Warrnambool

The well-planned course at Warrnambool Golf Club was laid out behind a tertiary dune system, in 1926, to a classic design by George Lowe Jr., son of the unheralded architect cum professional cum greenkeeper George Lowe, who originally laid out Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham & St Annes in England's northwest.

Not overly long at 5,750 metres, 35 out and 37 home, for a par of 72. The layout features several spectacular elevated tee blocks and reasonably generous, well grassed, ti-tree lined fairways. The trio of holes, 4,5, and 6, are as good as golf gets in this part of the world.

Constructed on a coastal sandy base, the course remains readily playable throughout the winter months. The greens are fast and true and the bunkering a genuine test of your prowess with the sand wedge.

The influence of the ever present fluky coastal sea-breeze cannot be understated and really adds to the challenge of a course which may play variously from one nine to the next and one round to another. Testing and yet enjoyable for players of all skill levels and invariably, all that play up to the 18th green at Warrnambool, are saddened that the round is at a close.

Article by Chris Croker and course photograph courtesy of Gary Lisbon www.golfselect.com