The Murray River is Australia’s longest river, meandering more than 2,500 kilometres west from the Australian Alps. And as you could imagine, such a large area provides an enormous number of varied activities to take part in along the famous watercourse.
Beyond water-based activities on offer along the Victorian and New South Wales border, golf is one of the area’s chief attractions. The vast number of courses present a great variation from town to town, while dozens of wineries offer a perfect accompaniment to any trip.
Having long heard positive stories from every type of travelling golfer from boys’ trips playing 36 holes a day to couples dropping in for the odd hit on a more leisurely pace, I was eagerly looking forward to my own first trip playing the Murray courses from Swan Hill all the way to Albury.
MURRAY DOWNS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
If you are making your trip down the Murray from the eastern seaboard towards the South Australian border, Swan Hill and Murray Downs is a long way to go. But from firsthand experience, the extra few kilometres is certainly worth it.
Designed by Ted and Geoff Parslow, Murray Downs officially opened for play in 1991 and is now ranked the No.1 course on the Murray after reaching No.46 in Golf Australia’s Top-100 Public Access Courses list earlier this year.
The presentation of the par-72 is outstanding, even during the extreme temperatures of the harsh summer months, with wide, pristine fairways welcoming any level of player, while the course’s large, tiered greens and bunkering force the more talented player to think before hitting.
As to be expected at all courses on the Murray, Red River Gums make up part of the scenery at Murray Downs, but the width of the fairways means the trees don’t play a significant role in narrowing the playing lines.
“Although the 5th hole is unquestionably Murray Downs’ signature hole, two of its closing stretch holes are some of my favourites.”
No mention of Murray Downs is complete without touching on the par-3 5th hole that both dazzles the eye and inflicts nightmares. It is 194 metres from the plates and is played entirely across water. Bunkers help protect the green, which like so many on the course, features heavy undulations. In keeping with the rest of the layout though, there is plenty of room short and left for the shorter hitter or timid player to layup and attempt to get up and down for a three.
Although the 5th hole is unquestionably Murray Downs’ signature hole, two of its closing stretch holes are some of my favourites.
The par-5 16th features water down the left from the tee and at 472 metres from the tips is reachable for many and a realistic birdie chance.
Played slightly downhill, the 17th is the second- hardest hole on the course despite being a par-4 of just 376 metres. Bunkers populate the fairway where most will try to hit their tee shot. If you manage to safely navigate those, then a short approach to a green with water right and long as well as four bunkers tests your mettle with a good score or match on the line.
RIGHT: cluBarham Golf & Sports. PHOTO: Brendan James.
CLUBARHAM GOLF & SPORTS
cluBarham is something of a hidden gem for many travelling golfers journeying along the Murray, despite having some holes designed by the acclaimed Ross Watson and being the host course of the longest running two-day pro-am in Australia.
However, speak to experienced Murray visitors and many will tell you they always make a spot on the itinerary for the par-73.
Barham’s stronger holes are on its front side, which opens with an outstanding downhill par-4 that will test players who have hopped out of the car after making the trip from their previous course or lodgings hoping for an easy start.
Measuring 352 metres, the opening hole has two bunkers on the left side that will have many pulling less than driver to find the tight fairway. But the second shot is where the second-hardest hole on the course shows its teeth.
A hazard left and bunker in front of a green set horizontally to the fairway doesn’t look appealing, and standing in the fairway with potentially a mid-iron after hitting less than driver will add to the nerves.
“cluBarham is something of a hidden gem for many travelling golfers journeying along the Murray …”
The next three holes will test all the different parts of your game from long hitting at the par-5 2nd, accuracy at the par-3 3rd to strategy at the par-4 4th. But the run of holes is just a precursor to the club’s famous par-4 5th hole known as ‘Gallipoli’.
There is a story relating to a local armoury that may have helped the naming of the hole, but while I was unable to find someone with an exact memory of the reason for the moniker I left town with the hole burnt in my memory.
Almost perfectly straight, the hardest hole on the course requires an accurate strike from the tee, with dense tree lines down both sides forcing a punch-out back into the fairway for any errant drive. The approach however, is where the hole becomes one you won’t soon forget.
