Golf Australia ranks Australia's Top-100 Public Access Courses for 2017 and there's a new No.1. Check out the list here and see how many you have played.
One of the greatest assets golf has in this country is its accessibility for the masses.
The latest Australian Golf Industry Council figures on participation rates reveal more than two million Australians played at least one round of golf in the 12 months to July 2016. The vast majority of those rounds were played on public accessible courses.
There are hundreds of quality public access courses spread throughout the nation, which not only offer a terrific golf experience but are affordable and fun to play.
At last count there are nearly 1,500 courses spread in Australia with the vast majority of those layouts open to visiting golfers – they are public accessible. By our definition, a public access course is one that sets aside tee-times for visiting golfers for a minimum of four days a week.
This biennial final ranking was compiled during the past two years since our last Top-100 Public Access Courses ranking was published. Golf Australia editors were joined by a team of committed Golf Australia readers who volunteered to present their opinions and insights on courses played during their travels. This involved visiting courses, usually without notice, and noting any changes to the design as well as the presentation of the course. They all paid for their rounds of golf.
Each judge was given a list of voting guidelines and our judging criteria as well as an excerpt of words of wisdom from the great course architect, Dr Alister MacKenzie, they could use as a guide to appraise courses.
“A pleasurable course is synonymous with a good one. No course can give lasting pleasure unless it is a good test of golf. I also submit that no course can be really first rate unless it appeals to all classes of players,” MacKenzie wrote.
With those words, our judges went forth and 189 courses received votes from our judges, which is the largest number of nominated courses in the history of this ranking.
Here, we present the cream of the public access crop, with a selection of new, redesigned and returning courses making their way back into the rank of centurions.
Chances are you won’t agree with our list, and it is true that some very good courses have narrowly missed out. But few could argue against the fact, the layouts showcased here all meet with MacKenzie’s benchmark of being “pleasurable”.
Enjoy your next round.
100. THE SANDHURST CLUB (North course)
Sandhurst, Victoria
2015 RANK: 95
Renovation work on the Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett-designed layout, particularly the bunkering, has bedded in well. The conditioning has improved a lot in recent times.
99. SANDRINGHAM
Cheltenham, Victoria
2015 RANK: N/R
Sandringham makes its debut in this ranking, which some on our panel believe is long overdue. Laid across similar land to its neighbour Royal Melbourne, Sandringham presents a terrific challenge for golfers of all standards right in the heart of the Sandbelt.
www.sandringhamgolfcourse.com.au
98. PALMER GOLD COAST GC
Robina, Queensland
2015 RANK: 73
The course previously known as Robina Woods remains a staple treat for any golfer visiting the Gold Coast with its undulating fairways lined by seemingly endless stands of towering gum trees proving a point of difference with its neighbours.
www.palmergolf.com.au/goldcoast
97. CYPRESS LAKES G&CC
Pokolbin, NSW
2015 RANK: N/R
Two years ago Cypress Lakes received no votes from our judges assembled for the Public Access Courses ranking. But a huge investment by the owner to restore the course to its former glory has seen it surge back into the top-100 after a six-year absence.
96. RIVERSIDE OAKS (Gangurru course)
Cattai, NSW
2015 RANK: 87
Riverside Oaks’ original course has dropped some spots in this ranking but that can be attributed to many of the debutante courses and the elevation of several redesigned layouts ahead of it. Course upgrades in recent years have matured nicely.
95. YERING MEADOWS GC (Homestead course)
Yering, Victoria
2015 RANK: 56
Yering Meadows’ Homestead course, which takes in holes 1 to 9 and 19 to 27, continues to be the pick of the three layouts among our judges. The Homestead design is the most interesting of the three combinations but conditioning continues to be a concern.
94. HORSHAM GC
Horsham, Victoria
2015 RANK: 47
Horsham GC has been going through a tough time since its clubhouse and course were devastated by bushfires in 2009. It won a class action and was able to build a modern clubhouse but its financial position more recently has been a concern. As a result, the condition of the layout is not what it was even two to three years ago.
