IT’S probably fair to say Peregian Springs Golf Club has been on a roller-coaster ride since opening to great fanfare 20 years ago.
It’s been through name changes and was even forced to close for a short period when it defaulted on its lease and closed in 2016.
In December of the same year, up stepped GSM who took over the lease and managed the facility until April this year when Chateraise Holdings – owners of the Jack Nicklaus-designed signature course Lakelands on the Gold Coast – took possession of the property.
And it was quick to revert to its original name – Peregian Springs Golf Club.
Having secured the facility, Chateraise has rolled up its sleeves and persuaded the staff to do the same meaning work is well underway to revitalise the facility.
If you are asked to describe Peregian Springs Golf Club in two words, it would probably be ‘family friendly’.
Everyone there has a smile and a greeting for those arriving at the course, whether they be members or visitors … and they are treated as being part of the family.
The atmosphere has started to change as the club transitions to a member-based club with social players more than welcome.
Currently Lakelands Golf Club general manager Rowan Beste is the ‘go-to’ person and his positive attitude runs through the team he works closely with at Peregian Springs.
So, what makes Peregian Springs Golf Club in the heart of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast so family oriented?
In addition to the golf facilities, which are constantly undergoing improvements, the restaurant and bar is a popular meeting place for the community.
“Peregian Springs will be increasing its food offerings for members and guests,” Beste said. “And we are bringing back tap beers while the operational hours of the restaurant and bar will increase.
“The restaurant and terrace overlook the 18th green and it’s a great environment for families,” Beste added. “Parents can bring their kids down to do some practice or take lessons on the range while they enjoy a bite to eat, a coffee or cold drink while they are waiting for their kids.
“A lot is happening at Peregian Springs and will continue to happen to get the facility back to a similar standard it was intended to be.
“We will still be open to the public as there is a need for it on the Sunshine Coast, but we want to focus on the members and the community.”
Beste said there was a “really good community feel” to Peregian Springs.
“As well as a large retirement community there is also a lot of young families in the area. The main age demographics are 40 to 55 and children 5 to 15.
“It’s a great location to be there right in the centre of a decent size housing community where families, young and old, can be close knit.”
According to Beste, Peregian Springs has a healthy number of women playing golf there.
“There are a large number of ladies playing at Peregian Springs and they definitely hold their own.
“And junior numbers are starting to pick up. We are definitely looking to strengthen the junior base with what we have planned.”
THE COURSE
Peregian Springs is a course that can be enjoyed by all levels of golfers because players have the choice of five tee blocks – black, blue, white, gold and red.
The par-70 layout is not overly long (5866m), but course management is key to posting a good score. Keeping it in play is of utmost importance, because if you miss the fairways the score can add up, warns Beste.
Off the back (black) tees it’s a totally different golf course.
In fact, there is a difference of 750 metres from the black to the gold tees so there is a bigger challenge playing off the tips.
For those players moving to the forward red tee blocks the golf course stretches to a comfortable, yet testing, 4824 metres.
Both nines are similar in style with tree-lined fairways and water coming into play on the third, fourth, 11th, 12th, 13th and 17th holes.
The front nine has its challenges, especially holes five through eight.
The signature holes are the 12th and 13th with one playing over water and the other alongside a large lake with the lake coming into play on both the first and second shots.
Beste said the putting surfaces at Peregian Springs were a standout.
“They have been built to USGA standard and the superintendent, Brian Wilson, and his team have kept them in good condition for 20 years,” Beste said.
The courses ends with three more absorbing holes of great variety.
They begin with the 401m par-4 16th where a long green that is shaped diagonally away from you left to right. The best approach is from the right although most players can’t reach it in two.
The 358m (white tees 332m) par-4 17th has water 270m off the tee and 30m short of the green.
This will influence club selection from the tee for the longer hitter and the second shot in the case of the shorter hitter.
The final hole, a 477m par-5, is top-notch and doglegs left with bunkers in play from the tee through to the long, narrow green.
The ever-present breeze has a different effect on almost every shot.
