By Peter Owen
A $100 million upgrade, which includes a new state-of-the art clubhouse and enhanced golf facilities, will transform Pacific Golf Club, on Brisbane’s southside, into an elite, one-stop golf destination.
Pacific’s 18-hole course, at Carindale about 10km from Brisbane’s CBD, has always enjoyed a reputation of being one of Queensland’s best members’ courses.
But the renovations, expected to be completed by year’s end including mini-golf, a new driving range and short-game facilities, will take it to a new level.
Funds for the far-reaching improvements are coming from Reside Communities and GreenFort Capital, which has leased 1.5ha of land from the golf club to build a luxury 191-apartment retirement village.
The first stage of that project, which will eventually comprise seven low-rise buildings, is well advanced, with residents expected to move into the first 57 apartments before the end of 2023.
The retirement village will be located on a site presently occupied by Pacific’s clubhouse, buggy storage sheds and carpark.
Land has been cleared close to that site for a new 1730sqm world-class clubhouse, which will feature bars, restaurant, function room and an elevated entertainment area overlooking the golf course.
Ben Fletcher, Pacific’s director of golf, is particularly excited about the golf facility improvements that are an important part of the project.
They include a reconfigured and improved par-three course, a new 18-hole mini- golf course, an indoor four-bay golf simulator centre powered by Trackman, a new driving range with Top Tracer technology, two chipping greens, and a 1000sqm putting green.
Most of the facilities are expected to be ready by Easter, followed by the driving range and mini-golf a few months later.
The 10th hole has been rebuilt adjacent to the new facilities, and new tee boxes for the 1st and 10th holes are being constructed closer to the new clubhouse and pro shop.
At the same time, the club’s ageing irrigation system, which was coming to the end of its 50-year working life, is currently being replaced with a new Toro Infinity system.
The project will provide 240 car parks – 50 more than formerly existed –and parking spaces for 110 golf buggies.
Describing the year ahead as ‘jam-packed,’ Pacific’s general manager Amber Williams is excited about the changes to come, and the positive effect they will have on the club’s membership.
She said Reside Communities had provided funding for the new clubhouse, mini golf and the enhanced golf facilities.
“The members are really excited about the development, and thrilled to be part of this new era,” she said. “They’ve been outstanding.”
Ms Williams said the new clubhouse would be built before the old one was redeveloped, ensuring a continuity of service to members and visitors.
She said she was already fielding membership inquiries from golfers who had heard about the club’s plans, and wanted to be part of its future. They expect to have to close membership soon after the launch, when capacity would likely be reached.
Pacific Golf Club has been at its Pine Mountain Road location since 1964, having begun its life in 1937 at Upper Mt Gravatt, on a site opposite to where the Garden City shopping centre is now located.
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