The Cut Golf Course

Arriving on planet golf in 2005, The Cut has made a simply sensational entry into the world of top golfing venues in Australia. Named after the nearby Dawesville Channel which was cut into the narrow strip of land separating the Harvey Estuary from the Indian Ocean, the course is routed over some serious dune land with a back nine, in particular, that is visually stunning.

The Cut has been designed by Sydney-based James Wilcher – a member of the Greg Norman design team for ten years – who also worked on the acclaimed new Pacific Dunes course in New South Wales. James has worked with the likes of Nick Faldo and Graham Marsh and on projects all over Australia and Asia. It is fair to say his architectural stature has grown considerably with this course.

The opening holes take you away from the clubhouse, along the coast, with only a narrow strand of scrub separating fairways from Pyramid Beach and the Ocean. Holes 5 to 9 turn inland, playing through residential property, and this is the least attractive section of the course. So far, so good but the best is yet to come on the back nine.

Holes 10 to 18 are flanked by the same thick plantations of native shrubs that line many of the font nine fairways and they rise and fall over some gloriously undulating terrain on a nine-hole stretch that matches just about any other in Australia. The Cut every right to proclaim, “We just finished off what nature started.”

The signature hole is the 440-yard, par four, 12th at the furthest point from the clubhouse where the drive is played off a tee perched high above the shoreline. The fairway drops then narrows at the landing area before turning right and uphill to an elevated green protected by a clutch of bunkers short left – it is no exaggeration to say this hole is already being spoken of as one of the best in the country.

James Wilcher course architect commented as follows:

"The Cut is a true links course played over spectacular rolling dunes with dramatic views from many holes. Perhaps the only course in Australia that has better water views is New South Wales.

The course has a range of holes that play in various directions so that the predominant sou’easter doesn't unduly affect play.

The back nine in particular is spread over a large nature reserve that isolates many holes from one another. It's a true test of golf which is made far more difficult when the wind gets up."