Parkland’s $400,000 upgrade is on course

A wrap-around outdoor space and upgrade to its clubhouse is a feature of a $400,000 renovation planned for Kyabram Parkland Golf Club.

Last week the club received a $200,000 injection to complete the project from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.

The Parkland redevelopment project will see the wrap-around outdoor space adjoin the 1987-built clubhouse, along with a renovation of the current building.

Its new undercover outdoor area will allow for dining, sports bar and public functions.

The clubhouse is considered a quasi public facility, being located on Crown Land and is regularly used by the public, service clubs, local industry and farm organisations, funeral services and for community bingo.

Kyabram Parkland Golf Club is the state’s first 18-hole par 3 course and is one of only two of its kind in Victoria.

It currently hosts the Victorian Par 3 Championships which includes senior men and women and junior entrants from every region in Victoria and southern New South Wales.

Expected project outcomes include improved facilities for exercise and for social activities.

Golf has proved to be one of the few escapes during the current COVID-19 pandemic, even with the harsh restrictions applied for some of the past two years.

The club has experienced a significant increase in membership and a greatly increased participation in both competition and social golf.

It has a current membership of 450, ranging from five years old to 93 years of age.

With current social distancing and sunsmart awareness the new amenities will be

“We look forward to offering a bigger and better facility that will continue to be a great asset.” – Fred Roberts

appropriate for all users.

The project is set to vastly improve the amenity of the Crown Land Reserve on which the golf course is located.

Parkland President Fred Roberts said the project would provide members, visitors and the community with a first-class course and supporting amenities.

He thanked Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum for his support and the many local businesses that provided letters of support to the golf club in the grant application process.

“We look forward to offering a bigger and better facility that will continue to be a great asset to the Kyabram and the wider community” Mr Roberts said.

“We also envisage increased patronage on the golf course as par 3 golf is becoming increasingly popular in what we call ‘our timepoor society’.

“It is vital that safe areas are provided in order to meet the needs of our members and the wider community. It is anticipated that the new extension will provide better and a more user-friendly facility to encourage greater usage for all ability/community organisations.

“Some current users of the clubhouse are severely restricted in the management of their events,” he said.