Commonwealth GC

Commonwealth Golf Club- hole 1

 

History

Commonwealth GC evolved from beginnings at Murrumbeena GC then Waverly GC before moving to its current sandbelt location in 1920.

The course was designed by the club professional Sam Bennett with input from club captain Charles Lane.

The completed course opened in 1926

In 1938 Sloan Morpeth instigated a comprehensive remodelling of the greens and bunkers during his lengthy tenure as Secretary/Manager

Over time the Club was able to acquire further adjacent land, and Sloan Morpeth was there to oversee the changes

 

Championships

 

 

Commonwealth hosted The Australian Open just once- in 1967- when Peter Thomson won by 7 shots

But the club has a proud history of hosting major events- 2 Women's Australian Opens, 2 Victorian Opens, 2 Womens Victorian Opens, 3 Australian Amateurs & 3 Australian Senior Amateurs

Tom Doak & Brian Slawnik

 

World renowned course architect and author Tom Doak published his 'Confidential Guide to Golf Courses' in 1996.

As well as appraising the better courses world wide, Mr Doak opened the book with 'The Gourmet's Choice', a selection not of the best 31 courses in the world, but 'the first he would take a good friend to see'.

This list included: Ballybunion, Merion, Pinehurst no 2, Pine Valley, Royal Dornoch, St Andrews (Old), St George's Hill, Sand Hills and Commonwealth!

 

So when it came the time to bring the course into the modern age, Tom Doak and team were the obvious choice to oversee the project.

 Doak associate Brian Slawnik started by upgrading all playing surfaces.

The tees, greens & fairways are all now world class.

And by cutting back vegetation and widening playing lines they have brought strategic play rather than pinpoint accuracy to the fore.

And the thinning of vegetation has led to an immediate improvement in playing surfaces with gorgeous bunkering and slick greens defining approaches..

 

The new driveable short par 4 first hole is an immediate example of the changes made, and a lovely way to start the round.

The par five tenth hole is also a significant improvement.

Other changes of note include a brand new par 3 seventh hole and the opening up of the par 13th hole..

 

  

Course

 

 

Based on a rolling sandy terrain, Commonwealth displays all the attributes of the great sandbelt courses. 

Firm greens and beautiful clusters of sand faced bunkers dominate

Each fairway is framed by an impressive array of gum trees and typical Australian bush

Commonwealth is perhaps a little tighter in the playing corridors than other sandbelt courses, and demands thoughtful and accurate play.

The green complexes are tilited to favour an approach from one side or the other so an accurate tee shot is rewarded

 

Notable holes include:

 

- hole 1, a short par 4 where longer hitters need to make a decision- lay up or have a go?

 

 

- hole 8, a long and difficult par 4 with a severe elevated green

 

Commonwealth GC- hole 8 approach

 

- hole 9, one of the scariest short par 3's anywhere! It's a brilliant hole!

 

 

- hole 16, a longer par 4 with a lake very much in play off the tee, and a green that favours a tee shot near the lake...

 

Commonwealth GC- hole 16 tee shot

 

 

- hole 18, a par 5 which meanders across in front of the majestic clubhouse to a lovely green site

 

Commonwealth GC- hole 18 approach