Just because Wembley Golf Course boasts one of Perth’s oldest layouts, it doesn’t mean the club isn’t moving with the times. Situated one kilometre from City Beach and in proximity to Perth’s CBD and airport, the convenience of this golfing empire is just one of many highlights.
Continuity and change” is a phrase Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would rather forget. When the leader of the Coalition unofficially commenced his Federal election campaign in March, Turnbull’s advisors borrowed the phrase from satirical US Show Veep. Turnbull’s team, however, were apparently unaware the show’s producer/writer deliberately created the slogan to be “meaningless”.
Yet continuity and change is anything but meaningless for Wembley Golf Course in Western Australia. The Old Course at this public golfing mecca may be one of the city’s oldest layouts – having opened in 1932 – yet this 36-hole facility has progressed with the times wonderfully. As the golf industry shrinks worldwide and the pinch is felt Down Under via courses closing or merging, Wembley has discovered ways to remain appealing. More importantly, it has managed to stay economically viable. How? It seems the club has recognised that being two par 5s from City beach and 11 kilometres from Perth’s CBD isn’t enough – golfers want more than just convenience. From developing a state-of-the-art driving range to opening up the course regularly to FootGolf, as well as the construction of the modern function centre Ambrose Estate, we explore exactly what ‘more’ looks like.
The Courses
First, we’ll take a look at the centrepiece – 36 holes of enjoyable city golf on Kikuyu fairways and bent grass greens. The Old and Tuart courses at Wembley are both set in an undulating landscape that winds between tuart and banksia trees. Wembley’s proximity to the beach sees wind come into play each afternoon, and the tree-lined fairways of the Old Course have been a staple of the Perth golfing diet since 1932. The original routing is still in play, with a number of dogleg holes and short par 4s providing a challenging yet rewarding round. The course is known for its woodlands setting and the par-4 10th is the standout hole – playing from an elevated tee with a large fairway bunker on the right punishing wayward drives.
The Tuart Course has evolved since the first nine was completed in 1959, and is a slightly shorter and tighter test than Old. The front nine has water in play on four holes, with the par-4 fifth the favourite for many players. Its tee shot requires an accurate driver or 3-wood, leaving a mid-range approach to a green surrounded on three sides by water. The inward nine then wanders through the Tuart forest, placing a premium on driving accuracy.
Maintenance
With only 13 greenkeepers at a course which hosts more than 75,000 rounds each year, Wembley faces agronomical challenges that come from such extreme demand. This team of turf experts renovate (core, dethatch and top-dress) the fairways each January and the tees in February. The greens are aerated monthly during warmer months, and the worst putting surfaces are assessed and (if necessary) replaced each year. Time permitting, a re-levelling of bunkers is performed and the irrigation is continuously evaluated.
The Swing Driving Range
Hard-working golfers can aim directly at Perth’s skyscrapers while refining their game among 80 fully automated bays over two stories. Hitting balls at night with the city skyline illuminated is a highlight of this unique practice facility. Each bay is designed to deliver an individual ball to your tee as well as control the tee height using sophisticated touch-screen technology. A best friend of the working golfer, The Swing is a public facility open seven days – until 9pm on weekdays and 8pm on weekends, fully lit. The Swing houses Project Golf – one of the premier teaching facilities in Perth, as well as five dedicated teaching bays plus grass options. The indoor area offers club fitting and tuition using Trackman, SAM Putt Lab and SAM Balance Lab. A function room on the second level catering to 100 people gives the facility a corporate edge.
Attracting Non-Golfers
The 2014 introduction of FootGolf – a hybrid sport combining football (soccer) and golf – has been a big hit with the Perth faithful. But rather than be a disruption to members and green-fee golfers, Wembley uses nine holes for the visitors at off-peak times, while the other 27 holes remain open to those wanting to play the traditional format.
“We’re trying to use things like FootGolf to attract non-golfers and this is done at off-peak times to minimise disruption to golfers,” says general manager Matt Day.
Hospitality has also been a big focus at Wembley, with the new Ambrose Estate function centre sure to impress those planning a wedding, party, dinner or other corporate function. Ambrose Estate features a stylish and modern interior fitted with premium AV equipment and a large timber balcony. The function room will cater for 250 seats or 350 cocktail party guests, while the 300 Acres restaurant will serve up everything from casual dining to a place to share food with family, friends and colleagues.
“The focus will be on ensuring that Wembley remains viable as a facility. This means continuing to look after golfers whilst attracting new customers,” says Day.
“With the new facilities we’ve built we hope to attract non-golfers to the course and introduce them to golf.”
Wembley will also try to grow the game at a grassroots level with the construction of an 18-hole minigolf course (nine holes with wheelchair accessibility), playground and bigger short game area, the construction of which is due to start this month.
THE DETAILS
Wembley Golf Course
Phone (08) 6280 1300
Email: [email protected]
Green fees and info: wembleygolf.com.au/courses/greenfees