13th Beach GC- Beach Course- hole 4, lake & clubhouse
History
Located on the Bellarine Peninsula near Barwon Heads, 13th Beach Golf links boasts two championship courses and world class facilities.
The first of the two courses, The Beach course, was designed by Tony Cashmore and opened for play in December 2001.
The Creek course followed two years later
Championships
In 2013 13th Beach became the venue for a revamped Victorian Open- a joint championship which crowns both the men's and women's champion at the same time at the same venue.
Although they are separate championships they have equal prize money.
The men's tournament is co sanctioned by both the European Tour and The PGA Tour of Australia.
The women's tournament is co sanctioned by the LPGA and ALPGA tours.
Course
The Beach Course covers some interesting land with roughly a third of the terrain relatively quiet farming land, another third of the course in dramatic dunes by the coast, and the remaining holes transitioning between the two.
As a general statement the more memorable holes are located in the dunes.
The par 3's at hole 7, 12 & 16 are world class, and the rolling par 5 eighth hole is impressive.
The bunkering throughout the course has that wild and natural look that defines the modern links like courses.
The clusters of bunkers on holes 5 & 17 (amongst others) are good examples and can't help but draw your eye..
The greens are firm and true, but not too fast- they can't be given the propensity for windy days!
Notable holes include:
- hole 4, which plays as the closing hole in the Victorian Open
13th Beach GC- Beach Course- hole 4 birdie!
- hole 5, a short par 4 tucked in between water and dunes- you need two accurate shots to get home
- hole 7, an outstanding par 3 in the dunes
13th Beach GC- Beach Course- hole 5
13th Beach GC- Beach Course- hole 7
- hole 8, a par 5 with character!
- hole 12, another brilliant par 3 in the dunes
13th Beach GC- Beach Course- hole 8
13th Beach GC- Beach Course- hole 12
- hole 16, a 'postage stamp' type short par 3 which demands accuracy and nerve.
13th Beach GC- Beach Course- hole 16 green
- hole 17, a longer par 4 dominated by some amazing bunkering
13th Beach GC- Beach Course- hole 17 approach
The Beach course is a joy to play.
Having seen the professionals play the course in the Vic Open, it is fun to play the same holes yourself, albeit off a shorter tee (for most of us)
In decent weather the course is quite playable for club golfers off the appropriate tee, but can still challenge the pros off the back markers.
That is a sign of good design!
The Beach is a quality course and should be on every travelling golfer's bucket list
Golf Tours
The Travelling Golfer can tailor a golf trip to suit your group.
For suggested destinations see The Bellarine Peninsula & The Great Ocean Road.
Enquiries
For further information on a tailored golf trip please enquire here:
