Delighted to be featured in Inside Golf Magazine this month, August 2026.
Check out the article below, or read a copy in the Pro Shop!
A New Chapter for Public Golf at Centenary Park
For many Australians, public golf is where the game begins.
It’s where juniors hit their first drives, families spend a morning together, friends reconnect after work, and experienced golfers enjoy a quality round without the barriers often associated with private courses.
Golf is growing. As participation continues to rise, accessible, high-quality public facilities have never been more important. Well-maintained, welcoming and affordable courses help ensure golf remains “a sport for life and fun for all.”
That philosophy is at the heart of Peninsula Leisure’s management of Centenary Park Golf Course, having officially assumed management of the Frankston City Council owned facility in July 2026.
As a local government enterprise wholly owned by Frankston City Council, Peninsula Leisure is uniquely positioned to reinvest any operating surplus back into its facilities and the local community, helping deliver lasting health, wellbeing and social value outcomes.
Centenary Park Golf Course is regarded as one of Melbourne’s premier public golf destinations. The 18-hole course has earned a reputation for its outstanding presentation, mature tree-lined fairways and good value, regularly featuring among Australia’s best metropolitan golf courses under $50.
Peninsula Leisure’s appointment marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, with a long-term focus on protecting the course’s legacy while supporting Council’s future vision for the site through continued investment in course improvements, with future planning underway for more contemporary facilities such as the driving range, and the overall golfer experience.
Newly appointed Golf Operations Manager Tristan Cross brings more than 15 years’ experience across golf operations, customer experience and facility management.
“Great public golf is about creating an experience that golfers want to return to time and time again,” Mr Cross said.
“It starts with presenting the course to a consistently high standard, but it’s also about creating a welcoming environment from the moment golfers arrive and ensuring every visit is enjoyable, whether it’s someone’s first round or their hundredth.”
“Centenary Park already has a strong reputation and we’re committed to protecting everything golfers love about it. Working alongside Frankston City Council, Council’s experienced turf management team, the Golf Club and our local community, we’ll continue building on that legacy while supporting the long-term vision for the course.”
Long standing Centenary Park team member Brodie Wool continues in his role, bringing invaluable local knowledge and strong community connections to support a seamless transition of the new management.
Course Superintendent Sally Benwell said the quality of any public course comes down to the people behind it.
“Behind every great public golf course is a passionate team committed to presentation and consistent playing conditions. From turf health and irrigation to bunker presentation and greens performance, countless hours go into creating the conditions golfers expect and deserve.”
The experience extends beyond the fairways, with the driving range, Pro Shop, Café & Bar, and customer service all contributing to a welcoming destination for golfers of all ages and abilities.
As a community owned asset, Centenary Park Golf Course provides far more than a place to play. It creates opportunities for people to stay active, connect with others and enjoy the physical and mental wellbeing benefits of golf, ensuring this much loved public course continues to thrive for generations to come.
