Presentation to Members Golf Course Masterplan
An historical review
In 2008 we were appointed by the Club as their Golf Course Architect following a design competition and presentation Redevelopment to maintain integrity of parkland (north) & links (south) courses Driving range to be incorporated Relocation of machinery shed allowable Player, facility & perimeter safety is imperative & must comply with industry guidelines Holes in close proximity to Gateway Motorway must hit with traffic flow Safety fencing locations and heights to be considered
At the time of appointment the above plan is indicative of what the Club should expect to loose to the Road Realignment
Approximately 9.0 hectares (of a total of 95 hectares) or approximately 10%, which is what the Department initially based their expected compensation to be derived from. As many as 9 holes were affected in whole or in part Some water storage in the long dam 5
Fundamentally there were three options to find additional land to make up for the last we were loosing, however two were readily dismissed in favour of trying to gain some of the Boondall Wetlands to the Clubs east.
Below is a plan prepared in 2008 where we were looking at minimal changes to restore the course(s) but this required around 15 hectares to be leased from the Boondall Wetlands, which the club commenced trying to lease/purchase 7
In 2011, when the Abbott opposition said they would fund the Gateway extension we needed to keep our options open, we weren t getting any traction with regards to land tenure within the Boondall wetlands, we started looking at what the course might look like within the remaining 85 hectares, whilst still trying to achieve the initial brief and looking at minimal changes to restore the course(s) in terms of length and par
We didn t abandon the land to the East, but we couldn t get traction with either Brisbane City Council or the Federal Government Fundamentally plans concentrated on the North Course expanding into the Boondall Wetlands while the South Course slid East. 9
We even looked at a 27 hole option to see if that might have suited the site better but it was agreed it was an option of last resort.. 10
Where have the last two or three years gone? In short, they have been spent in protracted negotiations Layouts and costings, followed by further layouts and adjustments to costings, followed by lawyers at 6 paces Unfortunately all very necessary, you ll remember that we suggested that the Department felt only 10% of the golf course needed work as that was representative of the area of the golf course lost to the realignment of the road. Conversely, our position started with something much more radical in an attempt to provide a safe golfing environment and achieve the fundamentals of the original design brief So what was our starting position???? 11
A you beaut Concept that would have required 31 new golf holes to be constructed.. Why? Because. 1. It was the best possible response to the brief 2. It made for a very comprehensive claim which assist the club to completely reinvent itself 3. It was the safest option available 4. It was a logical position to commence the negotiation with the TMR 12
The TMR were a difficult opponent and were playing hard ball (including their Consultants and lawyers) and continued to push back hoping to reduce the scope of the project however the quantum of holes changed was remaining around the 21 new hole mark with several others needing minor change. Where did this leave the Club? 1. Either continue down the legal path or look to agree a layout as the basis of the compensation claim. The Club chose the latter. 2. Trying to find the best possible Concept that could be delivered for the budget set within the scope of the compensation funds, that still fundamentally delivered on the Club s historic brief 3. We were otherwise at an impasse in terms of negotiation with TMR 13
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Having been close to an agreement for a couple of months, and feeling we now had an likely budget to work to, it was time to settle on a layout that offered the Club: 1. The best possible golf course(s) 2. The best bang for our buck in terms of implementation 3. Achieve the Club s initial brief 4. A concept that we feel should pass the scrutiny of the authorities 5. Something that s new, fresh and exciting 6. Something that offers all golfers an enjoyable challenge 7. Two courses with a distinct point of difference By consensus we settled on the Masterplan as shown 15
Why have we settled on this Plan going forward? It goes very close to fulfilling the historic brief Other than the fact that it basically gives Nudgee one completely new course, other benefits include: Allows fresh marketing/ re-establishment/ reinvention of the facility A longer more illustrious championship course Improved drainage across the site (subject to Hydraulic study) Restores the three hole start and finish adjacent to the Clubhouse Shortens green to tee walks considerably from the pre-existing situation Provides an opportunity to improve the visual attributes of the golf course(s) Provides a great range of holes on both courses 16
Things to ponder going forward. Consultation with Authorities and gaining a works approval Ease and duration of implementation including number of holes left in play How much do we differentiate both courses in terms of appearance and playability, fundamentally this would encompass: 1. Different bunker styles 2. Different landscape feel (opportunity is limited) 3. Perhaps smaller less undulating greens on the shorter course 4. Perhaps fewer bunkers on the shorter course And now for a few images of what the courses might look like.. 17
Firstly, what s not to like about Nudgee, we currently have some problematic drainage issues.. We would hope to radically improve drainage generally, and thereby make the course(s) more flood proof. 18
We also see this project as a wonderful opportunity to improve the landscape as part of the ecological enhancements. 19
Ultimately we would be looking to differentiate the two courses with different bunkers styles and green forms, which might draw inspiration from the images below. 20
However the new East course would likely have a more open feel, perhaps a more links like feel. 21
A stunning natural landscape, within a wetland feel.. 22
A bright future