From the beaches to the magnificent Great Dividing Range via the world-famous vineyards, the people of NSW’s Hunter Region have plenty to gloat about. And the golfers are spoiled too.
A short drive from Cypress Lakes finds you at Greg Norman and Bob Harrison’s masterpiece that is The Vintage. Surrounded by an expanding housing estate and neighbouring wineries, the property also includes a hotel, spa and restaurant.
Opening in 2003, The Vintage is a classic risk-reward design reflecting Norman’s
go-for-broke style of play. Many of the holes found around the course offer scoring opportunities for those players bold enough to take on the challenge of water carries and
deep bunkers.
Both The Vintage and Cypress Lakes use variations of couch in their fairways and tees and bent grasses for their greens, and the similarities now continue in regards to bunkers. Recently completed work has encompassed every bunker on the golf course at The Vintage. Every bunker has been re-done due to the age of the course and issues relating to rain and drainage. While a small number of bunkers have been removed, the majority have remained the same. New drainage and sand has been added and some minor adjustments assist with water management, while a collar of rough added to the edges helps define the bunkers.
The par-3 8th is the signature hole and encapsulates the feel of the course. Measuring an intimidating 194 metres from the tips, a lake runs along the entire right side of the hole with bunkers to the left of the narrow angled green tightening the margin for error further. As with many tough holes at The Vintage there is another option rather than attempting to hit your Sunday best onto the green. A fairly generous fairway leads up to the hole, a safe shot to the fairway and a chip and putt for par minimises the risk of a larger score. This more defensive approach has even been used by professionals in the numerous NSW Opens held at the course.
The preceding par-5 7th is a less exacting test of golf but an enjoyable and visually appealing hole. A blind tee shot is played over a large hill, with the rest of the hole playing downhill. Vineyards run along the left side of the hole and bunkers to the right of the elevated green narrow the look of the hole that’s fairway is quite generous and is reachable in two for some.
On the back nine, the short 15th is challengeable from the tee for long hitters, with a forced water carry on the direct line to the green. What appears to be a tough lay up from the tee to the right hand side of the fairway is actually played to an open expanse of fairway. The second shot from the right hand side is a far more difficult prospect, as you must challenge the bunkers to get near the pin.
Make no mistakes, The Vintage is a true test of golf requiring a wide range of shots, while remaining playable for all golfers from the variety of tees.
The area’s newest course, Stonebridge, is now the home to the well-established Cessnock Golf Club. Jack Newton oversaw the redesign of the layout in 2012 and has added yet another quality option for golfers in wine country.
I HIT IT IN THE WATER, AGAIN!
As a general rule, a splash is not the sound a golfer wants to hear after hitting a shot. Aqua Golf, located in the beautiful Hunter Valley Gardens, doesn’t follow many of the general rules of golf.
A Hunter mainstay that has been a part of the region for longer than many of the golf courses and even some of the famous wineries in the region, the driving range, where players hit balls into water, has been introducing people to golf and giving hard-core golfers enjoyment from hitting balls into the water rather than the usual distress it causes on the course since opening in 1979.
PGA professional Kieran McMahon and his wife, Kristine, took over the business in 2005 and are driven to grow the game of golf. Introducing new golfers, kids and families to golf via the enjoyment of hitting golf balls into the water and the thrill of winning a prize if they manage to find one of the many nets floating on the range. Prizes range from iTunes cards to hot air balloon rides and even games of golf.
With a long history in the area McMahon considers himself “the pro in the know” and is an invaluable source of information on the local area and both golf and non-golf activities.
With corporate groups and four regular high school groups coming to Aqua
Golf, McMahon hopes to turn some non-golfers in these groups into golfers after experiencing the joy of one singularly well-struck golf shot from one of the 30 bays.
Equally enjoyable for golfers looking for a break from the seriousness of an 18-hole round of golf, Aqua Golf is the perfect, fun activity to break up a golf trip or introduce the rest of your family to your passion, or even enjoy a game on the 18-hole mini golf.
An atmosphere of fun is key to the enjoyment at Aqua Golf and while introducing young kids, even toddlers, to golf a parent can also introduce their kids to music of the past as McMahon’s steady playlist of exclusively 80’s and 90’s rock plays out across Aqua Golf.
To make a booking or for more details visit, www.golftothemax.com.au
WHERE TO PLAY
BELMONT GOLF CLUB
Green fees: $45 (weekend public visitor 18 holes), $40 (weekdays).
WARATAH GOLF CLUB
Green fees: $35 (18 holes). Twilight rates available.
MEREWETHER GOLF CLUB (pictured below)
Green fees: $35 (18 holes). Twilight rates available.
NEWCASTLE GOLF CLUB
Green fees: $95 (18 holes), $88 (online booking).
MUREE GOLF CLUB
Green fees: $28 (18 holes).
HUNTER VALLEY GOLF
Green fees: $65 (18 holes weekend), $55 (weekdays); $45 (weekday hotel guest rate), $55 (weekend).
www.crowneplazahuntervalley.com.au
CYPRESS LAKES GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Green fees: $85 (18 holes, Mon-Thurs, inc. cart), $98 (Friday), $118 (weekend); $60 (18 holes, Mon-Thurs, inc. cart resort guest), $80 (Friday), $98 (weekend)
THE VINTAGE
Green fees: $104 (18 holes, weekday, inc. cart & driving range), $129 (weekend).
WHERE TO STAY
MERCURE RESORT HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS
Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens offers a varied selection of 4½ star accommodation located in the heart of the Hunter Valley and only minutes away to three of the top golf courses. Each room is beautifully appointed and opens out to a private balcony or courtyard, taking in the wonderful Hunter Valley views and magnificent gardens surrounding the property.
Guests can avail themselves of tennis courts, resort-style swimming pool, sauna, spa and the Lodge library. www.mercurehuntervalley.com.au
CHATEAU ELAN HUNTER VALLEY
Château Élan at The Vintage has four luxury room options. The main hotel complex accommodates a limited number of Spa Suites, designed for singles or couples who require absolute comfort, privileged spa access and total privacy.
Adjacent to the main hotel complex and cascading down the hillside, is a series of private villas. These villas enjoy an elevated position overlooking the 10th hole.
All rooms have balconies or terraces overlooking Vintage fairways and the views of the Hunter Valley. Five Spa Suites have a screened sanctuary courtyard for guests who want absolute seclusion. www.chateauelan.com.au
CYPRESS LAKES RESORT
Nestled in the Hunter Valley’s picturesque hinterland surroundings, Cypress Lakes Resort by Oaks Hotels & Resorts promises a tranquil and indulgent escape. Ideal for a leisurely holiday with family and friends, golfing break, memorable wedding, bachelorette and bucks party, or unique conferencing experience.
Coupling luxury, self-contained villa accommodation in one, two and three bedroom configurations with thoughtful in-room appointments and elegant furnishings, each apartment features a modern kitchen, fireplace, spacious living and dining areas and private balcony overlooking the resort’s bushland and golf course. www.cypresslakes.com.au
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