An enormous boomerang shaped bunker is cut out of a significant hill, which the green sits atop. The visual is enough to scare most golfers, the very real prospect of finding the sand causing more than a fair share of players to take too much club and miss long and right of the crowned green.
Find the giant trap and you are not only faced with the lip but an extra 10 or so metres of
closely-mown grass to actually reach the putting surface. There won’t be many birdies at the 5th, but nearly every group will walk away with a story.
RICH RIVER GOLF CLUB
A constant destination for travelling golfers, Rich River’s 36 holes located in Moama – on the NSW side of the Murray north of Echuca – is the closest big-river layout to Melbourne.
The two 18-hole loops, East and West, measure almost identical total distances of just a tick over 6,000 metres from the back tees. But it is typically the East that rates higher among golfers.
The club has recently announced a $6.4million investment into the golf facilities to reenergise the well-known property and attend to some much-needed maintenance requirements.
The design firm Thomson Perrett Golf has been engaged by the club, with one of the stated aims to re-enter the Top-100 Public Access Courses ranking.
A new state-of-the-art irrigation system will replace the existing system across both courses that has been in place for nearly 40 years, while the creation of a spare 37th hole will minimise disruption during the works.
To further enhance the existing golf holes on the property, the fairways and landing areas will be expanded as part of the works and the total number of bunkers will be reduced from 123 to below 80, with the bunkering changed from the existing pot style to better suit the land and course.
The combination of the changes to both courses is expected to bring more risk and reward strategy to Rich River and make it playable for all levels of golfers.
Although the club’s plans are grand and will surely deliver an improved offering at Rich River, the existing holes certainly offer a great experience.
The East Course is characterised by large, sloping putting surfaces that place a premium on finding the same level as the flag. The combination of large greens and mounded surrounds leaves the best short game option in to take as purely a matter of preference in most cases.
During the summer months, the fairways run firm and fast, but being longer isn’t always best on the East, where running through the fairways into the tree lines almost always requires pitching out back to the short grass.
The East Course’s closing four holes are the standout and present a genuine chance at four birdies if your game is on. The dogleg left par-4 15th isn’t long, but water runs down the entire left side of the two-shot hole that features a horizontal green set above the fairway.
Next comes an awkward short par-3 that tests players’ judgement of wind regularly, and will require a close approach for a birdie try on the large green ... Before the penultimate hole, which is undoubtedly what the club is hoping to capture more of in the redesign, with the 346-metre hole a classic risk/reward par-4.
Some days, driver will get up to green high right on the hole that bends left around water up the left and some will even be tempted to produce their Sunday best and take on a line over the drink directly for the green.
Closing the East is the hardest hole on the course, the 532 metre par-5 18th a genuine three-shot hole for most players.
The 18 holes of the West Course are more up and down, and even though the tee shots feel a little more claustrophobic, fewer bunkers guard the greens on the West. The playing surfaces are impressive and there are more bunkers that fit the land on the slightly shorter of Rich River’s layouts.
TOCUMWAL GOLF & BOWLS CLUB
Another of the Murray’s big 36-hole facilities, Tocumwal Golf & Bowls Club contains the older Presidents Course and Captains Course. The two layouts offer varying styles from one another like many of the other multi course facilities in the area.
Some locals and veteran Murray adventurers will tell you the longer Captains is the better of Tocumwal’s tracks, but the Presidents is my pick for its variety across the two nines.
Like the Captains course it sits closely to, the front nine on the Presidents features a large number of greens that sit slightly above the fairway from where the approach is played. Driving is of the upmost importance on the Captains and opening side of the Presidents layout, where there is a mixture of open holes and trees lining the Windsor green couch fairways, which were in immaculate condition during my recent visit.
Power does become an advantage on some of the tougher holes at Tocumwal, where ridges in the fairway will stop shorter hitters getting the benefits of a forward kick, making holes like the number-one rated 9th on the Presidents and 18th on the Captains tough for average players.
