My Favourite Courses: Craig Parry

Playing tournaments around the world helped the 2007 Australian Open champion choose a unique mix for his Top-10 favourite layouts.

Royal Melbourne GC (Composite)

Melbourne, Victoria

I have a few great memories of Royal Melbourne (below) from tournaments, but my earliest recollection of watching tournament golf was there as a five-year-old with my grandparents. I remember sitting at the back of the 6th green and being small enough to get in among the ti-tree and between the other people to watch the action. That was more or less my introduction to tournament golf.

PHOTO: Brendan James

Royal Fremantle GC

Fremantle, WA

The variety of shots you face in a round there makes this a favourite. You have to be a good driver of the ball. The way to play the course alters from season to season – and even within a few hours the switch of winds would often change the way it plays. It was a great spot to play and practise. I always enjoyed playing Royal ‘Freo’ (below).

PHOTO: Brendan James

St Andrews (Old Course)

Fife, Scotland

It’s just so special in the history of our game. The course is right there in front of you but you have to know where all the bunkers are and have a good understanding of how to play each hole. One of my favourite memories was the 1990 Open Championship and playing in the second-last group alongside Payne Stewart on the Saturday and Sunday.

Albany GC

Albany, WA

This is a favourite from my early days in Western Australia, although the course may have changed from my younger days. The location, at the bottom of WA, is very picturesque – right on the Southern Ocean.

Elanora CC

Sydney, NSW

It’s a secluded championship course that’s always in fantastic condition. The course superintendent, Dan Cook, has worked at Augusta National and returns for the Masters each April. Every time I go and play there it’s a very unique experience.

PHOTO: Brendan James

The Australian GC

Sydney, NSW

I always love playing ‘The Aussie’. I have a lot of fond memories, from my first tournament victory at the 1987 NSW Open there through to finally landing the Australian Open 20 years later. It’s always great to go back to

‘The Oz’ (above).

Shinnecock Hills GC

New York, USA

As far as the design of the golf course is concerned, it’s No.2 in the world for me – behind only the Composite course at Royal Melbourne. I played in the 2004 US Open at Shinnecock (below) and walked away thinking how fantastic a golf course it is.

PHOTO: Getty Images

Gleneagles GC (King’s)

Perthshire, Scotland

I played with Seve Ballesteros on the last day when I won the 1991 Scottish Open there. It’s a great golf course and, as with St Andrews, the fans are just so knowledgeable. It’s a lot of fun to play.

Hirono GC

Hyogo, Japan

This old-style course is also very fun to play despite being very demanding. It’s held Japan Opens and is a really, really good golf course. The British architect C.H. Alison designed the layout, which has a distinctly British feel to it.

St Michael’s GC

Sydney, NSW

The layout on its own is strong but the combination of the seaside location and volatile coastal conditions gives St Michael’s a lot of personality. I’ve been doing some course redesign work with the club in the

past few years.