One of the most popular golfing facilities in Perth’s southern suburbs is set for a $1.85 million upgrade in early 2025.
Located in Parkwood, Whaleback Golf Course’s driving range will have huge new safety netting installed to enhance patron safety and operational efficiency.
At last week’s final Ordinary Council Meeting of the year, the City of Canning approved a tender from Country Club International for the upgrade.
The cost of the new netting will be covered by revenue generated from Whaleback’s golf operations.
In December 2023, the City of Canning assumed management of Whaleback Golf Course.
The popular two-storey driving range attracts around 100,000 customers annually, with over 8.5 million balls hit each year.
In 2019, ball tracking technology known as Toptracer was installed to track ball speed, accuracy, and distance of every shot in every bay, further adding to the range’s popularity.
During peak times, the range can see an estimated 40,000 balls hit in a single day.
According to a report tabled at last week’s council meeting, installation of the perimeter fence will minimise the operational risk by reducing the number of balls leaving the range to no more than 1 per cent of those hit.
Canning Mayor Patrick Hall said the upgrade is needed to improve safety and reduce ball loss from the range, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency.
“The eagerly anticipated construction of the driving range netting at Whaleback Golf Course will significantly improve patron safety on the 9th and 14th holes and provide operational efficiencies,” Mayor Hall said.
“At over 36 metres high in areas, this will be some of the highest driving range netting in Perth.”
Construction of the new netting is set to begin in February 2025, with completion expected in May.
While some disruption may occur, Whaleback management expects the range to remain open to customers for the majority of the construction period.
