Big change to Northcote golf course ‘unworkable’

Northcote golf course is booming in membership and participation, but users and the sport’s governing body fear a “ludicrous” rule will hurt the facility.

Northcote Public Golf Course amateur and beginner golfers are not keen to share their course as a public park.

The head of golf’s national governing body has slammed a proposed timeshare deal for Northcote’s public golf course as unworkable and ludicrous.

Golf Australia chief James Sutherland said he would work with opponents of the Darebin Council idea for a 3pm curfew on golfers in order to clear the course for use as a public park.

The future of the nine-hole, council-owned course has been debated for months after it was taken over by residents during Melbourne’s lockdowns for walking, play and picnics, prompting calls to make the change permanent.

But Mr Sutherland said golf was booming in membership and participation.

“More than 25,000 rounds were played at that course last year as the only public course in the area, and the suggestion that the course should shut at 3pm is ludicrous,” he said.

“We will not stand for it.

“The idea of the last tee-off at 1pm would exclude so much of the community that use this facility. What about the tradies just finishing work? What about the kids after school?

Kaylene Soligo enjoys golf after a long shift working at a major Melbourne hospital.

“What would happen if we stopped footy, cricket and soccer clubs from using facilities post 3pm? They would be extinct, and golf is no different.”

Council officers drew up plans for a redesigned course, costing $950,000, to unlock 5.7ha of the site for parkland, by decommissioning the southernmost hole.

Most of the golfing community agreed to the compromise but Darebin councillor Susan Rennie then suggested a 3pm curfew, which will be reviewed for a later decision.

Ms Rennie said the community found the original proposal inadequate and there was no need to retain the golf course.

“Golf is not played there much at all would be my observation, based on the empty carpark most of the time,” Ms Rennie told a council meeting.

Northcote Community and Golf Hub spokesman Bill Jennings said the move would set up the club to fail and exclude children wanting to play after school, plus signal an end to popular after-work play on summer evenings.

There are concerns children will be the big losers when the new curfew begins.

The course is bordered by Normanby Ave, Merri Creek and homes on its eastern edge.

Many residents say they want the site converted to parkland to increase green space for families and improve local biodiversity. A petition was lodged with the council, and about 800 children submitted their ideas for use of a public park.

Mr Jennings said the course was on track to have a record number of players, even above pre-pandemic numbers.

“Golf participation is way up, but picnics are down now that people can go and sit in local cafes again,” he said.

“If you take away golf on a public course like this, you just make it more elite and it’s only for people playing at private clubs.”

Mr Jennings and Mr Sutherland said Darebin already had plenty of public parks.