My Favourite Courses: Brett Ogle

The fearsome ball-striker-turned TV analyst chooses some favourites from his youth and his time playing abroad among his top-ten layouts.

Pebble Beach GC, California, USA (above)

As a professional you always have fond memories of courses where you have won tournaments, and one of my favourites was winning at Pebble Beach in the 1993 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Tully Park GC, Goulburn, NSW

This is where it all began for me back in 1975. I have great memories starting out in golf there.

Royal Birkdale GC, Southport, England (above)

This is a true test of golf. I played the 1991 Open Championship there and for a brief moment had the course record in the third round. I shot a four-under 66 but hours later Ian Baker-Finch fired a 64 to quash my low number.

Royal Adelaide GC, Adelaide

I won two amateur tournaments there plus two South Australian Opens back-to-back in the ‘90s. It has one of the hardest par-3s that I have ever played around the world: the 205-metre 12th.

Augusta National GC, Georgia, USA (above)

I really enjoyed the two Masters I played at Augusta National. What a course! I always thought as a youngster that Royal Melbourne had the quickest and most sloping greens; that was until I played Augusta.

Spyglass Hill GL, California, USA

The Monterey Peninsula in California has some fine courses and along with Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill is another of my favourites. You really have to golf your ball at this venue, otherwise you’ll rack up a big number.

St Andrews (Old Course), Fife, Scotland

I just love the Home of Golf, the Old Course at St Andrews. I was lucky enough to play two Open Championships at this venue, with 1995 my best finish (equal 11th). I thought it was a big, open paddock at first but then I learnt you have to play position golf if you want to score well around the old links.

Metropolitan GC, Melbourne (above)

This is my second-favourite course in Australia. I love courses where you have to use every club in the bag and ‘Metro’ is right up near the top of my list.

Royal Canberra GC, Canberra

Growing up near Canberra and playing club pennants in the area, I played a lot at Royal Canberra. As a kid I had never seen a course so beautifully groomed. It’s a terrific layout as well – cut right through Westbourne Woods.

Tasmania GC, Hobart

My first big win on home soil was the Tasmanian Open at Tasmania Golf Club. Sentimental as I may be, I think the track is worthy of a mention here. It’s a tricky layout with many undulating holes and uneven lies. I love it!