More than meets the eye: Occupying a secluded pocket of land on the edge of the Yarra River, Latrobe Golf Club has rebounded from past floods to become a genuine player in the Melbourne golf scene
The Yarra River means many things to Melburnians, but for those managing golf courses along its banks, it presents both a picturesque advantage and a persistent challenge. While the river provides a stunning backdrop, it has also been the source of significant flooding, impacting courses throughout the years.
Latrobe Golf Club, situated in the city’s east, is one such course that has experienced the Yarra’s unpredictable nature. During its 76-year history, and particularly in the past three years, the club has faced multiple flooding events that required substantial clean-up efforts. However, rather than seeing these events as mere setbacks, Latrobe has turned adversity into opportunity.
The first of three recent floods occurred in October 2022, yet it proved to be a “blessing in disguise” according to general manager Bill Papadimitriou. The devastating event allowed the club to convert its remaining fairways to Santa Ana couch grass, an upgrade that has since flourished across six hectares of the course.
“This opportunity has been a game-changer for the club,” Papadimitriou says. “It has not only improved playability, but also strengthened the course’s resilience to future weather challenges.”
Latrobe’s commitment to its future doesn’t stop there. A new turf nursery and an upcoming irrigation upgrade further reinforce the club’s dedication to sustainability and playability. Then there’s “The Island” Latrobe’s innovative short course, a five-hole par-3 layout designed by Ogilvy Cocking Mead (OCM). Nestled in a secluded part of the property, The Island serves as both a training ground and a proving ground, as it was used to test the grasses later adopted for the championship course.
The Island officially opened in late 2021, but its origins date back to 2013 when Latrobe partnered with nearby Yarra Bend Golf Course to support its junior program. The club repurposed land surrounding its water-storage dam, creating a makeshift short course where young golfers could play when Yarra Bend’s tee-times were full. By 2016, plans for a more formal short course took shape, culminating in The Island’s construction with the support of a $375,000 grant from the Victorian Government.
Designed to cater to all skill levels, The Island features Santa Ana tees and fairways, along with Pure Distinction greens, an elite playing surface popular across Melbourne’s renowned Sandbelt courses. The layout offers a peaceful escape from the hum of the nearby Eastern Freeway and provides an ideal environment for beginners, senior golfers and those looking to refine their short game. Additionally, with rounds completed in under an hour, The Island is a valuable asset for Latrobe’s growing corporate golf market.
NOBLE AND NEAT
Latrobe Golf Club’s history is deeply intertwined with Melbourne’s heritage, dating back to the city’s early days. In 1840, Thomas Wills acquired land where the club now stands, constructing the grand mansion “Lucerne”. The estate became a social hub, hosting gatherings attended by prominent figures, including Charles La Trobe, after whom the club is named.
In 1938, a group of businessmen established a nine-hole public golf course on part of the Lucerne estate. By 1948, Latrobe Golf Club was formally founded with five members, quickly expanding to 18 holes by 1951. The clubhouse, built in 1959, replaced the original Lucerne mansion, which was demolished the next year to accommodate further expansion.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the club navigated significant challenges, including freeway construction, floods and droughts. Yet Latrobe persevered, completing a full course reconstruction in 1975. Today, the Sam Berriman-designed layout remains a test of precision and strategy. While relatively flat due to its floodplain location, the course’s treelined fairways and strategically placed doglegs demand accuracy and thoughtful shot-making.
“Many pennant players from Sandbelt clubs and visitors underestimate the precision required here,” Papadimitriou says. “Latrobe’s green complexes – raised and well-bunkered – add an extra layer of challenge.”
This was evident at the Drummond Golf Melbourne International in January, when the WPGA Tour of Australasia field found the course to be no pushover. West Australian Abbie Teasdale claimed the title in a playoff against Jordan O’Brien, with both players managing to finish just one stroke under par in the 36-hole event.
For everyday golfers, Latrobe presents a balance of challenge and playability. Its iconic English Oak tree, standing beside the seventh green, serves as a reminder of the club’s rich history. Planted in 1842 by Kate Wills, daughter of Thomas Wills, the tree is enshrined as the club’s emblem, a fitting tribute to a course that has withstood the test of time.
Much like the English Oak, Latrobe Golf Club stands as a symbol of endurance, adaptability and the pursuit of excellence in Melbourne golf.
THE DETAILS
Latrobe Golf Club
Where: Farm Rd, Alphington VIC 3078
Phone: (03) 9497 1000
Web: latrobegolf.com.au
Photography by Bret Mullavey
