Australian Golf Courses

CAIRNS / PORT DOUGLAS

SEA TEMPLE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB : Designed by Thomson/Wolveridge, it has all the features of a classical links course. Immaculate conditions combined with the need to be accurate with both tee and approach shots makes for a superb day's golf. Watch for the crocodiles.

PARADISE PALMS C.C.: Designed by Graham Marsh in 1990, it is ranked 29 and set in lush tropical splendor with 6 lakes and 96 bunkers coming into play, accuracy is required. Measuring 7255 yards from the back tees, it has 4 tee positions on each hole to make it enjoyable for all.

MIRAGE C.C.: This Sheraton resort course designed by Peter Thomson in 1988 features water on several holes plus is bordered by the coral sea. A pleasurable experience to play, it is well designed with an unusual feature that it comprises 6 par 3s, 6 par 4s and 6 par 5s.

SUNSHINE COAST

TWIN WATERS G.C.: Twin Waters is a championship course rated number 4 resort course in Australia. A fine links course that is immaculately groomed and is aesthetically pleasing with its gently undulating fairways and rough covered mounds framed by tall melaleuca trees.

HYATT REGENCY COOLUM: Situated alongside the Pacific Ocean and overlooked by the majestic rugged Mount Coolum, this beautiful and challenging Hyatt resort course has stunning scenery. Rolling links land type holes run beside the ocean and the woodland holes are set in groves of melaleuca and eucalyptus trees. Coolum is the home of the Australian PGA Championship.

CLUB PELICAN : A top Greg Norman design, this spectacular course is set to rank among the worlds best. Bounded by lush national parks and scenic creek land, Pelican Waters has intelligently integrated the existing natural landscape. It promises golfers of all levels a truly exhilarating and memorable experience.

NOOSA SPRINGS: Carved out of Noosa's stunning landscape, this championship course does what all great courses do - it challenges you! On slightly undulating terrain, some holes feature water and others, varieties of native trees. It promises to enthrall players of all levels through its natural beauty and its remarkable design.

GOLD COAST

HOPE ISLAND G.C.: This championship course ranked number 8 in Australia was designed by 5 times British Open Champion Peter Thomson. Peter has created a course rich in the traditional features of the great courses in Scotland and Ireland. A typical Links with undulating fairways, one would think it had been there for centuries rather than a decade.

THE GLADES GOLF & SPA: Designed by Greg Norman and owned by Ian Baker-Finch this picturesque course nestled in a creek-side valley is destined to become one of Australia's finest. Winding through spectacular wetlands inhabited by a myriad of native bird species, the bunkering is Mackenzie like and the surrounds of the greens encourage chipping with no rough being present. In the best traditions of risk and reward golf, the safe line often presents a more difficult 2nd shot on this excellently maintained course.

ROBINA WOODS GOLF COURSE: This private club featuring Australian native flora and wildlife is fast gaining an enviable reputation. Only constructed in 1989, it has already gained a ranking of number 49. Tree lined fairways in most cases and on the others it is water that demands well placed tee shots.

LAKELANDS GOLF CLUB: The first Jack Nicklaus signature course in Australia, it has the “Golden Bear’s” trademark bunkers along with immaculately groomed fairways and tifdwarf greens. The five tee positions on each hole, a number with water alongside the fairways, contribute to making this course an enjoyable and challenging experience.

SANCTUARY COVE GOLF RESORT: Pines & Palms Courses: Both courses are highly rated with the Pines by Arnold Palmer the highest at 18. Both feature a lot of water that will test even the best players. Hyatt Sanctuary Cove is Australia's largest and plushest Resort and both these courses complement the development. Home annually of the Australian Skins game.

SYDNEY

CAMDEN LAKESIDE G.C.: This Peter Thomson designed, gently undulating Links styled golf course, very reminiscent of some of the famous holes at St. Andrews, Gleneagles, Muirfield etc.. A fine course, highly rated with excellent facilities, that is always enjoyable to play.

NEW SOUTH WALES G.C.: Dr. Alister MacKenzie designed, this course is one of the Treats and ranked number 5 in Australia. Situated at the site of Captain Cook's landing in Australia at La Peruse it is not only a superb course but also offers some outstanding views of the Pacific Ocean.

THE LAKES G.C.: Situated in the city, it was redesigned in the 70's by Devlin / Von Hagge and is renowned for its water hazards. Eleven of the 18 holes feature water, so the route is both picturesque and challenging. It has a long history of Australian Championships and is rated 14 in Australia.

