Golf Australia Magazine earlier this year, released their 2021 Top 100 public access golf courses. In what have been challenging times due to COVID lockdowns, the review actually spanned three years, instead of the traditional two. I do wonder if this will be the same case later this year when the Top 100 list is revealed for both private and public courses.
There were no real surprises at the top of the list, the top three retained their positions, Cape Wickham at the top. Newcastle entered the top ten, with Bonville falling just outside. The biggest rise was Mornington C.C. moving up 20 places (to 64) whilst the biggest drop was Palmer Sea Reef losing 18 places (to 80). There were 8 courses making their debut to the list, Moore Park G.C., Gardiners Run, The Kooralbyn Valley, Lakes Entrance G.C., Nudgee G.C (Bay Course), Tura Beach C.C., Forster-Tuncurry G.C. (Tuncurry Course) and Rich River G.C. (East Course).
The 7th hole at Barnbougle Dunes
Two notable exceptions were Lonsdale Links and potentially Sandy Golf Links (Sandringham), which both just missed out due to only having finished renovations before the list was put together. Both are on my radar to play this year. I have played the later which was definitely impressive after the OCM Golf changes. If you never have a chance to play one of the more famous neighbours, this will let you know what Sandbelt golf is all about.
At least we now have the ability to get out and play some of these great courses, myself having played four of them in the Mornington area and Barnbougle, over the last month. So you don’t need a better reason to go out and get some fresh air, play a game of golf and start traveling, at least locally again.
To read the list in full, along with comments by the raters and those just falling outside the top 100, visit the Golf Australia magazine website.
