Belair National Park Golf Course at point of no return — and no one knows what to do with it next
THE greens are brown, the fairways are a dustbowl and the clubhouse is cleared out. The Belair National Park Golf Course is at the point of no return — and no one seems to have any idea what to do with it.
East, Inner Suburbs & Hills
Don't miss out on the headlines from East, Inner Suburbs & Hills. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE future of the abandoned Belair National Park Golf Course remains uncertain, with the State Government refusing to confirm or deny whether the land will be returned to the park.
Administrator Clifton Hall this week expects to hand the keys to the golf club back to the government after it was unable find a buyer for the business. It would mean the clubroom and function centre would remain vacant, with the course itself now on the verge of no return.
The HillsValley Weekly understands the preferred option is to forever abandon the golf course and return the land to Belair National Park — although the government is refusing to confirm or deny that plan.
The future of the clubhouse remains unclear. Greens at the course are now dead and some are cracking due to a lack of water.
Kitchen equipment and furniture from the Belair Park Country Club was last week being removed to be sold by auctioneer firm Mason Gray Strange in an off-site auction
Lenzerheide Restaurant at Hawthorn had shown an interest in buying some of the kitchen equipment from the administrator, however co-owner and chef Tim Pearson said it was too outdated for their needs.
The HillsValley Weekly last week contacted the Environment Department and asked whether the golf course would be returned to the national park, why the greens had not been watered in recent months, and whether it had entertained any lease proposals.
A department spokeswoman refused to directly answer those questions.
“The department … is disappointed by the closure of the Belair Golf Course and Country Club businesses,” an emailed statement read.
“(The department) has received some queries from businesses interested in the future use of the site, however the site is currently under the possession and control of the liquidator Clifton Hall.
“(The department) is focused on achieving the best outcome for the site in the future, taking into consideration the national park, stakeholders and the community.”
In an email last week, Simon Miller from Clifton Hall said: “I don’t know (the government’s) intentions for the site (course or country club) going forward.”
The HillsValley Weekly spoke with golf designer and former professional golfer Graham Marsh, who said the viability of remediating the golf course would depend on myriad factors, including soil and age.
As such, it was impossible to put a price on the work.
The Belair Park Country Club and golf course fell into administration in January with its owners having debts in excess of $2.1 million.
The course was originally constructed as nine holes in 1934, following a decision by the State Government to “raise additional income for the maintenance and further development of the (national) park”, according to the Belair Park Golf Club website.
The course was extended to 18 holes in 1941.
In the 1970s, the course was redeveloped and, in 1982, the lease handed to a private operator.
‘20 bucks for my first gig’: Meet the new crop of country singers
From the son of a favourite, to a sheep farmer and city-boy turned-Keith-Urban-in-the-making, these are South Australia’s homegrown country music rising stars.
SA aged care homes: Who meets and fails key targets
South Australian aged care residents are not getting the care they are entitled to, as providers reveal the extreme lengths they’re using to hire staff. Search and see the list.