golf australia | AUGUST 2019 15plateau fairway fl anked by sand to the right
before dipping and rising again to a smallish
green. Similar movement characterises the
approach to the 358-metre 3rd hole before the
topsy-turvy 4th and sharply downhill par-
5th, a 167-metre journey to a green boarded by
sand and tightly-trimmed drop-o to the rear.
There are other stand-out holes
everywhere. At the 6th, the tee shot funnels
down one of Brookwater’s saddled fairways
before wrapping around a pond that lines the
right edge of the green. No.7 is an uphill par-
with a green angled to be receptive to a high
fade with a long iron before the
straightforward par-5 8th weaves between
two hillsides. The closing hole on the front
nine is a sleeper, as it is short by the scorecard
at 322 metres yet plays longer as the tee shot
is uphill and won’t roll very far. The iron shot
is also uphill to a tiny green so even though
you might have a short club in hand, you’d
better be accurate with it.
Three good and varied par-4s open the
second nine. The 10th climbs to a two-tiered
green where you simply must fi nd the correct
level to have any chance of making a birdie putt.
The 11th is a fantastic dogleg right around a
stand of tall trees to a green once again guarded
by water on the right and behind. The 12th
meanders up a hill to a narrow, angled green
before the course’s signature test.
The par-5 plays much shorter than its
551-metre as it tumbles down a steep hillside,
snaking gently left to a green perched above a
collection of ripples and rolls in the fairway.
Level stances are rare and only two straight
pokes will leave a simple pitch to a small,
awkwardly cantered green.
The 162-metre par-3 14th is a beautiful hole
where the tee shot must carry a creek to a
green on a ridge, which is slanted from right
to left with two bunkers either side of the
undulating putting surface.
Then it’s time to head into Shark Alley, the
di cult quartet of closing holes. The 15th is
one of the few holes at Brookwater where the
ball must fl y all the way to the green on the
approach as an area of rough ground fronts
the otherwise open green.
The approach is a little more complicated
from the tee at the par-3 16th. The 173-metre
journey beside the edge of a wetland, is to a
green slanted from right to left and demands
an exacting tee shot to avoid deep bunkers left
and right.
The two closing holes can make or break a
round. The 17th is a 483-metre par-5 along a
ridgeline to a skinny green ringed by hazards,
both wet and sandy. And as with many of
Norman and Harrison’s golf courses, the
toughest test is reserved for the last.
Brookwater’s par-4 18th is a 396-metre
climb to a green cut into a hillside with four
deep bunkers left and another to the right.Hit
this green in two shots, take your twoputts
and make a beeline for the clubhouse.THE COURSE
LOCATION: 1 Tournament Dr, Brookwater,
QLD, 4300.
CONTACT: (07) 3814 5500.
WEBSITE: http://www.brookwater.com.au
DESIGNERS: Greg Norman and Bob Harrison (2002).
SLOPE RATINGS: Men – Black 146; Gold 141; Silver- Women – Jade 139, Silver 143.
PLAYING SURFACES: Tifdwarf Bermuda (greens),
Santa Ana couch (tees), C2T (fairways).
GREEN FEES: $100 (Monday - Thursday, 18 holes,
includes shared cart); $120 (Friday - Sunday
including shared cart).
COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: James Gordon.
PGA PROFESSIONALS: John Collins and Ian Triggs.
THE CLUB
MEMBERSHIP: Brookwater has a variety
of membership categories including junior,
intermediate and family classifi cations, as well as
seven- and fi ve-day options.
A full seven-day membership costs $3,650 for
residents and $4,110 for non-residents, while a
family membership is $5,850 for residents and
$7,250 for non-residents. Junior memberships start
from $360, and the club is currently offering an
introductory membership for weekend play only at a
cost of $2,190 for a maximum of two years.
FACILITIES: The clubhouse is home to the prized
Brookwater Restaurant, Café and Bar, which
offers a relaxed, country club-style bar and dining
experience. As well as a fabulous view of the
stunning course.
WEDDINGS & FUNCTIONS: Brookwater offers
the versatility of providing an intimate space for
low-key affairs or large events catering for 180 sit
down or 300 cocktail. An events coordinator can
assist in selecting the perfect menu, theming and
entertainment options.
RECIPROCAL CLUBS: All Troon Golf Clubs worldwide.FACT FILE
The left half of the slanted 9th
fairway offers the best approach
into the elevated green.