Thumbs-up for top course

Life Member, Les Smith with Greg Norman on the 17th tee.118825

By ANEEKA SIMONIS

THE Eastern Golf Club’s members were delighted with the appearance of professional golfer, Greg Norman AO, who came along – with his design team – on Sunday April 6 to view the construction of the new Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD) course in Yering, Yarra Valley.
Overlooking the course development site at Yering Gorge Cottages, the club played host to Greg Norman and his design team along with 250 club members, guest and media attendees who previewed the transforming course scape.
Life member, Les Smith, aged 99, was given the privilege of hitting the first ball onto the completed 17th hole with Norman, which overlooks stunning views of the Dandenong Ranges and 120 acres of nature reserve.
The club’s general manager, Benjamin Telley said members are excited for the opening of the new course.
“The feedback from the members, corporate partners and industry guests has exceeded expectations.
“We could not be happier with how the day was received and the quality of the offering that we are building for our members at our new home in the Yarra Valley,” he said.
Greg Norman surveyed the course for three hours before addressing guests about the course and design philosophies.
GNGCD was first established in 1987 and is now recognised as having some of the best golf course designers and architects in the world.
Spanning over six continents, the Eastern Golf Club is one of over 110 golf courses developed by Greg Norman and his design team.
Currently, the Eastern Golf Club is located in Doncaster. It is a prestigious course, having won multiple awards including Clubs Victoria’s Metropolitan Club of the Year and Members Services Award in 2012.
The new Yarra Valley club is scheduled to open in June 2015.