AUSTRALIAN CLUB OF THE MONTH
CROMER GC
REVIEWED BY: BRENDAN JAMES

From inauspicious beginnings nearly 80 years ago, Cromer Golf Club has developed into one of Sydne'ys finest tests of golf.

At no stage in the history of Australian golf have more clubs undertaken major remodelling project than has been the case in recent years.

Fuelling this change has been the almost decade long real estate boom sweeping the country. Many clubs, particularly those in capital cities, have seen the opportunity to bank millions of dollars, upgrade their layout and cover rising costs by selling off land they own on or just off the course proper.
Cromer Golf Club, nestled in a small valley on Sydney’s northern beaches, has just finished a complete 18-hole makeover, almost entirely financed by the sale of adjoining land for housing almost a decade ago.

The club, which struggled through financial strife before the original course was even built in the late 1920s, can attribute the latest changes – in no small part – to legendary NSW golfer and course designer, Eric Apperly.

The 15th hole may look idyllic, but swirling breezes across Narrabeen Lake make correct club selection tough.

It was Apperly, designer of the acclaimed Newcastle course, who suggested the club purchase more land next to the original course when he was commissioned to rebuild the layout after World War II.

While some of Apperly’s holes covered the new land, most of it sat idle and was eventually sold off to residential developers in 1990.

The decision to rebuild the course again was finalised in 2002 and Sydney-based designer James Wilcher (who in recent times has also created Pacifi c Dunes in NSW as well as The Cut, Port Bouvard in Western Australia) was commissioned to put together a masterplan.

Wilcher's dynamic bunkering has breathed new life into the course.

Having played the ‘Apperly’ design many times over the years, I found that Cromer had only three or four really memorable holes. The overwhelming memory I have from those years of playing the Bowl and pennant matches at Cromer, was breaking my back dragging a golf buggy along Cromer’s lush kikuyu fairways.

In my opinion, Wilcher has managed to create a far more memorable, challenging and enjoyable golf course without moving heaven and earth. Perhaps the two most notable changes, apart from the new holes, is the uncovering of a creek that runs through the layout and the conversion of all fairways to Couch grass.

The latter has its obvious benefi ts, but utilising the creek – which had been previously piped under the course – has not only created some appealing looking holes, but it has given the course some added bite.

Cromer's greens were also rebuilt to offer a greater challenge.

Also adding to the challenge are more than 60 bunkers that now feature across the layout. Wilcher’s bunkering is dynamic in shape and size, with the best examples found on the final approach to the 10th green and along the right side of the 11th fairway.

Cromer’s new Bent grass greens have been beautifully shaped and are generally big enough to offer a wide variety of pin positions. And as you might imagine at a private club, the presentation of the putting surfaces is first class. Wilcher has drawn inspiration from some more famous layouts for part of his design. The final approach to the par-5 3rd hole, which is over a creek to a green bunkered front and back, has a definite feel of the back nine at Augusta National.

When you have putted out you then walk back across the creek to the 4th tee. The area surrounding the tee is open and eerily similar to the teeing area of Augusta’s famous ‘Golden Bell’ 12th hole. The same can be said for the hole itself, which is a 135-metre slightly downhill par-3 where the tee shot must carry a creek to find the green that features two bunkers through the back.

But it is Wilcher’s use of the sometimes steep topography that impresses. There are three elevated tee shots to be played during a round but none are more spectacular than the one on the 423-metre par-14th. With the fairway at least 50 metres below your position on the tee, you feel like you’re in the clouds as you smack your ball for what seems like an eternity before it lands ... hopefully not in the thick tree lines left and right of the fairway.

The following hole is also worth noting. The 170-metre par-3 15th sits on the southern shore of the huge Narrabeen Lake and is widely regarded as one of the toughest par-3s in Sydney simply because of the influence wind plays in club selection and the relatively small target.

Cromer is a private club but all categories of membership are currently open. Memberships for men are $2,450 per year (which includes a $400 house card) with a $7,000 joining fee, while ladies can join for $1,800 per annum with a $2,500 joining fee.

Interstate and overseas golfers are welcome as visitors by prior arrangement with the club’s general manager. Cromer’s greens were also rebuilt to offer a greater challenge.
Wilcher’s dynamic bunkering has breathed new life into the course.

FACT FILE
LENGTH: 6,065 metres (member’s tees), 5,321 metres (ladies). PAR: 70 (members); 72 (ladies). ACR/ACWR: 72/73
DESIGNER: Eric Apperly (1947), James Wilcher (2006).
GREEN FEE: On application for member’s guests, overseas and interstate visitors.
ADDRESS: Cromer Rd, Cromer, NSW, 2099.
PHONE: (02) 9982 3088.
WEBSITE: www.cromergolfclub.com.au
HOW TO GET THERE: Head north over the Harbour Bridge and follow signs to Manly via The Spit bridge. At Sydney Rd, go straight ahead and follow Pittwater Rd to Dee Why before turning left into South Creek Rd, then follow the signs.

From the October 2006 issue of Golf Australia