Nigel Williams (Golf Oracle) with Mayor Jock Barker at the re-designed Lake Claremont Golf Course.
Camera IconNigel Williams (Golf Oracle) with Mayor Jock Barker at the re-designed Lake Claremont Golf Course. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie www.communitypix.com.au d472363

Take a drive: Lake Claremont Golf Course set to open September 1

Bryce LuffWestern Suburbs Weekly

GOLFERS could being teeing off at the revamped Lake Claremont Golf Course as early as September 1.

The facility has been closed since July 2016 after the Town of Claremont endorsed a plan to re-design each of its nine holes and upgrade the old club rooms.

The Town is hopeful the fresh layout, designed by renowned course architect Terry Gale, will provide a challenge for experienced golfers while also being accessible to those new to the sport.

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The redevelopment of the course, established in the 1960s, was budgeted for $1 million but the Town said it would come in under budget at $900,000.

Work on the grounds and clubrooms should wrap in late August in time for a September start.

Course operator Nigel Williams, of golf facility management firm Golf Oracle, said the new layout was exciting.

“What they had before was flat greens that were very small,” he said.

“There was nothing exciting to it, no challenge really.

“Now you have to hit your shot to a particular part of the green because if you don’t you will have a big mound to go over which will make it much more difficult.

“It’s going to be challenging.”

Mr Williams predicted the course, which includes holes ranging from 70 metres to 130 metres in length, could provide a blueprint for others in Perth.

“A big nine-hole or big 18-hole golf course takes a lot of time. This one you can get around it in an hour instead of three or four hours,” he said.

“I think this is the future of golf: little nine-hole golf courses where people can come out and play with their family.”

Claremont Mayor Jock Barker was confident the 14-month closure would be worth it in the long run.

“We understand some of the golfers that played here regularly would like to have seen it kept open but it just wasn’t up to scratch as it was,” he said.

“Today, it’s a modern golf course and I think it’s going to work terrifically for the Town and for the surrounding suburbs.”

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