Country club and golf course on the market: owners of luxury retreats show interest

A picturesque country club with golf course has attracted interest from an array of prospective buyers, including the owners of some renowned luxury retreats.

No.14 Valley Drive at Doonan, also known as the Noosa Valley Country Club, has been placed on the market for the first time in more than three decades.

Century 21 Conolly Hay Group – Noosa Heads sales executive Lisa McKenzie said the site had caught the attention of a serious audience.

“We do have a lot of interest and that’s going to continue into the next month,” she said.

“It’s such a unique property and such an exciting opportunity because there is so much potential there.”

The property has four lots, including a manicured nine-hole golf course, residence, clubhouse/function centre, driving range and land with car park. There’s also a restaurant, tennis court and squash court.

It has had a sole owner for the past 35 years, who kept it ‘largely as a hobby’, and friends and volunteers have helped him maintain and run it.

Golf memberships ceased years ago, and it has since been open to social golfers.

Ms McKenzie said the property could be fashioned into something quite spectacular.

“We’ve had interest from people who are looking at turning it into a private estate, like a family commune,” she said.

“And we have some interest from people who are interested in bringing the country club back to life.

“And we have people interested in turning it into a wedding venue with maybe a day spa retreat with signature restaurant.”

Ms McKenzie said a wedding venue would be a welcome addition to the region.

“There is a real need to that,” she said.

“You have to go to Maleny or Montville (more than 40km away), so I think Noosa is screaming out for it.”

The site, which is just 15 minutes from Noosa Heads, has also attracted attention from the owners of some luxury getaways.

“We do have interest from the people who own Spicers Retreats,” Ms McKenzie said.

There are Spicers Retreats at Maleny and Montville, and at other locations around Australia.

The retreats brand and several of the Spicers resorts changed hands late last year, when they were acquired by Salter Brothers, a global fund manager.

The retreats are renowned for their relaxing and luxurious style.

Salter Brothers told Sunshine Coast News it was exploring its options but would not confirm or deny the reported interest in the property.

“The Salter Brothers team is always looking for new and interesting property opportunities but we have no comment on this,” they said.

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The country club is in a great location.

Ms McKenzie said the property was a delight.

“The golf course (maintained by a greenskeeper) itself is just beautiful, and the volunteers who look after the gardens have done a wonderful job.

“The (par-36) course has been described by Australian Golf Digest as a golfing gem.

“The buildings are quite rundown, but they have a lot of charm in them, and I think the ’70s style is coming back into fashion again, so I don’t think it would take much to bring the clubhouse (which has a commercial kitchen) and bar up to a modern standard, with the sunken lounges, timber features and brass fittings.

“It (the property) also has some quirky qualities like the squash court, which is fully functional.

Ms McKenzie said the owner – who has lived on site and dedicated years to the country club – is moving to a house he owns “down the road”.

“The property has been run by himself and the greenskeeper and by friends and retired people who were happy to volunteer but they’re getting on in years and it’s time to pass the property on,” she said.

“It will be interesting to see what it gets turned into.

“It won’t get developed on (for a residential estate) because it is zoned sport and rec.”

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The gardens and golf course are picturesque.

She said “really nice houses” in the area were selling for millions of dollars.

The property was for sale via tender until last Friday and was likely to remain on the market for longer, with interested parties urged to contact the agents.

It’s estimated that the property could be valued around $14m to $16m but, given its uniqueness, size and location, it could be sold for significantly more.

Auction results

24 Atherton Close, Buderim

Sold prior to auction for $1.27m

5 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car, Pool

Ray White (Buderim), Gregory Ward and Zoe Byrne

408/180 Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland

Passed in at $290,000, on the market for $299,000

1 Bed, 1 Bath, 1 Car

Ray White (Mooloolaba), Candice Contencin

9 Charm Street, Palmview

Sold prior to auction for $805,000

4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car

Ray White (Buderim), Dallas Foster

9/60 Alexandra Parade, Maroochydore

Sold under the hammer for $1m

3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Car

Ray White (Maroochydore), Sarah-Louise Anderson

83 Cooroora Street, Dicky Beach

Sold under the hammer for $950,000

3 Bed, 1 Bath, 2 Car

Ray White (Caloundra), Andrew Garland

1/34 Lawrence Street, Mooloolaba

Sold under the hammer for $635,000

2 Bed, 1 Bath, 1 Car

Ray White (Mooloolaba), Candice Contencin

4/58-60 Sixth Avenue, Maroochydore

Sold under the hammer for $820,000

3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Car

Ray White (Maroochydore), Pam Thomas

196 Mooloolaba Road, Buderim

Passed in at $1,250,000

5 Bed, 3 Bath, 2 Car

Ray White (Buderim), Tully Thompson

22 Theresa Street, Golden Beach

Sold under the hammer for $795,000

2 Bed, 1 Bath, 2 Car

Ray White (Caloundra), Andrew Garland

41 Maryann Street, Golden Beach

Sold Under the for $987,000

4 Bed, 2 Bath, 3 Car

Ray White (Caloundra), Ray Daniels and Linda Daniels

17/4 Juan Street, Alexandra Headland

Sold under the hammer for $1,000,000

2 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Car, Pool

First National, Jason Burns

Article source: Queensland Property Investor