ST ANDREWS BEACH, one of Australia’s formerly top ranked golf courses, will reopen on Friday October 2 as a public access pay-to-play venue.
Approximately 18 months after closing as a result of the financial collapse of the Golf Club Properties Group, the Mornington Peninsula course will be open to all golfers seven days a week.
In an announcement today the new operators, Victorian based company Golf Services Management Pty Ltd, said it would reopen as a pay-to-play venue with affordable pricing.
The Tom Doak designed course was ranked # 9 by Golf Australia in 2006 and had a spot in the worlds top 100.
The announcement says the St Andrews Beach course has been maintained throughout its closure with recent developments allowing improved access for motorised golf carts.
The changes come following the appointment Golf Services Management Pty Ltd to operate and manage the facility.
Golf Services Management says they have over 20 years of experience and promise to bring a truly professional management team to St. Andrews Beach.
According to the course website, green fees for Weekends/Public holidays are $69 ($89 with shared cart) and $49 midweek ( $69 shared cart).
Seniors Card holders are offered a $45 midweek green fee.
October 6th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
This course should be boycotted. The facilities are rubbish and the previous members under the old management have been shafted. Simple as that!
October 7th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Hi Staff at St Andrews…My name’s Darren & i’m a regular on the Peninsula during the period from November-March every year…Myself & friend are keen to have a game at St Andrews but wondered whether you have twilight rates during the week/Daylight saving after 3-4pm..?? The Dunes/Eagle Ridge/Country Club all have cheaper rates for twilight…I olook forward to your response & playing St Andrews course soon…Cheers! Darren
November 1st, 2009 at 5:05 pm
I agree with Freddy. Don’t touch this place. The course is still full of weeds and rubbish. It is a great design, but for the current operators to be making money on other people’s losses is wrong. I urge people to boycott this place too. Spend your money at The Dunes of Moonah Links. At least you can get a beer after the round and don’t have to sit in a temporary shed.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Here here!
November 13th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I agree guys, i played here twice with a friend of mine who was a member and it was a fantastic track. but it hardly seems fair that he and many others are left thousands of dollars out of pocket and these people are able to make a profit. go to the legends course at moonah instead!
November 17th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Boycott, this place sucks hard, rip off
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Guys, the original members made an investment into a stupid concept (no annual subs? come on) and to no surprise the thing went bust. That’s life, do your home work upfront and if it goes wrong suck it up.
I don’t know what the new arrangements are for the old members (hopefully they at least get to play for free) but this thing has no money. So its’ either close the thing for good or open it up to the public. They have done the latter and I for one am pleased as its a great course.
November 30th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Strike one up for those smart enough, or not rich enough, to get into stupid financial arrnagements previously at this course. Great to see another terrific Peninsula course going. Better than losing it to the sand dunes if it were closed. Not the fault of the current operators that the past managers failed. Build a bridge and get over it!
December 10th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Very happy this has reopened. Those saying boycott it need heads examined and cannot be fans of golf. Not fault of current owners that past owners and members made tits of themselves.
The public should be happy that someone has taken the brave decision to reopen, I am sure new owners are taking a big risk too as maintaining a golf course of this scale will be a huge undertaking. Green fees are very fair and I look forward to going. far better to be open for golf than left to dog walkers.
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:12 pm
I played this course on Jan 15 and it was brilliant - Doak is a master designer and i for one was really privileged to play and experience such a brilliantly designed course. Those who lost money in the deal need a reality check. Life goes on, people won’t boycott a course cos u lost money, golfers love great golf courses and at $69 this is a great course at great value. Unbelievable hole shapes and settings/designs around the greens and surrounds - worth a look for every golfer i reckon!