Resultant from a number of factors has led to the painful decision to sell one of the best courses in the state.
In the early 1950’s Jewish golfers were denied access to many of Melbourne’s established clubs, so a group of Jewish businessmen came together and established the Cranbourne Country Club. Subsequently the Cranbourne Golf Club was established. The golf club has a strict non-discrimination charter and welcomes everyone, regardless of race, colour, gender or religion. The golf club has been the de facto home for Jewish golf since it opened in 1954. Over the past few years, social and commercial forces have created options for many Cranbourne golfers to find favourable opportunities at other clubs, which in turn led to a diminution in the financial viability of the golf club and which ultimately led to the decision to sell the land. The course will close at the end of 2025.
The golf club hosted the Australian Amateur Championship in 2022 – a measure of just how highly it is regarded on the national rota. It has also hosted several other prestigious events such as the Victorian Open and the Victorian Pennant final on a number of occasions.
The seventh green at Cranbourne GC.
Whilst Jewish golfers are no longer excluded from most clubs, something worth celebrating in its own right, there is some heartache over the sale with the author of the club’s history Les Kausman telling the Australian Jewish News that whilst he supports the sale of the land when the deal is done “it will be an extremely sad day for the people who have done so much for the club,”
“Many members, when they heard the announcement, felt like it was a stab in the heart,” Kausman said.
Club chief executive officer, Andrew Kenny, said expressions of interest had been strong and the club was in the process of going through them to determine which one was “capable of delivering the best outcome” for the site.
The site, is70.4 hectares and is zoned for residential use, will likely be sold for the reported $150 million to a developer for much-needed housing in Melbourne’s south-east. The original 300-hectare site was first purchased in 1954 for just 20,000 pounds.
It is understood that all of the sale proceeds will be applied towards sporting and other projects for Jewish youth and the wider Jewish community.
The Cranbourne Golf Course was built by Tom Berriman, not long after the well-known golf course architect completed the nearby sandbelt course, Huntingdale.
In a nice piece of synergy, 250 Cranbourne members will be accepted into the elite sandbelt club at Huntingdale. In return Huntingdale members can play at Cranbourne while the sandbelt course conducts extensive course renovations.
Cranbourne’s 10th hole. – Photos by Gary Lisbon
The Cranbourne Country Club has tipped in $10 million towards the redevelopment of Huntingdale. As well, some former Cranbourne members will have their joining fee at Huntingdale waived and annual subs will be subsidised by the Cranbourne Country Club for the first three years.
Cranbourne Country Club president, Brad Wein, told the Australian Financial Review: “Whilst there is sadness in the closure of the Cranbourne Golf Club, we look forward to the opportunity to assist so many in need within our community.”
Kenny said 40 per cent of Cranbourne’s membership live in the Caulfield, Elsternwick, Glenhuntly areas which provide easy access to Huntingdale.
Membership renewal at Cranbourne has been solid in spite of its imminent closure. “I think people know they have time to consider their golfing options,” Kenny said.
Cranbourne members are spoilt for choice. Nearby options include Berwick-Montuna, Southern (where there is a waiting list), Sandhurst, Settlers Run, Ranfurlie and Keysborough.
“It is certainly a great golf course,” Kenny said.
“If you were to pick it up and put it in Queensland or New South Wales, it would easily rate in the top three or four.”
“I think it’s the equal of at least some sandbelt courses in Melbourne.”
Kenny said it was certainly sad to see Cranbourne closing but stressed the Cranbourne Country Club had been an excellent landlord over the journey.
