THE finishing touches are being put on the Black Bull Golf Course at Yarrawonga, with plans to open several new holes in May.
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It’s believed the 18-hole course will be the most expensive in the north east, costing about $1-$1.5 million to create each hole.
The course, which is part of the Silverwoods development, already has 13 holes with the final five holes expected to be playable mid to late May.
Five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, whose company Thomson Perrett designed the course, inspected the new holes yesterday.
“This is a creation that should stand the long-term assault it’s going to get from the golfers of the nation and the world,” the 85-year-old said.
“It will make its mark by the players who come and play.
“I would suspect there are going to be plenty of players come to Yarrawonga to see the course, play on it and play in the various events.”
The course aims to rival the best courses in Sydney and Melbourne and attract golf tourists to the area.
“We want to make it a course that’s enjoyable and bit of a fun for everyone, as well as being a challenge,” Thomson said.
“It should be fun to play.”
Thomson had a distinguished professional career which included six PGA Tour wins, and he also helped design the golf course at Thurgoona.
He still plays with an old friend each Monday but admits his skills are a little less sharp than in his heyday.
The new section of the course will contain a tough three-hole stretch known as The Bull Ring, complete with a large fibreglass bull.
The holes aim to challenge players and create a talking point.
Lotus Living project director Daniel Smith said a new pro shop would be built at the site, placing the 18-hole development at a total cost of about $20-$25 million.
“It would challenge a lot of the courses in Melbourne and Sydney, which are held as the standard in Australia,” he said.
A $30 million resort is also planned.