Course Review
History
The club was founded in 1928 when local golfers identified the potential of the sandhills and lakes at Kingsford, not far from Sydney airport
Eric Apperly and Tom Howard were the architects and the course open to universal acclaim.
One of the conditions set for the club to meet if it was to use the land to build a private golf course was to also provide for a public access golfing facility on adjacent land- this facility is known as Eastlake Links and is a quality course in it's own right
In 1968 the Mascot Freeway construction required a significant redesign of the course. The changes were overseen by American Robert Von Hagge.
In 2007 Mike Clayton was employed to re imagine the course. Clayton has built a reputation for clearing trees out, and at The Lakes he was able to widen fairways and give more emphasis on the rolling sandy terrain and bunkering
Championships
Notable winners include: Jack Nicklaus (1964), Greg Norman (1980), Steve Elkington (1992), and Geoff Ogilvy (2010)
Other tournaments held have been The Australian PGA, The Wills Masters, The Johnny Walker Classic, & more
Course
The Lakes has always been a tale of two nines.
The front nine starts with a par 4 right on the lake, but then heads into the trees.
This is where the Clayton redesign comes to the fore
Previously this nine was a tight treelined parkland golfing adventure, but not a memorable set of holes
By taking out trees and opening up the holes, Clayton has brought the course to life and given it a more linksy feel
The sandy wastelands and bunkering are now a feature to genuinely rival the picturesque back nine
The homeward nine can get the heart rate up with many of the holes featuring the water hazards from which the club gets it’s name
There are some unique holes.
No one will forget playing over the water on the short par 5 fourteenth, or the challenges avoiding the lakes on 16 & 17.
It’s a strong test of golf, and a not for the faint hearted!
The Lakes is one of the premier courses in Sydney.
It is both a fine championship course and a stern test of golf for members.
The membership love the course and rightly so!
Notable Holes
Hole 1 par 4 - a short hole that arcs around the edge of the lake
The Lakes GC- hole 1
Hole 5, par 4 - a short dogleg with the green tucked into the trees
Hole 11, par 5 - around the lake
Hole 14, par 5 - short par 5 that requires some decision making and courageous stroke play
Hole 16, par 4 - a unique longer par 4 with water seemingly everywhere. It’s a tough hole!
Hole 17, par 5 - shotrt par 5 around the lake edge, but with water carries required along the way (see pic top of page)
Golf Tours
Sydney is a lovely place to visit, especially if one is fortunate enough to stay near the harbour.
It is a golfing destination with character and boasts Royal Sydney, New South Wales, The Lakes, The Australian and more.
The Travelling Golfer can organise golf tours to Sydney for you.
The Travelling Golfer specialises in small group tours and customised self-led tours. We are based in Melbourne Australia and have over 35 years experience organising golf tours to places throughout the world.
Contact us now for a free consultation.