The last few years have provided a plethora of new courses for
golfers throughout Australia to enjoy. It seems these things come
in waves. The much-celebrated golden age of design was enjoyed in
Australia with courses such as Royal Melbourne, Royal Adelaide,
New South Wales, Kingston Heath, Metropolitan, Victoria and
others all constructed around the same time. In a similar vein,
the last five years in Australia has seen the creation of many
wonderful new golf courses including The National Golf Club's
Moonah Course, Brookwater in Queensland, St. Andrews Beach
(Gunnamatta), and the indisputably brilliant Barnbougle Dunes in
Bridport, Tasmania. The Cut at Port Bouvard sits comfortably
within the company of these new courses.
Opened early in 2005, and designed by James Wilcher, The Cut is
just about as exciting as a golf course could ever be. Routed
predominantly through dramatically undulating dunes land within a
stone's throw of the Indian Ocean, the course takes in
wonderful views, is beautifully conditioned, expertly designed,
and provides loads of thrilling golf. Boasting a par of 72, and a
total course length from the back tees of 6385 metres, The Cut
features a lone par 3 and par 5 on the front side, and a pair of
each on the back. Eminently playable from the blue tees at 6077
metres and 5209 metres from the women's tees, the course has
been constructed with strong and consistent prevailing winds in
mind.
The Front Nine
The opening hole measures 346 metres, and plays to a broad
receptive valley. The first tee is in close proximity to the
clubhouse, as it is at Merion. The sense of theatre is palpable.
As is so often the case at The Cut, ample fairway room is
afforded the conservative player with a fairway wood, hybrid or
long iron in their hands. The hole bends gently to the left and
then plays uphill to a well-designed and constructed green,
considering requirements that native flora adjoining the putting
surface go untouched. A lone fairway bunker is found 260 metres
from the tee, and aids in direction of the opening drive, whilst
acting as a hazard, reachable only for the longest of hitters.
The first green gives an indication of what is to come at The
Cut, as the putting surface is subtly divided into several
functional areas, boasting interesting pin positions, which
significantly affect the difficulty and play lines.
Several quality short par 4s are found at The Cut, and the second
hole is one such design. At 350 metres from the back markers,
(325 from the blue tees), this hole features fairway bunkering in
the right half of the landing zone. One may elect to blow past
these hazards with a driver, or alternatively take a more
consertative approach and play a shorter club from the tee,
accepting a longer approach.
The beach lies immediately at the golfer's left when
addressing the tee shot, providing a majestic if somewhat
punitive out of bounds for the hooked drive. The hole is routed
oblique to the prevailing winds, and with the hotel complex soon
to be constructed beyond the right side of the fairway, 200
metres from the tee, accuracy is needed. This is enhanced with
the simple yet cunning use of native shrubs between tee and
fairway, which obscures some of the landing zone, no doubt
creating uncertainty in the minds of many golfers.
The third hole, measuring 298 metres is a wonderful downhill
short par 4, which tempts the golfer into going for the green. As
is the case with holes 2 and 4, the Indian Ocean and beach sands
sit immediately over the golfer's left shoulder. The views
from this segment of the course are really special. Anything from
a five iron to a driver can be played from the 3rd tee, yielding
various approaches to a wonderfully situated green site, which
boasts good internal movement. Drives hit with a draw, starting
out at the right side of the fairway can bound down the hill,
thread the needle and leave an eagle putt.
The first one-shotter of the day is the fourth hole, and at 179
metres, requires a well struck mid or long iron. The green is not
all that big, and protected by two left side facing bunkers. The
demand for accuracy from the tee in consideration of prevailing
winds, and the subtle undulations of the putting surface make par
here a good score.
