An Aussie greenkeeper has criticised a $50m project set to transform a popular golf course into a multi-purpose parkland for one of the country’s most densely populated areas.
The NSW Government last week confirmed the project that will provide sports fields, fitness equipment, a nature playground, an off-leash dog area, and shaded picnic spaces at Moore Park, Sydney.
The extra green space comes from reducing the popular Moore Park Golf Club from 18 holes to 12. A decision that has drawn criticism from the golfing community.
The Minns government last Thursday announced the plan, updated from an original proposal to reduce the course to nine holes, following consultation between golfers, residents, Golf Australia, and Moore Park Golf Club.
But Bankstown Golf Club greenkeeper David Fitzgerald told Yahoo News the redevelopment is an “absolute disgrace”, considering hundreds of golfers from overseas fly into Sydney and enjoy the 18-holes on offer at the busy public course.
David Fitzgerald, a greenkeeper at Bankstown Golf Club, has criticised the plan for 12 holes of golf at Moore Park. Source: Supplied
“I reckon it’s an absolute disgrace what’s happened to this golf course, it’s one of the busiest public golf courses not only in New South Wales, but I think in the country,” he said.
Fitzgerald said many courses in the area, like The Australian, Royal Sydney and New South Wales golf courses, are private, meaning the public can’t play on them so easily, without becoming a member.
He said the Moore Park course generates substantial revenue for the council, which will no doubt be lost over the coming years.
There are about 100,000 rounds of golf played at Moore Park annually, making it one of the busiest courses in the country.
David Fitzgerald said having 12 holes is actually less appealing than 9 holes, originally presented to the table.
12 holes are worse than nine, golf greenkeeper says
Fitzgerald said having 12 holes is actually less appealing than the nine originally presented to the table.
He explained that the course could be a 2-in-1 where another nine tee boxes are set, meaning you could play 18 holes off 9.
“So you would play the front nine on the green, but then the second nine with a different set of tee off areas, which come from a different angle into that other green,” the golfer said.
“I don’t even think they (government) would have even considered it. They would have just gone, ‘oh, let’s try and get as many holes as we can’.”
A 20-hectare parkland will be built. Source: NSW Government
Fitzgerald, the owner of Refresh Lawn Care, said the reduced 12-hole course will no doubt be a money saver for the council and government.
“You’re using less chemicals for products on the greens, fairways, and tees, and obviously, the wear and tear on mowers isn’t going to be as great either.”
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New Moore Park South will have something for everyone, government says
The NSW government said last week that the change reflects valuable feedback from golfers and the broader community.
“Working closely with a respected golf architect and stakeholders, the new 45-par course has been designed to be challenging and utilise existing fairways, while retaining a finish at the Golf House,” the statement read.
“The course will also be supported by an expanded driving range with up to 90 bays, an 18‑hole mini‑golf course, and putting and chipping greens.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully told Yahoo News the government is re-imagining Moore Park South in one of Australia’s “most densely populated communities”.
“The re-imagined Moore Park South has got the balance right between space for public recreation and formal sport, including golf,” he said.
“It will deliver 20 hectares of great new public open space for one of the most densely populated areas in Australia while still supporting a 12-hole golf course which caters to all ages and abilities.
“The new Moore Park South will have something for everyone, whether people want to play sport, enjoy time outdoors, walk the dog or play a round of golf.”
Moore Park offers one of Australia’s busiest public precincts. Source: Getty Images
(Steven Tritton via Getty Images)Golf NSW preferred to keep 18 holes at Moore Park
Golf NSW CEO Stuart Fraser said despite coming to an agreement, the preference was always to keep the course as is.
“The preference has always been to retain 18 holes, however this was physically not possible,” he told Yahoo News.
“Internationally recognised Golf Course Architect, Harley Kruse, has however configured a 12-hole layout that would be practical and still offer a challenge for golfers of all abilities.”
The $50m project will coincide with the booming population within 5km of the new parkland, projected to rise to almost 790,000 by 2041, the government states.
Parkland works will commence from July 2026, with construction expected to be completed by 2028.
A minimum of nine holes will be available to play until the 12-hole course is opened in 2027.
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