WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL INNES 
 
Built on bushland first procured in 1885, the club itself was established in 1928 and lies only 8km north of the Perth CBD. Despite now being firmly part of the urban landscape, the club still succeeds as an oasis of serenity. Birdsong, rustling trees and the ping of drives provide the soundtrack to your round; the bustle of the modern world fading into the background.
 
That feeling of timelessness is enhanced by the magnificent clubhouse – which has retained its Tudor stylings despite numerous refurbishments since the 1960s – and the 15-foot clock standing sentinel near the first tee.
 
Modelled after Pebble Beach’s iconic Rolex, WAGC’s own timepiece is a captivating feature, set against the vista of rolling fairways, mature trees, flower beds, a lake and the almost anachronistic 21st-Century city skyline in the distance. The elegance of the outlook sets the tone for a course which effortlessly treads the fine line between challenge and charm.
 
The 16th green nestles island-like amidst a sea of bunkers. (PHOTO: Joel Innes)
 
In this line of work, I’m fortunate to have played on many of Australia’s great courses, but The Western Australian Golf Club retains a special place in my heart. Beautifully designed, it’s a course that rewards accuracy and encourages creativity, a fact very much in evidence from the opening tee shot.
 
If long par-3s are your Achilles’ heel, you’ll likely feel a sense of trepidation on the 1st tee. Playing as long as 220 meters off the tips, with water left, out-of-bounds right and three deep bunkers guarding a mammoth green, it’s a hole which immediately puts you through your paces.
 
Anything less than a precision strike threatens disaster and even if you find the dancefloor in one, the tilted, undulating green makes three-putting – or worse – a distinct possibility. Walking away with a par here can feel as good as a birdie elsewhere.
 
The front nine is much flatter than the back, but its easy-walking nature belies the stern test it poses. This is a shot-maker’s nine, where brain is more valuable than brawn. Take the right-to-left dogleg 3rd. At only 344m from the back tees, the urge to attack is tough to subdue. Big hitters can even attempt to cut the corner to reach a green only 270m away as the galah flies. However, with internal out-of-bounds and dense tree cover to negotiate on the left, as well as a dramatic drop-off at the back of the putting surface, it’s a move fraught with peril.
 
The layout capitalises on the natural contours of the Mount Yokine land the course was built on. (PHOTO: Joel Innes)
 
A mid-iron up the left side to the apex of the dogleg is a far more sensible play. This opens up the shallow, bunkered green and affords a genuine birdie chance from an accurate short-iron approach.
 
For those who like to open their shoulders, the 6th provides the best opportunity to do so. At 493m, it’s the longest of the three par-5 holes on the course, and with only sparse tree coverage to the left, it’s as inviting an opportunity to “grip it and rip” it as you’ll find here.
 
Again, though, trouble’s never far away, with craftily placed bunkers on the narrow fairway waiting to swallow up errant drives or recovery shots. The elevation of the green adds an additional degree of difficulty, sitting as it does some 15m above the fairway. A trio of bunkers guards the two-tiered putting surface, placing an onus on smart club selection for your approach. You do not want to leave yourself short or right here.
 
Closing the front nine is another splendid – and daunting – par-3. At 176m from the back tees, players must carry the lake to a green that is large but deceptively hard to hit. Four bunkers defend the green on both sides; anything short will require a deft touch to negotiate a steep, ridged uphill slope.
 
Situated under the gaze of the clubhouse balcony, you can be assured that someone will be taking an interest in your endeavours here. Good golf shots will be appreciated.
 
Par on the stunning 9th is a great boost to morale. (PHOTO: Joel Innes)
 
For many visitors, The Western Australian Golf Club’s back nine is the more memorable. It is not necessarily a better loop of holes, but the layout capitalises on the natural contours of the Mount Yokine land the course was built upon, seamlessly blending challenging holes with stunning scenery – not least from the 12th tee.
 
Proudly situated on the highest point in the Perth metropolitan area, the panorama from up here is worth the trip alone, with the CBD skyline to the right and the far-off Perth hills ahead providing a striking backdrop to what is already a magnificent hole.
 
Again, choice of club is paramount. Measuring just 288m, with an elevation drop of 35m from tee to green, the temptation to go for the green is irresistible. A well-struck tee shot seems to hang in the air for an eternity, adding to the drama of the occasion, while a mishit feels like a cardinal sin and an opportunity gone begging.
 
Ultimately, few will find the green in one. Yet more of the course’s signature bunkers lie in wait for those who get too greedy, while out-of-bounds left is a possibility if you hit a wild one. The green itself is large and rolling, making strong lag-putting a handy skill to fall back on.
 
Further delights lie in store, notably the marvellous, short downhill par-4 14th, but it is another par-3 – the 16th – that could be WAGC’s defining hole. A true test of nerve, this 160m gem demands a steady hand and level head to hit a relatively small, sloping green that nestles, island-like amidst a sea of bunkers.
 
The tee is sheltered in a narrow corridor of trees, which widens the nearer you are to the green. As a result, crosswinds barely detectable on the tee can derail the best-laid plans. Gauging the strength and direction of the breeze through observation of the fluttering flag is a must, while club selection is critical.
 
