Magazine - Australia's Top 100 Golf Courses.

By Rob Jenkins in Golf on 19th Feb 2010 16:40

It's that time again when the golf equivalent of the great debate takes place.

This year will create extra controversy as for the first time since rankings started Royal Melbourne is no longer listed as Australia's top golf course. What could be bigger news than that, well the new number one perhaps? Check out Australia's Top 100 golf courses as voted by Golf Digest.

Australia's Top 100 Golf Courses 2010




1. Kingston Heath (VIC) - Superintendent Martin Greenwood (Designed by Dan Soutar 1925 / Alister Mackenzie 1926
2. New South Wales G.C, La Perouse (NSW) - Gary Dempsey (Alister Mackenzie 1928 / Eric Apperly 1937 & 1951)
3. Royal Melbourne West Course (VIC) - Richard Forsyth (Alister Mackenzie 1931)
4. Barnbougle Dunes (TAS) - Phil Hill (Tom Doak & Michael Clayton 2004)
5. Ellerston (NSW) -  Rod Hinwood (Greg Norman & Bob Harrison 2001)
6. The National Moonah (VIC) - Leigh Yanner (Greg Norman & Bob Harrison 2000)
7. Metropolitan (VIC) - Glenn Stuart (J.B MacKenzie 1906 / Dick Wilson 1959 / Michael Clayton 2010
8. Royal Melbourne (VIC) - Richard Forsyth (Alex Russell 1926)
9. Royal Adelaide (S.A) - Jeff Kaines (H.L Rymill & C.L Gardiner 1904 / Alister Mackenzie 1926 / Thomson & Perett 1997)
10.Victoria G.C (VIC) - Ian Todd (Oscar Damman, William Meader & Alister Mackenzie 1927)

The top 10 for 2010 sees six courses from Victoria, two from New South Wales and one each from Tasmania and South Australia. It wasn't a great year to have the name Royal in your course's name, as Royal Melbourne East West fell two places, Royal Melbourne East fell a massive seven places and Royal Adelaide a further three places! Royal Sydney also fell out of the top ten, dropping five places.
 
Being a Victorian it's great to see our courses dominating the top of Australia's elite. The fall from grace of Royal Melbourne has to be fair, been coming for a while. First the drought then the composite course no longer being counted, has all contributed towards its downfall. I don't think anyone is arguing about the fantastic ageless design that has made Royal Melbourne famous throughout the world. It has long been the flag ship of Australian Golf. However, the bottom line is it's condition hasn't been up to scratch for a number of years, a lack of rain and water storage has severely hampered the course and its condition.

Royal Melbourne shouldn't stay down in the dumps for long.The club is investing heavily on water saving techniques and is drought proofing the entire course. The appointment of the highly respected Richard Forsyth has also proved very popular. With work being undertaken on fairways, greens and new dams now being utilised, expect to see Royal Melbourne come back with a bang. I expect the Presidents Cup next year will be the platform to launch a new improved Royal Melbourne to the world.

Let's not take anything anyway from Kingston Heath and NSW, these two courses are amazing! They have both recently finished hosting very successful tournaments and the conditioning of both courses was second to none. Both are also beautifully designed by the great Alister Mackenzie. Barnbougle has continued its march up the rankings rising one place again from 2008. Is anyone surprised? Hardly, the course is maturing perfectly and don't be surprised to see it challenge for the top honors one day. All it needs is perhaps a major tournament to be televised on the layout to generate a campaign for the course to rise higher. Unfortunately what makes the course so beautiful, its stunning location, is also pitted against it in its bid to host a major event. This will perhaps keep it off the pinnacle of Australian courses.

