The new owners of a Sunshine Coast golf course have unveiled their plans to pitch it back into the spotlight.
Chateraise Holdings Co Ltd, the owners of the Gold Coast’s renowned Lakelands Golf Club, have told Sunshine Coast News they are driven to take the rebranded Peregian Springs Golf Club to the next level with a range of initiatives and upgrades.
Chateraise HQ Management general manager Rowan Beste said they were eager to put the 62-hectare site back on the golfing map.
“We aim to improve every aspect of the facility and get the golf course into the top 100 in Australia once again,” he said.
“This will involve tidying up a lot of areas and increasing the offerings in the golf shop and the food and beverage areas.
“From here, there will be numerous golf course improvements, as well as beautification projects on course and around the clubhouse.”
Mr Beste said work would start soon and they were determined to create a golf haven.
“We are here for the long haul,” he said.
“We want this whole facility to not just be enjoyed by its members but the Peregian Springs community, and to be one we all can be very proud of.”
The course will be open to the public but there is a focus “on membership, the local community and adding another premium golf course to the northern Sunshine Coast”.
“Knowledgeable and friendly staff will also add to the experience that customers can expect at Peregian Springs Golf Club,” Mr Beste said.
Full memberships from $850 to $3950 are available while there are also prepaid access passes from $1100 to $2100, corporate access passes from $2200 to $4000 and VIP access from $395.
“The prepaid access passes are suitable for those people who work in Brisbane and stay on the Sunshine Coast on weekends, or for those who are only able to play a couple of times per month,” Mr Beste said.
“The VIP option is great for people who are starting out and are unsure how often they will play.”
The foundations of a great golf course and club are already there.
Located 15 minutes from holiday hotspot Noosa and 10 minutes north of the Sunshine Coast Airport, the par-70 course is designed by Phil Scott, the father of US Masters champion Adam Scott, and it includes a challenging layout with picturesque lakes and trees. It first opened in 2003.
“The greens have been built to full USGA (United States Golf Association) standard, which is of the highest regard, and they tend to get the best feedback from golfers,” Mr Beste said.
“The greens and fairway condition are highly regarded, along with the natural scenery of Peregian Springs, with differing holes that require different strategy.”
The clubhouse was designed by local firm Blackburne Jackson in 2003.
“There are beautiful views from there, overlooking the 18th green and practice facilities, with more than adequate outdoor seating available for customers to enjoy a bite to eat and a cold drink,” Mr Beste said.
Chateraise Holdings acquired the course on April 11 and, as of October 16, took over the ownership of the course, clubhouse and the equipment and stock.
That’s also when Chateraise HQ Management took over the day-to-day management of the golf club.
It was also returned to its former name, reverting from Peregian Golf Club back to Peregian Springs Golf Club.
Mr Beste said there are 26 staff members at Peregian Springs and there could be new openings there in the future.
“As the need for more staff arises, we will look to add new staff,” he said.
Chateraise Holdings owns two golf courses in Australia (Peregian Springs and Lakelands) and 18 courses in Japan.
The company’s main business consists of more than 700 confectionary stores throughout Asia, and its portfolio also includes ski resorts, hotels and wineries.
