General manager Andrew Casey said the National Capital Authority had approved works to redevelop the 27-hole course after a lengthy master plan process.

“If you take into account when the club moved from Acton to this site [in 1962] when the original course was submerged under Lake Burley Griffin, this will probably be the largest upgrade to the golf course since then,” he said.

“We’re viewing it as quite a major, historical point for the club.”

Mr Casey described the upgrade as a rejuvenation of the playing surface, including the reconstruction of tees and bunkers, resurfacing and the installation of drainage systems.

He expected the upgrade to elevate the course’s current national ranking of 43.

He hoped the three-year refurbishment project would help attract some of the biggest golfing championships to the capital.

“At the end of the day, our golf course will more or less retain the same layout,” he said.

“Some holes will be shortened, some holes lengthened, some will go from par fours to fives. A lot of it is a change in strategy with aspects of the greens and the positioning of bunkers.”

Mr Casey hoped the upgrade would help attract future tournaments to the capital.

“It’s certainly got the industry talking due to the significance of the site, the history of the golf club and the standard of a course that’s been able to hold international events like the Women’s Australian Open [last year],” he said.

“It’s going to make us a more attractive site [but] the main consideration was always addressing the golf course for the sake of the members.”

The redevelopment will be rolled out in nine stages to ensure minimal impact on the club’s 1800 members.

At least 18 championship holes will be available throughout the process, with holes one to nine already closed in preparation for stage one works.

The club’s membership voted in favour of the final plan about six weeks ago.

Friends of ACT Trees were also consulted to ensure minimal impact on the surrounding Westbourne Woods.

Mr Casey said the conservative removal of trees would largely affect dead trees or those in poor health.

He was reluctant to reveal an exact cost but said it was “not extreme by any stretch”.