Growling Frog News
Everyone is talking about the Growling Frog
21 Aug 2003
Residents of the City of Whittlesea with an interest in playing or learning to play golf have a lot to look forward to.
Next year the City of Whittlesea will officially open to its residents and the general public a competition quality public access golf course designed by one of the world's leading golf course designers and professional golfers - Graham Marsh.
Currently under construction in Yan Yean, it will be the first Victorian golf course designed by Graham Marsh Golf Design.
The course which will also feature a clubhouse, restaurant, pro-shop, spike bar, small vineyard on entry and driving range, is poised to be one of highest quality full public access courses in Australia.
The character of the course in quality, challenge and will provide an enjoyable experience for the public course player at an affordable price.
In recognition of these special and unique characteristics, Council has chosen a distinctive name for the new course. Reflective of the unique environmental benefits of the course and derived from the native and protected species of fauna to the area - "Growling Frog" was chosen as the new name for the course. The Growling Grass Frog is an endangered species that has been the subject of substantial efforts to protect it and encourage population growth.
Whittlesea's Mayor, Councillor Frank Merlino said, "We are all very excited about the name. We tested over 50 names with a group of people representing all facets of the golf and tourism industry and this was the unanimous choice"
"The habitat of the Growling Grass Frog has been well protected and even enhanced in the process of building the golf course with new wetlands areas established and the planting of indigenous plants. Also all the native River Red Gum trees have been protected. No Red Gums have been removed from the site".
Given the course's accessibility, location and quality design it is expected that it will attract people from across Melbourne and regional Victoria as well as a number of interstate and international tourists.
Cr Merlino said, "Council made the decision to build the course in response to current and future demand for recreational facilities in our growing municipality. It will be an excellent venue for the local community as well as the wider golfing public. The investment made by Council in building the course will be recouped through green fees and revenue from associated facilities".
The golf course will cover 150 acres with the remaining 150 acres being preserved in its natural state with features like River Red Gums, water features and kangaroos. The natural landscape will be preserved for generations to come to enjoy.
Expressions for interest for the management and operation of the golf course were sought last month. It is expected that an appointment will be made in November or December of this year.
Further information about facilities and key features:
The facility will include a very high standard public access golf course, driving range, separate practice chipping green which includes a practice bunker that replicates many of the bunkers throughout the course and a separate practice putting green, a licensed restaurant/snack bar and pro shop.
Land area approximately 280 acres of which approximately only half is utilised for playing of golf. Many Melbourne courses accommodate their entire complex on less than 140 acres.
Course length is 6,200 metres.
It has 4 par 3's between 135m &174m, 10 par 4's between 330m and 420m and 4 par 5's between 483m and 511m. Both 9's are a par 36 for a total par of 72.
All holes will present a fair challenge to golfers regardless of skill level.
The fairway widths are generous to ensure all players can enjoy their game without delays caused by searching for golf balls in the natural pasture grasses which will surround the fairways.
However, proficient players will be challenged to correctly position the golf ball on the fairway by needing to negotiate strategically placed fairway bunkers.
The course has almost 60 bunkers (both on fairways and around greens). All bunkers will be visible throughout the play of a hole and the bunkers will be characterised by large sand faced walls, grass walk in tongues and challenging depths. The bunkers will create a striking contrast with the fairways and greens surrounds.
Green sizes average 550 sqm with gentle, fair and challenging undulations on bent grass greens.
All tees and fairways will be grassed in couch. This will ensure that all grassing is consistent with grassing on Melbourne's premier courses.
The layout's flow of play has been designed to provide for a round of golf without areas that cause slow play (such as overly difficult and unnecessary hazards) and at the same time there has been no reduction in strategic challenge. Tees are located relatively close to the previous hole's green.
The walk around the course will not be tiring as the undulations are very gentle.
Extensive and distant views are attainable throughout the journey of the course, including distant hills in the surrounding landscape, approximately 200 mature river red gums trees - many of which are 300+ years of age, a meandering creek which is out of general play, numerous kangaroos and extensive native bird life.
The course is on a clay loam and extensive drainage has been installed to ensure that the course is an all weather course playable immediately following the heaviest of rains.
