The collaboration is the fourth between the two design firms, adding to their projects at Royal Perth and Wembley in Western Australia, as well as Melbourne’s Kew Golf Club.

Woodlands Golf Club General Manager Cameron Tortolano said the team’s experience and knowledge of the Melbourne Sandbelt would help elevate the course in years to come.

“We are delighted to be working with Mike Clayton and Lukas Michel of CDP along with Harley Kruse of KruseGolf to help elevate the club over the coming years,” Tortolano said.

“This collaboration brings a diverse range of skills, knowledge, and long-term experience to the table including a deep understanding of Melbourne's Sandbelt golf courses.

“Our course has stood the test of time remaining largely untouched over the last century, so the brief is about evolution not revolution. It is clear that Mike and Harley’s in-depth knowledge of what makes Sandbelt golf great is going to complement the already excellent architecture that exists.”

Vegetation management is the key to Woodlands' improvement. PHOTO: Supplied - Gary Lisbon.

Clayton said Woodlands had long been underrated, but only by those not fully appreciative of its architectural merits.

“When he first saw the course, my partner Mike DeVries described it as being ‘way cool’, which succinctly sums up our view of Woodlands, one of the most underrated courses on the Melbourne Sandbelt,” he said. “It may be underrated by those who underappreciate its architecture but not by those of us who have long admired its charms and enduring brilliance.

“Royal Melbourne aside, it’s the Sandbelt course that has seen fewest changes, a testament to the quality of the original early 20th century layout.”

Kruse said the key to elevating Woodlands was improving the vegetation.

“At Woodlands, there is work to do to improve the practice arrangements. Improving the vegetation is the real key to further elevating the course,” he said.

“Most people consider the condition of the course to be the condition of its surfaces whereas the real measure is the state of everything inside the boundary fences.

“We really look forward to working with the club and being a sounding board for ideas, all with the aim of very measured refinements to this already excellent piece of architecture.”