| 
LINKS SHELL COVE NSW |
|
KNOWN AT FIRST AS A TOUGH TEST, CHANGES AT THIS NSW SOUTH COAST COURSE HAVE MADE FOR A MORE PLAYABLE LAYOUT.
 The 4th introduces players to Shell Cove’s collection of short par-3s
The Shell Cove project was conceived by the Shellharbour City Council in the early 1990s as the largest residential development undertaken by a local government in the country. The $1.5 billion coastal development would be a focal point for tourism in the Illawarra region, eventually encompassing 3,000 home sites, a marina with 300 berths, access to the area’s national parks as well as other community-based attractions. In a project of this scale, a golf course was naturally a key component.
As so often happens with grand plans and golf courses, the original intention was to build the ideal of the age, a championship layout. The word ‘championship’, in these cases, becomes a synonym for ‘dif cult’. And soon after it opened in 2004, the Links Shell Cove developed an early reputation as a promising yet challenging track.
Located on a 63 hectare portion of land which incorporates another 20 hectares of wetlands, the Links Shell Cove sits in a scenic spot of undulations within a small valley. The ocean is not in view, but it’s only a short par-4 away from the course’s eastern edge. Even if you can’t see it, you’re sure to almost always feel it with the breezes that come off the coast, and it’s perhaps the dominant feature of playing a round here.
 the 12th is one of the most picturesque spots on the course
Not a true links by its own admission, it retains some links style elements. The major one is the in‑ uence of the wind, which determines much of the character of the holes tee-to-green. Depending on where it’s coming from, the 6,107-metre total on the scorecard can feel a lot longer or shorter. Long, native roughs de ne many parts of the layout, and an occasional blind shot will confront the player.
In recent times, the club has been endeavouring to wind back Shell Cove’s standing as a tough day’s play. There were 25 bunkers removed from the course, and of the 67 that remained, 54 of them were modified. The immediate cut of rough has been made shorter, and the long fescue-type grass found in the deep rough has been marked as hazard. This has served to speed up play, sparing golfers from prolonged lost-ball searches or walking back for stroke-and-distance penalties.
The club’s general manager, Robby Stephenson, says the Links Shell Cove has arrived at a better balance of a course that’s playable for the weekend golfer while still having something in it for the better player. Stephenson said the club had received good response on the changes, and was hoping that that player who may have visited the course four years ago and found it too demanding would give it another look. The less taxing test of golf combines neatly with the relaxed South Coast vibe of the place – visitors mix easily with a devoted core of members.
 the small, elevated green is the target at the end of the par-5 17th
Above all, the club is known for great value golf. The Links Shell Cove was named in this magazine’s survey a few years ago of the nation’s top 50 courses you could play for less than $50, and its rates have remained more than reasonable since. It’s a typical example of the quality return that Australian golfers get for their dollar across the country.
One of the distinguishing features of a round at Shell Cove is the size of the greens. Compact yet featuring plenty of action and movement, they ask for the player to be on the correct side of the hole if they want a good chance at making their putt. It puts a premium on approach play – a longer putt beneath the hole is quite often better than a shorter from above. Players burning the edge all day won’t be able to blame the good condition of the greens, which roll true.
The front nine opens on a semi-blind drive to a downhill medium length par-4. With the prevailing northerly, the 368-metre 1st is usually downwind – one of your reviewer’s playing partners during the visit to Shell Cove notes his long-hitter play of choice is to drive the green, or at least to the area short of it. Even after a mighty hit, the sharply sloping right-to-left green guarantees no sure up-and-down, or even a two-putt.
See the September 2010 issue of Golf Australia for the complete review. On Sale Wednesday 26 May, 2010.
THE COURSE
LOCATION: Golf Dr, off Shellharbour Rd and the Princes Hwy, in Shellharbour, about an hour and a half outside of Sydney.
CONTACT: (02) 4237 5955.
WEBSITE: www.linksshellcove.com.au
DESIGNER: Scott Murray (2004).
PLAYING SURFACES: Poa Annua greens, Kikuyu fairways.
BUNKERS: 67.
PGA PRO: Richard Jumrukovski.
GREEN FEES: $40 weekdays, $55 weekend, cart included. Nine-hole and post-1pm and 4pm rates also available.
THE CLUB
MEMBERSHIPS: The Links Shell Cove has four classes of membership from full playing to junior. Full playing members also become members of the Links Rewards Club program.
Also currently on offer is the club’s Ultimate Golf Package. This is a 12-month membership deal which also includes a full set of clubs and a lesson from a PGA Pro, in addition to the other member benefits. The cost of the package is $16.95 a week.
The Links Shell Cove also offers a lifestyle membership which is targeted at more casual golfers. Membership benefits includes discounted green fees every day of the week, members’ discounts and official handicap maintenance.
CORPORATE DAYS: The Links Shell Cove has a variety of corporate day packages which includes event co-ordination, course briefings, lunch, drinks cart operation and presentations.
FACILITIES: The course is home to The Links Hotel, a family-friendly establishment which has the award-winning Relish @ The Links restaurant.
AWARDS: Relish @ The Links won the category of best South Coast restaurant in a pub, club or tavern in Restaurant & Catering’s Awards for Excellence.
|