11. The Australian (NSW) - (Jack Nicklaus 1976)
12. Lake Karrinyup (WA) - (Alex Russell 1928 / Michael Clayton 2008
13. Moonah Links Legends (VIC) - (Thomson & Perrett 2004)
14. The Dunes (VIC) - (Tony Cashmore 1997)
15. Royal Sydney (NSW) - (Carnegie Clark 1913 / Ross Watson 2003)
16. The National Old Course (VIC) - (Robert Trent Jones Jnr 1988)
17. The Lakes (NSW) - Bruce Devlin & Robert von Hagge 1967 / Michael Clayton 2009)
18. Newcastle (NSW) - (Fred Popplewell Snr 1915 / Eric Apperly 1937)
19. Joondalup (WA) - (Robert Trent Jones Jnr 1985)
20. The Links Kennedy Bay (WA) - (Michael Coate, Roger Mackay & Ian Baker-Finch 1998)
21. Barwon Heads (VIC) - (Victor East & Mick Morcom 1921)
22. Woodlands (VIC) - (J.D Scott & R.J Banks 1913)
23. Kooyonga (SA) - (Herbert Lockett Rymill 1924)
24. Commonwealth (VIC) - (Sam Bennett 1926 / Sloan Morpeth 1938 / Kevin Hartley 1994)
25. Peninsula North Course (VIC) - (Sloan Morpeth 1967 / Michael Clayton 2005)

Inside the top 25 we have 13 courses from Victoria, six courses from NSW, three from Western Australia, two from South Australia, and one from Tasmania. When you see Victoria having more than double the courses in this list than the next state down, it shows just what a great golfing destination it is not just for Australia but for the world.

It's great to see The Dunes on the march again up 11 places. The Dunes was long regarded the best public course in Australia when it opened over ten years ago. It's now regaining that reputation which is richly deserves. Victoria's answer to Barnbougle, the Dunes is carved into stunning hilly surroundings giving  the impression it's just meant to be! One of the longer courses from the back markers at over 6400 metres, it's also a stern test of placement being very tight with demanding rough and beautiful bunkering.

It's also great to see The Links Kennedy Bay back into the top 100. It was a huge shame when it looked like it might close for good and it has lost none of it's appeal since it's reopening. It's one of Australia's most beautiful layouts and it's thoroughly deserving of its number 20 ranking.

26. Moonah Links Open Course (VIC) - (Thomson, Wolveridge & Perrett 2001)
27. Royal Canberra (ACT) - (James Herd Scott / John Harris 1962)
28. Magenta Shores - (NSW)- (Ross Watson 2006)
29. Thirteenth Beach, Beach Course (VIC) - (Tony Cashmore 2001)
30. Royal Queensland (OLD) - (Michael Clayton 2007)
31. The Cut (WA) - (James Wilcher 2005)
32. St Andrews Beach (VIC) - (Tom Doak & Michael Clayton 2006)
33. Brookwater (OLD) - (Greg Norman & Bob Harrison 2002)
34. Yarra Yarra (VIC) - (Alex Russell 1929)
35. Links Hope Island (OLD) - (Thomson, Wolveridge & Perrett 1993)
36. Huntingdale (VIC) - (Charles H.Allison 1941 / Newton, Grant & Spencer 2006)
37. The National, Beach Course (VIC) - (Thomson, Wolveridge & Perrett 2000)
38. Portsea (VIC) - (Jock Young 1925/Sloan Morpeth 1962 / Michael Clayton 2002)
39. Peninsula South Course (VIC) - (Sloan Morpeth 1967 / Michael Clayton 2007)
40. Coolum, Hyatt Regency (QLD) - (Robert Trent Jones Jnr 1998 2009)
41. Bonville (NSW) - (Terry Watson & Ted Stirling 1992)
42. The Grand (OLD) - (Greg Norman & Bob Harrison 1997)
43. Concord (NSW) - (Dan Soutar 1916/Ross Watson 1998 / Mark Parker 2009 and ongoing)
44. The Vintage (NSW) - (Greg Norman & Bob Harrison 2003)
45. Gleneig (SA) - (H.L Rymill 1927/Vern Morcom 1955 / Neil Crafter & Bob Tuohy 2004)
46. Terrey Hills (NSW) - (Graham Marsh & Ross Watson 1994)
47. Elanora (NSW) - (Dan Soutar 1929 / James Wilcher 2003)
48. Glades (QLD) - (Greg Norman & Bob Morrison 2000)
49. Grange, West Course (SA) - (Vern Morcom 1956 / Michael Clayton 2007)
50. The Vines, Lakes Course (WA) - (Graham Marsh & Ross Watson 1989)

Royal Queensland was the only course with Royal to be heading in the right direction, jumping an impressive 27 places! Also making a big climb were The National 10 places and The Peninsula South Course 17 places. Both Peninsula courses climbed impressively from 2008 with the North course climbing 11 places into the top 25. One course on the wrong side of the ratings was Huntingdale falling a further 8 places to 36. Huntingdale has been on a slippery slope the last ten years which I find surprising. Host of the Masters until this year it has always been in the public eye, I have never seen the condition of the course presented badly any year.

