Holiday At Home: NSW Central Coast

The natural treasures of the New South Wales Central Coast quickly become obvious.

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WYONG GOLF CLUB

Wyong Golf Club is just a five-minute drive from Kooindah Waters and offers a different golf experience to its younger neighbour. The terrain is more undulating, which gives rise to some interesting holes and a variety of shots that need to be played.

The Wyong club dates back to a humble start when it could be found within the confines of the nearby racecourse in the early 1920s. The club sought land on higher, more undulating ground and it moved to a nine-hole layout on its present site in 1936 and the course has been growing and improving for more than 80 years.

The course was expanded to 18 holes between 1953 and 1956, with course architect Al Howard making the most out of the varied terrain to create a quality layout.

Former US PGA champion Wayne Grady was commissioned by the club more than a decade ago to upgrade several holes, while the par-3 15th and par-4 18th were added.

Water plays a major role on the par-5 5th at Wyong Golf Club. PHOTO: Brendan James.

These new additions to the course have enhanced the experience of a round at Wyong, which already boasted some memorable holes, with arguably the best of them being the 453-metre par-5 5th hole that is a fine risk-and-reward offering. The dogleg right hole features a ‘burn’ that cuts through the fairway about 45 metres short of the putting surface. Your drive needs to be shaped to follow the fairway as there is a water hazard that can be found through the dogleg. Finding the fairway with a solid drive leaves the option of a lay-up short of the burn or to go for the green, making sure to avoid the trees either side of the playing line.

The Wyong course, featuring bentgrass greens and kikuyu fairways, is one of the best presented layouts in the region. Considering the green fee here is just $40 for 18 holes midweek, it is one of the best value-for-money rounds to be played on the Coast.

GOSFORD GOLF CLUB

Gosford is the oldest course on the Central Coast, with the first rounds played on the current site in 1928 when the land was permanently leased to the club by the local city council.

The heritage club is set in tranquil surrounds, just a few minutes’ drive from the bustle of the Gosford city centre.

Wedged between Gosford Hospital and Narara Creek, the course is laid out across easy-walking terrain with a clubhouse occupying the property’s highest point and offering views west to the ranges.

The fairways are heavily tree-lined, water comes into play on half a dozen holes and only one green is bunkerless.

These course design traits place a premium on accuracy, which would explain why Gosford’s favourite golfing son, Billy Dunk, was such a proficient ball-striker. Dunk, whose father was a greenkeeper at Gosford Golf Club, learned the game here and went on to win more than 100 professional tournaments and set 80 course records during his career.

The quartet of holes, starting at the 142-metre par-3 14th hole, present a range of challenges and, for mine, are the highlight of the round. The 14th, which runs along the edge of Narara Creek to the left, is relatively flat and makes club selection difficult, especially when you consider the green is surrounded by sand.

A series of lakes line the closing holes, including the 18th hole, at Gosford GC. PHOTO: Brendan James.

Water also comes into play on the short par-4 15th. Taking a driver here is risky and must be shaped from right-to-left to avoid a lake to the right of the fairway. This lake extends toward the large green and can be found with a wayward second shot.

Trees are the main concern on the 307-metre 16th hole. The drive needs to pass through a tree-lined chute to find the fairway that narrows the closer you get to the green, which is protected by two bunkers short right and left.

Gosford’s penultimate hole is arguably its best. Measuring 351-metres from the tips, the par-4 turns gently from left-to-right and is flanked by a lake to the right. The strategy here is simple … any tee shot too far left or right will leave a player blocked out with their approach as the canopy of tall trees encroaches on their playing line to a green protected by four bunkers.

MANGROVE MOUNTAIN MEMORIAL CLUB

Mangrove Mountain is 30 minutes’ drive west of Gosford in the Central Coast hinterland on the eastern edge of the rolling hills of Dharug National Park.

Given its name and location, it shouldn’t surprise that the 10-hole course at Mangrove Mountain Memorial Club covers undulating terrain below a clubhouse that offers panoramic views over the national park surrounds and on towards the ocean.

As a 10-hole course there are alternate tees on many holes including the 1st-10th holes. When played as the 1st hole at 320 metres, you get a genuine birdie chance to kick start the round. The tee is elevated well above the fairway that runs a straight line to the green, but cambers slightly downhill from right-to-left. A good drive can leave a short iron or wedge into a green, where any approach shot finishing below the hole presents a green light to be aggressive with the first putt.

Picturesque dense bushland creates a beautiful backdrop to the par-5 5th hole at Mangrove Mountain. PHOTO: Brendan James.

