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Golfing gem in roughMark Hayes Herald Sun February 27, 2010THE future of one of Victoria's premier golf courses is threatened. The Portsea Golf Club, 49th in Golf Digest's Australian rankings, has changed its revered layout as it sells off prime land to finance a plan for a new $12 million clubhouse and on-course accommodation.But a growing number of members are worried slow sales will financially cripple the club before the project is complete.They are also angered that the only block sold in the past two years has been on the course's ninth green, requiring the shortening of that hole, the realignment of the nearby 10th and closure of the practice range, which also forced club professional Ross Moodie to leave because he had nowhere to teach.Club president Chris Duffy has sent a letter to members expressing concern about "destabilising" rumours that have "the potential to divide the club and threaten its very survival".But 15-year member Trevor Grant, a former Herald Sun writer with a 40-year involvement in golf, said there were more to fears than just club politics."There is growing concern within the membership about whether the venture will succeed," he said when contacted."It's the product of the goalposts changing several times since the original project was put before the members in 2006."The sudden sale of the ninth green after it was promised it would only be sold as a last resort has certainly heightened these worries for me."But Mr Duffy, who has planned information "workshops" in two weeks, said critics were still in the minority, but admitted there were more than when the initial vote was taken in 2006."They are totally scurrilous rumours from a vocal minority who have always doubted the project," Mr Duffy said."We have the total support of our bank ... these people should rally around the majority decision for the good of the club."
They would be better off selling the whole lot. That would leave them enough to buy and complete St Andrews Beach, merge it with Moonah Links and redevelop the two courses there, and still leave enough in the bank that even 5% interest would leave fee free golf for all...
This would still be the best plan, Matthew.
...might require some compromising photos of Justin Madden to work Mark!