93. CLUB MANDALAY
Beveridge, Victoria
2015 RANK: N/R
This Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett-designed layout makes its debut in the ranking after opening for play in 2014. The design team have managed to create a links-style layout out of grazing land in what is still predominantly a rural environment on the edge of a new residential development.
92. BYRON BAY GC
Byron Bay, NSW
2015 RANK: 81
The major redesign program undertaken here during the past decade has matured really well and is complimented by consistently good presentation. The opening four holes at Byron are superb and worth the green fee alone.
91. COOLANGATTA & TWEED HEADS GC (West course)
Tweed Heads, NSW
2015 RANK: 87
The well-manicured West course is one of the best value golfing experiences to be had on the Gold Coast. Recent upgrades to the greens and some bunkering have enhanced the popular layout.
90. ROYAL HOBART GC
Seven Mile Beach, Tasmania
2015 RANK: 82
Of all the nation’s clubs that carry the esteemed ‘Royal’ prefix, Royal Hobart prides itself on being the most accessible. The club and course here exude an old-school charm. The Vern Morcom design is not overly long and is full of tree-lined doglegs to pitched greens.
89. DUNTRYLEAGUE GC
Orange, NSW
2015 RANK: N/R
The golfing pride of Orange dropped out of our ranking in 2015 but it has well and truly bounced back to reach its highest-ever mark in this biennial list. This has come on the back of its outstanding year-round presentation.
88. COBRAM-BAROOGA GC (Old course)
Barooga, NSW
2015 RANK: 98
This ‘Old’ Murray River gem slipped to No.98 in 2015 with our judges noting the course had lost some of its polish from years gone by. But renovation work and a higher standard of presentation in recent times has not gone unnoticed.
87. ALICE SPRINGS GC
Alice Springs, Northern Territory
2015 RANK: 89
Has only moved up two spots in the ranking but this climb in the rank will continue while the current program of course improvements continues. The greens are, once again, outstanding and the presentation of the tees and fairways will only get better … so will its rank.
www.alicespringsgolfclub.com.au
86. OCEAN SHORES CC
Ocean Shores, NSW
2015 RANK: 69
Ocean Shores’ dip in the ranking here can really be attributed to the improvement of several other courses in this percentile of the rank rather than any drop off it has experienced. The northern NSW course remains a fun and challenging layout for all golfers.
85. ALBANY GC
Albany, Western Australia
2015 RANK: 74
Dominated by rolling fairways that cross beautiful naturally-occurring sand dunes, Albany is a terrific links layout on WA’s south coast. In fact, some of the most natural links holes in the country can be found here.
84. FLINDERS GC
Flinders, Victoria
2015 RANK: 85
A favourite of regular golfers, and once-a -year holiday hackers alike, Flinders lies at the southern-most tip of the Mornington Peninsula. It’s been there for more than a century is exposed to the wind, making it a fun place to play anytime.
83. NORTH LAKES RESORT GC
North Lakes, Queensland
2015 RANK: 72
Graham Marsh’s 6,455-metre design is a strong test for the good amateur and professional. But it doesn’t overawe part-timers or beginners playing from the forward tees because of the wide fairways and large Tifeagle putting surfaces.
82. GROWLING FROG
Yan Yean, Victoria
2015 RANK: 70
Another of Graham Marsh’s solo designs, with his trademark wide fairways, multiple tees and large undulating greens. Laid in a wonderful rural setting north of Melbourne, Growling Frog’s drop here is the victim of the sharp rise of several courses ahead of it.
www.growlingfroggolfcourse.com.au
81. MOLLYMOOK GC (Hilltop course)
Mollymook, NSW
2015 RANK: 99
Mollymook is a bushland beauty with cathedral-like stands of gum trees lining nearly every fairway of the undulating layout. Its big rise here comes on the back of its much-improved conditioning and the fine result of a recent bunker upgrade program.
80. BRIBIE ISLAND GC
Bribie Island, Queensland
2015 RANK: N/R
Bribie Island’s original layout slipped out of this biennial list in 2015 but it has surged back to its highest ranking in eight years. The Melbourne Sandbelt-style bunkering and sandy rough lies on many holes add to the quality of a round here.