“It is a course where good course management definitely helps,” said Beste.
“You can’t hit driver off all the par-4s and par-5s because the course was not designed for that type of play.
“Big-hitters need to hit an iron off four to six of the holes if they want to score well. You need to position your ball on this course – not just get up there and belt it because many holes have trees lining both sides of the fairways.
“So, don’t miss the fairway because if you do it’s not that easy to recover. Course management is crucial playing Peregian Springs.”
For the record, there are 77 bunkers on the course.
Still, the nice thing about Peregian Springs golf course is it won’t beat you up if your game is a little off.
With the welcoming club staff to greet you for your post-round refreshments, you can then dissect what worked well and where your game could be improved upon while enjoying a meal and beverage.
PRO SHOP
Under the new management, Peregian Springs is tripling the size of the pro shop and moving it back to its original position overlooking the practice facility (range).
“We are moving the pro shop back to the western side of the clubhouse and it will be three times the size of the current pro shop and it will be well-stocked,” Beste revealed.
Daniel Morrison is the club’s long-serving director of golf and will take care of all your needs.
The pro shop stocks will have all the leading Australian and international brands including clubs, apparel, golf balls, shoes and accessories.
Peregian Springs is an easy walking course, but for those golfers who prefer to ride there are 42 golf carts available for hire.
FUNCTIONS
Peregian Springs Golf Club, too, plans to return to specialising in corporate golf days, small functions with the possibility of weddings in time.
Whether it’s for a social group booking or a corporate golf day, Peregian Springs will take care of all your and your clients needs.
There is a choice of a number of rooms and stunning outdoor locations.
Peregian Springs Golf Club really has big plans for the future as it wants to return to being the heartbeat of the community where you know you will be treated like family.
ROAD DISTANCES
Peregian Beach: 5 minutes
Coolum Beach: 7 minutes
Noosa: 15 minutes
Sunshine Coast Airport: 20 minutes
Brisbane Airport: 100 minutes
MORE INFORMATION:
Peregian Springs Golf Club
95 Peregian Springs Drive, Peregian Springs Qld
Phone: (07) 5471 5400
PEREGIAN SPRINGS GOLF CLUB FACT FILE
Contact: Phone (07) 5471 5400; proshop@peregianspringsgc.com.au
Getting there: Peregian Springs Golf Club is a premier golf venue on the Sunshine Coast. Located just 7 minutes north of Coolum and 12 minutes south of Noosa.
Green fees: Monday to Thursday $75; Friday to Sunday and holidays $85.
Course description: Peregian Springs GC is a highly regarded parkland-style golf course.
The one shot you need: A straight one plus good course management.
Toughest holes and why: Sixth. A long par-4 with trouble both side off the tee and hitting into a narrow green.
Best chance for a birdie: A well-placed drive on some par-4s can give you the best chance to make birdie.
Ammunition quota: Number of balls needed. Bring a few, as a number of holes have some dense tree areas on either side along with a number of holes with water in play.
Restrictions: Standard golf attire – collared shirts, enclosed footwear, no denim.
Golf carts: $20 per person shared cart.
Hire equipment: Available.
Practice facilities: Driving range, chipping green and practice putting green.
Other activities: Beautiful terrace area overlooking the 18th green as well as the practice facilities.
Clubhouse facilities: Tap beer, currently has lunch and snack menu – will increase offering shortly.
Memberships: See attached membership information.
Pro shop offers: Accessories, balls, shoes, gloves, apparel, some equipment and demo clubs are available.
Club professional: Dan Morrison, director of golf.
Chief writer David Newbery has been living, breathing and writing and editing golf for more than 30 years. His extensive knowledge of the game comes from covering golf around the world. Hired by Inside Golf in 2009, David previously worked as the editor of The Golfer for 25 years and before that worked for numerous daily newspapers in Australia and overseas. The Brisbane-based journalist describes his golf game as “a work in progress”, but has had the privilege of playing golf with some of the game’s best players including nine-time major winner Gary Player. David enjoys travelling, reading, music, photography and spending time with family and friends – on and off the golf course. 
