Spring Valley
Those familiar with the history of the sandbelt will know the story of Mick Morcom and his son Vernon (Vern).
Mick was the Superintendent at Royal Melbourne when Alistair Mackenzie made his famous visit to Australia in 1926 to design their West Course and ultimately change the direction of golf course design in this country. In the 10 weeks he spent in Australia he would consult to over 20 different clubs including many of what would become the ‘world-renowned’ sandbelt clubs Kingston Heath, Victoria and Metropolitan.
The apple didn’t fall far from the tree with son Vern and in 1928 he became the Superintendent at Kingston Heath…a position he would hold for 46 years.
Mick and Vern would end up building all the doctors work around Melbourne and before long they branched out into course design, first as a duo and then after Mick’s passing, Vern would continue on his own. Vern’s resume includes many excellent courses including the Grange in Adelaide, Anglesea, Leongatha, Curlewis and Rosanna but none are as good as Spring Valley, arguably the most underrated course in Melbourne.
Spring Valley has steadily improved for the past two decades and we are excited to continue our relationship with the club. We have recently been commissioned to produce a Masterplan which will continue to refine and improve the existing layout with the hope it leads to further improvement in the rankings and become more than the ‘hidden gem’ it is often referred to.
Project
Spring Valley Golf Club
Location
Clayton South, Victoria, Australia
Rankings
#41 in Australia (2020 Golf Australia Magazine)
Details
Ongoing consulting
