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It was named after a French explorer who became one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s most trusted aides. Now golfers are following in the footsteps of Charles Pierre Claret de Fleurieu and discovering a region packed with challenging courses.
Whether it’s a day trip or a longer vacation, the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia is one of the country’s premier holiday destinations. It combines beautiful scenery with stunning beaches, exquisite food and wine, and activities to suit all tastes, including plenty of testing golf.
Here’s a look at some of the courses awaiting players just an hour’s drive from Adelaide.
Fleurieu Golf Club
Modelled on the links-style layouts of Scotland and England, this international-standard course is comprised of 18 challenging and interesting holes. Designed by Neil Crafter, Fleurieu boasts impressive greens, nearly 90 sand traps and several water hazards that will test both low and high handicappers.
The fully licensed, modern and spacious clubhouse overlooks the back nine and offers meals and snacks. It also has the capacity to seat up to 100 people, making it an ideal location for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and corporate golf days.
Green fees: Mon–Fri, AU$26; Sat & Sun, AU$33.
Course: 6,116 metres. Par 72.
Contact: 61-8/8556-8022.
Address: George Francis Drive, Mount Compass, SA 5210.
E-mail: fleurieugolfcourse@bigpond.com
Website: fleurieugolfcourse.com.au
Links Lady Bay
Adjacent to the seaside town of Normanville is the Links Lady Bay Resort, complete with championship golf course and stunning ocean views.
Designed by Newton, Grant and Spencer, the 18-hole course is reminiscent of St Andrews with its vistas over the Fleurieu coastline and classic bunkering. Built on a former sheep and cattle farm, Links Lady Bay is consistently ranked among the top 100 courses in Australia. The signature par-three 17th is one of the country’s best holes and can play anything from a seven-iron to a driver.
The resort features three styles of accommodation, from the four-and-a-half star Grand Mercure Hotel to the four-star, self-contained townhouses on St Andrews Boulevard. The South Shores Beachside Village comprises three bedroom beach villas.
Green fees: Mon–Fri, AU$40; Sat & Sun, AU$42.
Course: 6,400 metres. Par 73.
Contact: 61-8/8558-2220. Golf bookings: 61-8/8558-3730.
Address: Links Lady Bay Golf Course, St Andrews Boulevard, Normanville, SA 5204.
E-mail: golf@linksladybay.com
Website: linksladybay.com.au
McCracken Country Club
Arguably one of the best 18-hole courses in South Australia, McCracken is located at picturesque Victor Harbor, some 80 kilometres south of Adelaide. Designed by Tony Cashmore, the unique layout of this par-72 course is superbly constructed with gentle slopes, undulating fairways and natural watercourses, surrounded by coastal mountain ranges.
Featuring more than 85 bunkers and with water in play on several holes, this is a layout that will excite and challenge all golfers.
Positioned high on a hill with commanding views of the surrounding area, McCracken Country Club offers four-and-a-half star service and accommodation. It has two restaurants and bars that enjoy sweeping views of the golf course, a convention centre, health club with swimming pool and day spa.
McCracken is currently offering a Golf & Spa Package. Guests receive overnight accommodation in a Standard Spa Room, cooked breakfast for two, a bottle of wine on arrival, 18 holes of golf and an hour Relaxation Massage in the day spa. The package costs AU$340 and is based on twin/double share. Valid until March 31, 2012.
Green fees: Mon–Fri, AU$30; Sat & Sun, AU$40.
Course: 6,096 metres. Par 72.
Contact: 61-8/8551-0299.
Address: McCracken Country Club, McCracken Drive, Victor Harbor, SA 5211.
E-mail: golf@countryclubs.com.au
Website: countryclubs.com.au
Victor Harbor
The Victor Harbor Golf Club is not only highly rated on the Fleurieu Peninsula but is one of the most scenic in South Australia. It has panoramic coastal and hinterland views and is a haven for native birds and animals.
The opening shot is one of the most exhilarating in golf with the first tee right next to the clubhouse. This gives players magnificent views of Encounter Bay, including the sparkling blue waters of the Southern Ocean, the grandeur of Granite, Seal and Wright Islands, and Rosetta Head.
While not long by today’s standards, the course demands accuracy in order to score well. Several accommodation sites close to the course provide special deals on ‘Play and Stay’ packages.
Green fees: Mon–Fri, AU$30; Sat & Sun, AU$45.
Course: 5,962 metres. Par 72.
Contact: 61-8/8552-1713.
Address: Victor Harbor Golf Club, Yankalilla Road, Victor Harbor, SA 5211.
E-mail: admin@vhgolf.com.au
Website: vhgolf.com
South Lakes Golf Club
The South Lakes Golf Club is situated in the historic river port of Goolwa, where the Murray River ends its journey to the Southern Ocean. Founded in 1966, it quickly developed into one of the best country golf clubs in South Australia with the ocean on one side of the course and the Murray on the other.
As a reward for the club's commitment to providing the best possible service and facilities, South Lakes won the Fleurieu Tourism Award in 2000, 2001 and 2002 for the Best Sporting Club. It also received the Clubs SA Award for Excellence as the Best Regional Club in 2003.
The Club is an integral part of the tourism infrastructure in the area as well as supporting the local community.
Green fees: Mon–Fri, AU$18; Sat & Sun, AU$28.
Course: 5,813 metres. Par 70.
Address: South Lakes Golf Club, Billabong Road, Goolwa, SA 5214.
Contact: 61-8/8555-2299.
E-mail: slgc@chariot.net.au
Website: southlakesgolf.com.au
WIRRINA COVE GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT
This little gem of a course at the heart of Wirrina Cove offers spectacular golf mixed with great views over the Gulf of St Vincent and the rich countryside of the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Some three million dollars was spent ensuring this would be one of the finest courses in South Australia. Wirrina Cove features 18 holes and is perfect for social, competition or corporate golf. Once you’ve played a round, keep an eye out for the local kangaroos, enjoy a relaxing meal or drink in the excellent clubhouse.
Green fees: Mon–Fri, AU$30; Sat & Sun, AU$35.
Course length: 5,700 metres. Par 70.
Address: Wirrina Cove Golf & Country Resort, Cape Jervis Road, Second Valley, SA 5203.
Contact: 61-8/8598-2415.
E-mail: golf@sunset.cove.com.au
Website: www.sunsetcove.com.au/
* General pictures courtesy Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism & South Australian Tourism Commission. For more information on the Fleurieu Peninsula, visit southaustralia.com
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