Brookwater Golf and Country Club 2019

Magazine Ratings

Another visit to Brookwater Golf and Country Club, one of Queensland’s top courses. Designed by Greg Norman and Bob Harrison, the course has undergone some renovations around the green structures, which was quite noticeable compared to my first visit. I was also keen as the trip one year previously had seen the green surfaces in bad condition with efforts to repair.

There is a little bit about the history of the course included in my first course visit post on Brookwater.

Brookwater Golf and Country Club Entrance

The surrounding area of Brookwater has seen quite a lot of development since first opening. I remember on my initial visit, the golf course was quite isolated, bar the odd signs of residential property found mainly on the back nine. A stark contrast to now, with a small shopping centre found near the entrance and further housing being built around the course.

Clubhouse at Brookwater Golf and Country Club

Overlooking the 18th green and practice area, the clubhouse has a great balcony to get some fresh air, along with a bit of sun for those south of the border.

Locker Room at Brookwater Golf and Country Club

Having a sneak peek into the locker room for the first time, it is very modern in style, meeting the members requirements.

Brookwater Golf and Country Club Course Map

Over the years certain aspects of the course have changed, in particular a major green redesign project, thinning of some trees, but the routing has remained the same. This runs through some tall timber forest, reminding me a lot of Bonville or Augusta (OK the later is a slight exaggeration). On numerous occasions the course has been voted the best in the state of Queensland.

Scorecard for Brookwater Golf and Country Club

2019 saw my third visit to Brookwater Golf and Country Club. There had been quite a few changes since my initial game in 2012, including an updated look to the scorecard.

Hole 1 – 351 meter par 4

The first thing you notice are the tall trees lining the fairway, reminiscent of Bonville Golf Resort. Playing from an elevated tee, the hole dog legs to the left, with a hill to be carried at the turn. A widish fairway awaits, along with some bunkers either side to catch anything not quite on line. Risk is offered with the first shot of the round, taking on the left bunker. Carrying could shorten the hole dramatically.

Large undulation change is found on the hole, from the tee the ground drops away, rising again at the turn, then falling away before reaching the raised green. Originally two traps protected the front and an amphitheater of trees surrounded the green. However with the greens project, a few bunkers have been softened in shape or removed from the course. A lot more development can also be found on the front nine, seeing trees removed or thinned quite a lot. The green is quite narrow at the front, but widens at the rear. Good hole to start the round, giving a few options on the tee.

Hole 2 – 377 meter par 4

A much tougher hole is next, playing up a gentle incline until the green. Already I was feeling constricted, with the trees encroaching a lot more than the first hole.

With a dog leg to the right, there are a few trees on the turn, which force themselves into play. This forces the issue of playing over the penalty area to reach the green, otherwise play some miraculous shot between them.

I cannot see the strategic point of view of the tree in the middle of the fairway. The green is quite long, with traps one side and a water hazard the other. Challenging hole which tests your nerves with the approach.

Hole 3 – 336 meter par 4

A shorter hole, which dog legs to the left. The fairway breaks after the turn, so ideally it is picking the right club to land on the plateau on the first portion of the fairway.

The fairway drops away and ends, before starting again on the slope leading up to the green. This is a narrow green, heavily fortified with bunkers either side. Quite a pleasant hole, but not as many options open with this. More about target golf. The next thing to note, is the amount of rough surrounding the green. This limited the types of shots available, which was a shame. With such large undulations, it would be good to have a range of shots on offer to play. Most were lob on to the green to get over the rough.

Hole 4 – 529 meter par 5

By far the hardest par 5 on the course. Playing from a tee far above the fairway, this is an intimidating tee shot with the hole seeming to run forever. Two large bunkers are found straight in the line, however these will be carried by most players. Very short hitters can play out to the right if necessary. Long hitters need to be cautious on how far the ball will travel, as they may run out of fairway, or if slightly left, find the hidden water hazard.

It is from the second shot where the challenge truly starts. The fairway seems to narrow, although partly an optical illusion, depending where the ball has finished from the tee. Play is over a water hazard, with no water on my day of play, then up a strong rise before reaching the green. The fairway slopes to the right, bringing the fairway bunker in to play.

There are multiple mounds leading up to the green, which angles away, with the entire right covered with large traps. Tough hole, which will demand accuracy. Very dramatic with its look.

Hole 5 – 155 meter par 3

A medium length hole follows, although playing much shorter due to the elevated tee. A bunker on the front and right, cover the narrow entry point, but a large area is found before this, a good bailout area. Anything long will roll far, far away.