Highly underrated layout Glenelg came in at 45, up only one place. I have always found Glenelg to be a very appealing golf course.The course has always been in fantastic condition with some of the best bunkering outside the sand belt. Glenelg will never be Royal Adelaide, but it's a course with tons of appeal that's been kept in pristine condition even with the harsh South Australia drought.

Another course we almost lost to financial difficulties was St.Andrews Beach, which closed it's doors and then re opened late last year. The course lost little ground in 32nd place only dropping two placing's. St.Andrews is also on Victoria's glorious Peninsula. A region which now rivals the sandbelt for fantastic courses, the Peninsula is a lot easier to get a game on than the private and exclusive clubs of the sandbelt. It also offers good value for money with high competition for the competing golf courses, keeping prices at a more affordable rate for weekend warriors.

51. Sanctuary Cove Pines Course (QLD) - (Arnold Palmer & Ed Seay 1989)
52. Mount Lawley (WA) - David Anderson & James Tinlin 1930 / Michael Coate 2004 and ongoing)
53. Laguna Whitsundays (QLD) - David Graham & Gary Panks 1992)
54. Club Pelican (QLD) - (Greg Norman & Bob Harrison 2000)
55. The Heritage, St John (VIC) - (Jack Nicklaus 2000)
56. Pacific Harbour (QLD) - (Rosa Watson 2006)
57. Links Lady Bay (SA) - (Newton, Grant & Spencer 2000)
58. St Michaels's (NSW) - (Michael Moran & C.W Cole 1938)
59. Capricorn, Championship Course (QLD) - (Karl Litten 1992)
60. Port Fairy (VIC) - (Club members 1963 / Kevin Hartley 1990 / Michael Clayton2007)
61, The Western Australian (WA) - (Aolex Russell 1928 / Graham Marsh 2001 and ongoing)
62. Spring Valley (VIC) - (Vern Morcom 1948 / Michael Clayton ongoing)
63. Cottesloe (WA) - (David Anderosn 1931 / Graham Marsh 1998 and ongoing)
64. Settlers Run (VIC) - (Greg Norman. Bob Harrison & Harley Kruse 2007)
65. Meadow Springs (WA) - (Robert Trent Jones Jnr 1993)
66. Sanctuary Lakes (VIC) - (Greg Norman & Bob Harrison 2000)
67. Secret Harbour (WA) - (Graham Marsh 2006)
68. Twin Creeks (NSW) - (Graham Marsh 2006)
69. Alice Springs (NT) - (Thomson & Wolveridge 1985)
70. Lakelands (QLD) - (Jack Nicklaus 1997)
71. Tasmania (TAS) - (Al Howard 1972)
72. The Heritage, Henley Course (VIC) - (Tony Cashmore 2006)
73. Grange, East Course (SA) - (Vern Morcom 1967)
74. Pacific Dunes (NSW) - (James Wilcher 2005)
75. Avondale (NSW) - (Eric Apperly 1927 / Ross Watson 2008)

Sanctuary Cove Pines Course in Queensland is Australia's only Arnold Palmer designed layout and deservedly holds place 51. Called The Pines course for obvious reasons, its a long course at 6681 metres from the back. Sanctuary Cove is exclusive and known throughout Australia as having some of the best facilities going, it's often called a "Golfing Treat"

Another course I only recently gave a glowing report to Spring Valley, has climbed a deserved ten placings to 62. Situated in Melbourne's sandbelt this course has invested steadily in recent times and it has paid off. With a fantastic clubhouse and the course getting better by the day, it easily holds its own with the big heavy weight cousins of the sandbelt.