Before sinking your last putt, take a moment to look back and drink in your surroundings. (PHOTO: Joel Innes)
 
Even a slight miscalculation can have a ruinous effect on your score, but if you trust your swing and execute well, finding the green can induce a mild sense of euphoria. This is certainly the sternest test on the homeward stretch, and many a promising round has come to an ignominious end here. Just like on the 1st and 9th holes, par is a great boost to morale.
 
The 17th is another downhill par-4, the longest on the course at 438m, which is an ideal warm-up for WAGC’s final test: the par-5 18th. This may only be 30m longer than the hole that precedes it, but with a gradual incline all the way from tee to green, it can feel a whole lot longer – especially if you find the fairway bunkers off the tee. Hit a good drive, however, and a grandstand finish under the watchful eyes of patrons on the balcony is entirely possible.
 
Before you sink your last putt, though, it’s worth taking a moment to look back over the course and drink in the surroundings. The scenes from the 18th green are nothing short of spectacular and mark a fitting end to a journey through one of Perth’s finest golfing landscapes, however well you’ve played.
 
When reflecting on your round, the condition of the course is likely to figure highly in your recollections. I have played and photographed this course year-round, and it always presents superbly. It is no surprise WAGC continues to be in demand for hosting state and national championships – including the 2022 WA Open Golf Championship on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
 
It is not a long course by today’s standards, with a par of 70 for men and 73 for women, but it has teeth. Like the great courses of yesteryear, the backbone of its defences are the 70-plus strategically placed bunkers and the upturned saucer-like greens. It is also a scrupulously fair course. Even when you find the trees, they’re not so dense as to hinder a measured recovery attempt. Good shots are rewarded, and knowing where to miss will help keep a good round ticking over.
 
Even a slight miscalculation on the 1st and 9th can have a ruinous effect on your score. (PHOTO: Joel Innes)
 
Pleasingly, the club has embraced the growing trend of allowing golfers to choose their tees based on ability, not gender. The Gold course provides the longest, sternest test, with the Blue and White courses reducing the yardage and providing easier angles of attack. On some holes, the difference is negligible. On others, it’s significant and can absolutely make the difference between a blowout and a slam-dunk. It also helps keep the pace of play brisk. We played in an unhurried threeball on a busy Friday afternoon and were round in under four hours. How refreshing.
 
The man most responsible for the pristine playing conditions is Course Superintendent Idris Evans, who has dedicated the past 38 years of his life to the club, 25 of those in his current role. Idris and his capable team have a combined almost-200 years of turf management experience between them.
 
Joining Idris with their wealth of knowledge is 2IC Mark Bunce, with almost 34 years of service, Mark Fay with over 28 years, Wade Lincoln with more than 26 years, and Tim Hulsdunk, who recently brought up 12 years of service. With this class of staff, it’s little wonder that the kikuyu fairways resemble rolls of velvet and the Pure Distinction bent greens are fast and true.
 
It is worth raising a glass to Idris and co. as you enjoy a post-round cold one in the excellent clubhouse. The traditional exterior masks a thoroughly modern facility, with multiple function spaces, excellent dining options and attentive staff. Underneath the main dining room lies Perth Golf Centre – game improvement facility offering Trackman, Capto, and 4D motion technology.
 
In my opinion, this is the finest clubhouse in Perth. What impresses most, though, is the laid-back vibe. A historic members club it may be, but there’s no air of snootiness at WAGC – perhaps a reflection on the management style of GM Damien Todorovic and Golf Manager Nicole Martino. They get golf, and they get golfers. Like so many other aspects at the club, it’s a winning combination.
 
All good things must come to an end, and when it’s finally time to take your leave of The Western Australian Golf Club, one last glance at the famous clock is always in order. Sure enough, you’ll notice that time has moved on. In this tranquil and beguiling setting, however, you’ll barely have noticed its passage. 
 
FACT FILE
 
LOCATION: 60 Hayes Avenue, Yokine WA 6060
CONTACT: (08) 9349 1988; admin@wagolfclub.com.au
DESIGNERS: Eustace Cohen (original); Graham Marsh (2002-present).
PGA PROFESSIONALS: Nicole Martino, Roshan Fernando, Michael Kunman, Matthew Wolfe, Danny Malcolm, John Boulton, Conor Brown.
PLAYING SURFACES: Santa Ana Couch (tees); kikuya (fairways); Pure Distinction bent (greens).
COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: Idris Evans.
MEMBERSHIP: The Western Australian Golf Club currently has a waitlist for Men’s category membership. Applications are open for Junior memberships and Women’s for 6, 5-day and Lifestyle memberships.
GREEN FEES: Private Club. Tee time enquiries from interstate members can be made via the club.
ACCOLADES: 79th position, Golf Australia Magazine Top 100 Courses, 2024; Nicole Martino, PGA Management Professional of the Year (2023); WA Metropolitan Course & Facility of the Year (2021).
 
The Western Australian rewards accuracy and encourages creativity. (PHOTO: Joel Innes)