Kooyonga Golf Club reveals plans to ‘increase difficulty’ of course to maintain esteemed premier status

One of SA’s most esteemed golf clubs will look to extend one of its holes to cement the course’s standing as a “championship venue in Australian golf”, plans reveal. Find out which one.

A prestigious Adelaide golf club will look to extend one of its holes in an effort to cement the course’s status as a “championship venue in Australian golf”, plans reveal.

Hole 16 at Kooyonga Golf Club, in Lockleys, would be lengthened by 16m under a proposal to “meet the standard expected of premier golf courses”.

The club, which was ranked Australia’s 24th best golf course and South Australia’s second best in 2024, are now seeking planning approval to “increase the difficulty” of its Par 5 hole from 504m to 520m.

The view of the clubhouse on the 18th hole at Kooyonga Golf Club. Picture supplied

Kooyonga Golf Club's 16th hole (in yellow) would be expanded under a proposal. Picture: URPS

“It is a premier golf club with world class facilities,” the proposal states. “The club has undertaken various developments to ensure this ranking and improve its facilities.

“The extension will improve the club’s status as a championship venue in Australian golf by increasing the difficulty of the hole and counteract distance gained from elite golfers due to technological improvements.

“The development supplements recent upgrades to the club’s off-course facilities. Continued improvements to the Kooyonga Golf Club benefit the club, its members and the wider community.”

Documents, submitted to Plan SA, show the extension would only be possible if the club were able to acquire land from an adjoining property on hole 16. The proposed new tee location is currently located within the boundaries of the property.

The proposed new tee location. Picture: URPS

Documents reveal plans to expand the hole by 16m. Picture: URPS

Australian golfer Greg Norman competing in the pro-am prior to the Ford South Australian Open at Kooyonga in 1996.

Kooyonga has hosted five Australian Opens, a Women’s Australian Open, nine South Australian Opens and eight National Amateur Championships since opening in 1923.

It’s widely regarded as one of Adelaide’s most esteemed golf courses, with figures obtained in 2024 showing members were charged a once-off joining fee of up to $16,728 – the most expensive in the state, followed by Royal Adelaide.

After paying the $200 fee to lodge the application, members are then charged up to $6109 annually – while local and interstate non-members can access the course for $395 a round.

Kooyonga’s newly constructed Golf Academy. Picture: Supplied

The club’s new practice facilities. Picture: Supplied

The club’s membership wait times are expected to be seven to 10 years, with players first having to join as a category 2 member – which is only currently open to women.

Kooyonga has already undertaken various developments to maintain its premier status, including a new on-course toilet facility, upgrades to its practice facility, the creation of a Golf Academy and a redeveloped clubhouse.

General Manager Brett Lewis was contacted for comment regarding the proposed change to 16th hole.

Submissions are open until March 19.