An acclaimed golf club on the Sunshine Coast is progressing with plans to expand its facilities, including a new par-3 course.
The Maroochy River Golf Club is preparing to submit planning amendments to the council as it moves forward with the first stage of a multi-phase expansion.
Club president Nigel Gibson detailed the proposal.
“Stage one will be the construction of a nine-hole par-3 course under lights, an extension to the current car park and an extension to the course maintenance facility,” he said.
“We are currently putting documentation together to go to council for an amendment to our original development application.”
Members voted 82 per cent in favour of the first stage in May.
Stage one is expected to cost $8.5 million, funded by the club. It’s hoped that work could start next year, with layout construction estimated to take 12 months, then another six months of establishing the grass prior to opening.
Club officials are working with golf course designer Darius Oliver and consultants on the project.
Mr Gibson said the expansion would bolster golf offerings in the region.
“The additional golfing facilities will be for the benefit of members and guests,” he said.
“With limited availability on Sunshine Coast golf courses, it is expected to be a popular new option for golfers.
“Members will have the opportunity to utilise the new facility as part of their current membership, and it may provide the club with the opportunity to look at a par-3 membership.”
Mr Gibson said the club had “considerable consultation” with members and the council.
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The club was based in Maroochydore, where it was known as the Horton Park Golf Club, from 1950 until 2015, but the course there was ripped up to make way for the emerging city centre.
The council offered the club $42 million in compensation for the land, with the funds to help relocate and develop a course on old cane land near Bli Bli.
The club has thrived there since, capturing state awards.
The Graham Marsh-designed 18-hole links layout has also garnered plenty of accolades, featuring in Golf Australia Magazine and Australian Golf Digest’s top 100 Australian golf courses in 2024.
A mini-golf course, which opened in 2019, has also proved popular and can be played under lights.
It’s unclear what stages two and three of the projects could include but the club indicated, in 2021, that there were plans for a 9-hole pitch-and-putt.
