Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Palm Beach Resort to open in October

September 13th, 2016 by Jon

In recent times course openings have become rare in China as the industry has come to a standstill in response to the Government’s strictly administered anti-golf policy.

Thomson Perrett’s third course in Shanghai, the Palm Beach Resort is scheduled to open in October 2016.

Despite this disappointing background, the Palm Beach project has proceeded pretty smoothly under the watchful eye of Tim Lovell, our supervising Course Architect.

The project involved the rerouting and complete re-construction of an existing 18 hole course which meanders through a luxury seaside residential estate in Fengxian.

Ross Perrett busy in Indonesia

September 8th, 2016 by Jon

Thomson Perrett Olympic Presentation

September 6th, 2016 by Jon

Golf recently made a successful return to the Olympics in Rio De Janeiro with medalists from 6 different countries.

Thomson Perrett wishes to congratulate the medallists and all the competing golfers.

Golf architect Gil Hanse is to be commended on producing a site responsive course tht brought the best players to the top.

Thomson Perrett were one the 8 finalists in the RIO2016 Olympic Golf Design Competition and are now able to share our competition submission which demonstrates the professional rigour and creative flair we apply to all our projects. It provides an interesting background on the Rio site which was a degraded sand mine and highlights the ability of golf courses to transform degraded sites into vibrant and sustainable ecosystems.

Click here to read Thomson Perrett’s submission which includes:

This submission was printed as a bound coffee table book which we welcome people to visit our office to read if interested.

Enjoy the read!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Ross Perrett by emailing ross@thomsonperrett.com.au

Milestone in Sustainable Golf Development

August 24th, 2016 by Jon

Ross Perrett has been a strong supporter of the Golf Environment Organisation (GEO) and played an important role in helping develop their Sustainable golf Development Standard which has just been released.

Ross was GEO’s first official verifier in Asia Pacific and continues to actively promote their work and implement their philosophies in to his designs.

See below article from Golf Business News which quotes Ross as saying “Congratulations to the whole team on the release of the Voluntary Sustainability Standard for Golf Development – Thomson Perrett look forward to assisting in getting governments in emerging golf markets to adopt these voluntary standards for the roll out of golf facilities in their countries.”

Milestone is Sustainable Golf Development

http://www.golfbusinessnews.com/news/management-topics/milestone-in-sustainable-golf-development/

Story published at 14:24, Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016

A new Sustainable Golf Development standard, developed through close collaboration both within and outside the golf industry, has been introduced as part of golf’s efforts to become a leader in sustainable sport, land-use and development.

After 18 months of open consultation and dedicated work by an International Expert Working Group, facilitated by the Golf Environment Organization (GEO), a credible, accessible and relevant voluntary sustainability standard for golf development has been established. The standard document provides a framework which guides the process of delivering new golf developments and renovations, from site selection through to opening day; maximisng positive social and environmental value throughout.

Jonathan Smith, Chief Executive of GEO, the non-profit organisation dedicated to helping advance sustainability in and through golf, said: “Bringing diverse stakeholders together to produce credible and accessible sustainability standards is no easy task and we’d like to thank all those that have dedicated their time and expertise to the process.  In particular we acknowledge The R&A’s leadership, vision and investment; WWF’s engagement; the support of the major golf architect associations worldwide; and the further backing of valued corporate partners, Jacobsen, and sponsors John Deere and Toro.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A said: “There is more and more evidence that sustainability is key to the growth and vitality of the sport around the world, which is why The R&A is investing in the long-term solutions the industry needs.  Voluntary sustainability standards have an important role to play and we are delighted to see this significant milestone being achieved.  We would encourage people involved in golf development to utilise this resource as they create the profitable facilities of the future, serving golfers and wider society and enhancing the image and reputation of the sport as they do so.”

Richard Holland, interim Director of Markets at WWF, a leading global conservation charity, and member of the International Expert Working Group said: “I am delighted to have been part of the standard development process and help the sport to address a vital component of its sustainability performance which is crucial for golf’s growth and future success. Congratulations to all those involved in achieving this milestone. The next step is to make sure it is used in practice – by developers, by investors and governments, and their agencies, as a framework to ensure the best possible outcomes from projects in their jurisdiction”.

The eight members of the International Expert Working Group, which shaped the standard from its earliest stages, included representatives from the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects; American Society of Golf Course Architects; The European Institute of Golf Course Architects; The Golf Course Builders Association of America; European Commission; Beijing Forestry University; Australian National University and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Central to the credibility and rigour behind this achievement is The ISEAL Alliance’s code of good practice for standard setting. GEO earned full ISEAL membership status in 2015 and followed the codes throughout the development of this standard document. These same codes of good practice are followed by other well known sustainability bodies including Fairtrade, The Rainforest Alliance and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Amy Jackson, ISEAL’s Senior Manager for Learning & Membership said: “Golf is the only sport to have representation, via GEO, in ISEAL. Following our Standard-Setting Code shows a commitment to transparency, multi-stakeholder balanced input and, along with our impacts and assurance codes, helps to ensure that this standard will produce positive and measurable environmental and social impacts. Having worked with GEO for several years now we continue to be impressed with their commitment to sustainability in golf and, as an ISEAL member, working together with other leading sustainability standards. We are particularly impressed with the standard setting process for this Sustainable Golf Development voluntary sustainability standard, which was road-tested against real projects from around the world.”

Tom Mackenzie, President of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA), said:“The European Institute of Golf Course Architects congratulates the Golf Environment Organization on the publication of the Golf Development Voluntary Sustainability Standard. It is another important stage in demonstrating that golf courses can be developed in a way that is good for all concerned. We are proud of our input assisting GEO which dates back more than a decade now and look forward to further close collaboration with all of the team there in the coming years.”