The green is not overly deep and has some undulation in its center. Good par 3 which will test your club selection, but allows an out for those not so confident.

Hole 6 – 375 meter par 4

The fairway saddles towards the middle to help collect the ball, to hopefully a decent position on the fairway. Picking the right line from the tee is critical. Too far right will have issues with the trees.

One thing to ensure you do during your game, is really take in the scenery. Although a part of a housing development, you are usually a good distance away, allowing you to feel like you are in the wilderness. With plenty of trees to see (and hopefully avoid) there are also plenty of tropical plants found around the course.

Playing into the 6th will require navigating a large water body, although the designers have been very generous, leaving a route around the hazard, although then you deal with a sandy one instead. Missing left or long are acceptable, short or right requires the scuba gear. I always look at a hole in many different ways, especially as I usually play with others having a variety of levels. Seeing a hole designed with multiple options for all levels of player, long hitters, short hitters, will always get a big tick in my book. This was a stand out hole for me.

Hole 7 – 164 meter par 3

Next we have the longest and hardest par 3 at Brookwater Golf & Country Club. The slope before the green runs strongly to the right, so anything short, you know where you may end up. Only a small section of the putting surface, towards the front, can be seen from the tee.

This elevated green is deceptive, sloping away from the tee with the left and rear, falling away down a small slope. The numerous bunkers short and right, definitely are not deceptive. In fact would you expect anything less from a Norman/Harrison design? More challenging hole which hides most of its bite, until you play.

Hole 8 – 499 meter par 5

From the hardest par 3, to the easiest hole on the course. This is by no means a short hole, but angling of the fairway towards the middle helps. From the tee a slight carry over a hazard is required.

Playing relatively straight, there are few mounds to deal with making your way to the elevated green.

A ridge runs through the middle of the green, sloping down to the front and rear. Not the most interesting of the holes on the front, but one where some reprieve can be given from the challenges thrown before the player.

Hole 9 – 301 meter par 4

To finish the front nine, is the shortest and easiest par 4. A carry is required over a gully, with a little bit of water, to reach the fairway. Bunkers are found down the left, which is the direction the hole turns. The fairway is tight, although there is some hidden out to the right.

There is quite a bit of undulation on this fairway, sure to leave some interesting stances, even for the shorter shots. This narrow green sits built into the slope, with three traps down the left. The trees around the green, make this look like a very tight target, which it is, to the left and long. Good way to finish the front loop. Probably not the fairest of holes, mainly due to the tee shot, but still enjoyable.

Hole marker at Brookwater Golf & Country Club

Nice hole markers showing a map of the hole, which is always great for first time players.

Hole 10 – 327 meter par 4

Starting the second loop, is a shorter par 4, which dog legs to the right. Again from an elevated tee, the ground falls away before rising again to reach the green. The fairway is narrower than previous, more so on the upslope. Being slightly wayward here will lead to recovery mode.

Three traps line the right side of the slope, with another green side on the left. A green with two tiers, requires correct distance with the approach. The hole could be extremely easy with an accurate tee shot, or very difficult if not. Fair to all levels of player, but is all about accuracy.

Hole 11 – 325 meter par 4

There is a run of holes 10-12 which have almost the same distance. This would usually be very bad, but the use of huge elevation changes, still makes them interesting. Again from a slightly elevated tee, this hole turns also to the right. A large bunker and trees are on the inside line, It will be possible to run out of fairway here, so driver may not be necessarily the right club. Long hitters will be able to cut the corner slightly.

The approach will require a hazard to be avoided on either side of the green. More so the water to the right and long. Those not confident in bunker should avoid the sand at all costs, as playing out is towards the water also. A nice shorter hole, which will reward those taking on the risk, yet be fair to those playing safely. Again good design which caters to all level of player.

Hole 12 – 325 meter par 4

The last of this run, sees play up a slope, which then turns to the left. With an open fairway, well it feels slightly that way as the trees are not towering over you, the main issue is to avoid bunkers out to the right. Playing too tightly to the left could find tree trouble however, with the ground sloping in this direction.

Approaching the green, three bunkers need to be avoided on the left. As the slope continually rises to the green, you will not see the base of the pin, leaving a difficult shot. Compared to all the other holes on the course, this was one of the more boring. It didn’t really inspire, but it is hard to do so when for an uphill hole.

Hole 13 – 533 meter par 5

Almost as dramatic as the tee shot on the 4th, hitting down from this high perch, leaves a great view of the first half of the hole. With a dog leg to the left, it is critical to work out where you plan to land the tee shot. Some may try carrying the trees to gain more distance, but the bunker out to the right should be avoided.

