Queenscliff

Situated on Swan Island, a sand barrier island at the eastern end of the Bellarine Peninsula, the course at Queenscliff Golf Club is leased from the Defence ministry, which operates a training facility next to the 18-hole layout. Somehow, eighteen holes have been squeezed into a property that extends to only around 100 acres.

Measuring almost 5,900 metres from the back markers and playing to a par of 72 (35 out then 37 in), the course is laid out as two returning nines, with only one par five on the outward half and one par three on the much longer inward half.

Highlight holes include both par threes on the front nine at the 158-metre 3rd and 138-metre 9th, with water to the front left of the green on the former and bunkers surrounding the putting surface on the latter. The short par four 7th is another fine hole, bending right off the tee with Swan Bay to the left of the fairway.

On the inward half, back-to-back par fives at the 11th and 12th present real birdie opportunities before a tough closing sequence of holes starting at the 15th, with only the short par four 17th offering any real respite before putting out on the home green close to the clubhouse.