Murray Downs

The Murray Downs resort lies on the flood plain of Australia’s longest river – the “Mighty Murray” – beside the small pioneer settlement and historic township of Swan Hill and the 18-hole course here is widely recognized as one of the most affordable and accessible layouts in the country.

Course architect Ted Parslow – who includes a number of Chinese and Malaysian courses in his portfolio – fashioned the fairways at Murray Downs in the late 1980s with the official opening taking place in 1991.

Parslow had a blank canvas on which to work, as the site chosen for the course was an open, flat and largely featureless piece of land located in a typically harsh outback environment.

After substantial earth moving, the planting of over 16,000 trees and bushes and the installation of several large expanses of water, the architect crafted a wonderful golfing oasis that has matured splendidly over the last couple of decades.

Noted for its prominent sand bunkers, the course also brings water into play on many of the fairways, especially at holes 11 to 18. The signature hole is played early in the round at the long par three 5th where the tee shot must carry a significant water hazard to a green protected by bunkers on the left and a lake to the right.