THE AUSTRALIAN G.C.: Founded in 1882 and redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 1977, this is the most prestigious club in Sydney. A very testing layout, with water being the feature on several holes, it demands very accurate shot making. Ranked number 4 in Australia.

TERREY HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB: Terrey Hills was opened in this northern suburb of Sydney in 1994 and has developed into a dynamic club hosting premier events like the Canon Challenge. Right from the first hole the course sets new standards in visual and golfing excellence. Natural forests line gently contoured fairways, enhanced with native shrubs and flora. Designer Graham Marsh believes this course is destined to become one of Australia’s finest.

MELBOURNE

This city has some of the world’s best.

THE ROYAL MELBOURNE G.C.: The McKenzie designed Royal Melbourne West Course is rated No.6 in the world and the club's composite course (a mixture of holes from both the West and East Courses) was the venue for the 1998 President's Cup. Royal Melbourne is the oldest and most prestigious of the seven core clubs located on Melbourne's famed Sandbelt.

It has been said that Royal Melbourne has "the best greens in the world". It effortlessly exudes class and also has some of the best and most visually stunning bunkering anywhere.

KINGSTON HEATH G.C.: This course designed by Dr. Alister MacKenzie and ranked number 2 in Australia is one of the greats of the world. Fast, subtly breaking greens, excellent bunkering with superbly interesting holes are the main features plus the fact that it caters equally for all standards of golfers.

YARRA YARRA G.C.: Another Dr. Alister MacKenzie design on Melbourne's famed sand belt, it is ranked number 17 and has hosted many Australian P.G.A. Championships. Like other Mackenzie designs it features fast sloping greens and superb bunkering.

METROPOLITAN G.C. : Rated number 3 in Australia, this course is also situated on the sand belt. A superb test of golf it has hosted a number of Australian Opens including the 1993 Open won by Brad Faxon. Again extremely fast greens are one of the features most remembered.

THE DUNES GOLF LINKS: Designed by Antony Cashmore, this true links set amongst gentle sand dunes adjacent to Bass Strait on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula. This stunning new course (1998) is already rated in the top 25 courses in Australia, with its magnificent bunkering and superb greens The Dunes is a memorable experience.

MOONAH LINKS: Designed by Thomson/Wolveridge, this course is the new home of the Australian Open and Australian Golf Union. A magnificent links course on the Mornington Peninsula, Moonah Links is a great golfing experience. Set amidst rolling sand dunes it has the hallmarks of becoming one of Australia's best with great bunkering, beautiful greens and the need to think strategically.

ADELAIDE

ROYAL ADELAIDE G.C.: Designed by Dr. Alister MacKenzie in 1926 this links course is another of the greats in Australia. Excellent bunkering with fast contoured greens and good use of the terrain are the features that stand out on this magnificent course that is ranked number 9.

KOOYONGA G.C. : The site of several Australian Open Championships it is known for its fast true greens. Ranked at number 13 this course is a good test. Remarkably, during its last open both Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus shot rounds of 62!

THE GRANGE G.C.: A 36 hole complex of two differing styles of course, the older West being a more traditional design and the East, being 40 years younger, more difficult and modern. Both are designed by Vern Morcom and both are rated in the top 30 in Australia.

CANBERRA

ROYAL CANBERRA G.C.: An excellent course featuring large contoured greens which demand accurate approaches. Rated number 10 in Australia, it is set among magnificent eucalyptus trees and one of the more unusual features is the number of kangaroos that reside there.

PERTH

JOONDALUP GOLF RESORT: Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr. It features 27 holes ranging from open links style to the quarry nine cut out of limestone. The course provides an extraordinary golfing experience and has for the past four years been voted Australia’s best resort course.

THE GOLF CLUB KENNEDY BAY: Ian Baker-Finch in collaboration with Roger Mackay has designed a true links course. Firm, fast and true greens, flanked by revetted face bunkers, make this a great golfing experience. This is a course with a growing reputation.

THE VINES RESORT & C.C. : Featuring two world class championship courses designed by Graham Marsh, The Vines has hosted many Heinekin Classics. Both courses use the stunning landscape to great effect. Generous fairways belie how accurate you must be on either of these wonderful resort courses.

TASMANIA

BARNBOUGLE DUNES: This is a new and dramatic course designed by Tom Doak. A creation derived from the dream of a small group who saw the potential to build this amazing course. Barnbougle meanders through towering dunes and along the beachfront where golfers will plot their way around one of the world’s most natural golf courses.