AUSTRALIA’S TOP-100 PUBLIC ACCESS COURSES 2019
One of the greatest assets golf has in this country is its accessibility for the masses. With that thought in mind, we present our biennial guide to the best layouts everyone can play.
Ranking golf courses is a not a modern phenomenon.
Back in 1926, during the Golden Era of course design, a rating of Britain’s 14 most famous courses was published. Muirfield topped the list, while the Old Course at St Andrews finished dead last. The list’s author, Joshua Crane, admitted he favoured dicult courses ahead of those requiring strategic thought or those that were charming or pleasurable.
It was a controversial list and legendary golf course architect Dr Alistair MacKenzie was pointed in his criticism, who stated only a course that was a good test of golf could give lasting pleasure.
Over the following pages, you will find 100 courses that can certainly be considered “pleasurable”. They can also be played by all golfers of every standard. If the course is on this list of century makers, you can be assured visitors willing to pay a green fee are welcome to play.
The vast majority of Australia’s 1,500-plus courses welcome visiting golfers – they are public accessible. By our definition, a public access course is one that oers tee times for visiting golfers at least five days a week.
This ranking was compiled during the past two years by Golf Australia Editor Brendan James and a team of 32 committed Golf Australia readers, who volunteered to present their opinions and insights. Some 173 courses received votes from our judges. They played courses, often covertly, paying green fees and then noting any changes to the design as well as the conditioning of each course they saw.
Like Crane’s list, we’re sure there will be controversy and discussions about the list and the positioning of some courses within it. We’re also
sure, each of the layouts ranked here oers a good test of golf and “lasting pleasure” for all golfers.
Enjoy!
THE VINES RESORT & CC
(Ellenbrook course) Swan Valley, Western Australia Ranking history: 79 (2017); 64 (2015).
The Ellenbrook course continues to drop in this ranking with most of our judges feeling the conditioning could be better. Some questioned why the adjoining Lakes course was “streaks ahead” in terms of presentation.
www.vines.com.au
CLUB MANDALAY
Beveridge, Victoria Ranking history: 93 (2017); NR (2015)
This Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett-designed layout has slipped slightly in this rank since making its debut appearance two years ago. This is probably a better reflection of other courses jumping in front of it rather than any decline at Club Mandalay.
www.clubmandalay.com.au
COFFS HARBOUR GC
(Lakes course) Coffs Harbour, NSW Ranking history: Debut
The renovations carried out on the Lakes course in recent years were winning applause long before the club hosted the Women’s NSW Open in 2018 and won the hearts of the players. Our judges were
also glowing in their praise for the course, hence its rise into the Top-100 for the first time.
www.co sharbourgolfclub.com.au
EAGLE RIDGE
Boneo, Victoria Ranking history: 81 (2017); 61 (2015).
The new owners, who took over in 2016, have invested well in raising the standard of presentation. While some areas have been cleared of scrub and wild grasses to help playability, most of our new judges to the panel felt the design would be more fun by eliminating “small, thickly grassed mounds from playing lines” and replacing bunkers that forced lay-ups or narrowed fairways too much.
www.eagleridge.com.au
DUNTRYLEAGUE GC
Orange, NSW Ranking history: 89 (2017); NR (2015).
Having re-entered our ranking at No.89 two years ago, Duntryleague has dropped seven places in this list, which can be attributed to gains made by other courses. Duntryleague remains one of the best courses to be found in regional NSW.
www.duntryleague.com.au
GROWLING FROG
Yan Yean, Victoria Ranking history: 82 (2017); 70 (2015).
Wide fairways, multiple tees and large undulating greens set across former grazing land dotted with
river gums. It is a terrific setting for the Graham Marsh design and has proven a popular choice for golfers in Melbourne’s north east.
www.growlingfroggolfcourse.com.au
HORSHAM GC
Horsham, Victoria Ranking history: 94 (2017); 47 (2015).
It has been 10 years since Horsham was wiped out by the Black Saturday bushfires. The club has bounced back by building a modern, expansive clubhouse and while the course has enormous potential, its conditioning remains a concern.
www.horshamgolfclub.com.au
THE SANDHURST CLUB
(North course) Sandhurst, Victoria Ranking history: 100 (2017); 95 (2015).
The Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett-designed layout underwent an extensive renovation a few years back and the presentation has continued to improve since the last ranking in 2017. The ongoing conversion of the fairways from Legends couch to Santa Ana couch will dramatically improve the presentation and playing attributes of the links-style layout.
www.sandhurst.com
RIVERSIDE OAKS RESORT
(Gangurru course) Cattai, NSW Ranking history: 96 (2017); 86 (2015)
Riverside Oaks’ original course has moved up four spots in this rank on the back of better conditioning. Many judges remain critical of the cart paths that are wedged between greens, fairways and hazards.
www.riversideoaks.com.au
NORTH LAKES RESORT GC
North Lakes, Queensland Ranking history: 83 (2017); 72 (2015).
Graham Marsh’s trademark wide fairways and large greens can be found here. The course is home to some of the best Tifeagle putting surfaces in the country. Some trimming of trees is required to open up playing lines, especially from the tee.
www.northlakesgolfclub.com.au
ALBANY GC
Albany, Western Australia Ranking history: 85 (2017); 74 (2015).
Albany is an underrated links layout with a fine selection of natural holes. Its slight dip in the ranking here is more reflective of the number of debutantes and redesigned courses that have grabbed higher spots in the list.
www.albanygolfclub.com.au
LAKESIDE COUNTRY CLUB
Gledswood, NSW Ranking history: NR (2017); NR (2015).
Originally designed by Peter Thomson, Mike Wolveridge and Ross Perrett, Lakeside re-enters