HOLE 07
Existing Par 4 306m
Proposed Par 4 306m
EXISTING HOLE DESCRIPTION
This is an unusual hole with a sharp boomerang shape around a well-vegetated billabong. The line for shorter hitters is out to the
left, skirting the water, while medium and longer hitters usually opt to carry the billabong and the trees. The green is reachable in
one shot for longer hitters with a high slice as the direct line distance from the rear tee to the green is only 245m, but the shot is
quite risky. By any measure of modern golf architecture this sort of ‘boomerang’ dogleg hole cannot be considered a good hole.
That said, the hole is quite unique and is probably somewhat of a sentimental favorite – of the love / hate variety – for a lot of
members. Options to considerably alter the hole into a more ‘normal’ hole are limited due to the billabong and its vegetation. In our
view options are limited. Reducing the hole to a par 3 would then require quite a walk from the 6th green, but may then allow the
6th to be lengthened to a par 5, which would negate any reduction in par. Such options can be explored further in the Master Plan
process. Currently there is a walk-back to the tees from the previous green, and for the tee shot golfers either play left or look to
carry the billabong. The fairway on the other side of the billabong is relatively low and prone to being wet, and is not particularly
wide, so it is easy to run through the fairway into a trio of fairway bunkers that are on the outside of the fairway, with a tee shot of
210m from the rear tee being sufficient to reach the middle of the three bunkers. On this same line it is easy to over-hit and stray out
into the adjacent 8th fairway. The green has been reconstructed in recent years and is guarded by a pair of bunkers at the right. The
putting surface is quite undulating and is limited in pin positions as a result.
STRENGTHS
+ Attractive billabong and trees.
WEAKNESSES
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Sharp ‘boomerang’ dogleg around a billabong lined with trees.
Section of fairway adjacent to billabong is prone to wetness.
Little sense of separation between the shallow circular fairway bunkers and the adjacent 8th fairway.
Greenside bunkers have little influence on the strategy of the hole.
Green undulations are too severe when compared with the balance of the course and the green is lacking in pin spots.
O PPO RTU N ITI E S & R E C O M M E N DATI O N S
+ Remove copse of three trees in the middle of the billabong carry. It is our view that should this proposal be permitted – it will
constitute a significant improvement to the playability of the hole and validate the hole.
+ Trim lower section of fairway prone to wetness, install agricultural drainage and cap with depth of sand.
+ Formalise sections of billabong edge with stacked stone retaining wall to add visual interest.
+ Remodel fairway bunkers. Set into new mounds which are to link to the existing mounds adjacent the green. Push new mounds
(rear slope) back in to 8th fairway to broaden the usable fairway on seven. Reshape existing mounds adjacent green.
+ Construct new green complex. Lessen slope of green to be more consistent with the general character of the more desirable
Green Acres greens. i.e. 12th green. Retain diagonal swale concept before green but improve drainage with additional AG
drainage and sand capping. Reinforce right side bunkering to deter direct play from tee.
+ Naturalise carry between tee and start of fairway with occasional planting of native tussocks.
TH R EATS
+ No apparent threats.
PAG E 3 1
07