There are two main water hazards on the course, and both come into play on approach shots – firstly at the long par-4 2nd, and then at the par-5 4th hole. The 4th hole is played downhill and is flanked to the right by dense bushland. The green is easily reachable in two shots, but it is a difficult shot to be played from a downhill lie and expect to hold your ball on the putting surface. Make the shot and you will be rewarded with an eagle or birdie.

There are plans to extend the layout to 18 holes, but, for now, the club offers a well-presented golfing experience, which offers a real challenge – not based on distance but accurate ball-striking.

The long par-3 2nd at The Springs doesn't yield many birdies. PHOTO: Brendan James.

THE SPRINGS GOLF CLUB

Quirky but challenging, The Springs at Peats Ridge is a fun golfing excursion coupled with great views of the Central Coast hinterland, particularly from the stunning clubhouse.

The golf course, which is split between two designers – Graham Papworth created the front nine, Al Howard the back (this was Howard’s last design project and he passed away in 2013, aged 100) – is carved from natural bushland on a dramatically undulating, sandy site. A succession of uphill and downhill shots and numerous small, cheeky collection ponds characterise the layout.

The club altered the sequencing of its holes nearly a decade ago to bring the 18th green in front of the then new clubhouse. The move pushed The Springs’ most fascinating hole to the front of the queue. The 518-metre 1st plays from an elevated tee to a fairway guarded by a chain of small ponds along the left side, the same direction the land slopes. From the driving area the fairway dips sharply to a sunken lay-up zone that’s hidden from view and protected by water left and scrub right before widening to a long, rippling green with several segments. It’s an eye-catching opener where leaving yourself a longer third shot from the crest of the hill affords a more complete view of the target – and the trouble.

The opening hole is a real challenge for any player, but it might be the easiest of the three holes that start a round. From the blue markers, the par-3 2nd hole is a 190-metre journey across the edge of a lake to a narrow, bunkerless, three-tiered green, which drops away steeply from its edges to the right. A mis-hit right here will leave a tough up and down for par, as well as a long uphill trek to the green.

The aforementioned lake comes into play again on the next hole, which is rated the hardest on the course. The dogleg right par-4 is a long 369 metres uphill to a plateau green. Once you have navigated over, or around, the two lakes right of the turning fairway, the key is to select the correct club to carry your approach all the way onto the putting surface, and not into one of the two greenside bunkers.

The Springs covers dramatic terrain with greens surrounded by mounds and hollows. PHOTO: Brendan James.

As you start the second nine, watch in breathless anticipation as your ball hangs against the sky before dropping to the green on the 174-metre 10th, a par-3 played from a high tee to a bunkerless green that slopes from front-to-back, and right-to-left towards a lake shouldering the back left edge of the putting surface. As an examination of your club selection abilities, you won’t find a more challenging test on the Central Coast

WHERE TO STAY

PULLMAN MAGENTA SHORES
The five-star Pullman Magenta Shores is an exceptional golf, spa and corporate retreat resort offering apartment-style accommodation and a unique golf and beachfront setting.

Offering studio and one-, two- and three-bedroom villas, the facilities also include a tennis court, swimming pool and day spa. Every studio or villa enjoys views of either the golf course, outdoor pools or our beautiful landscaped gardens.

The pool at Pullman Magenta Shores. PHOTO: Supplied.

After a round, relax in one of the resort’s three swimming areas, including a 20 metre indoor heated lap pool, Rock Pools or the Lagoon Pool with seasonal pool bar.

www.pullmanmagentashores.com.au

MERCURE KOOINDAH WATERS RESORT

The award-winning Mercure Kooindah Waters is home to an array of king rooms and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments directly alongside the golf course, many offering course views. Guests can enjoy stay-and-play packages that tie golf or a spa treatment into a stay at the resort.

For $399 for two people, guests receive deluxe golf view accommodation, 18 holes of golf (with cart) for two, a burger and beer per person plus complimentary parking and wifi.

www.mercurekooindahwaters.com.au

CROWNE PLAZA TERRIGAL

Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific offers the ultimate deluxe beach accommodation on the Central Coast

Each of the 199 light-filled generously sized guest rooms and suites will make you feel welcome, featuring its own furnished balcony and either a deluxe king bed or two queen beds. Our stunning 4.5-star accommodation facing Terrigal beach includes an outdoor heated pool and panoramic views of the sea.

www.terrigalpacific.crowneplaza.com

WHERE TO PLAY