The fairway feeds in from either side, with many mounds and hollows, on the way to the green. Plenty of bunkers protect the lead in, requiring a very accurate shot if trying to reach in two, especially with such a small putting area. An exciting hole, requiring some thought with every shot.

Certainly a tough hole which requires accurate hitting from tee to green.

Hole 14 – 146 meter Par 3

A medium length hole which is the easiest par 3. With a carry over bark, the land slopes to the left, towards the hazard. Traps are located around the green, which angles away to the left.

The putting surface has multiple tiers to contend with. Challenging par 3 even though it is considered the easier hole.

Hole 15 – 383 meter par 4

The longest par 4 on the course, plays with a dog leg to the right. From the tee play is to an unseen green, which is hidden by trees and the corner.

Playing to the middle of the first fairway is the safest route. A split in the fairway is found short of the green, requiring a carry over a hollow. Nice design, although not visually as stunning as the surrounding holes.

Hole 16 – 140 meter par 3

The last of the par 3 holes is the shortest on the course. Almost as scenic as the 5th, water is on the left, but really shouldn’t come into play. Traps lead out from the water up to the green. Would look even more spectacular if the water was blue.

There is area just right of the center for any miss. The green wraps around the right bunker, with pin positions out this side, have a couple of tall tress coming into play. Nice finish for the shorter holes, again with some good design.

Hole 17 – 460 meter par 5

The last par 5 is the shortest. From the tee, it is possible to drive through the fairway, reaching the far bunkers. With a dog leg to the right, the fairway rises around this area, with a couple of bunkers found on the inside.

There is the possibility of a blind shot to the green, dependent on where the tee shot lands. The fairway slopes away down to the green area, however a hazard is located to its right, leading in to partially block the green. Again bunkers are found between the putting surface and the water.

Great challenging hole which will potentially offer rewards, if the risk is taken. Love the green complex here, which will leave some interesting putts if in the wrong portion.

Hole 18 – 378 meter par 4

Finishing the round on the hardest hole, could be a game changer. A slight dog leg to the left, the hole plays to a wide fairway. Taking on the inside line has a solitary tree in play. Playing safe to the right could see a drive through the fairway.

Playing the second shot, will be to an elevated green. Large cavernous bunkers are found around the green, which will leave a tough shot. The putting surface has a small ridge to the right, leading to some of the slopes away from the green. A challenging hole to finish the round.

Looking at the course makeup:

• Hole Directions – There is a great variety in hole directions, covering all angles on the compass. The biggest issue is the first hole facing an easterly direction, which will have potential issues with the rising sun in the morning
• Hole Lengths – Par three holes were all in the mid length distance, with a 24 meter difference between shortest and longest. Par four holes ranged from short to long with an equal majority being either short or long length. Two were of a medium length. Par 5 holes ranged from medium to long with the latter being the clear majority starting at 499 meters. One criticism would be holes 10 to 12 being similar distance with only 2 meters separation (playing from the gold tee) although they do play quite differently, so this is not so noticeable.
• Hole Layout – There was a good mixture in how the holes played, with a slight majority favouring turns to the left, where two shots or more were required to reach the green. This was only marginally higher than those with a right turn

The overall conditioning of the course was quite good, even considering it was the middle of winter. Although winter in Queensland is not quite the same as winter in Victoria, so there should be a lot less impact. The noticeable improvement compared to my previous trip, was the green surfaces. They had been in a horrible state previously, having to grow out due to some issues which I won’t mention here. Again they had some speed back, allowing the contours to come into play.

Standout holes for me at Brookwater, would be 1, 3, 5, 10 and 11. There are a few more where I love certain parts but certain aspects just have not seemed right. My biggest criticism would be the tree in the middle of the 2nd fairway. This really limits how the hole can be played.

In summary, the course is an interesting trip through what was once wilderness. Residential housing has been built around the course, but they are not really obtrusive until the back nine. I always enjoy a course that can at least make them less conspicuous. It was certainly a very challenging course, which at times felt claustrophobic, with the trees leaving narrow alley ways. The rest of the course was in great condition, with the fairways allowing the ball to run, whilst the greens were firm but the ball run fairly true.

This has been one of the tougher courses I have played, but your should certainly once in your lifetime. It is a bit further out of the city, but one worth trip.

How to play at Brookwater Golf Club:

1. This is a publicly accessible course. Ring the pro shop or book online