A Melbourne businessman and property developer has bought the Heritage Golf and Country Club Golf Course outside Melbourne for an undisclosed sum.
Mr Sunny Sun, through his company Golden Heritage Golf Pty Ltd, will take over the 175.95 hectare Heritage Estate following settlement this afternoon.
Mr Sun is the managing director of Australian Chinese News, Chinese Weekend and Chinese Property Weekly in Melbourne, along with Asian Weekend and Chinese Property Weekly.
The Heritage Golf and Country Club is 43 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD on the outskirts of the Yarra Valley and includes two 36-hole golf courses — one designed by “Golfer of the Century” Jack Nicklaus — as well as club facilities, a spa complex and extensive land holdings.
It is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading ecologically sustainable golf, residential and leisure developments, with Yarra River frontage extending more than 2 kilometres, 28 hectares of native bushland and 30 hectares of wetlands including lakes and rivers.
Over 1000 members play at the St John and Henley courses on site at Heritage, which were respectively ranked 19 and 47 in Ausgolf’s Australian golf course rankings in 2009. Together the courses cover 150 hectares of land.
Finalising the sale, Mr. Sun said he planned to ensure the establishment reinforced its standing as a five star golfing and hospitality facility, widely respected by the golfing community and ranked among Australia’s top 25 golf courses.
He assured his company would now focus on delivering a broader range of hospitality services, with plans to build new restaurants, wedding facilities including a chapel and corporate function rooms on site.
Mr Sun said he was optimistic about future plans for the course and its members.
“This is one of only two signature golf courses established in Australia that have been overseen by world champion golfer Jack Nicklaus,” he said.
“We are committed to ensuring his vision remains a reality for golfing enthusiasts who frequent this course.”
Mr Sun said the takeover would not affect day to day operations of the businesses on site at the facility, including the country club and Sebel Hotel. The Estate’s Sebel Hotel complex will continue to be managed by Mirvac Holdings Pty Ltd.
As well as his newspaper interests, Mr Sun is also vice president of the Federation Chinese Association representing the Chinese community in Victoria.
He is also responsible for the Melbourne Chinese New Year Festival celebrations and an exporter of Victorian wines into China.
Golden Heritage Golf was advised by Falcon Corporate Advisory Pty Ltd and Lander and Rogers Lawyers.
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