Alice Springs took a dive down sixteen places to number 69. Rightly regarded as Australia's best desert golfing experience, it also boasts some scenery to die for with the lovely MacDonnell Ranges foothills on the doorstep. Designed by Peter Thomson's team one of our great masters with and without his clubs, it's a great reason to get into the centre of Australia.

76. Paradise Palms (QLD) - (Graham Marsh & Ross Watson 1990)
77. Araluen (WA) - (Michael Coate & Roger Mackay1994)
78. Royal Hobart (TAS) - (Vern Morcom 1956)
79. Eynesbury (VIC) - (Graham Marsh 2008)
80. Long Island (VIC) - (Gordon Oliver 1938)
81. Arundel Hills (QLD) - (Fred Bolton 1992)
82. Amstel, Ranfurlie Course (VIC) - (Michael Clayton 2002)
83. Murray Downs (NSW) - (Ted Parslow 1990)
84. Macquarie Links (NSW) - (Robin Nelson 2002)
85. Narooma (NSW) - (John Spencer 1980)
86. Bunbury (WA) - (Albie Gough, Joe Allen & Fred Flanagan 1948)
87. Riversdale (VIC) - (Alex Russell 1930)
88. Sorrento (VIC) - (J.D Scott 1929)
89. Twin Waters (QLD)  - (Thomson, Wolveridge & Perrett 1991)
90. Yering Meadows Nursey Course (VIC) - (Ross Watson 2008)
91. The Vines, Ellenbrook Course (WA) - (Graham Marsh & Ross Watson 1989)
92. Albany (WA) - (William Henry Angove 1898/various 1963)
93. Kooindah Waters (NSW) - (Ross Watson 2006)
94. North Lakes (QLD) - (Graham Marsh 2002)
95. Noosa Springs (QLD) - (Graham Papworth 1999)
96. Southern (VIC) - (Sam Berriman 1949 / Thomson & Wolveridge 1979 / Bob Shearer 1990 and ongoing)
97. Castle Hill (NSW) - (Eric Apperly 1951 / Newton Grant & Spencer 1992)
98. Tallwoods (NSW) - (Michael Hurdzan 1999)
99. Indooroopilly, West Course (QLD) - (Ross Watson 1985 & 2008)
100. Horsham (VIC) - (Sam Berriman 1949)

A couple of big falls just hanging in the top 100 at the lower end are The Vines dropping a huge 52 places, Indooroopilly West course dropping 26 places and Horsham dropping 29 places. Many will consider the fall of 52 places ridiculous for the adored W.A layout. The Vines was judged as a composite course in 2008 and on its own merits this year.

Indooroopilly copped harsh criticism with new works even being labelled a disgrace. The resort course in Brisbane will no doubt not be pleased with the strict criticism of its famed members only layout.

Horsham from it's dazzling high of a 71 ranking in 2008, continues to cop bumps and falls to 100. The course has been an inspiration to many since the tragic bush fires in 2009. Losing its beautiful clubhouse and sustaining damage to the course itself have been hard pills to swallow for the distinctive country town. The way the club has coped since the tragic events has been the true story, and holding its place inside the top 100 is its just reward. No doubt it will continue to go from strength to strength and begin its climb back up the rankings.

I have always loved the top 100 lists and this year's list is arguably its most controversial with Royal Melbourne being dethroned from a spot it owned. There is nothing like a list to create debate as courses strive to be included in the famed top 100. All the courses mentioned are a credit to all staff involved particularly the everyday Greenkeepers. These are the guys out there trimming and raking the manicured bunkers, cuttings acre's and acre's of grass all at different heights. Up at dawn every morning every day of the year, they are also often the last to leave at night. They produce surfaces befitting a king and do it for a pittance of a wage. A love of their craft and passion for the industry keeps them going. While the Superintendent often receives his dues, the everyday greenkeeper is often forgotten.

Pitchcare Oceania congratulates everyone involved in the top 100.

Courses inside the top 100 ranked by Golf Digest:
Victoria - 35
New South Wales - 22
Queensland - 18
Western Australia 14
South Australia - 6
Tasmania - 3
ACT - 1
Northern Territory - 1

Read more articles in Golf, by Rob Jenkins or from February 2010.