My Favourite Courses: Greg Chalmers

The reigning Australian PGA champion selects some classics from at home and abroad among his top-ten layouts.

Kingston Heath GC, Melbourne (above)

This course is defined by fantastic short par-4s and holes that demand a confident decision. It’s also home to one of the greatest par-3s in the country, the 15th. I even wish they kept the tiny 10th hole in the tournament rotation.

Royal Melbourne GC (West course), Melbourne

Not much more I can say other than I love it because it’s Royal Melbourne!

Royal Adelaide GC, Adelaide

My favourite holes are the 3rd, 10th, 11th and 16th – plus I won the 1998 Australian Open there.

Augusta National GC, Georgia, USA (above)

Augusta places an emphasis on making the right choices, and you have to be a great iron player, chipper and putter. Plus, who doesn’t love Amen Corner? The only Masters I ever played in was 2001 and things didn’t start well for me. My first tee shot on the Thursday hit a spectator right above his eye and knocked him out! I remember thinking, ‘He’s probably waited ten years for tickets and I’ve knocked him out at 8:30 in the morning!’ Then, my second shot hit someone else in the shoulder. I thought I was going to set a Masters record that day for most people hit.

St Andrews (Old Course), Fife, Scotland (above)

It’s the home of golf. When you love golf, crave to play this course for 20 years and finally get the chance … well, you know what I’m talking about. St Andrews is such a difficult place to figure out the lines you need to hit the ball on since you can’t see many of the bunkers standing on the tee. One day when I was playing the Old Course, I hit it left off the 14th tee and asked my caddie, “Do you think that’s OK?” He said, “I have no f***ing idea!”

Carnoustie GL (Championship course), Angus, Scotland

This course is so difficult. It’s just a brutal track but I love it. Please lay up, Jean!

Shelly Beach GC, Central Coast, NSW (above)

This was my first club and I played my first round of golf there with my dad. I remember I won a tea towel that day!

Royal Fremantle GC, Fremantle, WA

This club is full of great members who supported me and I have fantastic memories of playing pennant golf and junior golf there.

Royal Hobart GC, Hobart, Tasmania

This place is special to me because I won the 1993 Australian Amateur there … mullet and all!

Palmer Coolum, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

This used to be the greatest place to hold the Australian PGA Championship at the end of every year. I really enjoyed winning my first PGA there and catching up with people you hadn’t seen all year was always unique.