Confidential Adelaide City Council report shows how North Adelaide Golf Course could be redeveloped for LIV Golf
A confidential $50m North Adelaide Golf Course masterplan is now public and images show what it may look like ahead of LIV Golf’s city move. See the pics.
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A confidential $50m North Adelaide Golf Course masterplan has given the first indication of what a redeveloped course may look like ahead of LIV Golf’s move to the city.
The Adelaide City Council report, developed in 2018, proposed reconfiguring an 18-hole course, a new two-storey clubhouse over the River Torrens, underground carpark and two-tier driving range.
The report was shelved in 2021 due to its high cost, proposal to outsource operations and impact on culturally sensitive land and was never made public.
However, it was made quietly available on the council website ahead of the Premier Peter Malinauskas announcing LIV Golf would move to North Adelaide.
In never seen before images, the new par 71 course – primarily covering the existing south course – was designed so that both nines start and return to the new clubhouse with access through a War Memorial Drive underpass.
At approximately 6000m in length, it was not a full championship course, but a men’s professional tournament could be held if one or two par 5 holes were reduced to par 4.
Trees would be removed to realign holes and replaced at a ratio of three to one, while the existing par 3 course would be reduced to 12 holes.
The report also proposed a six hole executive course in the northern section, chipping practice bunkers and a mini golf course – the only element to made public by the council in 2022.
The course was designed with input from former PGA golfer Graham Marsh, of Graham Marsh Golf Design, who wrote in the report: “I cannot find one reason as to why the redevelopment … could be anything other than a resounding success”.
In 2018, the course averaged losses of $550,000 per year, however the council’s 2025/26 budget reflected an operating loss of $150,000 but current performance was “favourable”.
More than 150,000 rounds of golf are played each year on the venue’s three courses.
A government spokesman said they were aware of the masterplan which would be considered in the design process and the cost of the redevelopment to be included in the state budget.
“It is worth noting the council’s masterplan’s costings included a significant investment in optional extras such as a new clubhouse and plaza, two level driving range, learner course, undercroft and deck carpark and other items which may or may not be included in the final design,” he said.
“It is anticipated the new design will incorporate a new 18-hole championship course, a new driving range and advanced practice facilities.”
Mr Malinauskas used this year’s tournament at Grange Golf Club to announce the city move and a new specially designed course by Greg Norman for the world’s best players.
He has said the course would be ready for the 2028 tournament, or possibly as early as 2027.
Adelaide City Council earlier this week said it wanted the government to sign a long-term lease for the course and pay for all costs associated with the redevelopment.
Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith previously said the council wanted a “voice at the table” as it had been custodians of the land for more than 100 years.
“Moving a prestigious event for professional golfers to the course will take some changes and the council is keen to co-operate with the state government – that means in terms of the development of the site,” Dr Lomax-Smith said.
“Nobody knows that site better than us, we know where … the heritage sites are, we’ve put the irrigation in, we know where the topography has different types of soil and fill underneath, so it’s important that we share that knowledge … so the course designers can do the best job possible.”
Grange Golf Club has successfully held the tournament since 2023, which was twice named world’s best golf event and this year attracted more than 102,000 spectators over three days.
The club is contracted to host the 2026 event and, as of February 18, said it had not had an offer to host LIV beyond this date.
The club has consistently said if there was an offer to extend the event at Grange in 2027, it would require the agreement of members.
Members had until Friday to respond to a survey on what improvements could be made to the 2026 tournament.
President Nicolle Rantanen Reynolds was contacted for comment.
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Originally published as Confidential Adelaide City Council report shows how North Adelaide Golf Course could be redeveloped for LIV Golf
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