So named, because of its relationship with the adjacent wine
growing region of the Swan Valley, the Vines Resort has
positioned itself as one of the leading golf and residential
resorts in Australia. Though only thirteen year since it's
opening in September of 1989, the Vines Resort, some forty
minutes drive from Perth's CBD, has generated much interest
and activity in that time.
Hailed as one of the finest resort courses in Australia, and
amongst the best tournament courses in the land, it has in many
ways, as a result of its success, trailblazed the golf related
residential developments that followed.
In the mid-80's, West Australian golfer, Graham Marsh, who
had established a fine reputation and playing record in Japan,
was asked by the President of the Japanese company, Sanwa
Tatemonoto, to seek out a likely land parcel that could
accommodate a high quality golfing facility incorporated with a
residential golfing resort.
Marsh, who at that stage had his eyes on a future role in golf
course design, sought the help of his friends and associates in
the west and a suitable property was secured in the Swan Valley
to the north and east of Perth.
Marsh had already completed his first project in Australia at
Palm Meadows on the Gold Coast and, following that project, had
invited Ross Watson, a Queensland based golf course
construction/design consultant to form the new company Marsh
Watson Pty Ltd. Watson had been involved in several remodelling
projects and had acted as the golf course construction supervisor
at Palm Meadows. With the help of local planning companies in
Perth, the development secured approvals and construction of the
initial twenty-seven holes commenced in late 1987.
The course opened in September 1989 with an opening to beat all
openings, and even though it was staged in the middle of the
pilots strike that year, many national and international guests
attended, often having go via Singapore from Sydney to get to
Perth.
The facility now boasts two eighteen-hole courses but initially
only twenty-seven holes were established, allowing for the
alternating of the then three separate nines. Each of the nines,
Ellenbrook, Lakes and Wildflower were similar in playability and
quality although it was the Ellenbrook and Lakes that gained the
profile as a result of the Australasian PGA Tour event, the Vines
Classic, being held there in it's first few years.
A further nine holes were opened in 1997, this time under the
design of Graham Mash Golf Design, providing the opportunity to
isolate one eighteen hole course for members only and one for the
public. This is still the case, although they are alternated,
providing even greater benefits for both members and visitors.
The fourth nine, which has now become holes three through eleven
of the Ellenbrook course, has a slightly different feel to the
others, perhaps a little more dynamic than that of the initial
twenty seven although it was important to retain a similar style
to the original layout. The name "Ellenbrook" stems
from the Ellenbrook Creek that borders much of this side of the
course and of course the "Lakes" course name speaks for
itself.
The latest nine also have a significantly different residential
mix and a greater housing density. Again, however, the project
sold well, no doubt capitalising on the reputation that had
already been created and a growing acceptance by the Western
Australian public that forty minutes was not too far from town.
The holes that have always stood out for me were several on the
composite course, although having said that, there are plenty of
others that catch the eye.
The par five third (540 metres) of the tournament course (12th
Ellenbrook) is a fabulous par five. Why? Because it offers just
so many options from the tee and indeed also with the second shot
and the approach. From the tee a tree dictates the shape of tee
shot either right to left for those brave enough to take the
shorter route or the safer left to right shot faded around the
tree. From the tee shot there are then several landing areas,
divided by fairway bunkers that can be selected to set up the
third shot to a long green. This hole is to me one of the really
fine par fives in Australian golf.
The par three 8th (178 metres) of the tournament course (17th
Ellenbrook) is a par three that is characterised by the ridge
that runs through the green at about the half way mark. Beyond
the ridge the green gathers to the left and a favourite pin
position in the Heineken Classic was the back left pin. There are
also several very good pin positions to the front half of the
green, especially front right and a good variety of tees creating
the variety to make this hole play through a range of clubs.
The par four eleventh (11th Lakes) 391 metres, is possibly the
toughest par fours on the course. A demanding tee shot to a
fairway guarded by water right and bunker left and often played
back into the prevailing afternoon breeze known as the
"Fremantle Doctor".
