Leongatha Golf Club upgrades Driving Range

The Leongatha Golf Club has recently completed significant upgrades to its driving range, improving the facility for golfers of all skill levels. 

The $30,000 project was completed in under a month and includes premium synthetic turf mats and safety netting, providing a superior practice environment. 

While the upgrade represented a substantial financial commitment, Leongatha Golf Club General Manager Kate Rowe believes it was well worth the investment.

“Range usage is a huge direction of golf,” said Ms Rowe. “The range will not only be extremely useful for practice but also for our two professionals to conduct golf improvement work, including clinics and junior development programs.”

The driving range offers a convenient alternative for time-poor golfers, allowing them to practise without committing to a full round. Non-members can purchase a bucket of 100 balls to hit for $20, making it an accessible and efficient way to refine their game.

Driving ranges are rapidly growing in popularity, and the newly upgraded facility caters to a broad audience, from seasoned golfers to beginners and those simply looking for an entertaining experience.

The club’s next planned improvement is the installation of a roof, thus creating a fully all-weather facility. This upgrade is planned to occur within the next couple of years.

“The upgrade provides a level, consistent playing surface, and the mats offer a ‘turf feel’—it’s like playing off grass but without the divots,” Ms Rowe explained. “Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and range usage has increased by 50%.”

The club secured a $10,000 grant from the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions to support the project. Local businesses Diggin It Excavations and Bass Coast Concreting assisted with the upgrades while also sponsoring the project. Other sponsors include Wonthaggi Removals, Wonthaggi Toyota, Specsavers Wonthaggi, SG Homes, Esplanade Hotel Inverloch, Punjabi Pantry

Leongatha, The Grove, and Mitchell & Co Traditional Butchery Wonthaggi. 

Volunteer efforts played a crucial role in the project’s success. Project manager Peter Brownlie, a dedicated volunteer, designed the upgrades and coordinated local trades working on the upgrade.

Volunteers also re-laid the turf and installed safety fencing. Another long-term dedicated volunteer is Andy Bassett, who takes on the time-consuming task of collecting all the balls from the range multiple times a week. 

The upgraded facility is a full-length 250-metre driving range, located at 855 Koonwarra-Inverloch Road, halfway between Leongatha and Inverloch.

With these upgrades, the Leongatha Golf Club continues to improve local golfing opportunities.