1. byron | Rated | 09 Jan 2004 | Add A Review

Not expecting too much, the first time I played Gatton I was pleasently supprised after the round.

Gatton opens with two good length par 5's. Both are only reachable with two good shots. The 1st has a blind second shot OOB long and the 2nd hole a blind tee shot over a large hill, OOB left.

The 3rd is an interesting par 3 approx 150m uphill with a row of 20m trees in front of the green. The trees must be flown to hit the green. I have never seen another hole like it anywhere.

The 5th is a good long par 4 (400m+) fairway slopes right to left with OOB left.

The 8th is a short par 4 and one of the weaker hole on the course. Short and uphill with the green protected by scrub if your tee shot strays to far right. OOB left.

After playing the par 3 10th, the back nine is essentially over the road and accessed by going down an easement between some houses.

The remainder of the back nine is very flat with a mixture of short and long par 4's and two short par 3's. Plenty of OOB around the perimeter. No par 5's on the back nine.

Back over the road to play the 200m+ uphill par 3 18th. Tough finishing hole with a severe drop off on the right of the green.

Greens are not too bad considering Gatton is essentially a country course. Some of the exposed greens such as the 5th have a lot more borrow due to the direction of growth of the grass than you would give them credit.

Whenever I am in the area, I always ensure that I stop in for 18 holes. Reciprocal with Nudgee doesn't hurt either!

I give Gatton my two thumbs up.