79. MURWILLUMBAH GC
Murwillumbah, NSW
2015 RANK: 90
Murwillumbah made its debut in this rank in 2015 and continues to impress our judges. Our judges singled out the setting, with views of Mt Warning, the interesting and challenging design as well as the high standard of its playing surfaces as worthy of note.
www.murwillumbahgolfclub.com.au
78. THE VINES RESORT & CC (Ellenbrook course)
Swan Valley, Western Australia
2015 RANK: 64
Ellenbrook features wides fairways, expansive bunkering and huge greens, which should make it an enjoyable and challenging offering. But most of our judges felt some aspects of its presentation need to improve.
77. YARRAWONGA MULWALA GC RESORT (Lakes course)
Mulwala, NSW
2015 RANK: 92
The Lakes course jumped into our ranking in 2015 and has improved 15 places on its debut appearance. All of our judges who voted for the layout enjoyed the design and were impressed with the conditioning of the layout.
76. COOLANGATTA & TWEED HEADS GC (River course)
Tweed Heads, NSW
2015 RANK: 78
Like its neighbouring West course, recent greens and bunker upgrades have added to the likeability of this layout, which is arguably more interesting, in terms of design, than the adjoining West.
75. EASTLAKE GC
Kingsford, NSW
2015 RANK: 80
Arguably one of Sydney’s most underrated courses, Eastlake has been inching its way higher in this list for several years now. Judges noted the course has never looked better and they like some of the design tweaks to the layout.
74. INDOOROOPILLY GC (East course)
Indooroopilly, Queensland
2015 RANK: 66
There are four loops of nine holes on offer at Indooroopilly and our judges thought the East course was the best combination (aside from the West course which didn’t qualify under our public access criteria). The East course holes cover terrific rolling terrain and offer simple green sites on some very challenging holes.
73. BALLARAT GC
Ballarat, Victoria
2015 RANK: 63
The Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett’s design has been in the ground now for eight years and the playing surfaces have matured beautifully. Our judges made particular note of the high quality of the bentgrass putting surfaces.
72. WATERFORD VALLEY
Knoxville, Victoria
2015 RANK: 60
The easy-walking Santa Ana couch grass fairways at Waterford Valley are punctuated by more than 60 bunkers. The design also incorporates 11 lakes and wetland areas throughout, which add to the enjoyment of a round just 30 minutes east of Melbourne’s CBD.
71. ROSEBUD CC (North course)
Rosebud, Victoria
2015 RANK: 66
The North course sits on gently undulating sandy soil and rewards solid ball-striking, as well as good touch around the greens. The more favoured layout among the regulars at Rosebud, the North boasts a terrific set of par-3 holes.
70. BELMONT GC
Belmont, NSW
2015 RANK: 79
The rise of Belmont continues after it moved up 10 spots in 2015 and now another nine places in the past two years. Much of this can be attributed to extensive redesign work particularly on the 14th, 15th and 16th holes.
69. RACV ROYAL PINES RESORT (Blue/Gold course)
Ashmore, NSW
2015 RANK: 68
Royal Pines now boasts all 27 holes designed by Graham Marsh, with the Blue – that covers more undulating land separate from the main property – and Gold nine combination judged highly by our judges for the improved design and presentation.
68. EAGLE RIDGE GC
Boneo, Victoria
2015 RANK: 61
This popular Mornington Peninsula layout was sold last year and the new owners have certainly invested in the layout, which has improved its presentation markedly from late 2015 and throughout 2016.
67. MONA VALE GC
Mona Vale, NSW
2015 RANK: N/R
Mona Vale has surged back into our Top-100 after narrowly missing a spot on the list in 2015. It achieves its highest-ever rank here based on the unprecedented standard of its presentation during the past two years. The next two years will see even more improvement with several greens being replaced.
