On Par – All about golf in Australia

Had the fortune of finding time for golf on a recent business trip to Brisvegas (Brisbane). Paul and I managed to swing enough time for a round at Northlakes and Brookwater golf courses in Brisbane.

Northlakes is a Graham Marsh designed course, set amongst deep rough, lakes and a number of creeks, the layout took its toll early in our round. Stray tee shots are punished, and a number of holes require a great deal of thought before laying into a drive. My driver was misfiring which put pressure on the rest of the game. Round the greens was OK, but the putter once again turned ugly, very ugly – culminating in a four putt which resulted from almost putting off the green, then laving the next too short. A chip in birdie on the 8th was a hollow high point. The back nine was slightly better, more controlled but still pretty average.

Had heard a lot about Brookwater, mostly that it was very tough. Standing on the first tee of the Norman designed layout it was easy to see why. Each hole is surrounded by huge Gumtrees and clumpy ball swallowing rough. The course undulates over ridges with some dramatic bunkering, rolling fairways and water hazards ending in often small narrow greens. Getting the picture?

The front nine was like a warzone, i started OK and had a par on the 4th, an amazing par 5 played down a corridor of gums to a plateau short of a water crossing then up a hill covered in bunkers. (pic of PB on the tee below). Then it all went pear-shaped, a selection of bad shots, poor thought and crapness blew out my score. PB wasnt having much joy either.

We relaxed on the backnine and the golf improved, a couple of pars and some missed opportunities. A sensational course.

Course reviews soon