On Par - All about golf in Australia

The Heritage Golf & Country Club is a 36 hole members course located in the picturesque Yarra Valley, a short drive from central Melbourne. The established St Johns course designed by Jack Nicklaus is now joined by the Henley Course, opened about a year ago. The St Johns course is a very tough, layout with smoothed open bunkering, lakes and manicured fairways and rough, a very “american” style layout. The Tony Cashmore designed Henley Course is a more rugged links inspired course, covering a huge area and a number of large changes in direction and altitude. The fairways and greens are excellent given the age of the course, and the bunkering is rugged and severe, the rough is tough and not a happy place to be! Walking the course would be a very good workout.

6th Hole – Keep right, just not too far right

The 6th is a par 5, 502 metres. From the tee there are options to flaunt with the water on the left to save some distance or go right. The ever present lake follows the left fairway, and a large nest of bunkers protects the green and poses the question as to whether to attack the hole or layup.

9th Hole – Toughest on the course, be careful on the tee

The ninth is the hardest hole on the course and rightly so. A par 4, 410metres, the tee shot must avoid the bunkers and also the water hazard crossing the fairway, a very nasty 235m from the tee. So, a layup with a 3 wood may be necessary requiring a longer shot into the green. A huge bunker complex gaurds the right of the green.

12th Hole – Short par 3, in the clouds

After a short par 4, the 12th hole poses a tough challenge. Set high on a hill, wind plays havoc with the tee shot to the 157metre par 3. Judging distance is tough as the hole plays longer than it appears, anything long will run off the back and down the hill.


16th Hole – A LONG par 4, but its all ‘hang time’

A glance down the scorecard before the round caused panic as the eyes set upon the distance for the 16th, Par 4 468metres!! And not ranked hardest on the course, WHAT THE Once at the tee though, its apparent, as the hole has a huge drop in elevation from tee to green. A well hit drive stays in the air for a long time, just dont take my line, a pushed drive right that sailed over a ridge and down into a massive expanse of deep rough, Gone There is something special about hitting a six iron 190metres to the green!

Overall, enjoyed the course, as did my three Korean companions. Given the course is still in its youth it is in excellent condition, and will age like a fine wine! As the course is open, and up the side of a hill, wind will play havoc with the game.