Graham Marsh returns to Kalgoorlie for his desert golf legacy
Famous golfer Graham Marsh, 82, returned to Kalgoorlie, where he designed Australia's first true desert golf course that opened in 2010.
Graham Marsh won 70 golf tournaments and designed 65 courses around the world. This week he returned to his hometown of Kalgoorlie for a full-circle moment.
He designed the Kalgoorlie Golf Course. It opened in 2010 after many years of work and cost $18.5 million.
The Kalgoorlie Golf Course is Australia's only desert-style 18-hole course. Every hole looks different rather than repeating the same design.
The course now has 620 members and hosts the WA PGA Championship. Last year, the championship brought $329,000 into the local economy.
Some challenges remain. Water shortages come from the city's 560-kilometre pipeline.
There is not enough accommodation for touring golfers. A permanent clubhouse resort was promised but not yet built.
Marsh said the course needs long-term investment to stay world-class. Staffing shortages and ageing irrigation systems are becoming a growing problem.
- 70
- Tournament wins
- 18.5 million dollars
- Course design cost
- 620
- Course members
- 560 kilometres
- Water pipeline length
Why it mattersThe course shows how a single sports project can change a local economy and grow sports participation. It also shows the cost of keeping large facilities in remote areas.
AustraliaWestern Australia's tourism and sports sectors benefit from the Kalgoorlie course, which attracts travelling golfers and hosts a prestigious tournament while sustaining 620 local members.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
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