement.
“The Cheltenham Golf Membership website includes a clubhouse, automotive park and nine-hole golf course. The clubhouse and a part of the automotive park is owned by the membership on freehold land. The course and a part of the automotive park are located on Crown Land, reserved to be used as a public park.
“The not-for-profit Cheltenham golf equipment pays $69,994 (plus GST) in annual rental to council. The proposed new lease would supply the membership with the soundness required to facilitate the required course upgrades to deal with the errant golf balls security issues on its boundary with Victoria Golf Course (eighth and ninth holes) and the fifth tee, whereas additionally enabling the Membership to proceed with its implementation of their Tree Administration Plan.”