66. NOOSA SPRINGS RESORT
Noosa Heads, Queensland
2015 RANK: 57
Noosa Springs is perhaps the idyllic resort course in that it offers an enjoyable golfing escape in beautiful surrounds, while the challenge is not brutal. That said, good strategy and correct club selection are of the utmost importance here.
65. LEONGATHA GC
Leongatha South, Victoria
2015 RANK: 83
The rise of this Vern Morcom design continues as more of our judges find their way to Gippsland to discover its quality. Judges loved the terrain, the quality of the fairways and greens and the variety of holes.
64. RACV CAPE SCHANCK RESORT
Cape Schanck, Victoria
2015 RANK: 52
All our judges couldn’t fault the condition of this Robert Trent Jones Jnr design, which covers dramatic land on the Mornington Peninsula. Several judges noted the ongoing major development of the resort has detracted from the playing experience and once the construction is compete the course will rank higher again.
63. PARADISE PALMS
Kewarra Beach, Queensland
2015 RANK: 76
In 2015, Paradise Palms dropped 22 places in this ranking and seemed destined to perhaps miss out this year. But new owners and management have invested heavily in the layout. A redesign of several holes has slipped easily into the mix but it is the higher standard of presentation that had our judges enthused.
62. THE SANDHURST CLUB (Champions course)
Sandhurst, Victoria
2015 RANK: 51
Sandhurst’s developer recently handed over the club to the members and during the transition Programmed Turnpoint was hired to improve the playing surfaces and oversee renovation of the bunkers. This can only help both Sandhurst layouts rise in the ranking in two years time.
61. PALM MEADOWS
Carrara, Queensland
2015 RANK: 65
Another course in this ranking that has improved its position for the second consecutive time. The iconic Gold Coast layout continues its rise due to a higher standard of presentation, which includes remodeled and renovated bunkering throughout.
60. PALMER SEA REEF
Port Douglas, Queensland
2015 RANK: 39
Not much has changed at Sea Reef since the 2015 edition of our ranking but there has been plenty of movement in the positions around it in the list. Judges like the layout and conditioning, although some noted the bunkering might soon need renovating.
59. TASMANIA GC
Sorell, Tasmania
2015 RANK: 55
Tasmania ranks as one of Al Howard’s finest designs. Set on the bluffs above Barilla Bay, the views are terrific and the course enjoyable, while the condition – right across the layout – is consistently good.
58. LINKS LADY BAY
Normanville, South Australia
2015 RANK: 43
Located along the route of the coastal getaways south of Adelaide, Links Lady Bay is one of the standout courses of South Australia. Possesses all qualities that live up to the name of links, with firm and fast playing surfaces, wide fairways and variety in the routing.
57. BLACK BULL GC
Yarrawonga, Victoria
2015 RANK: N/R
The Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett-designed Black Bull makes its debut in this ranking after the full 18 holes opened for play in May 2015. The layout covers superb rolling terrain and its ‘Bull Ring’ holes are memorable for the challenge they present.
56. SECRET HARBOUR LINKS
Secret Harbour, Western Australia
2015 RANK: 50
Secret Harbour offers a traditional links course experience where the wind is a constant. Graham Marsh ensured this layout would be fair and challenging for players of all abilities in all sorts of conditions.
55. YARRAWONGA MULWALA GC RESORT (Murray course)
Mulwala, NSW
2015 RANK: 59
The Murray course was inundated by floodwater earlier this year, but is slowly returning to top condition. Most of our judges marked the Murray layout on its pre-flood presentation and were enthused by the conditioning and the recent tweaks to the design.
54. WARRNAMBOOL GC
Warrnambool, Victoria
2015 RANK: 71
One of the biggest movers in this ranking for 2017. The clearing of coastal scrub from several front nine holes (pictured right) and the remodelling of a few greens are just part of the overall enhancement of a round at Warrnambool. Several judges noted the course was in the best shape that had ever seen it.
53. PALMER COOLUM RESORT
Coolum, Queensland
2015 RANK: 54
While the resort accommodation remains closed, rest assured the course remains open and the quality of its presentation is better than it was prior to the 2015 ranking. Several judges noted the greens were without fault.