The back nine of the Presidents course at Tocumwal is where the property’s best holes are located.
The trio of par-4s starting at the 10th offer holes between 319 and 367 metres that can be played in a variety of ways and reward players capable of moving the ball either way.
Part of a tough four-hole closing stretch that one feels as if they have really earnt a good score upon completion of, the par-4 16th is one of the more enjoyable holes at Tocumwal.
The short par-4 bends left around a large tree that is best played well right of ... Before a significantly uphill approach is all about correct distance, with the extremely narrow green measuring 35 metres from front edge to back.
COBRAM BAROOGA GOLF CLUB
Yet another of the 36-hole facilities located on the Murray, Cobram Barooga Golf Club has long been established as one of the region’s ‘must play’ venues with its Old Course listed at No.87 in Golf Australia’s list of Top-100 Public Access Courses.
Now owned by the nearby Sporties club Barooga, Cobram Barooga’s best 18 is undoubtedly the Old.
Beginning with a very reachable par-4 that can get your round underway with a birdie, despite the green being almost completely surrounded by sand, the Old course is a shot-maker’s layout, but doesn’t force the driver out of the hands of the aggressive player by any means.
There aren’t two holes on the older of Cobram’s layouts that feel similar to one another, which means no one type of player is at a greater advantage than another. And the abundance and variation of trees around the property located on the Barooga side of the river among farm land and significant bush adds another element to a round on either course.
Part of the second paddock featuring all of the West’s holes, the par-3 6th is among the pick of the holes on Cobram Barooga’s more popular layout. Played uphill, the 192 metre hole provides a little more help than the distance and first impression suggest. A large hill right of the green will send balls back down onto the putting surface and provides a bail out of sorts for players not capable of a towering long iron shot.
YARRAWONGA MULWALA GOLF CLUB RESORT
Of all the multiple course facilities with accommodation on site, none is bigger than Yarrawonga Mulwala. There are 45 holes spread out in front of the resort which features an enormous clubhouse, cinema, bowling greens, croquet courts, swimming pool and various accommodation types.
A true one-stop shop for visiting golfers, Yarrawonga offers much more than convenience – the two 18-hole courses, the Murray and the Lake, are outstanding and like all other venues with multiple courses, they challenge golfers in varied ways. Then there is the nine-hole Executive course, which was part of the original 18-hole layout. It provides a great place for beginners to find their feet or a change of pace for serious players.
Despite being the younger of the two 18-hole courses, the Murray feels as if it was carved out of the Red River gums long before the more resort-styled Lake Course. Both designed by Peter Thomson and then partner Mike Wolveridge, the Murray course – ranked No.51 in the Top-100 Public Access Courses in Australia – is a ‘must play’ for golfers moving along the river.
Tight driving areas are produced by ever-present gum trees, while rolling fairways and little to no rough in many parts, as well as the feeling of seclusion from one hole to the next, give the course a unique character on the river.
The par-5s are the standouts on the Murray course, and it is the first of the three shotters that stands above the rest.
Played along the banks of the Murray, the 470-metre 5th is one of the most enjoyable holes in the entire region. More than just starring off into the watercourse between shots, the reachable par-5 is challenging and rewarding of good shots. A large tree blocks approaches to the green from certain angles. And although that is not my favourite defence of a hole, it works very well in this case.
Despite not having quite the acclaim of the Murray, the Lake is no slouch and is also ranked in the Top-100 Public Access Courses in the nation. In fact, I teed it up with a few members during my recent trip who had no issue with switching between the courses regularly, with one suggesting the back nine of the Lake was the hardest and maybe his favourite nine holes on the property.
A more typical Thomson design, the Lake requires strategy and execution to score well. A prime example comes at the short par-4 8th.
Most players will be in the fairway from the tee without too much left to the raised green approached over water after taking an iron of some description. But despite visually looking extremely tight from the tee, there is more room right of the green to take a longer club and leave even less distance in the hope of securing birdie or at worst a par.
