At the next par-5, there’s no choice to be made. The 16th is three shots, at least, for almost everyone, a hole that once measured more than 600 metres, and now checks in a not-so-meagre 573 metres. If that wasn’t enough, the drive is blind, played over a rise about 200 metres from the tee. A scheme of bunkers sits about 150 metres out – if your second shot makes it that far – and any right-side hole location bring a big front bunker into play.

The finisher is a strong par-4, calling for a drive to the right half of the fairway short of a big bunker. The green sits in something of an amphitheatre, a small target that slopes from the back.

The finisher is a strong par-4, calling for a drive to the right half of the fairway short of a big bunker. The green sits in something of an amphitheatre, a small target that slopes from the back.

Variable weather in the Hunter in recent times has presented challenges for the conditioning at Cypress Lakes, but prospects are improving. The course retains a good balance of playability and challenge, something that has served it in its most high-profile role, when it hosts the Jack Newton Celebrity Classic. And even for the beer drinkers out there, there’s something neat about a golf course that has its own wine to go with the round.

THE COURSE

LOCATION: Thompsons Rd, Pokolbin, in the Hunter Valley, an hour’s drive from Newcastle and a little over two hours’ from the centre of Sydney.

CONTACT: (02) 4993 1800.

WEBSITE: www.cypresslakes.com.au

DESIGNERS: Steve Smyers and Bob Stanton (1994).

PLAYING SURFACES: Wintergreen couch fairways, Penncross bent and Poa Trivialis greens.

BUNKERS: 60.

PGA PRO: Kieran McMahon.

GREEN FEES: Monday-Thursday $75 AM, $65 PM; Friday-Sunday $90, Sunday PM $80.

THE CLUB

MEMBERSHIPS: Cypress Lakes offers a variety of individual, family and corporate membership options. Members also have access to a range of discounts from the resort.

CORPORATE AND GROUP DAYS: The club’s events team can organise every aspect of a corporate golf day, with a range of services that includes on-course wine tasting and themed lunches. The resort can also handle extensive conference operations with its convention centre and accommodation. There are also a range of special deals for groups of 16 or more, including the “one in five” free round offer.

FACILITIES: The course is the centre of a well-established Hunter Valley resort that offers villa accommodation, restaurants and bars as well as the Golden Door Spa and the Brokenwood Wines cellar door. The country club also has tennis courts, pools, kids club, gym and luxury change rooms.

AWARDS: Ranked No.72 in Golf Australia Magazine’s Top-100 Public Access Courses.