In full swing: $2 million Murray Bridge golf course upgrade taking shape

An expansion that will see the Murray Bridge Golf Club turn into a pro championship course is in full swing, with the work set to transform it into one of SA’s premier regional golf facilities.

Work on the $2 million upgrade to the Murray Bridge Golf Club is well underway as the facility is set to transform it into a par 71 championship course.

The current popular 18-hole golf course is set to expand into a neighbouring residential development on the site of the old Murray Bridge Racing Club.

Two new golf fairways – designed by golf course architect Neil Crafter – are being prepared as part of the Newbridge housing development, next to the existing golf course.

Newbridge – a $50 million development by Burke Urban – will featured fairway-lined housing and feature up to 350 new residential allotments in the heart of Murray Bridge.

South Australian residential property developer, Burke Urban, releases premium land for Murray Bridge growth. Mark Bolton from the Murray Bridge Golf Club, Olivia Burke and Damien Collis from Burke Urban. Picture: Sarah Reed/BPPR

It was originally planned the two new holes would see action in time for winter golf this year, but the River Murray floods delayed works with contractors turning their attention to emergency earthworks.

However, the project is back on track and it is estimated the work on the two new holes will be finished by the end of June and it is anticipated golf would be played on the new surface within 12 months.

The Murray Bridge Golf Club upgrade will see other sections of the course also modified as it expands from a par 68 to a par 71.

The Murray Bridge council is preparing a short-term lease with Murray Bridge Golf Club Inc to allow the current golf course to continue operating while allowing for the golf course expansion when it is complete.

Work continues on the expansion to the Murray Bridge Golf Course. Picture: Dylan Hogarth

Rural City of Murray Bridge chief executive officer Michael Sedgman said a proposed short-term lease – out for public consultation – would allow the golf course to continue operating under existing conditions for the “next year or two”.

“As part of the Newbridge housing development underway next to the golf course, two new fairways have been built that are expected to become part of the larger golf course once the development is completed,” he said.

“(It) provides an opportunity at the end of that lease period to renegotiate a new arrangement that could potentially incorporate the two new fairways once they are ready for handover.”

Burke Urban invested almost $1.2 million into the golf course upgrade, with Federal funding as well as over $200,000 from the Murray Bridge Golf Club through fundraising, donations an in-kind services.