The Golf Club, Kennedy Bay was a bold project undertaken by Golf
Club Properties Limited many years ago. A collaborative design
effort from Ian Baker-Finch, Michael Coate and the late Roger
Mackay, Kennedy Bay has wowed the Australian golfing public since
its day of opening. Built on a modestly corrugated landscape, the
course at times is only several hundred metres from the beach.
Kennedy Bay is located about forty minutes drive south of Perth,
and as such, requires a little effort to play for most
enthusiastic Australian golfers. The trip is well worth the
effort, with hole after hole of solid, thoughtful design,
demanding sure and steady play. A stiff breeze often acts across
Kennedy Bay, and although it's a welcome friend on some
holes, it can serve as a strong adversary on others, usually
through the closing four.
The Game Begins
The game begins at Kennedy Bay on a relatively wide par 4 of
modest length. Prevailing winds do little to hurt the ball in
flight, instead pushing it away from peril in the form of a long
water hazard, which extends along the right side of the fairway.
A solitary bunker left fairway 270 metres from the tee serves as
a good aiming point for the drive. Nearing this trap leaves one
with a wedge in hand, for the opening approach of the day, which
is played towards a deep and generously sized green.
The third hole is a par 3 measuring 162 metres and is
surprisingly rated the easiest hole on the course. The putting
surface is almost totally obscured by a sizeable mound at the
front of the green. The putting surface also tilts gently from
front to back, and is flanked by left and right greenside traps.
Ample room exists around the green for those needing to chip on
with their second. A valley of significant size is at the rear of
the green, and owing to the geometry of the hole, no doubt sees a
lot of play. This green is really only receptive to a well-struck
and well-flighted mid iron. My bet is far more golfers bogie it
than par it.
The course turns 180 degrees at this point for the 520 metre par
5 fourth (named 'Hell' for reasons described later). The
breeze usually acts from left to right. A pair of tiny but deep
pot bunkers flank the right of the fairway 250 odd metres from
the tee.
The bunkering philosophy prevalent at Kennedy Bay is distinctly
penal in nature. Many pot bunkers are similar in size to a small
spa bath, only deeper. Escape from them is often only achieved
with a sand wedge. Finding a trap on the fairway sees a full
stroke penalty in essence, as it's more often than not
impossible to advance the ball anything more than a few dozen
metres. The presence of these nasty hazards dictates conservative
lines of play on many occasions, and greatly rewards the
aggressive, accurate shot.
Once the first traps on the fourth fairway have been negotiated,
one may think of the flag, either with a long second at the
green, or a conservative play leaving a short wedge third shot.
In attempting to reach the green, one must negotiate a sizeable
bunker eating into the right two thirds of the fairway around 100
metres short of the green. Sharing its name 'Hell' with
the similarly sized bunker on the 14th at The Old Course, this
trap loudly dictates strategy. Those clearing it with their
second will no doubt feel a sense of accomplishment, even if the
green is missed.
The second par 3 of the day is the 6th hole, and at 195 metres
from the pegs, requires a lusty blow. Bunkers protect this
elevated green at the front left and right. The greenfront is
open for a run-up shot which may be the play of choice on many
occasions, with the prevailing wind at one's back, and a back
to front sloping green.
Play turns in towards the direction of the prevailing breeze for
the par four 7th. This 285 metre hole provides a good deal of
temptation, with the green seeming reachable from the tee. Offset
fairway bunkering and a solitary left greenside trap protect a
narrow sliver of green; it demands a very accurate approach from
those who have played a conservative tee shot. Slopes at the
front and rear see that any ball not solidly struck, almost
certainly slips away from the shelf of green.
The second par 5 of the day is the 8th, and at 495 metres into a
prevailing wind, is a genuine three shot hole. Play from the tee
is directed to the right half of the fairway, away from the pair
of leftside fairway traps 247 metres from the tee. The quality of
one's drive dictates the strategy for the second shot. A
diagonal triumvirate of fairway traps cuts across the fairway, a
nine iron or wedge short of the green's centre. Those who
have hit a long drive may elect to traverse these hazards and aim
to the left half of the fairway beyond, which enables a
relatively easy pitch. Those who have driven poorly, or don't
take the courageous option with their second, may elect to play
short of the traps, and to the safe right half of the fairway.
This complicates the approach, due to the presence of several
right greenside traps. This hole provides lots of options from
the tee, right through to the approach, for all levels of golfer,
in a variety of conditions. Another green of good depth is found
at the end of the 8th hole, which is no doubt a welcome relief to
those playing the course on typical windy days.
The 9th hole is a 407 metre dogleg left par 4, and ranks as the
second toughest on the course. A series of diagonally placed pot
bunkers lines the inside of the dogleg, demanding that those who
wish to shorten their approach hit the most heroic of drives.
Those playing safe and short of the traps leave themselves a mid
to long iron approach, to yet another interesting green. The
ridges and contouring that divide the putting surfaces at Kennedy
Bay are consistently good. The concept of greens within greens is
well executed, and the slightly undulating terrain of the course
is well mirrored by the subtle breaks, humps and hollows through
the putting surfaces.
The Back Nine
The back nine starts with consecutive par 4's of similar
length, both aided to a degree by prevailing winds. The 10th hole
measures 390 metres from the championship tees. A pair of pot
bunkers lie at the left of the fairway. The broad green is
defended by a small swail at its front, and a small lone
centrally positioned pot bunker a few metres short of the putting
surface.
