Golfers fear for future of par 3 course

MEMBERS of Balyang Par 3 Golf Course are teeing off against a plan by the City of Greater Geelong to revamp the Newtown facility, fearing its “unique offering” could be driven off the green.

The 18-hole course is nestled beside the Barwon River and Balyang Sanctuary and is one of only two “pitch and putt” courses in Victoria.

However, the sporting facility now faces an uncertain future, as the city seeks to enter a 21-year lease with a new tenant who will transform the site into a “family-friendly, fun, exciting golf product for the long-term benefit” of the community.

Among the proposed redevelopment concepts for the site are a driving range, mini-golf course, short format golf course, or a combination of different golf facilities.

Troy Freeman has been a member of the Balyang Golf Course for about six years, and three months ago launched a petition to protect the site from being replaced with facilities he said were already widely available in the Geelong region.

The petition has since garnered almost 700 signatures.

“The biggest concern for me, and for those that I socialise with down there, is that…there is no other facility in or around Geelong that would support them being able to play golf,” Mr Freeman said.

“An example would be the fact that the place is nice and flat, so people that have, whether it be disabilities or have some sort of mobility issue, really can’t play a full-length course.

“[Balyang Golf Course] really supports their ability to get exercise, and the social aspect as well.”

Mr Freeman speculated a driving range would absorb at least half of the space Balyang’s course now occupies, at best leaving room for nine holes.

“For a lot of people, they probably wouldn’t even bother going down,” he said.

While Balyang’s members are not opposed to the site being leased to new operators, they believe a renewed approach and some strategic improvements – rather than an extensive redevelopment – is the key to ensuring the sustainability of the golf course into the future.

“Those that actually do or have visited understand how valuable it is to themselves, to their kids, to family members with seniors,” Mr Freeman said.

“There’s so many people who are not even aware it exists and once it’s gone, they won’t have the opportunity to discover it and appreciate what they stand to lose.”

City of Greater Geelong chief executive officer 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.

Ms Wastie confirmed nine responders had requested, and would be given, the opportunity to present directly to the councillor review panel.

“A decision on the future operations at Balyang Golf Course will be made at that time.”

To view the petition, head to change.org/savebalyang