The Links Kennedy Bay

Magazine Ratings

This article is based on my visit in 2015. In 2022 major reworks were being carried out, with some land having been sold for housing. I plan to revisit one day when the course has re-opened all 18 holes.

Again I was making a trip west to catch up with friends for Greek Easter, Christos Anesti for all those Orthodox readers. Not wanting to waste an opportunity to play another course on the other side of the country, I made my way down to play The Links Kennedy Bay, around 40 minutes south of Perth in Western Australia. This is truly a links course, peppered with pot bunkers through out, sitting by the ocean. I must admit there are not too many courses in the country, where you find a course with mainly pot bunkers in Australia. The only other coming to mind being NSW Golf Club.

Entrance to The Links Kennedy Bay

Driving around the course before reaching the entry, the excitement was starting to build. This is a course I have been looking forward to playing for a few years. My original intention had been to complete all the four rated courses around here in one go, but things don’t always go to plan. Does give me a chance to replay this one though.

The clubhouse at The Links Kennedy Bay

Upon driving into the grounds, my friends thoughts were, are we in the right place? He was expecting a regal clubhouse, as he had found when we went to Joondalup Resort, but here it the clubhouse is a temporary structure, which has become permanent. I’m here for the golf course primarily, not how good the clubhouse looks, but it did distract from the first impression.

The Driving Range

In what was once probably a very attractive entrance to the driving range, it was looking a little run down, but I can’t be too critical of a driving range which allows you to hit off grass. It is quite long allowing you to hit every club in the bag.

Course map of The Links Kennedy Bay

The course is close to the Indian Ocean, however there are no holes which border the water. Great shame as it would only add further to the appeal of a links by the sea.

The Links Kennedy Bay scorecard

Having undergone a period of administration, where the course was actually closed, I was glad to read a few years ago that it had managed to re-open. It would have been a tragedy to see such a gem disappear. So time to hit the course.

Hole 1 ‘Sunrise’ – 345 meters par 4

About the only thing I would be seeing was the sunset if I didn’t get my rear into gear. The weather today was a bit mixed, meaning photos could be a bit ordinary if I managed to get any at all as I don’t have a waterproof camera. The first hole is a reasonable opener, being a mid length par four with a wide fairway to get you first shot into play.

Approach from the 1st fairway

The very first impression was, look at all these pots. They suit the feel of the course and its surroundings. The first has water all down the right side to avoid, but it is the pots which might cause the most concern. Approaching the green, seeing the slight undulations, I really started to be quite impressed by this course.

Hole 2 ‘Mineswept’ – 346 meter par 4

Another mid length par four in the same direction was found at the second. With a fairway wide enough to land a jumbo, the tee shot shouldn’t be too difficult.

Raised 2nd green

The green was a bit different, having a valley surrounding the front and pots up the sides. Anything short will leave a tricky shot to pins close to the front.

Hole 3 ‘Hidden’ – 155 meter par 3

A tricky par 3, in that half the green is hidden by a large mound to the right, hence the holes name. With a long bunker (well for this course it was long compared to all the pots) to the left and encroaching trees on the right, the hole was deceiving for a first timer.

Looking back from the 3rd green

Anything long will leave a tricky chip shot back up a large bank. By now I had realised the greens were a bit soft, only to get softer with the on-coming rain and quite slow. Although the later is quite understandable, considering the wind I found on the day would blow the ball clean off a green if they were too short and fast.

Hole 4 ‘Hell’ – 494 meter par 5

Heading back in the opposite direction of the first three holes, was the longest hole found on the course. A couple of small pots are in range from the tee, but its not until we get closer to the green that things get more interesting. The fairway starts to narrow at one point with a large area of native plants, beyond which lies a large fairway bunker.

Approach to the 4th green

The one thing that starts standing out is the number of small mounds and shaping of the fairways. Sometime these are very subtle, but still enough to ensure adjustments are made for each shot.

Looking at the 4th green from the 8th green

Green four almost has two tiers and is quite large. Sloping is predominantly from the rear as well as left to right.