52. MURRAY DOWNS G&CC
Swan Hill, Victoria
2015 RANK: 58
Murray Downs rises again in the ranking for the second time in four years. But outstanding presentation across the layout, particularly the putting surfaces, has assured it remains the No.1 course to be found along the Murray River.
51. JOONDALUP RESORT & CC (Dune/Lake course)
Joondalup, Western Australia
2015 RANK: 49
The Dune and Lake layout is often overlooked for mention when golfers talk of Joondalup, but it always offers a memorable experience with some visually exciting holes and first-class playing surfaces.
50. CAPRICORN RESORT
Yeppoon, Queensland
2015 RANK: 34
From the back markers, Karl Litten’s creation at Capricorn is one of the longest and, potentially one of the toughest, layouts in Queensland. That said, the forward markers offer an equally challenging but enjoyable experience for the average player.
www.capricornresortgolf.com.au
49. THE COAST GC
Little Bay, NSW
2015 RANK: 44
Sitting high on the cliffs above Little Bay, The Coast boasts a mix of simple holes, some real head-scratchers and some exhilarating golf. The oceanside terrain has provided the platform to create some memorable holes.
48. KOOINDAH WATERS RESORT
Wyong, NSW
2015 RANK: 46
Raised out of an unremarkable site, designers Ross Watson and Craig Parry produced an impressive-looking course with great strategic value. The conditioning rarely waivers away from its high standard.
47. RANFURLIE GC
Cranbourne, Victoria
2015 RANK: 38
Ranfurlie is a thought provoking design with wide fairways and angled greens. Its slight drop in the ranking here comes on the back of several judges feeling the conditioning didn’t compare with where it was prior to the 2015 ranking.
46. FEDERAL GC
Red Hill, ACT
2015 RANK: 48
Federal has cemented its place in the 40s of this ranking after debuting at No.42 in 2013. The beautiful layout bounces back up two spots as a result of superb conditioning, with one judge noting the bentgrass greens “arguably the best in Canberra.”
45. SUN CITY CC
Yanchep, Western Australia
2015 RANK: 75
The most improved course of any layout that appeared in this ranking in 2015. The redesign by OCCM (Ogilvy, Clayton, Cocking and Mead) has further enhanced this superb course during the past two years. With more holes coming into play during the past 18 months, Sun City has never been better.
44. SANCTUARY COVE (Palms course)
Sanctuary Cove, Queensland
2015 RANK: 36
Nearly six years on from opening after a massive redesign by Ross Watson, the Palms course is proving more popular than ever. Its dip in the rank here can really only attributed to the movements and debutant courses above it in the list. As one judge noted … the Palms “has become a consistent mainstay of Gold Coast golf.”
www.sanctuarycovegolfclub.com.au
43. KALGOORLIE GC
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
2015 RANK: 40
Rugged, sandy outback terrain are the foundations of this well-manicured course, which is home to the West Australian PGA Championship. The Graham Marsh design might be the longest in the nation from the tips, but it remains playable to all from a variety of forward tees.
www.ckb.wa.gov.au/Kalgoorlie-Golf-Course
42. CURLEWIS GC
Curlewis, Victoria
2015 RANK: 53
This Bellarine Peninsula layout continues to rise in this rank, which goes hand in hand with the subtle tweaking of its design, the presentation and the overall golfing experience. There are more alterations to come, which the judges are really looking forward to.
41. SETTLERS RUN G&CC
Botanic Ridge, Victoria
2015 RANK: 45
Debuted in this ranking in 2015 and has improved on that No.45 spot when most courses between No.20 and 50 are trending slightly down. The overall presentation of the Greg Norman and Harley Kruse-designed layout has lifted during the past two years.
40. SORRENTO GC
Sorrento, Victoria
2015 RANK: 33
We wouldn’t read too much in the dip in this rank from its 2015 position. Sorrento remains a must for any golfer travelling to the Mornington Peninsula, with hints of some of the great Sandbelt courses closer to Melbourne.
