In announcing the appointment Bellion said “All great courses evolve over years as the game changes; Huntingdale is no exception. We have been fortunate to have had a number of renowned architects guide our famed Melbourne Sandbelt Club and tournament venue, into the course it is today. OCM’s job is now to guide us through the next chapter of the Club’s journey.”

“The Club has now completed the areas of the Hawtree Course Strategic Review as projected in our current Strategic Plan. Concurrently, Martin Hawtree has advised us that he no longer intends to travel and is easing back from commitments. Accordingly, the search started for a replacement, for the next masterplan.”

The Club recently commissioned OCM to build a new practice chipping green and in light of their work, professionalism and vision the Committee offered them an opportunity to present on the potential of becoming our Course Architects. As a result the Committee were unanimous in commissioning them to produce a course masterplan, which is anticipated to be with us by mid-2021.

In selecting OCM, the Committee sounded out other noted architects, however it was OCM that stood out for their strategic vision, design, appreciation, understanding (and work) in the Melbourne Sandbelt. Also noted was their growing national and international acclaim, including their recent appointment at Medinah Country Club, host to US Opens, USPGAs, the 2012 Ryder Cup and the upcoming 2026 Presidents Cup, to provide a masterplan for their famed number three course.

In accepting the role at Huntingdale OCM’s Mike Cocking said, “Geoff, Ashley and I are absolutely thrilled to be working with Huntingdale. Growing up in Melbourne we have a particular fondness for the sandbelt courses and Huntingdale is an important part of this unique group of clubs. As kids you tend to take for granted just how special these dozen or so courses are – the quality of green complexes, the bunkering, the strategy and their unique appearance – and it’s only as you get to travel around the country and overseas do you realise just how lucky we are in Melbourne. Built over some nicely contoured sandy ground and with a design history going back to the great British Architect, Charles Alison, we’re excited about what the future holds for OCM and Huntingdale.”

The Masterplan will give the Club a vision of the design and development that we may undertake, and will be costed accordingly, to facilitate a financing and implementation plan should the Club proceed. The Committee anticipates the masterplan will contain elements of retention, restoration and redesign.

It will be an exciting time for the Membership at Huntingdale, host to the most Australian PGA Tour tournaments in Australia at an eighteen-hole venue, and second only to Royal Melbourne Golf Club in total even.

Image: Huntingdale Golf Club