Hole 5 ‘Thread the Needle’ – 412 meter par 4

Following the longest hole on the course, is the longest par 4. This plays up hill with the fairway sloping slightly to the right.

Approach from the 5th fairway

Pot bunkers pepper either side of the fairway as it narrows upon approach to the green.

Fingers off the 5th green

I liked the shaping on the left side of the fifth green. Almost looking like fingers, this was a variation to having pot bunkers. This allowed some variation and creativity to be used if you found yourself down this side.

Hole 6 ‘Lookout’ – 179 meter par 3

Keeping the long theme going, we come across the longest and hardest par 3 on the course. Playing up hill to a raised green and in my case into the wind, made this hole real long.

Well guarded 6th green

Pots are located either side of the green. The only safe miss here is slightly left or short. Long finds bush, right could see the ball run away down a slope.

Reflecting from the 6th green

As for the putting surface, there is a small lower tier at the front, but the green is quite large.

Hole 7 ‘Temptation’ – 278 meter par 4

The only par 4 hole under 300 meters is found at the seventh. By now the name of the hole should be obvious, as it is tempting to go at the green in one shot. This hole sees us do another about face heading in the direction we have just come.

Approach from the 7th fairway

With a fairly wide fairway, strategic bunkers have been placed in various spots to swallow any drive not hit perfectly. This green is quite a narrow area to land the ball, so an approach from the right side of the fairway should be slightly easier to hold the green.

Double 7th and 5th green

An unusual aspect about this raised green is that it joins the seventh. Only a truly wild shot would find the wrong green however. There are steep slopes away on all sides, with the exception of the left, where the greens join. One of my favourites for the day.

Hole 8 ‘Rogers Best’ – 472 meter par 5

The easiest par 5 on the course, has the fairway snaking its way along, with a slight turn left, then right towards the green. Ample room is found to the right, bringing further risk for the second shot.

View from the 8th fairway

Landing the second shot is to what looks like the narrowest area of the fairway, which also has three pots running across. The look is deceiving though as much more room is available than it appears. One of the draw backs from playing the safe option to the right off the tee.

Well protected 8th green

The green complex itself is quite long, but again lined with pot bunkers, especially down the right. As for putting there is a few gentle contours at various parts.

Hole 9 ‘Coate Hanger’ – 400 meter par 4

Heading back to the clubhouse is a long par four which has a dogleg to the left. Caution must be taken from the tee, as it is quite easy to drive through the fairway. Running through the turn are a series of pot bunkers, dividing the fairway.

Looking back from the 9th green

A few mounds and pots are found in front of the green complex. The putting surface slopes from the rear but also a bit to the left. A hole which needs to be played a couple of times to get a feel for how best to play.

Hole marker and wildlife

Hole 10 ‘Sentinel’ – 370 meter par 4

Starting the back nine is a mid to long length par 4. A fairly wide landing area is found short of the two left pot bunkers.

Playing up to the 10th green

The approach to the raised 10th green must avoid three pot bunkers. On the putting surface, sloping is predominantly from the left.

Hole 11 ‘Split Decision’ – 392 meter par 4

A long par four with a fairway split by a mound. There is ample room on the right to land your tee shot, but this is not the preferred side.

The split 11th fairway

Playing to the riskier side is the left, which allows a clearer shot to the green. The undulations on the fairway were becoming clearer in the lowering sun.

Well contoured 11th green

The eleventh green is protected by two deep bunkers on the right, but has some larger contours in various parts.

Hole 12 ‘Finchy’s Folly’ – 309 meter par 4

The only other short par four on the course, was the next hole to play. The hole turns to the left and is deceptively hiding quite a bit of the right hand side of the fairway, with a large mound to play over. Playing the left side makes the hole shorter but could lead to a blind second shot.

Undulating 12th fairway

Looking like a roller coaster ride to reach the green, a few pot bunkers are thrown in to make the ride a little more interesting. Three mounds also hide most of the green from the fairway, making it a tricky shot.

The hidden 12th green

From the tee the 12th green is hidden behind some shorter trees. The right falls away down a steep slope, whilst the middle of the green narrows considerably.