39. TWIN WATERS GC
Twin Waters, Queensland
2015 RANK: 42
This mainstay of Sunshine Coast golf has now climbed eight spots in this ranking during the past four years. Presentation is consistently good, while the generous fairways disguise the tee-to-green challenge.
38. RACV ROYAL PINES RESORT (Green/Gold course)
Ashmore, Queensland
2015 RANK: N/R
The Graham Marsh-redesigned layout that is home to the Australian PGA Championship impressed most of our judges, who all commented that it was a significant improvement on the previous layout, particularly the green sites and bunkering.
37. EYNESBURY GC
Eynesbury, Victoria
2015 RANK: 35
This lengthy creation from Graham Marsh is a solid design on what was a windswept and barren site, not ideally suited to golf. The course boasts many thoughtfully designed and skillfully constructed green sites, which keeps Eynesbury on the top-half of this ranking.
36. ST MICHAEL’S GC
Little Bay, NSW
2015 RANK: 29
Having risen eight spots to No.29 in 2015, St Michael’s has slipped back on some of that ground but you can be assured they will rise again. It remains one of the best public accessible layouts in Sydney.
35. RIVERSIDE OAKS (Bungool course)
Cattai, NSW
2015 RANK: 41
Has now been opened for a little over two years and has matured beautifully. The Bob Harrison design received plenty of positive comments from judges, particularly in regard to the strategy required to score well here.
34. THE VINES RESORT & CC (Lakes course)
Swan Valley, Western Australia
2015 RANK: 26
The message from our judges was fairly unanimous here. They still like the design of the Lakes layout – good variety of holes and interesting green sites – but the overall presentation is not up to the same standard as glory years gone by.
33. LONG REEF GC
Collaroy, NSW
2015 RANK: 31
Located on a spectacular, sloping headland with water views on three sides, the course sweeps up and down the hill with wind dictating what you will shoot on the day. This is a solid test in a great location on well-manicured playing surfaces.
32. JOONDALUP RESORT & CC (Quarry/Lake course)
Joondalup, Western Australia
2015 RANK: 32
The Quarry/Lake maintains its spot at No.32 and as the second best of the Joondalup combinations. The Lake nine offers a slightly less dramatic, but no less enjoyable, complement to the Quarry nine.
31. SANCTUARY LAKES CLUB
Point Cook, Victoria
2015 RANK: 37
The Greg Norman and Bob Harrison-designed layout made its debut in this list two years ago not long after the members took control of the club from the original developer. The course has been on a steady climb of improvement ever since.
30. THE GLADES
Robina, Queensland
2015 RANK: 23
There seems to be generous width with this Greg Norman and Bob Harrison design but, if you’re on the wrong side of the fairway, approach shots can be really tough. A program of bunker renovations have been completed and will see the layout rise again.
29. NAROOMA GC
Narooma, NSW
2015 RANK: 28
Narooma’s oceanside location gives rise to some memorable holes, but the dramatic terrain of the inland holes is also home to fantastic holes, which adds to the overall quality. It’s not surprising to find this ‘country’ course so high in the ranking.
28. PACIFIC HARBOUR GC
Bribie Island, Queensland
2015 RANK: 22
This is a layout many will need a long time to master but they will always find the journey enjoyable. There are plenty of standout holes but the set of par-3s are particularly good. In better shape since re-joining the Troon Golf stable.
27. LAKELANDS GC
Merrimac, Queensland
2015 RANK: 24
The high-standard of presentation at Lakelands has been a trademark aspect of the layout since it opened 20 years ago, some would say it’s the best on the Gold Coast. The Jack Nicklaus design is also challenging but fair for all players.
26. PACIFIC DUNES GC
Medowie, NSW
2015 RANK: 27
Inches up one spot on its 2015 rank. Our judges really like the James Wilcher design, particularly the variety of the two-shot holes. The consistency of its well-manicured presentation was also noted by several judges.
