“While Links Hope Island is transitioning to private equity membership, the opportunity still exists for public rounds as well as  special events. The public is most welcome to enjoy our clubhouse, restaurant and bar facilities and to access the course outside of the allocated member tee times,” Holland added.

This is music to the ears of golfers, like me, who regularly visit the Gold Coast and rarely return home without having played the course. The reason we keep returning is the combination of a range of factors including a challenging course that is always in superb condition, friendly service and the outstanding facilities. ‘Five-star’ is the benchmark across the board and that is something every visiting golfer returning to Hope Island knows they will experience. For mine, a round at Hope Island is like going home to your mum’s for a Sunday roast lunch – you know it’s going to taste really good because it always does, you will be welcomed with open arms, you’ll have a great time and, when it’s time to go home, you will start thinking the next visit can’t come quick enough.

If you haven’t already guessed it, Links Hope Island is one of my favourite courses in Queensland. I don’t think I’m Robinson Crusoe in this regard and its popularity extends way back to 1993 when the Links Hope Island first opened for play.

Back then, it was a unique addition to the Australian golfing landscape – a links-style layout seemingly uprooted from its Scottish location and transplanted on the sunny northern outskirts of the Gold Coast.