Hole 13 ‘Naked Truth’ – 486 meter par 5

From the tee, the second longest hole on the course plays with a slight curve to the right. An open fairway has two bunkers on the left which can be reached.

View up the 13th fairway

Playing up hill on the second and subsequent shots, the fairway funnels in from either side. Traps also line the left side at various intervals.

Don’t go long on the 13th green

Play to the front of the green needs to take into consideration the false front. Playing to the right or long deals with a steep slope away.

Hole 14 ‘Homeward Bound’ – 154 meter par 3

Having reached the most northerly point of the course, we now turn around and head back towards the clubhouse. This medium length par 3 has a green angling away with trees in play for any shot slightly short or too far right.

The raised 14th green

A deceptive green which is raised on most sides. Anything not quite on target can be repelled away from the putting surface. Two pots are located at the front right, with a solitary bunker at the rear.

Hole 15 ‘Judgement’ – 357 meter par 4

This medium length par 4 is quite unusual with its fairway design. I can only say the ‘Judgement’ is on how you play your tee shot and its consequences for the approach. The fairway is quite wide, but taking the wrong route will lead to trouble. Play down the left should be avoided as this will leave a long blind approach shot.

In a bowl the 15th green

The green complex is surrounded on all sides bar the front, allowing anything slightly off line, the opportunity to run back onto the putting surface.

Temporary pin 15th green

Luckily this was the only pin of its type on the course. A result from what I believe was vandalism, the surrounds of the hole and been damaged severely, in what i would assume was someone quite aggressively taking the pin from the hole. Whilst sitting in the clubhouse after the game, the police visited the club, for instances of vandalism around the course.

Hole 16 ‘Wee Tap’ – 125 meter par 3

My favourite par 3 on the course, this short hole plays to a green which is partially hidden from the tee. Almost the size of a postage stamp, an accurate tee shot is required.

The narrow 16th green

A narrow putting surface requires a smart club choice from the tee, to avoid a steep slope at the front or pot bunkers at the rear. After another shower there was a spectacular view looking back from the green.

Hole 17 ‘The Doctor’ – 481 meter par 5

The penultimate hole is the hardest par 5 on the course. A wide landing area is available from the tee, with three pots being in reach.

Narrowing 17th fairway

A decision needs to be made on what to do with the second shot. Pots pepper the fairway, so finding the best distance to lay up or going for broke and reaching the green has to be made.

Raised 17th green

If slightly short it is unlikely the ball will run up the steep slope of the green surrounds.

Hole 18 ‘Sunset’ – 370 meter par 4

The last finds a mid to long par 4 with a slight curve to the right. Another wide fairway with pots either side, is best seeing the shot land slightly to the right.

The final green for the day

Chances are there will be a long approach, especially playing into the wind. The green is heavily protected by pots on the left with a lonely pot on the right. The putting surface slopes mostly to the right, but also away from the center of the green to the front and rear.

Looking back at the 18th green before heading for the clubhouse

In summary I have to admit this was a great links course to play, especially being open to the public. The course felt like it was a natural part of the land without having much artificial work done to obtain the feel or look. I found the direction of the holes to be too not varied enough however. Most (two thirds) had a north south orientation, with only five playing in a west or easterly direction.

Generally the condition of the course was good. Tee areas, fairway and bunkers were were all well kept, the only downfall being a couple of greens which had some sort of damage, which I’m confident were not due to animals. The pace of the greens was the essential part, not being too fast, although I did learn they were about to be cored the next week. My biggest criticism is in relation to the greens however, although beyond control of the course. Vandalism had occurred on a few of them which was quite evident. I only hope this can be stopped in future to distract from a great links course available to the public.

Design wise there was a good mixture of par 3, 4 or 5 holes, each of which had a good mix with distances. Subtle changes in direction along the fairways helped to make it interesting. There were certainly risk and rewards found on a majority of the holes, although not always obvious when standing on the tee. A majority of the back nine really stood out to me, compared to a minority on the front. Overall the course was a stand out and would entice me to come back to play.

How to play The Links Kennedy Bay:

The course is open to the public seven days a week, although competitions are held on some days. Contact the pro shop to find a suitable time.