Architecturally speaking, this month’s LIV Golf Adelaide tournament (April 21-23) is what you might describe as Grange Golf Club’s version of Istanbul – where East meets West.
The 36-hole club is fusing its two layouts by using all but one back-nine hole of the East course and the entire second nine of the West course to provide the 18 holes the 48-player field will tour for three days. The reason behind the blending is nuanced. This configuration will provide arguably the strongest combination of holes on the property while also aiding crowd movement and the placement of tournament infrastructure.
Both courses have been extensively redesigned this century. Mike Clayton revamped the West course ahead of the club co-hosting the 2008 World Amateur Team Championships, while LIV Golf frontman Greg Norman – who won his first professional tournament in 1976 at Grange – reworked the East course a decade ago.
Years of growth had seen treelines choke some holes on the West, effectively narrowing the playing corridors. Clayton opened the course up, gave golfers width but asked them to avoid bunkers and choose a defined path towards the flag. Meanwhile, the post-2012 incarnation of the East contrasts nicely with the West. The renovated layout is a shade longer, a little tighter in places and features a different bunkering style.
THE DETAILS:
Grange Golf Club
West: Ranking in 2022: 44th
Prior rankings: 43rd (2020), 44th (2018), 44th (2016), 43rd (2014), 47th (2012), 49th (2010), 55th (2008), 55th (2006), 29th (2004), 35th (2002), 35th (2000), 33rd (1998), 29th (1996), 23rd (1994), 19th (1991), 26th (1989)
East: Ranking in 2022: 56th
Prior rankings: 53rd (2020), 48th (2018), 47th (2016), 40th (2014), N/R (2012), 73rd (2010), 60th (2008), 48th (2006), 53rd (2004), 54th (2002), 51st (2000), 51st (1998), 43rd (1996), 28th (1994), 60th (1991), 69th (1989), Fifth Ten (1986)
Where: White Sands Drive, Grange SA 5022
Phone: (08) 8355 7100
Web: grangegolf.com.au
