RACV Cape Schanck Resort
Cape Schanck Resort was designed by legendary architect , Robert Trent Jones Jnr, and opened for play in 1986.
Cape Schanck was the second of five courses built in quick succession around Australia by RTJ Jnr.
The other courses are Joondalup, Coolum, Meadow Springs and The National Old Course.
I played the Cape Schanck Resort course yesterday- the first time in 25 years or more.
The course is located adjacent to the majestic Old Course at The National.
I am a long term member at The National.
The Old Course at The National is my favourite course in Australia.
I love it!
Both Cape Schanck and The Old Course were designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, so you can imagine there might be some resemblances..
The Cape course is a par 70 and definitely the shorter course.
It is set up for public play and on the day we played off the blue tees the course was only 5281 metres long.
Like the Old Course next door the big greens have plenty of movement throughout.
I have had a couple of conversations over the years with RTJ regarding his greens.
His argument is simple and hard to deny- windy sites require bigger greens, and bigger greens need to have significant movement to avoid playing/ looking like football fields.
His best example is the big greens at St Andrews.
At the Old Course (The National) members get to know the contours, and it certainly adds a whole different dimension to your golfing experience.
The more considered golfer can use the movement to advantage.
Whilst I do not know the Cape course as well, there is certainly a similarity in the shaping of both greens and bunkering.
Cape Schanck has movement and variety throughout the course, and some really interesting holes.
One unexpected bonus is the betting hole, a delightful short par 3
Cape Schanck Resort- 'The Betting Hole'
Notable holes include:
- hole 6, a short dogleg par 4 with one of the longest greens anywhere!
Cape Schanck Resort- the long green at hole 6
- hole 7, a pictureque par 3 over water
Cape Schanck Resort- hole 7
- hole 14, a lovely downhill par 3 with ocean backdrop
Cape Schanck Resort- hole 14
- hole 16, a dramatic par 3 over a bushy chasm
Cape Schanck Resort- hole 16
- hole 18, a short dogleg par 4 with views of the resort and the sea beyond.
Cape Schanck Resort's 18th green
Cape Schanck Resort really is the baby brother of The Old Course, and great fun to play.
However next time we will play it off the big boys tees
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