The Glades Golf Course on Queensland's Gold Coast has
already, in just nine short months since its opening, established
itself as one of, if not the premiere golf course in this golfing
mecca.
Although officially opened in December 2000 the course had the
luxury of being ready for play for eighteen months prior to that
time due in part to its original South Korean developer falling
victim to the woes of the Asian financial crisis. The condition
in which the course was opened reflects the opportunity the
maintenance team had to allow the course to mature without the
pressure of having it opened for play before time.
The publically listed Australian company, Thakral, purchased the
course and its surrounding real estate land from the Koreans in
1999 and in late 2000, a consortium made up of a group which
included the Queensland golfer Ian Baker Finch, purchased the
course.
The thing that struck me about the course is that despite its, at
times, dramatic and dynamic appearance it is very playable.
Although I have played the course but twice I have found it very
easy to remember the layout and the characteristics of each hole,
another sign of a good golf course.
The secret to many a good design is to make the course look more
difficult than it actually plays and if this was the designer
Greg Norman's intent, then he has succeeded. It is
aesthetically pleasing with Norman utilising his almost trademark
full face bunkering and contrasting grasses to not only direct
play but to add a certain dynamism to the course. There are 99
bunkers on the course.
A4 bent grass has been used on the greens. Other Gold Coast
courses have struggled with bent as this is almost the transition
zone geographically in terms of climate for that grass but this
is a strain that is a lot more heat and humidity tolerant than
others that have been tried here and the exposed nature of the
site allows for a lot more air movement. The quality and speed of
the greens are as good as it gets anywhere.
The present layout and numbering is not as originally intended or
as it will be in the future. A temporary clubhouse (although many
courses would be pleased to have it) has dictated that the course
begins with what will eventually, on completion of the main
clubhouse, become the par three thirteenth. A hole measuring some
two hundred metres, it is not the ideal start but this will
change when the new clubhouse is completed and the course returns
to its intended layout. The first hole when that happens is a
relatively short (328 metres) par four with a generous fairway to
open proceedings. A heavily contoured and small green awaits a
short iron approach so an interesting but enjoyable opening.
There are some fabulous golf holes that await beyond with my
favourites being (original layout) the par four second, the par
three third, the par five seventh and the par three seventeenth.
It's hard to single out a signature hole on the course, as
there are so many good ones, but for mine it may well become the
seventeenth, not a long par three (147 metres) but water short
and left of the green and a subtle ridge that divides the green
from front to back make par a difficult task for those that miss
the target from the tee.
Not only is the playing of the course a pleasant experience but
the service also offers as good as you will find anywhere.
Managed by the US company Troon Golf the welcome guests receive
from staff on arrival leaves those playing the course for the
first time feeling completely at home and undaunted by the
occasion. The little things as they say mean a lot and the small
gifts such as the impressive bag tag add to the experience.
Of course such service and such a facility comes at a price and
the Glades is the most expensive on the Coast so I guess you
could and should expect nothing less than the best. Deals of
sorts are available at certain times of the day and a call to the
Glades will provide more information.
The Glades is already creating and setting standards for golf in
Queensland. The introduction of US based companies such as Troon
Golf, Clubcorp, American Golf and IMG in Australia and the
competitive nature of the business here will ensure that the high
standards those organisations have introduced will remain.
It may be that the cost of a round of golf here is outside the
realm of most golfers on a regular basis but even if you do it
only once you should try the Glades. One would imagine that it
will not be long before significant PGA Tour events are being
played here. Greg Norman's ownership of the PGA Championship
in conjunction with SFX and his already expressed desire to
rotate such around courses which bear his design, will ensure
that The Glades will have the opportunity to host an event should
they so wish in the not too distant future. It will indeed make a
great tournament course and venue.
The future plans include the aforementioned spectacular clubhouse
currently under construction and an adjacent boutique lodge which
is sure to be a great attraction for both corporate and
individual golfers.
(4.5) | Add A Review
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30 Jun 2009
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29 Jun 2009
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22 Jun 2009
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22 Jun 2009
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09 Jun 2009
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06 Jun 2009
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03 Oct 2007
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21 Jun 2005
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1. cesparopr | Rated
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03 Jul 2009
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This course was like heaven on a stick – the vistas are surprising for the location, the fairways are generous (if you can resist overhitting) and the greens are very challenging. I would recommend this course to any <18 handicapper.