994 replies to this topic

[schwartzy]

Does anyone know what is happening to Eastern Golf Club? Are they relocating? If so, where and when?

[schwartzy]

Anyone from Eastern? Is it a secret?

[HotPies]

I'm not a member from Eastern but club land will be sold off. They knocked back a move to Kingston Links about 2 years ago. Land that has earmarked is around the new Croydon track. Wont happen for aleast a few more years from what I've heard

[Ayds]

I heard a bunch of developers have bought this land and are turning it into medium density housing! But that was a year or so ago.

[HotPies]

Had to be voted on by the members, after about 3 or 4 go at it it finally got up. But again they have to wait for another course to be built 1st

[Pherst]

The deal with Eastern is as follows: The initial board (several years ago now) proposed a move that Eastern would sell up at Doncaster and purchase Kingston Links in Rowville. The proceeds from the sale at Doncaster would provide enough funds to complete the purchase and redevelop the course and facilities there, with the aim of turning it into a quality venue (with some serious cash still in the bank). Where it came unstuck was that the board needed a 75% majority vote from members to secure the deal (it got voted down approx. 35% for / 65% against). The main reasons were that KL was valued at approx $20 mil maximum and the Eastern board was willing to pay $45 mil for it, plus the fact that the course is built on a swamp, has lovely views of Eastlink, power lines (the big bastards), factories, and not to mention it's not even in the east. Moving forward to the present time, the current board proposed a move to a greenfield site by selling the Doncaster property and finding a suitable parcel within approx. 20-25 mins travel from the current site. The move was approved by the members giving the current board the ability to seek a new site and begin the relocation process. This was the only option due to financial issues, water issues, and complaining neighbours (who did a massive about turn when the club decided to relocate). At the present time, a new site has been found out near the new Croydon course, and subject to planning approval, the club will purchase this site. Greg Norman course designs has been given the job of designing and building the new course (having already built courses like Ellerston, The Glades, Pelican Waters, etc), while the clubhouse will be designed and built by those responsible for the National clubhouse (amongst others). The whole process is expected to take approx 4-5 years, with the Doncaster site only closing when the new site opens ready for play. The current site will be put to tender when the new site is officially purchased. Eastern will need approx. $90 mil from the sale of Doncaster to fund the new venture and have enough cash in the bank to secure the future. Hope this helps clear up all the false information going around. It's no secret that the club has all this currently in place.

[MrNoisy]

If i were the board of Eastern i would visit the clubhouse at the National and talk to the members. It is amazingly beautiful with stunning views but terribley impracticle. The locker rooms are below, members can come into the building and leave without the proshop ever knowing, the bag drop is not visable from the pro shop, the formal and informal dining isn't segrogated, ie for weddings or presentations. As i said looks good but looks can be decieving

[Pherst]

If i were the board of Eastern i would visit the clubhouse at the National and talk to the members.
It is amazingly beautiful with stunning views but terribley impracticle. The locker rooms are below, members can come into the building and leave without the proshop ever knowing, the bag drop is not visable from the pro shop, the formal and informal dining isn’t segrogated, ie for weddings or presentations.

As i said looks good but looks can be decieving

They also built Capital, Spring Valley, Thirteenth Beach, Sandhurst and The Sands. The one at the National has been built as a show of opulence in my opinion, but it does need to cater for some 2,500 members using 3 courses. I'm tipping the board would have inspected all these clubhouses before making their selection. Perrott Lyon Mathieson is the firm that have been awarded the contract to build it. They were also involved in other projects such as the Rialto Towers and the Crown Casino complex.

[Pherst]

I heard they're close to signing off on the new land. Croydon and Heritage will be quite upset if Eastern has a huge budget to build something quite special within a stones throw of their locations. Expect quite a few Heritage memberships to be on the market when Eastern opens, assuming it's as good as they're saying it'll be...

[Golfisgreat]

Does anyone know the address of the land Eastern is about to sign off on? There are whispers of 215 Victoria Road, Yering which is a stones throw from Croydon (Yering Meadows). Can anyone confirm this address....or otherwise?

[Pherst]

Does anyone know the address of the land Eastern is about to sign off on? There are whispers of 215 Victoria Road, Yering which is a stones throw from Croydon (Yering Meadows). Can anyone confirm this address….or otherwise?

Let's just say Croydon will be quite annoyed when it all comes to light...

[Golfisgreat]

Hey Pherst, Do you have any knowledge as to when the actual address is likely to be known? If it is 215 Victoria Road, Yering...or any other Victoria Road address..or within a stones throw of Heritage, Yering, or the new proposed location for Chirnside for that matter, it will be a very very long process at VCAT to try to get another course approved. Apparently it took Croydon (Yering) years of fighting at VCAT to get their course approved, and even then they only made it by the skin of their teeth... I'd be surprised if VCAT would entertain the thought of approving the creation of a fourth course in the immediate area.....

[Pherst]

I do know the exact address of the parcel of land that Eastern is currently negotiating on, however I don't wish to reveal it until it becomes full public knowledge (I don't think my contact would appreciate it). It should be revealed within the next few weeks after all the 'i's are dotted and the 't's crossed. I would expect the main concern for VCAT would be the survival of another club in that location. The difference between Eastern and the other clubs out there is that Eastern will be completely self sufficient when they open the doors. They will not need to canvas for members at any stage (Croydon is currently advertising on the radio) due to the large cash surplus they will have left over from the sale of the Doncaster property and development of the new site. The other main difference between Croydon and Eastern is (as I understand it) Croydon did not own all of their land (I stand to be corrected on this) from their original site. As a result, they had limited funds to establish their new venue which delayed the whole process. I have also been told from my contact that Eastern will be employing the services of many of those involved with the Croydon application process. One would expect this to speed up the process as any errors / problems with Croydon's application would be already addressed in Eastern's application. As for Chirnside Park's proposed move, I don't think that's going anywhere. They are having huge opposition from neighbours bordering the course, as well as having a dwindling membership base. Eastern should be a walk up start to get in and develop an awesome venue. I think the local council out there would welcome the additional revenue.

[Golfisgreat]

Hi again Pherst, Interesting. Clever of Eastern to employ the same people involved with the development of Croydon - that should speed up the process that Croydon went through no end. Not sure what exactly is happening with Chirnside, I've just heard that they are close to getting to a stage where things are nearly tied up for their relocation. Although you cannot divulge the exact location of where Eastern is currently negotiating the purchase of land for their relocation (I'll still bet my bottom dollar that it is 215 Victoria Road!) do you have any idea as to when Eastern expects to commence development of their new course?

[Pherst]

Hi again Pherst,

Interesting. Clever of Eastern to employ the same people involved with the development of Croydon – that should speed up the process that Croydon went through no end.

Not sure what exactly is happening with Chirnside, I’ve just heard that they are close to getting to a stage where things are nearly tied up for their relocation.

Although you cannot divulge the exact location of where Eastern is currently negotiating the purchase of land for their relocation (I’ll still bet my bottom dollar that it is 215 Victoria Road!) do you have any idea as to when Eastern expects to commence development of their new course?

The word is that once they sign off the option on the land, the application process will take approx 18 months - 2 years to have the planning application passed. My contact believes the club is very close to signing off on the property so there should be something announced within the next few weeks. It takes approx. 2- 2 1/2 years (on average) from turning the first sod to having a course playable, so based on this and assuming all goes smoothly, the course should open sometime in 2013-14. My contact has advised me that the club has requested members not to divulge the location of the land to the general public so I'm respecting that request. Sorry, but I'm sure it will be public knowledge soon!