Devilbend Golf Club on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula lives on thanks to the local council who granted the club a new 21-year lease that will take them through to 2039.
And in further good news the club’s former general manager Tim O’Sullivan has returned to take charge.
O’Sullivan was general manager at Devilbend GC from 2004-2010 before leaving to be the boss at Churchill Park Golf Club for eight years.
“My return is like a new dawn for the club,” he said.
“The club is open for business after securing a new lease and the club’s long term future.”
O’Sullivan told Inside Golf it had been a long, two-year battle convincing the council to extend the lease.
“During two years of uncertainty, the club’s loyal band of volunteer members never gave up the fight for their club and to their relief it all worked out in the end.
“They put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears building and maintaining the golf course and it was a relief getting the result over the line.
“It would have been sad for the members to lose their golf club, which was established in 1973 when the council gifted land to the club.
“Hopefully, I can drive the club forward after so much uncertainty.”
Oftentimes, the term “hidden gem” is often misused to describe a golf course, but O’Sullivan believes Devilbend golf course definitely is an undiscovered treasure.
“The demographic of where we are is quite rural so it’s very much a country club feel,” he said.
“It’s a golf course on the Mornington Peninsula that is relatively unknown and we want to make it known.
“The staff and volunteer members pride themselves on how the golf course looks and presents.
“Our biggest challenge is letting people know we are here, but when people discover the course they will always come back.
“That’s because the course is in terrific condition and challenges all levels of golfers.”
The picturesque 18-hole golf course is situated on a flora and fauna reserve and winds its way through many water features making it both challenging and interesting for both golfers and nature lovers.
The club welcomes visitors and has memberships available in all categories.
For those who enjoy practising, Devilbend has a practice range, putting green and practice bunker.
The modest clubhouse is licensed, offers a bistro-type menu and caters for functions including birthday celebrations and weddings.
“We are ready to welcome golfers to the course,” O’Sullivan said. It’s onwards and upwards.”
Chief writer David Newbery has been living, breathing and writing and editing golf for more than 30 years. His extensive knowledge of the game comes from covering golf around the world. Hired by Inside Golf in 2009, David previously worked as the editor of The Golfer for 25 years and before that worked for numerous daily newspapers in Australia and overseas. The Brisbane-based journalist describes his golf game as “a work in progress”, but has had the privilege of playing golf with some of the game’s best players including nine-time major winner Gary Player. David enjoys travelling, reading, music, photography and spending time with family and friends – on and off the golf course. 