Ross Perrett, representing Society of Australian Golf Course Architects Task Force, said:

“Congratulations to the whole team on the release of the Voluntary Sustainability Standard for Golf Development – Thomson Perrett look forward to assisting in getting governments in emerging golf markets to adopt these voluntary standards for the roll out of golf facilities in their countries.”

Robert Donkers, former Director of Urban Policy, DG Environment for the European Commission, said:“The development of the voluntary sustainability standard for golf developments is a strong and practical display of the golf industry’s commitment to sustainable development. It is also a demonstration of productive collaboration across and outside the industry. We are proud to have been a part of the process and look forward to seeing this practical and accessible standard’s positive impact across the golf development sector continue to grow.”

The document and further explanation can be viewed atwww.golfenvironment.org/get_involved/developments/ along with information on the OnCourse^® Developments programme, which provides practical support to assist developments and the GEO Certified^® Developments mark, which provides credible recognition to developments.

Peter Thomson retires

August 16th, 2016 by Jon

After over 50 years in golf course design, Thomson Perrett founder Peter Thomson has announced his formal retirement from golf course architecture.  Peter established the company in 1965 after winning his 5th British Open and has since worked on over 250 projects in 30 countries including building over 100 new courses. Peter’s contribution and impact on golf in Asia Pacific is unparalleled.

Ross Perrett who has worked with Peter since 1986 and has been Managing Director of Thomson Perrett for the past 25 years, said “Peter’s generous support and friendship has been an inspiration to all the Thomson Perrett team and we thank him for the role he has played in each of our careers. It has been a privilege to work closely with one of golf’s most intelligent and greatest players.”

When asked about the future for the company, Ross reiterated that he will “continue to lead the team and will strive to set new bench marks within the industry locally and internationally”. Ross explained that other than a rebrand later in the year, the current Thomson Perrett operation will continue as usual.  All staff have been retained and are busy working in five countries including the following projects –

–        Clearwater Bay, renovation, Hong Kong
–        Genung Geulis Golf Club,18 holes, Indonesia
–        Greens Beach Golf Club, 18 holes, Australia
–        Ho Binh Golf Resort, 36 holes, Vietnam
–        Kooringal Golf Club,renovation, Australia
–        Northern Golf Club,renovation, Australia
–        Qutub Golf Course, 18 holes, India
–        Palm Beach Golf Club, 18 holes, China
–        Warrnambool Golf club, renovation, Australia

In addition to the above, Ross and the team also have an exciting pipeline of future projects to look forward to.

For further information contact –

Ross Perrett
Thomson Perrett Pty Ltd | ACN 054 121 961
T: + 613 8698 8000
E: ross@thomsonperrett.com.au

Two TP courses open in Victoria

December 17th, 2015 by Jon

This year we saw the openings of two courses in Victoria – The Black Bull Golf Club, in Yarrawonga an The Mandalay Club at Beveridge.

Both courses form the centrepiece of major golf residential projects and have received excellent reviews and are enjoying lots of patronage.

The Black Bull Course was built on former farm land adjacent to Lake Mulwala on the Murray River whilst the Mandalay course was built on a rocky site in Melbournes ‘western plains’.

Club Mandalay

Black Bull

Northern exposure

December 17th, 2015 by Jon

Thomson Perrett has recently overseen the construction of 3 new holes and practice facilities at The Northern Golf Club. The new work was triggered by the sale of the existing driving range to the Darebin Council for use as a community park. Fortunately there was sufficient surplus land available to accommodate new 9^th and 10^th holes, an extension to the 8^th hole,improved practice facilities and additional water storage.  The construction work was undertaken by Mc Mahons Constructions who also built The Mandalay Course which opened earlier in the year.

Thomson Perrett open office in Vietnam

December 17th, 2015 by Jon

Thomson Perrett has opened an office in Hanoi to service the emerging golf market. Currently there are only 33 courses opened for play in Vietnam but a further 67 projects have been approved.

With a young population of 94 million the future of golf in Vietnam looks very promising. Thomson Perrett has a 27 hole course under construction south west of Ho Chi Minh City whilst two other projects are being planned – one in the mountains west of Hanoi and the other on coastal sand dunes in Central Vietnam.

Thomson Perrett & Lobb appointed to create a new golf course on Egypt’s Red Sea coast.

November 23rd, 2015 by Jon

Thomson Perrett & Lobb has been appointed to create a new golf course on Egypt’s Red Sea coast.

The 18-hole course will form part of the Soma Bay holiday resort, which lies 20 minutes from Hurghada International Airport.

The course will be built on a slightly elevated hillside site, and will embrace the local area’s natural desert landscape.

“The Soma Bay peninsula is a stunning location, surrounded on all sides by the Red Sea, and our goal is to create a golf course that focuses on strategic and fun play, has family-friendly options and is accessible to all,” said Tim Lobb, TPL’s principal and golf course architect. “The design process has already commenced, and we hope to begin construction next year.”

Soma Bay is already home to an 18-hole course designed by Gary Player’s firm, which opened for play in 1998.

Lara Iskander, director of development at Soma Bay, added: “Thomson Perrett & Lobb has a strong, and growing, international pedigree in the golf course design sector and we look forward to working with Tim and his team to create a world-class, enjoyable and memorable golf experience for our guests. TPL’s vision to design a golf course that appeals to families and holidaymakers, and also marries perfectly with the Soma Bay environment, were key considerations when selecting our design partner. We are confident the new course will significantly enhance our extensive leisure facilities.”

Carya to host Turkish Open

November 17th, 2015 by Jon