As far as redesigns go, few can surpass the impact of the renovation of the two courses at Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club late last decade. The 36-hole facility at Frankston on Melbourne\u2019s south-eastern fringe today ranks as one of the great experiences in Australian golf.<\/p>\n
In truth, the North and South courses at Peninsula were always very good, but perhaps not great. However, after an injection of funds generated from the club\u2019s merger with nearby Kingswood Golf Club, the new entity affectionately known as \u201cPK\u201d now rivals Royal Melbourne for the most envied golf facility in the land.<\/p>\n
It got there by summoning the expertise of OCCM, the architectural firm at the time comprising Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Michael Cocking and Ashley Mead. They modernised Peninsula Kingswood while keeping it true to its roots, also drawing the best out of a magnificent site where the natural features are extensive but were previously under-exposed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it is fair to say that we haven\u2019t before seen a renovation of this scale around the Melbourne Sandbelt,\u201d Cocking said at the unveiling in May 2019. \u201cEvery green, bunker and tee has been redesigned or rebuilt, fairways reshaped and regrassed, creeks and water bodies added, a state-of-the-art irrigation system, cartpaths, drainage and vegetation works. What PK has achieved in the past four years is basically what every other Sandbelt course has spent the past 20 or 30 years accomplishing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The only thing left for PK to do is host a big tournament. We can\u2019t wait. \u00a0<\/p>\n
THE DETAILS<\/p>\n
North Course
Ranking for 2024-2025: 5th\u00a0
Prior rankings: 5th (2022), 6th (2020), Omitted (2018), 40th (2016), 34th (2014), 30th (2012), 25th (2010), 36th (2008), 28th (2006), 25th (2004), 94th (1998), 96th (1996), 82nd (1994), 38th (1991), 33rd (1989), Fourth Ten (1986)<\/p>\n
South Course
Ranking for 2024-2025: 15th
Prior rankings: 16th (2022), 20th (2020), Omitted (2018), Omitted (2016), 36th (2014),41st (2012), 39th (2010), 56th (2008), 50th (2006), 56th (2004), 38th (2002), 40th (2000), 24th (1998), 21st (1996), 25th (1994), 67th (1991), 52nd (1989), Seventh Ten (1986)<\/p>\n