Sale Golf Club has a proposed integrated golf and residential development opportunity
Views towards Sale Golf Club’s premier sixth hole (far left) and beyond where seven new holes will be constructed by golf course architect Paul Mogford.
SALE Golf Club committee members are calling a proposed integrated golf and residential development a “game changer” for Longford, Victoria.
The project, led by developer Gippsland Links, will include seven new golf holes, a retirement village, residential homes, and an RV park.
The proposed integrated golf and residential development revives a project two decades in the making, though the retirement village is a new addition.
Initial planning began in 2004, but challenges with water and wastewater connections stalled progress. Gippsland Links director Lou Centra, who has been involved since the project’s inception, confirmed that those issues have been resolved and said he is confident that the development will proceed this time.
Sale Golf Club president Bruce Carter, who led during the original planning phase, has recently returned to the role after being involved in the new development’s planning for the past two years.
“A few other club captains and members that were involved in the committee back through that first period of time, we put in a lot from the club’s point of view back then, and to see it fall over was unfortunate, but we got a bit excited again now that it’s back,” Mr Carter said.
Two decades in the making: Sale Golf Club President Bruce Carter and Gippsland Links Director Lou Centra discuss development plans. The pair have been involved in planning since it began in 2004.
For many club and committee members, it’s been a long time coming. But now is as good a time as any.
Club captain Brian Cahill said that the development would provide significant financial security for the club.
“It’s exciting for the members (because) we’ve got a future going forward, whereas a lot of sporting clubs are struggling financially. For us, it helps provide some financial security in the future,” Mr Cahill said.
The committee highlighted that the development would provide the club with the financial resources to upgrade its clubrooms. It envisions the venue as a future “community hub” where amateur to avid golfers can play the fairways, community groups can hold meetings, and locals can dine or use the facilities to host events like weddings.
Earnings from a portion of retirement and residential lots sold will bolster the club’s income streams. Cumulatively, there are 300 lots: 120 retirement and 180 residential.
Sale Golf Club treasurer Daniel Gall said the financial benefits are timely and would be significant in enabling the club to reinvest in its future. Although the development won’t be ready for a few years, Mr Gall said the anticipated financial benefits would exceed $3 million, setting the club up for generations.
Mr Carter said this will allow the club to renovate the “aging” clubhouse, highlighting the need for upgrades to the bar and kitchen.
“From the club’s perspective, it is a game changer because it does really set us up for the future, which is amazing … And certainly, from a golfing perspective, our growth in membership numbers this year in particular have been outstanding,” Mr Gall said.
Daniel Gall, Sale Golf Club Treasurer, Brian Cahill, Club Captain, Bruce Carter, President, Lou Centra, Gippsland Links Director, and Charles Rintoul, immediate former President.
When the new development was presented to club members, the vote was nearly unanimous, with 141 in favour and just one opposed.
According to Mr Rintoul, club members showed the most interest in the new holes. During an information day attended by about 60 members, many questions focused on the new holes as golf course architect Paul Mogford explained their plans on a guided tour.
“The holes that they’re going to provide for us are really spectacular …. different to what we’ve got now. It’s got undulations, one is up a creek, and they’ve got a top golf architect, Paul Mogford from Crafter and Mogford, one of the top-ranking architects in Australia,” Mr Rintoul said.
