NSW GC- Hole 5 green
History
New South Wales Golf Club was founded in 1926, and immediately employed Dr Alister MacKenzie to design a course.
MacKenzie was on his tour of Australia- a tour that changed the golfing environment in Australia forever...
The incomplete course opened for play in 1928.
Eric Apperly then completed the course to McKenzie's plans in the period from 1932-1937.
Apperly returned after World War Two to restore and lengthen the course (1948-51).
In more recent times a succession of architects have made relatively minor alterations- Thomson Wolveridge & Perrett, Newton Grant & Spencer, Greg Norman & Bob Harrision, and now Tom Doak & His Renaissance Golf team.
In 2019 Doak unveiled a new version of the iconic 6th hole- changes made necessary by a public path being re routed for safety...
Doak improved the hole and is now working on a master plan.
Championships
New South Wales GC has hosted the Australian Open just once- in 2009 when Adam Scott romped home to win by 5 strokes with a score of 15 under par
Course
"La Perouse' as New South Wales GC is called, is located on a sandy headland at Botany Bay.
The undulating terrain provides spectacular coastal views to complement a challenging course.
When the wind is up at NSW it will test even the best.
MacKenzie's routing, in two loops of nine, takes you to the dramatic seaside holes and back on both nines- and a number of holes play over the dunes rather than through them as most links courses do.
These holes- 3, 8, & 12 require blind shots over substantial dunes running across the line of play- and need a few plays before you have any real idea of where you are headed- they are the ultimate definition of a blind hole!
The highlights of the round are the coastal holes- no matter how often you have played this course the anticipation starts building as you approach the crest of the dune on the par five 5th hole. The view of the approach to the green and coast behind is really one of the most spectacular in golf.
The rocky sea tee on the par 3 sixth is also an adrenalin rush!
In the back nine the course returns to the sea for the 13th green, and then heads along the coast on the wonderful par 4 fourteenth hole.
These holes alone make a round at NSW a rewarding experience, but I guarantee you will enjoy the course more each time you are fortunate enough to play it.
It really is world class
Notable holes include:
hole 1- the opening hole is a short uphill par 4 protected by tea tree left and bunkers right all the way to the green. You need to concentrate now!
NSW GC- hole 1
Hole 5- an iconic par 5 over a large dune and then all the way down to a sea green. A good tee shot can set up a crack at the green, but miss the short grass and it's a long walk. (see pic top of page)
hole 6- the famous par 3 on the rocky shoreline with a back tee set on rocks off the coast. Recently renovated by Tom Doak and team this is a world class hole.
hole 14- a short and dramatic par 4 along the coastline that demands 2 brave shots
hole 17- a mid length par 3 to a green on the top of a ridge exposed to the conditions. Miss the green and the surrounds fall away in all directions
NSW GC- hole 14
NSW GC- hole 17
hole 19- the spare hole- a remarkable short par 3 on the headland with carry over a tee tree gully to a shallow elevated green with a nice backstop to assist the ball back to the middle of the green
NSW GC- hole 19
New South Wales is generally regarded as the best course in Sydney and a world top 100, and Australian top 5 course.
The courses is beautifully maintained, has magnificent sea vistas, and tests all of your golfing skills
New South Wales is a Travelling Golfer 'must play!'
Golf Tours
The Travelling Golfer can tailor a golf trip to New South Wales to suit your group. For itinerary suggestions please see Destinations: Sydney
Enquiries
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