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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    28 JULY 2005

 GOLFING CHAMP CRAIG PARRY HELPS SUNSHINE GOLF CLUB

  TEE -OFF FROM A BRAND NEW HOME

 Sunshine-born Pro golfer, Craig Parry, returned to his roots last Friday (22 July) to take part in a ‘sod turning’ ceremony on the land that will become the future home of the Sunshine Golf Club, on Mt Derrimut Road.
The official launch event, which follows a land sale between the Sunshine Golf Club and leading property developer Australand, marked the commencement of works at the site. 
Through a mutually beneficial deal, the Club will move to a new 72-par championship course with new Club facilities, allowing Australand to develop a residential community on the existing Fitzgerald Road site.
To mark the occasion, Parry assisted Australand’s Victorian General Manager for Housing and Land, Mike Butler, Club President, Bob Heard and Brimbank Councillor, Sam David with the first official turn-of-the-soil at the future 18^th green.  
The site is home to the historic 145-year old Mt Derrimut Homestead, which will be refurbished to include a Visitors Bar and restaurant.  In addition to the homestead, other historical buildings and dry stone walls will be retained to display the history of the site.  This will add to the charm of future establishment, whilst allowing members and visitors to share in the history of the area.
More than 100 club members attended the event, rubbing shoulders with Parry, local identities and Australand personnel.
The event was a milestone in the Club’s history, as it prepares for the development of what Parry calls a “first-class facility”. And he should know – he helped design it along side Phil Ryan from Pacific Coast Design.
“I’m excited about being associated with the new course and working with Pacific Coast Design. I look forward to coming back next year when it’s complete, for good fun and great times,” he said.
Parry joined the Sunshine Golf Club when he was 10 years of age and he publicly reminisced about growing up playing alongside many of the members who attended last week’s event.
The upgrade announcement was equally exciting for another 10-year-old golfer, Ben Hodgart of Hoppers Crossing. Ben, the youngest of the club members, was on cloud nine after having met his golfing hero, who took the time to give him some tips on improving his swing.                                                 TEE -OFF FROM A BRAND NEW HOME
The upgrade will provide the next generation of aspiring young golfers like Ben, with a quality course to perfect their game, and perhaps even follow in Craig Parry’s footsteps.
“This milestone is a great step for the future of the Club.  It will provide members with better facilities to play the game and enough variation and challenge to accommodate all handicaps,” said Club President, Bob Heard.
“The move has given us an excellent opportunity to grow,” said Bob.
With bright prospects ahead, the Sunshine Golf Club is looking forward to relocating to its future home to Mt Derrimut Road, Derrimut, and Australand is equally excited about the future redevelopment of the existing course in Fitzgerald Road, Sunshine, which will become a new residential community.
“This partnership involved extensive planning between Australand and the Club, to produce a result that has made the relocation a beneficial move for both parties,” said Australand’s Mike Butler.
“This really is a ‘win-win’ decision for the entire community,” said Mr Butler.
The new course is scheduled for completion in the latter half of 2006.  The existing Fitzgerald Road course will remain fully functional for Club members until this time.

For further information, please contact:
Melissa Buttigieg (03) 9686 5344
Rowland Pinder Pty Ltd
austral/sunshine golf club/pr-post event