25. PORT FAIRY GL
Port Fairy, Victoria
2015 RANK: 30
One of Australia’s few true links courses just keeps getting better, with additional bunkering and the remodeling of some greens making a round here memorable across all 18 holes, rather than just the ocean side holes. The condition of the layout has also been ramped up a notch.
24. THIRTEENTH BEACH (Creek course)
Barwon Heads, Victoria
2015 RANK: 25
Often over-shadowed by its higher-ranked neighbour, the Creek course is enjoyable and always well-presented. Routed further from the surf, and over some flatter terrain, the layout still retains a links-like feel.
23. MOONAH LINKS (Open course)
Fingal, Victoria
2015 RANK: 19
Originally conceived as the home of the Australian Open, Peter Thomson designed a course tough enough to identify a national champion. Too stern, perhaps, for the club player, but the Open course is an elite experience in many other respects.
22. STONECUTTERS RIDGE
Colebee, NSW
2015 RANK: 17
The home of the NSW Open, had an unexpected rise of nine spots in the 2015 public access course ranking. It has slipped back five places but it remains a superb layout – challenging for all and well-manicured year round.
21. PELICAN WATERS GC
Golden Beach, Queensland
2015 RANK: 16
Pelican Waters has established itself as one of Queensland’s best public access layouts. It has been cemented in the top-quarter of this ranking since its expansion to 100 courses. The Greg Norman and Bob Harrison design has gained a reputation as a well-presented, risk-reward layout.
20. MEADOW SPRINGS GC
Meadow Springs, Western Australia
2015 RANK: 20
Meadow Springs’ continual high standard of presentation in combination with Robert Trent Jones Jnr’s simple, but very effective design, continues to be heralded with a spot high spot on this list. Several judges noted the redesigned 16th hole has easily mixed in with the rest of the layout.
19. THE VINTAGE
Pokolbin, NSW
2015 RANK: 21
Another Greg Norman and Bob Harrison course entrenched in the top-half of this ranking. Several of our judges rated The Vintage higher than they have before based on its overall presentation being superior to their previous visits.
18. PORTSEA GC
Portsea, Victoria
2015 RANK: 14
Compact in space, yet filled with elevation changes across the layout, Portsea puts a premium on clever shot-making with its collection of short par-4s and superb par-3s. It scored as many votes finishing in No.18 spot this year as it did two years ago as No.14.
17. LINKS HOPE ISLAND
Hope Island, Queensland
2015 RANK: 18
Rarely does a golfer visiting the Gold Coast not include the iconic Links Hope Island in their playing itinerary. The Peter Thomson and Mike Wolveridge design according to our judges as not looked as good in a long time.
16. THE CUT
Port Bouvard, Western Australia
2015 RANK: 13
James Wilcher’s creation is a layout of two distinct nines with the inward half being described by some as the best nine holes in Australia. The ever-changing wind direction here ensures The Cut provides a new challenge with every round.
15. HAMILTON ISLAND GC
Dent Island, Queensland
2015 RANK: 11
Hamilton Island features many holes laid out along ridges or across steep valleys between tees and greens that provide breathtaking views of the Whitsunday Passage. The stunning 360 degree views can distract from appreciating the high quality of the course.
www.hamiltonislandgolfclub.com.au
14. BROOKWATER GC
Brookwater, Queensland
2015 RANK: 11
Brookwater has managed not to slip too much in the rank despite undergoing a major renovation during the past nine months. This work will certainly see the Greg Norman and Bob Harrison design to regain a higher rank.
13. MOONAH LINKS (Legends course)
Fingal, Victoria
2015 RANK: 15
Golf is meant to be fun and the stunning dunescape, combined with a collection of well-designed and playable holes, make the Legends course very enjoyable.
The Ross Perrett design, combined with beautiful playing surfaces, make the Legends course a mainstay within the top echelon of public access courses in this country.
12. NEWCASTLE GC
Stockton, NSW
2015 RANK: 9
Newcastle has slipped out of the top-10 but this can be attributed to other courses entering the rank in front of it. Newcastle remains one of the best presented and enjoyable courses to play in the country. It will be interesting to see what effect some new holes will have on the course when they are completed.
