THE lessee of the Fremantle Public Golf Course says he is happy with the council’s proposed concept for its reconfiguration.
The City of Fremantle revealed it’s the new 9-hole, par 34 layout late in 2019, which includes a new opening hole running parallel to Montreal Street from the existing chipping green to existing club house, plus a challenging new par 5 hole, while also retaining the course’s signature finishing hole.
The design utilises most of the existing fairways, although some of the holes have been reversed, but the exact location of tees and greens and the final course length will be determined as part of the detailed design.
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READ NOWThe redesign is necessary due to the upgrade of High Street, with the existing third and sixth holes lost.
Evergreen Golf director Andrew Billingham said the design was the best case outcome in the situation.
“The clubhouse moves but the driving range stays the same, which is important for us,” he said.
“The course is small for 9 holes but it’s still a challenge.
“There’s a definite risk/reward for good golfers, you need accuracy to get good scores.”
The City of Fremantle engaged Perth-based landscape architects Aspect Studios to undertake the project, including specialist golf course designer Richard Chamberlain, landscape architect Stuart Pullyblank and project manager Mal Birch.
Mr Chamberlain has more than 30 years of international experience in golf course design including at Royal Hobart and Royal Fremantle golf clubs.
It is anticipated that from September this year until November 2021 the golf course will be open with temporary clubhouse facilities, while the new clubhouse is expected to be completed by December 2021.
The driving range is expected to remain open through the majority of the works.
Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said the new course would provide a fun and challenging experience for golfers.
“The design team has done a terrific job to come up with a layout that meets all of the council’s criteria on a reduced footprint while minimising the impact on trees,” he said.
“Obviously there will be some disruption to the golf course while the reconfiguration works are carried out, but we will continue to work with the operator of the course to make sure this is managed and minimised wherever we can.
“But at the end of the day what we’ll have is a fantastic new golf course with a beautiful new club house, so I’m confident everyone will agree the disruption was worth it.”