Last month saw the release of the 2023 Golf Australia Magazine Top 100 public access golf course list. This is revised every two years, with a part of this period affected by Covid lockdowns. I find this list more susceptible to greater change, compared to the all course list, with sixteen courses entering this ranking compared to 2021 as some evidence.
I’m not heavily invested in following the public access rankings, compared to the all courses lists. But do like to keep track to see how some of the better courses fair. It is also a good way to see any up and coming courses that may not get too much attention.
A major change occurred with what courses would be considered, with those being less than eighteen holes being eligible. Two courses took full advantage of this, with the fourteen hole Bougle Run course in Tasmania debuting at 18, having also entered the lists for multiple publications the previous year. The first nine hole course debut at 94, was Teven Valley. It will be interesting to see how nine hole courses fair, over the coming years. Will there be an increase in appearances, or will this be a short lived change.
The efforts of clubs carrying out major changes, are also coming to fruition, with three courses appearing in the top thirty, two on debut (Lonsdale Links and Sandy Golf Links), whilst another moved up thirty four spots (Rosebud Country Club South Course).
Looking at the Golf Australia Magazine 2023 Public Access top 100, these are the standout aspects:
- Two courses, Links Kennedy Bay and Pelican Waters, not included due to major renovations
- Seven courses excluded due to reduced tee times for the public (Barwon Heads, Bonville, Indooroopilly, Newcastle, Ranfurlie, Sanctuary Cove Palms Course and Settlers Run)
- The top four positions remain unchanged
- Sixteen courses not in the 2021 ranking moved into this Top 100 list
- Standout Debut or Returning:
- Lonsdale Links debut at 8 after redesign by OCM
- Bougle Run, designed by Bill Coore, debut at 18
- Sandy Golf Links (Sandringham GC) debut at 29 after rework by OCM
- Rosebud CC (South) debut at 56 after rework by OCM
- Portarlington GC debut at 63
- Largest Movements (greater than 10 spots):
- Ocean Shores GC up twelve spots to 78
- Horsham GC up seventeen spots to 74
- Rich River GC (East) up fourteen spots to 68
- Flinders GC up fifteen spots to 57
- Albany GC up twenty four spots to 49
- Mornington GC up seventeen spots to 47
- Maroochy River GC up twelve spots to 42
- Links Lady Bay up twenty spots to 31
- Rosebud GC (North) up thirty four spots to 27
There are some great courses out there that anyone can play, so get out there and enjoy them.
