This Melbourne school has its own childrens'-sized golf course

For Cornish College principal Nicola Forrest, having golf as part of the school’s curriculum is a perfect fit. Not only does the Bangholme college’s nine-hole course make novel use of some of its 40 hectares of natural parkland, the game itself is a teaching tool that keeps on giving.

“Our growth and success have always come from our willingness to embrace change – there’s very little resistance when we come up with an idea that’s got a good ‘why’ behind it, a good purpose,” Forrest says.

“Our curriculum is concept-driven, and you can think of so many concepts that relate to golf. Patience, respect, courtesy. The beauty of positioning anything around concepts is you can link them to your curriculum – you can say, ‘OK, where else can we talk about leadership, respect, care for the land, teamwork?’

“For us, golf provides another classroom to build a curriculum.”

Forrest’s pride in “Cornish Links”, and the golf program it enables, runs deep, not least because it is a prime example of her boast that nothing at the school has come about through the efforts of only one person.

Sean Kirschenberg had the initial idea – when his son, who is now in year 12, was attending the Early Learning Centre – and many have mucked in since to keep the little white balls rolling.

Grounds manager Tom Humphreys devotes countless hours to the upkeep of an asset that is also used for other sports including cross-country running, is instrumental in learning about nature and the environment, and even hosts a billycart race down “Big Hill”.

Chaplain Jarrod Davies drives the character-building aspect that underpins the program.

“We’re not trying to produce great golfers, we’re trying to produce great people who play golf,” says Kirschenberg, a 20-year club professional who initially volunteered to run a clinic and has become the school’s head of golf. 

“It’s not about winning, it’s about nurturing them, challenging them, building resilience, and creating good people.”

The longest hole is around 200 metres, the shortest 60, with synthetic greens but grass elsewhere – much of it donated, as was the irrigation system. A creek, bridges and seating complement a setting that families are encouraged to use on weekends. Native and fruit trees have been planted throughout; in summer, children tee off atop Big Hill and pick blackberries as they walk to their balls.

Cornish College’s youngest golfers (three-year-olds attending the ELC) use bespoke clubs and focus on fun, whether through throwing and catching games or just trying to hit their driver as far as they can. Lessons might finish with a ride on the motorised buggy.

By year 10, the elective (taken by around 100 of the school’s 700 pupils) has a leadership focus; one assignment for this year’s students was choosing a figure and examining how they demonstrate leadership through golf. There’s work on technique, but also a strong focus on fitness of body and mind that might see classes begin with meditation.

Forrest helped Kirschenberg deliver the class for a term, and saw children who were challenged by the game, who struggled, but then found resilience and ultimately grew through the experience.

Before-school classes are often being delivered as she arrives at work, and the support she sees among the students warms her. “What’s special about this Cornish community is that you have young people out there learning the game and some are better than others, but they’re so supportive of each other,” she says.

“That’s what Sean and Jarrod have been teaching – let’s be supportive and back each other up. They’re so explicit about that mode of teaching, they’ll commend the kids who support each other. You’re not commending who hits the longest drive, you’re commending whoever stopped and helped the kid who’s struggling.

“It really is a character-building course.”

cornishcollege.vic.gov.au

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