North Lakes Resort GC

I’m not usually one to dish out advice among these pages but here is a tip you can bank on: Never play poker with a good golf course designer. He will no doubt deceive you into thinking he’s holding more than he really is nearly everytime.

Mind you I’ve never sat around a felt table smoking cigars and drinking short rums over ice with any of the game’s best course architects. But I suspect if they play cards the way they design golf courses deception would be the order of the day.



Dr Alister Mackenzie’s designs always have an element of deception where you are forced to second guess your judgement for a distance or hit well away from a hazard only to find the safest line was skirting the trouble. In recent times, the likes of Greg Norman/Bob Harrison, Peter Thomson, Tom Doak and a host of other American designers have set out to trick players on some holes of their designs.

Having played all Graham Marsh’s Australian designs, he, too, can be added to the list of people I never want to play poker with. The Vines (completed 27 of the 36 holes with former partner Ross Watson) and Secret Harbour in Western Australia, Horizons Resort and Terrey Hills G&CC in NSW and the recently opened Growling Frog GC, just north of Melbourne, are all quality layouts. But the rising star from the Marsh design team is North Lakes Resort Golf Club, about 35 minutes’ drive north of Brisbane.

North Lakes opened in 2003 and was specifically designed to cater to all golfing standards. Measuring 6,455 metres from the back tips, this par-72 is a strong test for the good amateur or professional while it remains fun and enjoyable for part-time players or beginners from the forward tees.

FACT FILE:
Web:      www.northlakesgolfclub.com.au
Phone:   +61 7 3480 9200
Fax:       +61 7 3480 9211
Address: Bridgeport Dve, North Lakes, Mango Hill, QLD, 4509
Postal Address: PO Box 155, Mango Hill Qld 4509
Email: northlakesgolfclub@ourclub.com


Please see the April 2005 issue of Golf Australia magazine for the rest of this review. Order your copy at www.mymagazines.com.au