Family-friendly golf club scene

Dunsborough Golf Club is gearing up for a busy summer, with new pro Matt Criss tipping a community focus to improve local participation.

“This club is going through a transition at the moment, and to be a part of rebuilding it is exciting,” he said.

The young pro finished his golfing traineeship in 2010 and then played on the esteemed European circuit.

Asked how the Dunsborough Lakes course compared to those greens, Criss said it was “world class”.

“We only have four greens staff and what they do is incredible,” he said.

“The layout and the greens are the best in the South West.”

Having recently run Collier Park Golf Club in Como as golf operations manager, he said the transition to Dunsborough felt like the highlight of his career. “I have three kids, a toddler and two baby twins, and I think there is no better place for them,” he said.

That family-friendly atmosphere was something that he wished to make more welcoming to golfers who don’t feel comfortable with the sport’s more strict traditions.

“You don’t need to be a pro. Get down in boardies and T-shirt and stick around for a drink,” he said.