Forster Tuncurry GC- Tuncurry Course, hole 17
Located on NSW's mid north coast, Forster Tuncurry GC boasts two golf courses and 1500 members (not including juniors)
It all started back in 1955 when The Forster Golf Club was formed with a nine hole course designed by A.W. East
The course was extended to 18 holes in 1970, but the membership continued to grow to the extent that some members decided that a new course was needed to cope with the numbers.
These members identified and acquired a piece of land ideal for a links and employed Kel Nagle and Mike Cooper to design a championship course.
Initially known as The Great Lakes Country Club, the Tuncurry course was completed in 1984.
But by the time it opened the Forster GC and the new Great Lakes Country Club had merged as one to become the Forster Tuncurry GC (with two distinct golf courses in two locations).
Notably the majority of the course construction was undertaken by the members themselves
In recent years Craig Parry has been engaged to draw up a Master Plan for Tuncurry and already some changes have been instigated
Tuncurry
Forster Tuncurry GC- Tuncurry Course, hole 15
The Tuncurry course is located in some exciting golfing land.
The rolling sand landscape is heavily vegetated with bracken and a variety of native trees.
The site is somewhat reminscent of the Melbourne Sandbelt or London Heathlands.
The natural movement in the fairways further enhances the golfing experience.
Many of the greens are slightly raised, and whilst they don't exhibit wild contours there is a subtlety to them that keeps you on your toes.
When you miss a green you will find you have a number of ways to play the recovery shot- it's a part of the game that I really enjoyed at Tuncurry.
Craig Parry has identified this in his Master Plan- it's a focal point for improving the playablity of the course going forward.
Whilst the course is not overly bunkered, the design does very well to incorporate the native trees as features, defining the doglegs and framing the holes.
It complements the strategic bunkering that is present
It is a key point of difference for the Tuncurry course, but will need to be continually monitored as some of the tee shots are getting a little tight and need opening up.
Notable holes include:
- hole 3, a very tight par 4 dogleg
Forster Tuncurry GC- Tuncurry Course, hole 3 tee
Forster Tuncurry GC- Tuncurry Course, hole 3 approach
Forster Tuncurry GC- Tuncurry Course, hole 3 green
- hole 4, a mid length par 3 with a lovely contoured green (a bit like a side on biarritz)
Forster Tuncurry GC- Tuncurry Course, hole 4
- hole 8, a sweeping par 5 with a tight tee shot
Forster Tuncurry GC- Tuncurry Course, hole 8 tee
Forster Tuncurry GC- Tuncurry Course, hole 8 approach
- hole 11, a beautiful strategic par 5 where the native vegetation is a real feature
Forster Tuncurry GC- Tuncurry Course, hole 11 green
- hole 13, a striking par 4 dogleg with an outstanding green complex
Forster Tuncurry GC- Tuncurry Course, hole 13
Forster Tuncurry GC- Tuncurry Course, hole 13 green
- hole 17, another lovely par 4 complemented perfectly by the trees framing the hole
The Tuncurry course is impressive, and getting better
With Craig Parry making ongoing improvements, I would expect Tuncurry to increasingly come into discussions about the best rural courses in Australia.
It is worth travelling to play!
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