The Vines Resort & Country Club – Ellenbrook

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With only half a day left on my visit to Perth, I decided to take advantage of being at the Vines Resort and play the Ellenbrook course. The Vines is located around 40 minutes north east from Perth city, in the Swan Valley (renown as a wine region). If staying at the resort it is only a few minutes from most of the rooms to the pro shop, giving you that little bit extra time if you are teeing off early.

Entrance to the Vines Resort

Although ranked a lot lower than the neighbouring Lakes course, Ellenbrook certainly stood out on its own merits. Hitting the course at almost the crack of dawn to ensure I made my midday flight, I was able to play with two members of The Vines, Mal and another person whose name I cannot remember (sorry). Having explained my quest to play Australia’s Top 100 Golf courses, and reassuring I didn’t work for any magazine, (although Australian Golf Digest, I am always available to help is course reviews if the opportunity arises), they were quite keen to share some stories.

Map of the Ellenbrook Course

Scorecard for The Vines Resort & Country Club Ellenbrook course

A question was raised about the ranking process, with both players stating that they favoured Ellenbrook over the Lakes course. I had a similar conversation when at Peninsula G.C.C. with my playing partner much preferring the lower ranked South course over the North. It was stated that the front nine of the Lakes course were not well received, I personally enjoyed most of the front nine, so it is very subjective.

1st Hole – 374 meter par 4

The Vines G.C. was first built in 1989, designed by Graham Marsh and Ross Watson. The original layout was 27 holes, later expanded to 36, making up the Lakes and Ellenbrook courses. The Vines has held various tournaments over the years, including the Heineken Classic and Johnny Walker Classic, the last being held in 2009. For these a mixture of holes were used from both course layouts. From Ellenbrook holes 1 & 2, then 12 – 18 were used.

Fairway of 3rd – 507 meter par 5

Hole 4 – 359 meter par 4

There were a few standout holes on the Ellenbrook course for me.

The fifth, a 161 meter par 3, is a great slightly downhill hole. The bunkering is vast on the left side of the hole and seem to go on forever from the tee. A couple of smaller bunkers also protect the right side. The green has a few undulations ensuring par is not easy even if you do manage to hit the putting surface in one.

View from the 5th tee – 161 meter par 3

The 368 meter par 4, sixth hole, does not look much from the tee but is quite a challenge. Sandtraps will capture any errant shot to the right or left of the fairway. There is also some cross slope in the fairway which could funnel the ball to the right side. If on this side the approach is much more difficult with multiple large bunkers protecting the angled green. Bunkers are also on the left but will only come into play if the pin is towards the front of the green. There are two distinct tiers on this hole, sloping from back to front.

6th green, plenty of sand to avoid

Hole 8 is one of the most picturesque on the Ellenbrook course. This hole runs parallel to the seventh with water separating the two. The 152 meter par 3, has a carry over this water, to a green with one bunker in front, and four surrounding the right and rear. These should not come into play unless over hit. This wide green has some distinct undulations, but is not overly hard. One that will be remembered.

Scenic 8th hole – 152 meter par 3

View back from the 8th green

One of the last newer holes is the tenth. This 356 meter par 4, doglegs to the right. From the tee you are presented with a carry over some water, but hitting to a fairway which is protected by trees on either side. This is a great visual tee shot and will test your nerves. Sand traps can be found on the left side of the fairway and are easily reached. If you find yourself in the clear after the tee shot, the approach to the hole is not overly difficult. More bunkers are left and right of the kidney shaped green, with a gentle slope from back to front.

10th hole – 356 meter par 4

Course locals – Kangaroos on the 11th

Heading back onto the older part of the course, hole 12, a 507 meter par 5, the style of the course has a noticeable change. The grass used for most of the next 7 holes is quite different. Balls in the rough will usually sit down below the grass, where as grass on most of the other holes and The Lakes course tend to sit on top of the grass. This long par 5 doglegs right then left before reaching the hole.

12th fairway – 507 meter par 5

From the tee you are faced with a choice in playing left or right, of a large tree in the middle of the fairway. Left has more open space and less trouble, whilst hitting to the right brings two bunkers into play and some heavy trees as well. After this there is then a shot between two trees on a narrowing fairway, plus numerous bunkers scattered along the middle of the fairway. It is a choice to lay up to the left, or try to carry most of them and land right, leaving a shorter approach to the green.

Member of The Vines G.C.C. (sorry I can’t remember your name)

This extremely long green has significant undulations throughout, with a spine running across the green around the halfway mark. At 43 meters long you definitely need to land in the correct portion of the green, otherwise 2 putts will be a significant achievement in itself.

Approach to the 12th green

Whilst we are on the subject of length, the thirteenth is one of the longer par 3 holes you will come across. At 199 meters for members, this hole stretches out to 230 meters for tournaments. With the wind blowing into your face it certainly can make reaching the green very difficult. Playing over a gully, leaving a steep incline to the green, anything that does not reach the green will roll back down the incline.

Hole 13 – monster 199 meter par 3

Numerous bunkers exist to the right of the hole (it is reminiscent of being at the beach there is so much sand) could cause some major issues for those putting the ball extreme right of the tee. The putting surface has some significant slope from back to front, with a few bumps here and there to make it more interesting. I was told that during tournaments professionals refuse to play from the tips, especially if the wind is blowing. On the day of play my 3 handicap playing partner (who could hit the ball quite well) just managed to make the green with a driver.

Mal – second playing partner and Vines member

The last par 3 on the course, hole 17, is a medium length hole at 160 meters, but has some great bunkering around to protect the green, front, back, left and right. On top of this the putting surface has numerous slopes in almost all directions, bar front to back, so just hitting the green is not enough for an easy par. You must hit the correct portion where the pin is located to ensure you reap the rewards off the tee.

17th green – 160 meter par 3

I found the course to be reasonable condition when playing. Tees where in good condition, fairways were consistent, the rough was a bit bear on some holes, but the older more established areas of the course it was more consistent. The bunkers had sand slightly compacted, and there was a considerable difference between the bunker designs on the newer parts of the course compared to the older holes. Greens ran true and were quite firm. My playing partners had commented the course was in bad shape 18 months earlier, with significant work being carried out to improve the playing conditions.

18th Green – 460 meter par 5

One major thing I found different between the two courses was that the housing estate seemed to encroach on the Ellenbrook course much more than it did on the Lakes course.  This had a significant impact on viewing the course, as it was certainly noticeable.  The Lakes course seemed to be more of an natural feel.

The Vines is available to the public 7 days of the week. Staying at the resort will enable you to get a discount on the green fees.