Eastlake Golf Club’s proposed upgrades set to end terror of notorious hole six

A Sydney golf hole “historically” blamed for damage to nearby homes is set to be upgraded in a bid to stop balls flying into residential properties. 

The Eastlake Golf Club. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

A Sydney golf hole “historically” blamed for damage to nearby properties is set to be upgraded in a bid to address what has been described as a “threat to public safety”.

The Eastlake Golf Club has submitted a development application to the Bayside Council, proposing to perform works on hole six.

The plans include reshaping the fairway, installing a new fairway bunker and reshaping the existing one, removing roughly 15 sqm of native grass, and constructing new stairs to the new hole six tee box.

The area in which works have been proposed. Picture: Bayside Council

The planned realignment will result in the hole being moved 40m north, away from nearby homes, in order to “decrease the risk of golf ball strike to the public and property”.

“Hole (six) has historically caused damage to property and poses a threat to public safety due to the close proximity of the fairway to public residences to the south, with golf balls commonly entering this area,” an environment effects report states.

“The proposed activities are required to improve public safety, reduce risk of damage to property and increase the visual amenity of (hole six) of the Eastlake Golf Course.”

It’s not the only hole set to be revamped, with another development application for hole four also lodged with the council.

The location of the subject property. Picture: Bayside Council

The exact nature of the plans for hole four are currently unknown, with the application only stating the proposal as “landscaping works”.

Due to the 80-year-old club’s heritage listing, a report had to be done to ensure the works didn’t harm the one item on the list.

“No newly identified items of historical heritage were noted within the study area,” the report said.

“The works areas within Eastlakes Golf Course are considered to be of limited heritage significance, although the wider area is considered to be of state heritage significance.

“The proposed works are considered to have a negligible impact on the heritage significance of the Botany Water Reserves.”