The project was initially developed jointly by Medallist Developments and the Stevens Group, a Central Coast-based developer, until the latter acquired the former’s shares in 2006. Soon afterwards, American entrepreneur Don Panoz – who made his wealth in pharmaceuticals but later diversified into auto racing and developing golf and winery estates, hotels and spas in the US and Europe – became the Stevens Group’s partner. Panoz’s Chateau Elan resort outside Atlanta is acknowledged among the finest hotels in the world and his experience would prove invaluable as The Vintage grew to include its own Chateau Elan spa and resort.

However, while the resort and residential components expanded during The Vintage’s first decade, the golf course was the mainstay. Built on rich, clay-based soil that’s better suited to grapevines than golf courses, The Vintage overcame some early agronomic obstacles and a longer than usual maturation process to complement an excellent layout with condition to match. The Vintage received due recognition when it hosted three NSW Opens from 2007 to 2009.

The course delves into varying pockets of The Vintage’s expansive site. The opening holes are tight and tree-lined before moving across the property’s most undulating land for the latter half of the front nine. The back nine is more open and mostly flatter but with more water in play. Consistent throughout are the huge, flashy bunkers synonymous with Greg Norman/Bob Harrison designs in this country.