Our nation’s capital endures a challenging climate: searing heat in summer, bone-chilling cold in winter and only brief ‘shoulder’ seasons in between. It might sound like a decidedly anti-golf environment, yet one of the country’s best layouts is in the heart of Canberra. The ever-evolving Westbourne course at Royal Canberra Golf Club, comprising holes one to 18, represents a magnificent layout in a wooded, lakeside setting that’s equally stellar.
The latest upgrade came in March, with the club’s grass-conversion project now spanning the entire Westbourne course. The switch to Santa Ana couch began with a test hole, the seventh, which quickly revealed the benefits. Santa Ana is better suited to a climate that experiences both extremes, while the ongoing sustainability factor can’t be downplayed.
Carefully and thoughtfully re-imagined by the Ogilvy Clayton Cocking Mead architectural firm last decade, the Westbourne course today feels less claustrophobic while also being less taxing from an agronomy perspective. The course flows comfortably across the gentle ripples of the site beside Lake Burley Griffin, regularly returning to various points beside the water. A portion of the lake is in play on the 14th hole, which features an enormously wide fairway with the water on the right and a smattering of bunkers to complicate the line from the tee. The illusion of space can draw unsuspecting golfers into a false sense of security and therefore a loose shot, a clever architectural trick on show several times at Royal Canberra.
THE DETAILS:
Royal Canberra Golf Club
Ranking for 2024-2025: 29th
Prior rankings: 28th (2022), 25th (2020), 29th (2018), Omitted (2016), 49th (2014), 37th (2012), 27th (2010), 18th (2008), 12th (2006), 15th (2004), 12th (2002), 9th (2000), 14th (1998), 12th (1996), 10th (1994), 5th (1991), 6th (1989), First Ten (1986)
Where: Bentham St, Yarralumla ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6282 7000
Web: royalcanberra.com.au
