Woodlands Golf Club near Melbourne, Australia, has appointed Clayton, DeVries & Pont and Kruse Golf to advise on renovation work.
The project team will comprise CDP’s Mike Clayton and Lukas Michel, and Kruse Golf’s principal Harley Kruse. “This collaboration brings a diverse range of skills, knowledge, and long-term experience to the table including a deep understanding of Melbourne’s Sandbelt golf courses,” said Cameron Tortolano, general manager at Woodlands. “Our course has stood the test of time remaining largely untouched over the last century, so the brief is about evolution, not revolution.
“It is clear that Mike and Harley’s in-depth knowledge of what makes Sandbelt golf great is going to complement the already excellent architecture that exists.”
Kruse said: “At Woodlands, there is work to do to improve the practice arrangements. Improving the vegetation is the real key to further elevating the course. Most people consider the condition of the course to be the condition of its surfaces whereas the real measure is the state of everything inside the boundary fences. We really look forward to working with the club and being a sounding board for ideas, all with the aim of very measured refinements to this already excellent piece of architecture.”
Clayton added: “When he first saw the course, my partner Mike DeVries described it as being ‘way cool’, which succinctly sums up our view of Woodlands, one of the most underrated courses on the Melbourne Sandbelt. It may be underrated by those who underappreciate its architecture but not by those of us who have long admired its charms and enduring brilliance. Royal Melbourne aside, it is the Sandbelt course that has seen fewest changes, a testament to the quality of the original early 20th century layout. Lukas and I are delighted to be further expanding our relationship with Harley courtesy of this exciting appointment.”
The Woodlands project will be a fourth collaboration for the two firms, following appointments at Royal Perth, Wembley Golf Course and The Kew.