Golfers from around the world are expected to flock to a new $30 million course planned for Kangaroo Island in Australia.
Located just off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island is a tourism icon drawing more than 40,000 international visitors every year with the majority coming from Italy, Germany and North America.
Australia’s most famous golfer Greg Norman has been approached regarding the design the 18-hole championship length, Par 72 links-style golf course.
Developer Programmed Turnpoint Pty Ltd, who also recently completed the Cape Wickham Golf Course in Tasmania, hopes to have final approval for the golf course within eight weeks and have ‘tee off’ next year.
The development will include the 6415m long, links-style golf course, dining and function facilities, clubhouse and 70 accommodation suites (180 beds) for tourists.
The 220-hectare site is located on Dudley Peninsula between Pelican Lagoon and Pennington Bay on the eastern end of the 4,405-kilometre-square island. Five free-hold residential allotments, which would be used during Stage 1 of the development to help fund later stages of the development, will also be built.
General Manager of Programmed Turnpoint, Justin Trott, said there was a huge, global appetite for unique golfing experiences.
“Golf destinations are a new tourism market,” he said. “People are always looking for unique locations to play the sport. With this golf course being located on the coast in a remote area it’s got the ‘sizzle’ to becoming immediately attractive to the market. Playing golf while overlooking the sea, the drama of the sand dunes – it really will be something to behold.
“We are in the very early stages of speaking to golf courses designers, including Greg Norman and we will be looking at some plans in the immediate future. We have completed the public consultation period and spoken to cultural heritage representatives. We are now in the process of preparing our responses to those discussions.”
He said a purpose built dam on site, which would only use overflow water from the nearby Middle River, would store all the water needed for the golf course throughout each year.
Kangaroo Island council chief executive officer Andy Boardman said the council expected an extra 22,000 visits a year from tourists as a result of the new golf course.
“Golf tourism is a growing trend in holidays,’’ he said. “Groups or families are seeking iconic locations to visit and spend two to four nights staying at those destinations.
“We expect it will boost our tourism revenue by around $7 million annually and will be a very strong addition to the tourism aspect of Kangaroo Island.’’
Kangaroo Island’s newest tourism draw is the Kangaroo Island Marathon to be run in September 2015.
Kangaroo Island www.tourkangarooisland.com.au
Programmed Turnpoint Pty Ltd www.turnpoint.com.au
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