Melbourne - 4 June 2004 - Golfing in Victoria will receive a major boost today with the official opening of Sandhurst Club at Skye, Melbourne's latest championship golf course by the Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation, Justin Madden.

The Minister will also officially welcome the Professional Golfers Association, PGA, to Victoria with Sandhurst Club to become the home of the PGA 2006 with the Victorian office of the PGA already on site.

The 18th hole at Sandhurst Club

Mr Ken Roche, Chairman of Sandhurst Club said, "The opening of the Golf Club and Clubhouse today is a major milestone for the club which already has six hundred members."

Television and sports personalities will christen the Peter Thomson designed golf course this morning at 7.45am.

Hitting off will be Peter Hitchener Channel Nine Newsreader; Channel Nine reporter Charles Slade; Michael Roberts Channel 9 Football Commentator; former league stars Mark McClure Carlton, and Craig Bradley holder of the most games ever played for Carlton; Graeme Yallop former Australian Test Captain.

Dual Brownlow Medallist Greg Williams; Stan Alves Melbourne and Kangaroos player; Karalee Tilburn Channel Seven Special News Reporter; Stephen Arnold Australian and International Jockey; and celebrities including John Blackman and Nicky Buckley will also be testing their golfing skills on the new course.

Sue Stanley, who in June 1994 became the only aerobic athlete to ever win three World Championships, will team up with Champion Hockeroo Danni Roche, a Commonwealth Games Medal winner and an Olympic Gold Medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics Games.

Mr Stephen Head, Managing Director of the Links Group responsible for the development of the project said, "Golfers taking part in the historic first official golf event will have some interesting and enjoyable experiences, not to mention a few challenges."

"On the signature third hole which features The Wall, players will be invited to support the local Skye Fire Brigade who are running a fundraising charity hole providing players the chance to wager on their driving skills."

"On the eighth hole we will have a ClubLINKS massage team ready to relax golfers with a shoulder massage to help loosen up their swing."

Professional golfers stand to win a brand new $10,000 Club Car Golf Cart if they hole in one on the 15th hole.

Mr Head said that the opening of Sandhurst Golf Club is a milestone in the project and signalled a significant increase in activity on all fronts including golfing and residential.

Now the Clubhouse is open and will be fully operational after today, we expect many people who have purchased land to commence building.

The Sandhurst Clubhouse on the North Course

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Stephen Head Managing Director Links Group Mobile: 0411 103 030
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications Mobile: 0417 329 201