SHORT 40-kilometre drive southeast of Melbourne sits Sandhurst Club – the quintessential example of a world-class, premier lifestyle facility. It’s also the home of the PGA of Australia and, fittingly, boasts two unique championship 18-hole courses designed by Thomson Perrett.
Both the North and Champions courses offer a very different feel and require a different strategic approach and are playable for golfers of all levels six days a week.
The Sandbelt-styled Champions layout features rolling, contoured fairways, open fronts to greens and plenty of tree-lined fairways. The putting surfaces here are large and roll true. One of the more innovative touches for the Champions course is the hole-by-hole dedication to past champions of the PGA of Australia. Each tee box features a plaque with a likeness of the featured champion, their history and accomplishments in Australian golf, and highlights of their relevant skills and attributes. Reading these tributes is like taking a walk down memory lane, while it also asks how these great players would have approached each of the holes before you take up the challenge.
In contrast, strategic shot-making and a solid short game are key when playing the open-styled North course, which boasts large sprawling greens and many distinct Scotland-inspired features such as The Wall surrounding the third green [above] and The Burn that dissects the ninth fairway [below], reminiscent of
St Andrews.
Be surprised at one of the country’s most underrated – and important – golf facilities.
For more information, go to sandhurst.com
