July 1, 2022 | By Graeme Kemlo
A new option for residential conferences has just debuted on the Bellarine peninsula, an hour’s drive from Melbourne, with the opening of a new $20 million clubhouse and 60 accommodation rooms at Curlewis Golf Club.
Curlewis, ranked one of the top 50 courses in Australia, recognised there was a lack of accommodation for the stay and play market. It has corporate meeting spaces in the new clubhouse as well as additional meeting and breakout options at its attached $8 million driving range facility.
This is not your typical private golf course – Curlewis was purchased in 2015 by local identities Lindsay and David Sharp, who also own Leura Park and Jack Rabbit wineries as well as the Flying Brick Cider Co on the Bellarine. The Sharps have invested heavily in upgrading the course and the facilities, which has seen Curlewis rise rapidly up the golf course rankings.
Taking a different, more progressive approach than other private clubs, it has become popular offering membership with no nomination or committee approval, no application fee and no bar or water levy on top of the membership fee. Unsurprisingly, it now has a waiting list.
It offers corporates a fully private closed-course event option for around 80 to 120 attendees.
Accommodation offered onsite has spectacular views across either fairways or the bay.
And given the owners’ experience in tourism and hospitality, it’s no surprise that there’s a range of catering options, including their French-inspired fine dining restaurant Claribeaux and a cellar stocked with some of their finest cool climate wines.
Curlewis has a dedicated events team and offers day delegate packages.