Oakleigh Golf Course could be turned into regional park under Monash Council proposal

Opposition is growing to a council proposal to turn Oakleigh Golf Course into a regional park, with hundreds calling for the course to be retained.

The Oakleigh Public Golf Course could be turned into a regional park under a Monash Council plan.

Opposition is growing against a council proposal to turn a beloved golf course into a regional park.

Golfers, including many with a disability, are fighting to save Oakleigh Golf Course, which could be turned into a regional park under a council proposal.

Golf Australia and the PGA of Australia are backing the fight to retain the course, along with more than 1800 people who have signed a change.org petition.

Monash Council is planning for the future of the the course and is asking the community for feedback on two possible options – retaining the 9-hole course, or transforming the site into a regional park.

Golf Australia general manager of clubs and facilities, Damien de Bohun, said it was “unthinkable” that an inclusive public facility like Oakleigh could be closed by the council.

The council says it is committed to the land – located in Park Rd, close to Scotchmans Creek – remaining as open space and no other options are being considered.

Monash Mayor Tina Samardzija said the council was considering its future open space and sporting infrastructure needs to ensure it was making the most of the space it has available in Monash.

The course, described as “a hidden gem,” opened in 1978, and is “suitable for players of all ages and skill levels”.

Golf coach Sandy Jamieson, who runs a disability golf program at the course, is fighting for it to be saved and said the course had never been so popular.

He said it was a meeting point for many friends in the area and was the cheapest and most accessible golf course in Monash.

“The hard part is, many people think all golfers are the same, and golf is for the privileged, (but that’s not the case),” he said.

“The really sad thing is if they close the golf course the stereotype comes true – it becomes a game for people who are wealthy.

William from @ReachAndBelong all abilities golf group let's us know what he thinks of a possible course closer @oakleighgolf the course is the only nursery to nursing home golf facility in @MonashCouncil and would be a massive loss to the most vulnerable @GolfAust @JoshFergeus pic.twitter.com/SFTvLCn9dx

— Sandy Jamieson (@jamogolf) October 9, 2023

“This course is designed for people starting their golf journey.

“I call it the nursery to the nursing home golf course.

“It’s where kids start, it’s where beginners start and it’s where I run all of my disability golf programs.”

Mr Jamieson runs Victoria’s largest disability golf program at the course, running two groups a week for 30 people or more who have a disability.

He also trains people who are on the NDIS themselves to become coaches, allowing them to earn an income out of coaching.

“If the golf course closes, (that program) is gone,” Mr Jamieson said.

“We’re a bit worried.”

The land has been used as a golf course for more than 40 years.

Reach and Belong director Fiona Memed said the golf program for players with disability, which began in 2021, had been an invaluable source of organic community inclusion.

PGA of Australia chief executive Gavin Kirkman said: “With golf participation climbing everywhere, now is not the time to be closing public facilities that are accessible to everyone at a very reasonable price.”

Mr Jamieson said there were other local parks close to the course, including Huntingdale Wetlands and Brickmakers Park.

A petition against the plan to turn the course into a regional park has been started.

“So many comments have said ‘This is my only social engagement for the week,” Mr Jamieson said.

“Golf does wonderful things for people and if the course closes a lot of people are going to miss a lot of social interactions.

“In golf you meet people, you talk to people, and you escape from things in your life that might be an issue.”

Cr Samardzija urged residents to have their say on the plan.

“Consulting with our community will help to ensure that a crucial council asset is providing the highest value and community benefit possible,” she said.

“We understand and respect the important role that golf has played at the site for many years, and council will directly engage with Golf Australia, Oakleigh Golf Club, Oakleigh Veterans Golf Club, and casual golfers to ensure the views of current users are acknowledged and considered.

Have your say here.