Renaissance Golf Design has completed a restoration-inspired renovation of Commonwealth Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia. 

Tom Doak and Brian Slawnik created a concept plan for the club, with Slawnik leading the work.  

A first phase of work was completed in 2022, covering greens two to five, thirteen to eighteen and the chipping green, all within the northern portion of the property, as well as some fairway expansion, new bunkers and tee reorientation.

“The second phase involved significant architectural changes to the southern end of the course, with the most notable modifications being at the seventh, tenth and twelfth greens,” said course manager Adam Lamb. “They have been redesigned and brought closer together. This creates a connection like the northern section, which features several paired greens, or ‘duos’, interconnected by short-mown surrounds.” 

Pure Distinction creeping bentgrass, developed by Pure-Seed Testing, was selected for greens. 

“Before changes were made in the early 1990s, the seventh green had a left-to-right orientation, with a single long bunker on the right,” said Lamb. “The new seventh green has returned to this original alignment, featuring a bunker on the right and a moderate swale on the left. The green falls away at the back-right corner, and the approach from the tee is narrow. Any offline shots will either fall into the swale on the left or into the bunker on the right.”

The par-five tenth has had its green moved back by around 20 yards, though the approach bunkers remain in place. This encourages golfers to clear the bunkers and potentially run the ball onto a horseshoe-shaped green, which is protected by a small deep bunker in the front middle. The green features a generous slope from the back-left to front-right.

“The redesigned twelfth incorporates all the challenging features found on many of Commonwealth’s toughest greens,” said Lamb. “It is protected by deep, penalising bunkers on the front-left and -right, with a ridge running across the green that slopes toward the front and away to the back-left corner. There is also a tight pinning area over the front-right bunker.”

The first green has been relocated, with Slawnik referencing historic photography to restore the hole’s original character. “Originally, the hole was a driveable par four measuring just over 250 yards, with the main challenge being the slopes on the green,” said Lamb. “Although it was once regarded as a ‘gentle opener’, in 1990 the hole was lengthened to around 315 yards, which included the green being pushed back and to the right.

“Both Doak and Slawnik considered restoring the original green to its former location, but due to the proximity of the second tee and well-established eucalyptus trees, this was not feasible. Instead, a new location was identified between the two previous green sites, bringing the hole to around the 270-yard mark, which is comparable to its original distance given the advancement of technology in the past 30 years.

“Before Brian began work on the new green, he studied old photographs and consulted with members who remembered the original character of the opener. The result is a remarkable recreation of one of Commonwealth’s original holes.”

Severe slopes on the sixth and seventh greens have been softened to allow for more pin placements.

Another key aspect of work at Commonwealth has been the execution of a vegetation plan, developed by Australian architect Paul Mogford, with input from Slawnik. Prior to Mogford and Slawnik’s work, Harley Kruse had prepared a document outlining vegetation and landscape principles and guidelines for the club.

“Like many Australian courses built in the early 1900s, well-intentioned but often misguided planting over the years resulted in the introduction of non-native trees,” said Lamb. “Large trees, both native and non-native, were planted too close to the lines of play and greens, creating issues with shade and moisture competition, which affected the health of the finely maintained turf. During the course restoration planning phase, the vegetation principles document played a key role in identifying areas where trees were negatively impacting turf conditions or limiting how holes could be played or even expanded.

“As the restoration took centre stage, the vegetation document was adopted by Commonwealth. It not only guided the course management team and committee’s decisions but also provided essential principles for the planning process led by the club’s vegetation architect (Mogford). Working closely with Slawnik, Mogford refined the restoration details with careful consideration of the vegetation areas. While the primary focus was on course restoration, the development of the vegetation areas has remained a priority. Mogford and Slawnik have dedicated hours to identifying areas across the course with future development potential, especially between holes, to ultimately enhance the overall course character.”

The vegetation project has had a significant impact on the playing experience, course aesthetics, maintenance practices and sustainability.

“By selectively removing or relocating non-native and poorly placed trees, as well as introducing native species specific to the ecological vegetation classes of the property, the course has become more open and visually engaging,” said Lamb. “This allows for better sightlines, improved shot options and a more natural flow between holes.

“The focus on native plantings and carefully designed vegetation corridors has given the course a more cohesive and natural appearance, better reflecting its environment. The landscape now mirrors the local ecology, showcasing a distinct character that ties into the course’s heritage, while also making the property visually striking. These improvements have also helped integrate the course more seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

“By reducing the number of large trees planted too close to greens and fairways, the course has alleviated issues with shade and moisture competition, which can negatively impact turf quality. The focus on using native plants has also reduced the need for frequent irrigation and other resource-intensive practices, helping the grounds crew manage the course with fewer inputs. These adjustments have streamlined maintenance while ensuring the course remains in optimal condition for play. 

“And the introduction of native vegetation not only enhances the local ecosystem but also reduces the reliance on water and chemicals typically used for turf and non-native plants. These efforts align with sustainable practices, contributing to the long-term health of the course and the surrounding environment.”