On the Lake’s back nine, the par-5 15th is one of my favourites. Played along the fence line, a good drive will have longer hitters thinking of a green in two and an eagle chance. But the putting surface is cut into a hill, with water in front and a bunker as added defence, meaning a less than perfect strike can lead to a big number.
BLACK BULL GOLF CLUB
The youngest course on the Murray, Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett’s Black Bull is unique in many ways.
Opened in stages, the course itself does not resemble any of the region’s other layouts, while the evolution of the property as a whole is similarly developing its own style.
Set to open in early 2020 on the banks of Lake Mulwala, The Sebel will offer premium hotel accommodation alongside the existing Silverwoods golf course residential development, with a new all-encompassing entertainment area and apartments known as The Point set to cater to absolute any, and every, desire of guests and visiting golfers.
From a purely golf standpoint, Black Bull, named for the old angus bull farm that previously sat on the property, is good enough to stand on its own.
Characterised by large bunkers and putting surfaces, ‘The Bull’ features some of the best playing surfaces along the Murray. The Grand Prix couch fairways are faultless and firm, while the G2 bent greens are simply pure.
Depending on the tees you choose to play, pin placements and wind, Black Bull can offer plenty of birdie chances or make par a good score. The best of the holes exemplify this.
The ‘Bull Ring’, a stretch of three holes played after entering through a gate manned by one of two ‘Charlie the bull’ statues, provides great theatre to the round. But it is the par-5 18th that has me keen to get back to Black Bull as soon as possible.
Reachable after a good drive, the challenge from the tee is picking the best line, with water left and rough over a ridge right that will offer up a variety of lies.
A second shot played to a wide horizontal green with Lake Mulwala beyond requires the right club to set up a birdie or even an eagle to finish, while those plotting their way onto the green in three will also have a chance to make a four.
COROWA GOLF CLUB
It’s not too farfetched to think that a golf club that played a major role in the development of a player like European Tour winner Marcus Fraser is usually going to be a good one. And that is exactly the case with Corowa Golf Club.
Sometimes left out of itineraries of golfers working their way along the river, Corowa is definitely worth a spot in plans in my opinion.
All designed by the late Al Howard, Corowa’s 27 holes offer three different 18-hole options, with what’s known as the East Course the pick for mine.
Comprising the ‘new’ holes built on the top of the property in the 1980s by Howard and holes 10-18 of the original holes sitting below the clubhouse alongside the river, the East is an example of contrasting nines combining well.
The front nine is more penal on poor shots than the back, with good driving typically leading to good scores over the early holes, which are more open than Corowa’s other 18 holes.
The par-5 8th, which bends around a large dam, is one of the better holes on the front that can be played in numerous ways. But the East’s most memorable moments will come on the back nine.
Played from next to the clubhouse, which now features the town’s only cinema, the short par-4 10th gives a window into what is to come, with towering gums lining the hole placing a premium on shot shaping.
Standing on the 12th tee, the Murray River sits a stone’s throw to your left and beyond the picturesque setting, the short par-3 is one of the most memorable at Corowa. A short iron or wedge will get you onto the well-bunkered putting surface without too much trouble but making putts on the sloping green is another matter.
The west nine, or holes 19-27, doesn’t let the rest of the course down by any means. Part of the Old Course designed by Howard in the 1950s, there are multiple holes that are short by today’s standards. But this nine-hole loop is certainly no pushover.
HOWLONG GOLF RESORT
The name Howlong might be familiar for its well-known remote memberships, but the course itself deserves far more credit than that. The conditioning is particularly of note at the course that sits just 20 minutes’ drive from Albury.
Built on a small, flat piece of land, Howlong is certainly not the toughest of the Murray tracks. But the par-70 is an extremely enjoyable journey featuring doglegs both gentle and hard, with little fairway bunkering and open front greens perfect for accepting low-running approaches.
The fairways are among the best along the river, and the greens don’t fall far behind, with the bunkers cut almost to the edge of the putting surfaces giving them a Sandbelt feel.
Unsurprisingly for a course so heavily tree-lined, accuracy from the tee is paramount to setting up birdie chances.