11. THE DUNES GL
Rye, Victoria
2015 RANK: 8
The Dunes has suffered a similar fate to Newcastle in dropping out of the top-10 but it does not reflect any change to the high quality of the layout but is the result of two newcomers at the pointy end of the list. The Dunes remains one of this country’s great golfing experiences.
10. JOONDALUP RESORT & CC (Quarry/Dune course)
Joondalup, Western Australia
2015 RANK: 5
The Quarry/Dunes layout (pictured right) is one of Australia’s most dramatic inland layouts, with most of its holes being routed around, through or over an abandoned limestone quarry. The course offers the ‘wow’ factor in spades from its creative design to the consistently good presentation of its playing surfaces.
9. BONVILLE GOLF RESORT
Bonville, NSW
2015 RANK: 10
Bonville keeps inching its way north in this ranking, having moved up one spot from 2013 to 2015 and climbing up one more spot this year. Each voting judge came away from Bonville wanting to return as soon as possible, enthused by the overall golfing experience.
8. THIRTEENTH BEACH (Beach course)
Barwon Heads, Victoria
2015 RANK: 6
The Beach course is 15 years young but it fits in so well with the surrounding dunes that it would be easy to assume it has been in the ground for decades. This can be attributed to Tony Cashmore’s terrific design, which is complemented by all-round first-class conditioning.
7. LINKS KENNEDY BAY
Port Kennedy, Western Australia
2015 RANK: 3
With its undulating greens, penal pot bunkers and the rippling fairways wedged between vast tracts of native vegetation, Kennedy Bay remains among the elite courses in the country, and the No.1 public access layout in Western Australia.
6. BARWON HEADS GC
Barwon Heads, Victoria
2015 RANK: 7
Swimming strong against the flow here by moving up one spot when several in the top-10 have been forced down a few spots. Recently completed redesign work on the back nine by Neil Crafter and Paul Mogford has enhanced the overall experience of a round here.
5. ST ANDREWS BEACH
Fingal, Victoria
2015 RANK: 4
Designed by Tom Doak, the superb golfing terrain has given rise to generous fairways and spectacular green complexes. Under the current management team, the layout’s presentation has been consistently very good. As one judge noted: “There are no bad days on the course at St Andrews Beach.”
4. OCEAN DUNES
King Island, Tasmania
2015 RANK: N/R
Having had all 18 holes opened for play just a few months back, Ocean Dunes enters our public access ranking for the first time. The Graeme Grant design covers dramatic seaside terrain with one memorable hole after another. The playing surfaces are also first class.
3. BARNBOUGLE LOST FARM
Bridport, Tasmania
2015 RANK: 2
Moves down one place in this rank for the first time since debuting at No.2 in 2011. Bill Coore’s routing hugs the sea where possible but it also takes advantage of the fine golfing landscape found just inland from the beach. This has resulted in a layout that plays to all points of the compass and, with the ever-present wind, makes for a wonderful variety of shots during the course of a round.
2. BARNBOUGLE DUNES
Bridport, Tasmania
2015 RANK: 1
The course that put Tasmania on the global golfing map has been knocked out of its No.1 spot for the first time since making its debut in this list 12 years ago. Its rank might have changed but the highly-acclaimed layout remains one of this country’s great golf experiences. Working with genuine linksland, architects Tom Doak and Mike Clayton created a layout that embodies the principles of minimalist design – wide, windswept and natural-looking, it evokes the public links upon which the game was founded.
1. CAPE WICKHAM
King Island, Tasmania
2015 RANK: N/R
Not since 2005 has a course debuted in this ranking at No.1. Cape Wickham has emulated Barnbougle Dunes’ feat by displacing at the top of the list. It has been 14 months since the King Island layout officially opened for play and the accolades for the Mike DeVries and Darius Oliver design have been widespread and glowing. The jaw-dropping oceanside location provided the blank canvas for a playable and spectacular course that already ranks among the best in the world. If you haven’t played Cape Wickham, our judges suggest you put it on your ‘to-do’ list as soon as possible.
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