The 13th (Lakes course) 155 metres, is a fine par three guarded
front right and left by bunkers. A tier runs through the green,
which is slightly angled across the line of play especially when
the pin is tucked in the back right of the green. Normally just a
mid iron it also typically plays back into a right to left
breeze.
The 16th (Lakes course) 179 metres is yet another very good par
three. The degree of difficulty is very much determined by the
pin setting, and choice of tee, as a centrally located bunker in
the front of the green protects back right flag positions. A
gentle ridge runs diagonally across the green ensuring that a
bail out to the left to avoid the water right and the bunker will
result in a very difficult putt across the green.
The par four 17th (Lakes course) 390 metres was always a key hole
in the Heineken Classic and is a demanding hole in any situation.
From the tee you are faced with a bunker right and a lake left
running virtually the entire length of the landing area. The
landing area is narrowed further by a gentle camber down to the
lake so a very precise tee shot is required. Once that is safely
negotiated it requires a mid iron to a slightly elevated green.
The difficulty of the hole however, is in the tee shot.
The par five 470 metre 18th (Lakes course) is a superb finishing
hole providing, as all good holes do, many options. Typically,
during the week of tournament play, the prevailing wind meant
that many birdies and eagles were on offer once the drive was
safely negotiated. It still however required a very precise
second shot, if a decision was made to go for it, to a green
protected by water front and bunker behind. The options are to
lay up short or right of the water and leave a short iron to a
very wide but relatively shallow green.
These are but a few, of the very fine holes on the thirty-six
hole facility but ones that I have enjoyed and appreciated. There
are several others but space prevents a complete rundown.
The greens here are large, averaging around 700sq metres, which
was the intent of Marsh and Watson, to create large areas that
could accommodate the many pin positions required on a resort
golf course. Hitting the green at The Vines is one thing, getting
it into the area of the pin is another. The greens are Pencross
Bent, with the fairways, tees and semi roughs in Greenlees Park
Couch, an Australian variety of Bermuda. An interesting mix,
especially given the heat in the Swan Valley during the summer.
The important factor, however, is that the heat in Western
Australia is a very dry heat and where bent grasses suffer most,
is in hot humid conditions.
The golf course is typically Graham Marsh in that it is a very
strategic layout designed for the golfer that plots and thinks
their way around the course, rather than the power hitter. Having
said that both courses do measure around 7100 yards from the back
tees, but positioning is a key requirement in order to score well
from any of the multiple tees available.
One of the real features of The Vines, I have always felt, is the
linear nature of the course. Such a configuration ensures that
every hole is even more unique, as in most cases each hole is
isolated from the others. It even further enhances the peaceful
surroundings of the Resort.
A quality golfing facility and, as is so important in high-end
resort courses, the presentation is of a similar high standard.
The fact that The Vines is regularly rated amongst the best
courses in Australia and among the top three resort courses tends
to speak for itself. It has gained a very good reputation with
tournament golfers, members and the general public, suggesting
that the courses have a broad base of acceptance. It has proven
to be a very good venue in terms of tournament logistics and
despite not now staging a professional event has everything in
place if and when that opportunity arises once again.
It is the perfect facility for a conference or corporate golf
given the standard and variety of accommodation, the golf courses
and the other resort activities available. Not to mention that it
is in the middle of one of Australia's recognised wine
producing regions.
The clubhouse offers first class locker rooms and dining
facilities for all golfers. The members and corporate days areas
offer some of the best locker room facilities that could be found
on a golf course anywhere. A well-stocked and roomy golf shop
awaits golfers with plenty of variety in terms of Vines
merchandise.
The Resort now boasts the four star
[url=www.novotelvines.com.au]Novotel Vines Hotel[/url] built
alongside the original clubhouse. There are also condominiums
that were built in the initial stage of development and that
offer one two or three bedroom apartments alongside the
eighteenth of the Lakes course and again within a two-minute walk
of the clubhouse.
1. atch | Rated
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21 May 2013
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Was really looking forward to playing here as Id heard rave reviews from mates. Got a free round which was a bonus as my mate was a green keeper there. Was so disappointed as I thought the course was just plain average. Wasn’t in the great condition Id thought it would be and played Joondalup weeks later and that was way better. Disappointed and probably wont go there again.