I suppose it comes as no surprise to many here, but I saw a report on the ABC news on Sunday May 4th informing that St Andrews Beach was closed as of Monday May 5th and was in the hands of administrators.
This, of course, has left the members, some 400 of them, high and dry, having forked out quite a bit of doh for the privilage of wandering a course devoid of distractions known as golfers.
I played there a few weeks ago for the first (and possibly the last) time and found it to be a wonderful layout, certainly worth its reputation. It was a Friday and we were the first group off at 7.00 am. The weather was fine with barely a breath of wind, so we expected a fair crowd on the course but when we finished and made our way back to the car we found only 14 cars in the car park. My only criticism of the course was the dryness of the fairways. I even considered the $80 greenfee to be reasonable.
That afternoon we played at The Dunes and, by contrast, the place was bustling with golfers. The course was green and showed no signs of the dry fairways we encountered five minutes away. Obviously the cost of water was out of reach of St Andrews.
It would be a terrible shame if this course and the rest of the future works failed to exist. I know that saturation point has been reached down on the peninsula but hopefully someone will take up the challenge of turning this mess around. I’m sure the members would welcome a solution sooner rather than later, even if it means sharing the course with the public. Something is still better than nothing.
Does anyone have any idea on what’s happening down there?

The Golf Club at Kennedy Bay, here in the West, owned by the same people, suffered the same fate on Monday. Apparently there is a third course somewhere in Oz about to go as well, if it hasn’t already.

Kennedy Bay has been cleaned out, greens equipment, shop stock, everything gone! Perfectly good golf course sitting there and no-one allowed on it.

I believe they only had around 30 to 50 members, so I would imagine a lot of them will join other local courses around here. Our club will probably offer a special deal for any of the (ex) members looking to join us (Port Kennedy members, contact Rockingham Golf Club!).

Cheers
Brett

Yeah Brett
The third course was down at San Remo near Phillip Island. This development was a Graham Marsh course which has suffered from the drought conditions the area has been experiencing. A spokesman on the news report said that the weather was to blame for that development dragging both Kennedy Bay and St Andrews Beach under.
Kennedy Bay is another great course that deserves a second chance if a money man shows up on a white horse.

KB is indeed a great course. Its had a few now empty pocketed riders in its history. Probably get swallowed up as housing land now which will be a pity.

That would be a tragedy Guru. It would also upset a lot of local residents that bought land based on “golf course views”, etc.

I’ve mentioned to Board of Management at Rockingham “let’s pick up all our gear here and move in down there”. Can’t see that happening in my lifetime though, pity, it’s less than 5 minutes from my front door.

Brett

As a matter of interest, this would put any future golf developments down on the south east coast under some doubt. If you guys remember the Mark Hensby comments which caused some angst among the Greg Norman fans back in November 2005 when he was at Phillip Island to launch a $300 million sports complex with the Grand Prix track and a cliff top 18 hole resort project as well as an 1175 room hotel and conference centre and clubhouse and God knows what else. Who knows what’s happening there now.
Then there’s the land adjoining the National which Norman bought when the members at the National passed it up some five years ago. He planned to build two courses there and call it Norman Estate. That hasn’t happened and probably won’t now.
There’s golf land everywhere down there but due to the current conditions within the golf and economic worlds only the cattle will appreciate it.

The week before Australia Day holiday earlier this year I played a comp at Cowes Philip Island and played with a very low marker local (who was a club champ recently).
I did ask him about the San Remo course, he told me then it was going broke, also they only had 9 holes open and no body was interested in playing there. No water back then.
It was one of those land for sale/membership combo set up and they couldn’t sell enough houses.
I did see the report on the ABC and i believe they own 3 or 4 courses that are in trouble. I did read that the members where asked to tip in another $500 each but seems like they haven’t.
Not sure if you can blame the weather for going broke,
Any way thats what i know, about 27c worth

Seems to be enough golfers out there to keep the course afloat. Just not enough golfers willing to buy membership/land packages to exclusive courses. I’d count myself as one of them.

When the management companies pull their heads out of their arses and realise that, we’ll have lots of great courses that everyone can play.

This is bad news.

Especially Kennedy Bay for West Aussies such as myself. One of the best public layouts in the country sitting there wasted. I wish I got there a few more times…

bugger i was to play kennedy bay this coming saturday.

Kennedy Bay is simply too tough for your average punter. they play it once, lose to many balls and never return. Public tracks rely on repeat business and word of mouth., thats why Secret Harbour 5 minutes down the road is doing well.

Great members course though, once you know your way around it its great golfing

Correct on both counts there. Da scrub is (was) very hungry for an an average player. Scores were heard to be done on a ball count on more than one occasion by passing groups between the 9th and 18th in shot gun bashes.

I liked the course myself as a test, especially in the afternoon “breeze.”

Secret Harbour is a fun punters track, though a good challenge to really make a good score on too. Deep fescue grass does make the ‘rough’ a challenge and the breeze is the same there in the afternoons.

Pity to hear another course has gone the way of the Dodo.

I guess there would be a number of developers that are getting nervous having put together business cases based upon selling a certain number of new homes at above market prices (with membership of a new golf course thrown in) in a rapidly falling market. Just read in the Sydney Morning Herald that auction sales fell to below 50% of properties offered last weekend. Additonally, home loan applications have fallen dramatically last month as well.

Wouldn’t be surprised if more fall by the wayside.

Wish I’d played Kennedy Bay when I was over there last year. Played The Cut, a truly wonderful experience.

Heard a rumour yesterday that St Andrews Beach may have been purchased by an off-shore interest and that they will honour the Members who have bought $50k memberships. Heard anything ???

Not yet vossy.