At 418 metres, the par-4 7th is the longest of the two-shotters and rightfully the toughest hole on the course. Bending left, a long, narrow green is protected by a lone bunker, and while the hole may look straightforward, a four is always good here.
If there is a weakness at Howlong, it is the par-3s that have a certain sameness about them. But they are not poor holes by any means. The fact that 18 holes have been squeezed into such a tight bit of land is an achievement ... That the holes are both challenging and enjoyable is likewise, but the state of the playing surfaces makes Howlong worth the trip alone.
COMMERCIAL GOLF RESORT
Found in the heart of Albury, this is arguably the most undulating course along the Murray and the clever use of hills and mounding makes for an enjoyable round.
The course is laid out before you as you stand on the first tee high atop the property, with driving once again the order of the day if you are to score well here. Trees line every hole and although you aren’t without a chance of a miraculous escape from all but the densest plantings, they are best avoided.
Also putting a premium on tee shots is the sloping ground of the course. The correct line and carry distance will receive a great kick forwards on many of the downhill holes. But the wrong line can do just the opposite, meaning this a course you will likely play better the second time around. And playing from uneven lies is a constant challenge, that when combined with the need to navigate many of the trees on the course on route to the green is exacerbated.
Like all of the courses in the area, the coverage of grass during my summer visit was very impressive considering the temperatures touching 40˚ every day, particularly given the uneven lay of the land.
The rolling nature of the property unsurprisingly also gives the course a quirky nature that is exemplified by the par-3 17th hole.
Played uphill to a green cut below the 18th tee, a huge drop off right of the green needs to be avoided if you are hopeful of making par at the bunkerless one shotter.
THURGOONA COUNTRY CLUB RESORT
The most eastern course on the Murray, Thurgoona is a great place to start or end a Murray adventure when driving from Sydney or Melbourne.
Tipping out at over 6,300 metres, Thurgoona features large bunkers that often front elevated greens with pure, subtle-breaking, fast-running surfaces. Water comes into play on numerous holes and regular out of bounds near the edges of the course can see scores climb quickly. All this makes the layout one of the tougher challenges along the entire river.
Spread out across a large plot of land and winding through houses and accommodation, the course blends country golf and resort styling well, with a risk/reward element throughout all 18 holes.
Showcasing this unique combination is the par-5 4th. Standing on the tee, one would be forgiven thinking you had been transferred to the Gold Coast, with housing left of a dogleg right fairway protected by a large bunker on the outside corner. But once at your drive, the hole becomes quite special, with a lone bunker in the middle of the fairway before the hole drops away to a blind green protected by more bunkers, with large gums narrowing the approach.
Taking on the green in two is a bold play for the first-time visitor unsure of what lays beyond, but playing it safe is also fraught with danger. The bold player is more likely to make something better than par if their game is on.
WHERE TO SIP
Travelling to the Murray for golf offers tourists the chance to play as much golf or as many of the courses as they like. Once the day on the links is done, or a day off, provides the chance to sample some of the regions wines. Here are some of the wineries to make a stop at if you fancy trying a local drop.
BULLER WINES
Established in 1921 by Reginald Langdon Buller, Buller Wines is located in the Rutherglen region near Corowa Golf Club.
A strong supporter of local golf clubs and tournaments in the area, Buller’s handcrafted Calliope range made from 100-year-old vines is difficult not to purchase after having a sample at the cellar door, while the some of the company’s range of fortified wines have been described by wine critic Robert Parker as the “Perfect Wines”.
Open from 10am-5pm daily, the cellar door experience at Buller is a perfect way to add some pleasure to potentially relieve some of the pain the golf has caused, while the restaurant is open for lunch from Wednesday to Sunday offering the chance to match brilliant food with the wines of the vineyard.
ALL SAINTS ESTATE
Driving down the 150-year-old Elm tree driveway to All Saints Estate gives a window into the special place you are visiting.
The national trust-listed castle and beautifully manicured gardens including a lake, a pond and a rose garden, adding to the experience of tasting the wide variety of Rutherglen wines on offer from the company, which dates back to 1864.
