Murray Downs Golf & Country Club is one of the great golfing successes to be found along Australia’s greatest tributary, the Murray River.
The course lies on land that was once part of the sprawling Murray Downs station. In 1860, the ill-fated explorers Burke and Wills passed through the property and left behind a sick camel. A local pioneer bought the station and found the rolling landscape perfect for establishing fields of lucerne, maize and oranges. Sheep then became the mainstay of the property for more than a century.
That was until the late 1980s when the heart of the property was earmarked for a real estate development and a new golf course. The Murray Downs club and course was constructed during the poker machine-fuelled club building boom that occurred along the mighty river during that period. It was a time when busloads of cashed-up punters would head north across the border to try their luck, as the machines were legal in Victoria.
The stream of cash from punters created enough revenue to build a beautiful clubhouse and golf course, which opened in 1991, and more than 30 years on remains ranked in the nation’s Top-100 Courses. In January this year, Murray Downs was ranked No.86 by the Top-100 judges of this magazine, up one spot from its 2020 ranking. In 2021, Murray Downs was listed at No.43 in Golf Australia magazine’s Top-100 Public Access Courses in the country.
“Murray Downs never fails to impress, especially in terms of its presentation. This place is home to the biggest and best-manicured greens along the Murray River,” Top-100 Courses panellist, Lucas Andrews, said.
And this from fellow judge Alex Georgiou: “Laid out on rolling, sandy terrain this former sheep station was a perfect canvas for golf … the course celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021 and rarely has it looked better than it has in recent times.”
Course design brothers Geoff and Ted Parslow created a magnificent layout with undulating Wintergreen couch fairways as well as large, true rolling (and generally fast) Penncross bentgrass greens. While some greens have subtle breaks, others feature more dramatic slopes to combat what may have been a seemingly easy journey to the green. Man-made lakes were included to help with irrigation and drainage, while native gums that were planted during and just after construction have matured beautifully and line most of the fairways today, providing a stark contrast to the Mallee plains surrounding the property.
Throw in some strategic, well-sculpted bunkering – featuring its spectacular ochre-coloured sand – and water hazards on many holes and it is no wonder Murray Downs is so highly regarded.
No two consecutive holes run in the same direction and the wide, open spaces leave the course susceptible to wind, making this 6,197-metre layout a challenging test from the tips.
I like how the Parslow design eases you into the round. From the Blue tees, the opening hole – a par-4 of 302 metres – has a generous rolling fairway if you don’t get too aggressive from the tee. Take on the fairway bunkers, one left and another right, at your peril. The kidney-shaped green is protected by three bunkers but they are far enough from the centre of the big putting surface to not be too troublesome.
Even the first of the par-3s, the slightly downhill 178-metre 2nd, offers some room for error early in the round.
But there are no such luxuries by the time you reach the tee of the second of the one-shot holes – the 194-metre par-3 5th. This is the hardest hole you will find at Murray Downs … and for good reason. Standing next to the back markers can send a shiver up your spine as you look toward the flag and see nothing but water, red sand, a bit more water and a lot more sand. When the pin is positioned toward the back right quarter of the green it is a 210-metre carry over water and bunkers to reach safety. The lay-up area short and left of the green is littered with bunkers, making a conservative play also a hazardous exercise.
“It is a source of great relief and joy to play Murray Downs’ long par-3 5th and successfully carry the water, avoid all the bunkers and run your ball up onto the green,” said Top-100 Courses judge, Susan Johnson.
Murray Downs also has its version of Augusta National’s famed ‘Amen Corner’ – incorporating the par-3 15th, par-5 16th and the testing par-4 17th. The 15th is a classic hole and, like the telling 5th, it requires a tee shot over water and sand to find the green. But, at 169 metres from the back markers, length won’t be a problem for too many players. One of the difficult aspects of making par here is to find the right level of the two-tiered green to leave yourself a good chance of holing your birdie putt.
The collection of par-5s at Murray Downs is worth noting. Only the 4th hole stretches beyond 500 metres, but all are genuine three-shotters for the majority of us. There’s hardly a struck match between them for quality but I like the 472-metre 16th the best, simply for what it offers and where it falls in the round. It is a tight three-shotter where the landing zone for your drive is bordered by water left and sand to the right. The final approach to the green is a highlight, with four massive red sandy bunkers ringing the putting surface, which has a dramatic slope off the front edge. If you play this one smart you can steal a birdie before reaching the clubhouse.
The downhill 17th may not seem like a brute at 376 metres. But when you are standing back down the fairway, or in the rough, with a long iron in your hand and your approach shot must avoid water short and right of the green, you know the odds are against you. Thankfully, if you have success and find the green, putting is easier than on the previous two holes.
FACT FILE
LOCATION: Murray Downs Drive, Murray Downs, NSW
CONTACT: (03) 5033 1422
WEBSITE: www.murraydownsgolf.com.au
DESIGNERS: Ted and Geoff Parslow (1991 & 2009).
PLAYING SURFACES: Wintergreen couch (fairways), Penncross bentgrass (greens).
PGA PROFESSIONAL: Lisa Jean (Director of Golf).
GREEN FEES: $50 (18 holes). $25 (reciprocal members)
ACCOMMODATION: The Murray Downs Resort is opposite the 16th fairway and a short stroll from the clubhouse. The resort is the perfect place to wind down after your day on the course with a large tropical pool, indoor heated spa, barbeque area and if you’re feeling like some more energetic activity there is a tennis court as well. Two-night packages start from $320 per person twin share, while five-night packages start from $800. Conditions apply. For more info, visit the website www.murraydownsresort.com.au
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