Maroondah Golf Strategic Review

The Maroondah Golf Strategy 2020-2030 was endorsed by Council at its meeting on 27 July 2020. The strategy outlines key priority actions that will enable golf within Maroondah to remain financially sustainable, achieve performance targets and see participation levels continue to increase and diversify.

Background:

Council owns and operates two 18-hole golf courses in Maroondah, being Dorset and Ringwood Golf, collectively known as Maroondah Golf. Both facilities cover approximately 80 hectares (approximately 198 acres) of Maroondah’s open space.

Maroondah Golf generally experiences good visitation rates. Trends occurring across both facilities show some increase in non-competition (social) golf, while competition golf remains steady. This change is also apparent sector wide, as reflected in the Victorian Government’s Planning for Golf in Victoria discussion paper.

The stage one report, developed by WellPlayed Golf Business Consultants, identifies both challenges and opportunities for the future of golf in Maroondah. To achieve long-term sustainability, the report recommends alternate golf and entertainment/hospitality experiences, with the aim to increase participation and appeal to a broader audience.

Gaining a deeper insight into golf’s changing landscape has also given Council the opportunity to look at sport in Maroondah more broadly. Council recently undertook a sports demand analysis which has indicated there will be more than 46,000 people participating in more than 33 different sports by the year 2021. The analysis indicated significant growth is expected for soccer, basketball, and female sports participation.

Stage two of the Maroondah Golf Strategic review aims to explore two proposed key elements. Feedback on these elements will help shape the strategic direction for golf, and/or other sports in Maroondah. The proposed elements include:

Golf experiences and facilities

To enhance golf participation, the stage one report recommended exploring a greater range of golf offerings to make our facilities more appealing to a broader audience, such as:

• Mini golf, a family friendly premium mini-golf facility complemented by an expanded/enhanced hospitality offering (note providing a mini golf facility may require a modification to current golf holes, however 18 golf holes would be retained)
• Driving range, ideal for practice or entertainment with a mix of traditional and premium bays that would cater for a diverse range of age groups and abilities (note this element would require a reduction in existing golf holes resulting in a shorter format)
• Enhanced Pavilion, this could include:
  • Virtual golf lounge, an indoor golf experience for all ages and complemented by an expanded/enhanced hospitality offering
  • Expanded retail or hospitality options such as additional golf shop items, food and beverage enhancements, and the potential for community functions and events, that would complement other experiences

Sport and Recreation Opportunities

The changing landscape in golf participation provides an opportunity to respond to the broader community’s future needs and requirements for additional sport and recreation facilities/areas. New trends are emerging with significant growth projected for soccer and basketball, particularly in relation to female sports participation. The capacity to expand existing sporting facilities within Maroondah to meet this growing demand is severely limited.

The following proposals explore:

• Modification of golf holes and the provision of facilities to meet the growing demand for Basketball;
• Reduction in golf holes and the provision of facilities and sportsfields to meet the growing demand for Soccer and/or other sports

If you would like any further information about the Maroondah Golf Strategic Report please contact our Maroondah Golf team on 9298 4510.