Australian legend to design Ballarat golf course

FIVE-TIME British Open winner Peter Thomson will design a new championship layout for the Ballarat Golf Club.
Thomson's company, Thomson Perrett Golf Course Designers, was yesterday announced as the preferred designer for the course redevelopment, which will coincide with a major residential development
on land surrounding the 108-year-old club.
Thomson Perrett has designed famous courses all over the world, including The Dukes Course at St Andrew's in Scotland and the Open Course at Moonah Links, which hosted the Australian Open last
year.
Thomson couldn't attend yesterday's meeting between key stakeholders of the project.
The 74-year-old, one of the biggest names in world golf, was in Scotland attending the 250th birthday celebrations of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, where he is a rare honorary life member.
"Peter is very excited to be involved in this project," fellow director Ross Perrett said.
"He doesn't travel as much as he used to, so this job is appealing, not only because it is challenging, but because it is such a comfortable travelling distance from Melbourne.
"We hope to start construction by 2005 so we'll be in almost daily attendance during critical times."
Mr Perrett said the course, which he expects to be completed by early 2007, would have "an old world feel about it", promoting a "Ballarat style exotic landscape".
"Ballarat is famous for its Botanical Gardens. It is a garden city, so the selection of trees and things will be critical," Mr Perrett said.
"We will be putting all our resources into this project to make it as good as it can possibly be."
The planned $50 million redevelopment is a joint venture between the BGC and developer Roadcon Group.
Last year, Ballarat City Council bought land from the State Government which it then sold to BGC to accommodate the redevelopment, which will include a residential development containing about
300 lots.
BGC vice-president Alan Burns said the project had been critical to the survival of one of Australia's oldest golf clubs.
"We feared being left high and dry if we didn't do something," Mr Burns said.
"There was a little bit of nostalgia, but 97 per cent of members voted for the redevelopment."
"Ballarat has been crying out for a classic golf course and here was our chance to do it."
Roadcon's planning and acquisition manager Paul McCuskey said the project, which started about 18 months ago, was proceeding "slowly but surely".
"This potentially will be Ballarat's premier golf course and residential development and we have a responsibility to get it right, even if it takes a little bit longer," he said.
The developers have made a commitment to the BGC that 18 holes on the existing course will remain open to members until the new course is ready for use.