AusGolf - Kennedy Bay Reopens
GOLFERS BACK AT THE LINKS KENNEDY BAY
Click here for our review of The Links Kennedy BayGolfers will tee off at The Links Kennedy Bay Golf Course for the first time in five months from November 8, with the course officially reopening to the public following an extensive program to get it back in top shape.
Publicly listed development company Mirvac, who is managing the course on behalf of developer Western Australia Beach and Golf Resort (WABGR), took over the site in July this year and coordinated the clean-up and upgrade of the 18-hole championship course.
The Links Kennedy Bay was forced to close in early May when previous manager, The Golf Club WA, was placed into administration.
Prime Golf has now taken over responsibility of the club facilities and membership, and Turnpoint has been appointed as maintenance contractors for the course.
The club’s 150 previous members were invited to hit the course from last weekend (October 25), ahead of the general public reopening on November 8, which will be marked with a golfing competition for members and guests and a barbeque open to all visitors.
Prime Golf WA director Douglas Bailey said there had been strong interest in the highly anticipated official reopening from both keen golfers and the general public.
“The Links Kennedy Bay was formerly voted Australia’s number one public access course and it was simply too good and too unique of a product to leave sitting idle and not being played by golfers from WA and throughout Australia,” he said.
“It is great to see the course back to its very best and we have already been inundated with people asking about the reopening and new membership options.
“Our aim is to have over 200 members by the end of the golfing season along with a base of regular visitors from the corporate sector and the general public.”
Mirvac development director Lou D'Alessandro said extensive works had been undertaken to get the course in top shape for the reopening.
“The Links Kennedy Bay has long been renowned as one of the most popular and picturesque courses in Western Australia and our aim was always to ensure it was back to its former glory before reopening,” he said.
“When we took control of the site it had not been maintained for about two months and had become degraded with overgrown weeds and damage from four-wheel drivers, motorcyclists and kangaroos.
“It has been a team effort between all involved to not only clean-up the course, but upgrade the clubhouse and entry, which had received little attention over the past year.
“The reopening marks an exciting new phase for The Links Kennedy Bay and there will continue to be additional improvements to the property over the coming year.
“We are expecting renewed interest in the course, with people able to see for themselves the new benchmark that has been set in terms of maintenance and upgraded facilities.”
The par 72 course was designed by 1991 British Open Champion Ian Baker Finch, in collaboration with Michael Coate and Roger Mackay, and has been described as one of the most challenging in the State.
Its ideal position, just 40 minutes south of Perth on a picturesque oceanside parcel, has made it popular with city dwellers, locals and visitors.
WABGR and Mirvac also have plans to develop the adjoining Kennedy Bay property into a fully integrated residential and tourism development, incorporating coastal and golf course residential areas, an eco-tourism site and carefully planned holiday precincts.
Plans are progressing on the first stage, which will include homes, apartments, a display village and foreshore upgrade.
Click here for our review of The Links Kennedy Bay