Construction Begins on New 14-Hole Short Course at WA’s The Vines Resort
The Vines Resort has officially commenced construction on a new 14-hole short course, marking the next phase of its multi-million dollar redevelopment. Designed to cater to modern lifestyles and “time-poor” golfers, the project is expected to take approximately nine months to complete, with an opening slated for early summer 2026.
The new layout will repurpose the existing Lakes 1–8 holes, integrating them with six new tee boxes and six new greens. The resulting course will offer a dynamic mix of par-3 and par-4 holes, providing a genuine golf experience that can be completed in approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Leading the project is The Vines Resort Superintendent Brad Pavlinovich, who brings 28 years of experience at the resort to the development. The resort’s in-house team is carrying out the majority of the work to ensure the new holes remain true to the character of the original championship landscape.
“Golf facilities are reinventing themselves to remain viable,” said Vines WA Director Mark Hohnen. “The reality is that for golf courses to remain viable, they have to have a whole-of-community context and be a broader recreational destination where families want to go.”
The project includes a total replacement of the irrigation infrastructure on the short course. This aligns with the $9 million reticulation upgrade completed on the 18-hole championship course in 2024, which reduced water usage by 25% and reinforced the resort’s commitment to sustainability.
The move toward shorter formats follows a global trend aimed at making the game more accessible to a broader audience, including women, juniors, and seniors who may find a traditional 18-hole round daunting.
“These changes confirm The Vines as a complete golfing experience by offering 27 traditional holes, a short course, and a modern driving range, in addition to the mini-golf already offered,” Mr. Hohnen added.
While the resort owners emphasize that the redevelopment secures the long-term future of golf at the site, the project has faced some pushback from core members. A January survey overseen by the Vines Residents and Ratepayers Association (VRRA) indicated that 92% of responding members opposed the short course, citing concerns over the loss of the full Lakes course and the impact of broader residential development on the site.
Despite the internal debate, management maintains that the new course is an “essential upgrade” in line with Golf Australia’s “all golf is golf” philosophy. Once completed, the 14-hole course will be open to the general public, further positioning the Swan Valley landmark as a leader in flexible, modern golf.
SOURCE: Facebook
