DEVILBEND Golf Club is set to undergo a major pro-shop and clubhouse redevelopment after the Mornington Peninsula Shire backed the project by agreeing to act as a loan guarantor.
The $1.1m project would see the clubhouse facilities upgraded to provide additional and upgraded services for its members.
Councillors voted unanimously at their 2 September meeting for the shire to act as a loan guarantor as part of the club’s bid to secure a $450,000 loan from Bendigo Bank, which would be repaid over ten years.
The club, based in Moorooduc, has received in-principle approval of the loan from the bank, which was supported by letters from Mornington MP Chris Crewther, Golf Australia and Focus Support Services.
Backing from the shire will be key to getting the project off the ground, which is expected to start within the next four to six weeks.
The golf club sits on Crown Land with the shire being a committee of management.
Deputy mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro welcomed the move, noting the Devilbend Golf Club “is a community run facility that delivers real value for local recreation, tourism and social connection”.
“By guaranteeing this loan, council’s not handing out any money; we’re giving the club the security it needs to access, finance and invest in its future. This is about strengthening our community assets and the facility without adding direct cost to our ratepayers,” he said.
“It strikes the right balance – supporting community sport, encouraging self-alliance and delivering long-term benefits for the peninsula and I wish them all the very best.”
Cr David Gill agreed, saying, “I think this is a wonderful part of our community where there are so many groups, sporting clubs and others [who] do go out and find ways to improve their infrastructure, their buildings and of course the members get the benefit.”
The club’s general manager Tim O’Sullivan said he was thrilled with the council’s decision.
He said the upgrade would cater to a growing membership base and enhance the overall visitor experience.
Key features include the pro shop doubling in size, the addition of an alfresco area, and a new internal stairwell connecting the clubhouse levels.
“It’s about uplifting the vibe for patrons. The last time the building was renovated was 1986, so it was about 40 years ago, so a big part of the upgrade is the amenities,” he said.
He said the top-level clubhouse area had undergone a recent cosmetic refresh, with new offices, “but once downstairs is complete, upstairs will become the next priority — but that’s probably a few years down the track”.
“We’ve done a lot of work; it’s part of a grand strategic plan to continue to improve,” O’Sullivan said, noting their memberships had grown from 300 to 850 post-COVID.
“It will also take us into the next stage of our development and bring us up to speed with what other golf clubs are offering in the area,” he said.
“I think last year we hit 50,000 rounds of golf, which is the first time I’ve ever heard of us hitting that mark,” he said.
“The council is going help us in terms of being a loan guarantor, but to be able to be in a position to self-fund the whole build is something we could never imagine in our wildest dreams.”
The redevelopment is expected to be completed within four to six months.
First published in the Mornington News – 9 September 2025