The 12th hole is arguably the best on the course. It's so
often the case with quality short par four's. Measuring 330
metres from the championship tees, and 294 metres from the member
plates, the hourglass shaped green lies perpendicular to the axis
of the hole, and sits slightly to the left. It sits in a pretty
little depression, obscured from the tee by a small crest in the
fairway, and a thicket of coastal shrubs. It is also protected by
a string of three diagonally placed bunkers, which may be avoided
by a long, accurate, drawing drive. Much of the green tilts
slightly from front to back and may even be unsighted on approach
by those playing too conservative a tee shot, out to the expanse
of fairway on the right of the hole. All manner of shots are
available from the tee, and given the strength of the prevailing
wind, which typically aids a draw, one may attempt to drive the
green.
The 13th is a 508 metre par five, played in the same direction as
the 12th. Plenty of room is afforded to those players who drive
modest distances. A fairway bottleneck around 260 metres demands
accuracy from the long hitter. A solitary and significantly sized
fairway trap may be out of the equation for those hitting a long
second, yet it may complicate things for players electing to lay
up around 100 metres short of the green. The well sculptured
two-tired putting surface is protected on both sides by deep sand
traps, with the deepest of these protecting the small left tier
of the green, no doubt used for club championships and medal day
play. With the 13th green at the most remote point of the course
one turns and heads for home to play the remaining holes.
Prevailing winds usually prove a staunch enemy for the trip back.
The mid-length two shot 15th is another affording both the short
and errant hitters significant room from the tee, while demanding
accuracy from the long driver. One may be lulled into playing
safe from the tee. Yet those confronted with a long approach may
rue their decision at the tee. The deep, narrow green is
wonderfully situated, in its own little dell, surrounded by low
growing coastal shrubs and other native flora. It's somewhat
difficult to access, yet approaches played to the left can feed
down a small bank, much closer to the flag.
The 16th is arguably the best par 3 on the course and another
contender for Kennedy Bay's best hole. Measuring 138 metres,
it features a narrow offset green running from 4 o'clock to
10 o'clock protected by steep slopes at its front, a solitary
and centrally placed pot bunker, which seems to eat its way right
into the waist of the green. A pair of hazards beyond provide
definition, whilst also catching the overcooked tee shot. The
presence of these traps may also tempt golfers into
underclubbing, producing higher ball flight, and on this windy
part of the course, will more often than not result in a green
missed. Recovery from any point either to the side, short or long
of this green, is very difficult. The steep lopes, shallow green,
and voracious pot bunker are all factors to contend with. The
hole is a wonderful little design, not unlike the 16th at The
Cut, or the 16th at Paraparaumu Beach.
The penultimate hole is a 498 metre par 5, played directly into
the prevailing Fremantle Doctor. Drives longer than 240 metres
must be straight, so as to avoid fairway bunkering both left and
right. Playing short of these hazards sees far greater fairway
width. The green is ideally approached from the right side of the
fairway in almost all instances, yet this is where a string of
diagonal bunkers sits. Golfers can either play left of these
traps, thereby complicating their approach shot, contending with
a solitary left greenside trap on the approach, or alternatively,
accurately gauge the distance and wind, playing either short or
long of the diagonal hazards. The 17th is yet another relatively
deep green, demanding accurate assessment of hole location, and
correct club selection on the approach.
The par 4 18th hole is a tough finish to the round, again playing
essentially into the prevailing wind. Two lusty blows will be
needed to travel the 394 metres to the putting surface. Even
having achieved this aim, par is no certainty with a number of
subtle breaks found on the final green.
Top Ten Course
Kennedy Bay has enjoyed a position among Australia's top ten
golf courses since it's opening. The course is ideally
situated in close proximity to the Indian Ocean, on gently
corrugated sandy land, with good coverage from native shrubs, and
strong breezes for good measure. The design philosophy is clear,
simple and consistently executed. Hazards are small, yet deep and
punitive, extracting a full shot penalty on most occasions. Their
frequent diagonal placement is a welcome return to a sound design
philosophy prevalent in the Golden Age, particularly well
employed locally by Alex Russell.
Kennedy Bay's greens are artfully constructed, and blend
harmoniously with the prevailing terrain. Fairway width is
generous for those playing conservatively, progressively
narrowing with increased driver length. The course boasts good
variety, and wonderful rhythm, with excellent short and long par
4's found on both sides. The par 3 holes form a strong
quartet, and the run home from holes 14 to 18 provides a stern
test. Given the somewhat limited amount of traffic the course
receives, it's no surprise that tees, fairways and greens are
all in very good condition. Perhaps one benefit of being so far
from a significant population centre. I'm sure the flip side
is that a paucity of golfers from the eastern seaboard enjoy
Kennedy Bay's pleasures. In time, with greater recognition,
perhaps more will come to appreciate the quality of this course,
and venture west to undertake it's examination.
(4.5) | Add A Review
|
10 Jan 2010
|
|
09 Nov 2009
|
|
10 Jul 2009
|
|
24 Jan 2008
|
|
19 Aug 2007
|
1. robbinw | Rated
|
11 Jan 2010
|
Add A Review
Came over from Queensland knowing nothing about this course. The car park was near empty and the cost was little.
After playing it I could help but thinking that was a pretty good course, better than most. (Keep in mind that I played the ’big’ Scottish courses earlier this year so had something to compare it with). Then I saw its Australian rating was in the top 20 best, ahead of The Cut and wasnt surprised. What a gem which is just so underutilised.
Also Liked