Paradise Palms

The Graham Marsh course portfolio extends to over fifty courses in more than a dozen countries worldwide and Paradise Palms is one of his earliest designs, opening a few years after his architectural skills were first employed in the mid 1980s.

Set out between the World Heritage rainforest and The Great Barrier Reef, the fairways at Paradise Palms hardly resemble the normal style of hole found on a resort course. Many of them are tough to play, bounded on either side by dense woodland and a number also feature creeks that wind across fairways and in front of greens.

The first hole, a left doglegged par five, sets the tone for the round. It’s a genuine three shotter with thick rough either side of a fairway that leads to a well-bunkered green – no easing into a round at Paradise Palms.

The par three 7th is regarded as the signature hole on the scorecard where the tee shot is played to a green protected by water to the front right with a creek crossing in front of the putting surface.

Visiting green fees include the use of a cart and – for the more energetic – entry to the swimming, tennis and beach volleyball facilities at the sport and leisure club. Visitors are also welcome to enter a variety of weekly competitions for both social and serious golfers.

Sadly, in 2019, Paradise Palms closed its tees for play pending redevelopment of the site for housing, school, retirement village and tourist park.