Members of Geelong’s only par 3 golf course are fighting to hold on to a unique and much-loved sporting facility.
Balyang Par 3 Golf Course, an 18-hole par 3 course that sits beside the Barwon River and Balyang Sanctuary, faces an uncertain future as Geelong council withdraws from direct golf course management in the region.
The course is now up for lease, with the City of Greater Geelong seeking to find a new tenant club that could manage the Marnock Road site for up to 21 years.
Greater Geelong council’s online Your Say page makes clear the facility is unlikely to survive in its current form.
“The City is seeking innovative solutions to transform the Balyang site from the existing 18-hole par 3 course into a family-friendly, fun, exciting golf product for the long-term benefit of the Greater Geelong community,” the statement reads.
Balyang Par 3 member Troy Freeman has begun organising the resistance to the council’s transformational plans, creating a Facebook page and online petition to gather support for retaining the course in its current form.
He said while the redevelopment of the course had been “painted as a positive to the public”, the loss of the course would mean many members would have nowhere to play.
“We have a number of members that can’t play a full length course, or can’t play hilly courses, whether because of age or disability… also a lot of kids,” Mr Freeman said.
“The council basically see it as a money drain. They want to lease it, get it off their books, so they’re trying to spruik it so somebody takes it over with the intention of turning it into mini golf and a driving range.”
Mr Freeman said if the course was ailing financially that was a direct result of the council’s failure to market and promote it properly.
A number of other golf courses, including Lara Golf Course and Queens Park Golf Course, are still partially operated by the City but have “succession plans” in place for member committees to take over management, Mr Freeman said.
CoGG chief executive Ali Wastie said the CIty was “exploring future options for the Balyang Golf Course”.
“We undertook a community engagement process in August and September this year, and will provide the community’s feedback to a councillor review panel in early 2025,” she said.
“In addition, nine responders requested and will be given opportunity to present directly to the councillor review panel.
“A decision on future operations at Balyang Golf Course will be made at that time.”
Go to yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/balyang-golf-club-lease to view details of the proposed lease and redevelopment, or visit change.org/savebalyang to view and sign the petition.