A trip to All Saints Estate’s cellar door includes trying the Estate range, Limited range and then the internationally-lauded Family Cellar range and Fortified range, with private and group tastings also available at the family-owned winery.
CAMPBELLS OF RUTHERGLEN
Also found in the Rutherglen area, and still family owned, Campbells was created in 1870 and is known for producing the highest pedigree of fortified wines in Australia and excellent still wines that showcase the regional fruit flavours.
Utilising their family experience in the region and industry, Campbells’ mission is to deliver wines that showcase their region’s distinct characters and flavours; the Bobbie Burns Shiraz a great example of this commitment and experience.
For visitors attending the cellar door, the opportunity to explore the cellars and winery while being guided by the staff on the best wines for any occasion or food is made all the more special by the unique opportunity to try and purchase back-vintage wines.
WHERE TO STAY
Like the golf, there are plenty of accommodation options along the Murray River.
YARRAWONGA MULWALA GOLF RESORT
Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Resort is the perfect place to base yourself when playing golf along the river. And with nine varieties of accommodation, as well as the cinema located in the clubhouse, the resort is perfect for any golfer, group or family on a golfing holiday.
Catering for everyone from the budget-conscious to those looking for luxury, Yarrawonga Mulwala is right on the banks of the Murray and only a short trip to Lake Mulwala if water sports take your fancy.
Whether it is for one night of a winding trip or a week to be spent relaxing and taking in all the resort has to offer, Yarrawonga Mulwala is the perfect destination, with group bookings and golf packages able to be catered for your specific needs.
RICH RIVER GOLF CLUB RESORT
The 63-room complex at Rich River sits adjacent to the clubhouse and with a range of room types can cater to any number or preference of guests.
With the 36-hole golf complex on your doorstep, manicured gardens, two outdoor pools, spa, BBQ areas and children’s play equipment there is something for everyone at Rich River. And once there, you will struggle to find too many reasons to venture anywhere else.
Resort packages are available and help make your next golfing trip more affordable.
MURRAY DOWNS RESORT
Located on the New South Wales side of the river, Murray Downs Resort caters for golfers and non-golfers alike.
Golf packages are the ideal way to take advantage of the magnificent golf course and various accommodation options that will suit any travelling golfers’ needs, while the Country Club is the place for food and drinks after your round or a day by the pool.
CLUBARHAM
As well as running the golf club, cluBarham offers various accommodation options in Barham that will suit any traveller type and budget.
Located adjacent to the Barham Services Club, cluBarham Motel contains 28 suites offering all amenities within a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere and is a short drive from the course.
Just a short walk from the river, the cluBarham River Motel offers 26 spacious rooms as well as a salt-water swimming pool and barbecue facility.
If golf is the aim of the trip though it is hard to go past the cluBarham Golf Resort. Located on the course, the two- and three-bedroom luxury apartments are Barham’s newest premium accommodation ... and the first tee is just a short walk away.
BAROOGA GOLF VIEW MOTEL
Situated between Cobram Barooga’s Old and West courses and just 200 metres from the clubhouse, the Barooga Golf View Motel is benefitting from an injection of enthusiasm from its new management.
The 24-room 3.5 star motel offers everything from queen rooms to family rooms sleeping five and everything in between, making it perfect for any group travelling to the area to play one or both of the golf courses.
The spacious rooms are just part of the equation for visitors to the motel, with a pool area to relax by, BBQ facilities available and a function area surrounded by lawns and gardens.
RIVER BELT OPEN
Named in honour of its original founder, the 2019 Neil Macaulay River Belt Open amateur tournament marks the 34th staging of the event, which will run from October 14 to 18.
Played across courses at Cobram-Barooga Golf Club, Corowa Golf Club, Tocumwal Golf Club and Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, the 72-hole tournament has daily stableford trophies in men’s and ladies A, B and C grade as well aggregate trophies awarded at the end of the week.
Giving the competitive golfer a chance to experience some of the area’s best layouts, the event includes a rest day in the middle of the week, offering competitors the chance to enjoy the region beyond the courses. Entries close September 9.
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