Caloundra

Situated at the southern tip of Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast, Caloundra Golf Club was established with a 9-hole layout in 1951. Al Howard then added another nine in 1966 to fashion the 18-hole course that’s in play today. Ross Watson carried out some work in the early 1980s to bring the course up to championship standard.

Open champion Ian Baker-Finch completed his traineeship at the club in 1978 and returned to win the club pro-am in 1985, adding his name to a list that includes PGA Tour winners Marc Leishman and Steven Bowditch.

Several irrigation ponds were created in recent times, most noticeably “Swamp Creek” down the entire left side of the 388-metre 3rd, which is now rated as stoke index 1 on the score card.

Highlight holes include the par threes at the 155-metre 2nd and the 157-metre 6th, both of which bring water in play. On the back nine, the toughest hole is kept until last at the 412-metre 18th as it doglegs left from the tee to the home green.