The par 5 fifth hole is an enjoyable design, which offers a
number of options for each shot from tee to green. Holes 5
through 9 are routed on the least conducive segment of the block,
where the landscape is dominated by the neighbouring housing
developments, and the ground beneath the golfer's feet is not
as sandy as that on the remainder of the course. The 5th is
however, a hole that provides a wealth of strategic options,
which are most interesting to play. The hole veers slightly right
from the tee then straightens; the heroic drive line exists over
a pair of sprawling traps on the left. Ample room afforded to the
conservative golfer who plays safe and right of these. Those
electing to challenge the bunkers with their tee shot have a
shorter second, which puts them within reach of the green. Even
from this point one may choose a series of areas at which to lay
up, affording a short pitch and putt for birdie. A cluster of
traps is intelligently placed, starting 70 metres short of the
green, complicating play for those laying up, and intimidating
those attempting a long second to the putting surface.
The 6th hole at The Cut varies greatly in play as a direct
consequence of the wind. At 327 metres from the pegs, this is a
relatively short par 4 on somewhat uninspiring land.
Wilcher's design however makes something of nothing. The
solitary fairway bunker found 230 metres out on the left side is
located precisely at the point where one would ideally play an
approach shot. Three greenside traps are found on the right half
of the putting surface, and they become more significant as the
drive is played further right of centre. To compound this, much
of the putting surface tilts from right to left. The smart play
appears to be that of taking dead aim at the trap on the left
side of the fairway, whilst not taking enough club to enter the
sand.
The par 4 dogleg right 7th measures 353 metres, and boasts water
on the right half of the driver landing zone. Again one is faced
with the decision to either lay up short of all trouble off the
tee, or chance their arm with a long straight drive, increasing
the ease of the approach. The hole affords ample room left, with
approaches from the left half of the fairway or the left rough
having to negotiate a yawning left green side bunker. This is one
of many greens where ground contours, green complex design, and
maintenance practices all work well together to facilitate a
myriad of options for an up and down par.
A pair of par fours provides a strong finish to the front side,
playing as index two and four respectively. The 8th is a brute at
438 metres, slightly up hill and doglegging left to right.
Thankfully the prevailing wind is at ones back when playing this
hole. A series of offset bunkers are thoughtfully positioned in
the driver landing zone. Sufficient room has been left around the
primary right side fairway trap guarding the inside of the
dog-leg so that one may be tempted to flirt with it and thereby
significantly shorten the approach. As expected for a hole of
this type, a large and relatively flat green is somewhat
receptive to longer iron, hybrid, and fairway wood play.
The 9th is a slight dogleg left, 388 metre par 4 where one is
tempted to cut the inside of the dog-leg and hit the 250 odd
metres required to clear the traps guarding the line of charm.
Enough scope exists so that one may elect to play safe and steer
well enough away of the sand, electing to play a slightly longer
approach from the right half of the fairway. The 9th demands an
accurate approach, as the green is relatively narrow and not
overly deep. It is fortified by left and right side traps. Those
over clubbing will find that a steep drop beyond the green has
whisked their ball out of bounds.
I'd have preferred a slightly shorter hole here, with a
low-profile front to back sloping green, following the contours
of the land. This would see a shorter approach, and some more
margin beyond the green, so that long balls wouldn't tumble
onto the road beyond the green.
The Back Nine
The start to the second nine gives a hint of the dramatic
topography that lies ahead. The par 4 10th is a long, narrow,
slight dogleg right, which winds like a serpent down a steep
slope and then slightly uphill to a green, which is relatively
small for a hole of this length. As he demonstrates on many
occasions, Wilcher is not afraid to embrace a touch of blindness
in his designs. In this instance, those on the tee take aim at a
marking post in the distance, hoping to find their ball on the
fairway below.
The par 4 11th measures 317 metres, and ascends a ridge in close
proximity to the shore. Good drivers will fancy themselves for a
birdie on this hole. Anything from a 4 iron up may be used, with
each option offering an uphill pitch of varying lengths to the
right half of the undulating green shared by the seventieth and
eleventh holes. Golfers would do well to take note of the flag
position when on the tee, as the eleventh green is distinctly
divided into front and back tiers.
The 12th hole has been promoted as the signature hole at The Cut
and given the location of the hole, the thrilling nature of the
drive, and the challenge of the approach, it is not hard to see
why. The 400 metre down hill slight dogleg right par 4 is routed
over some of the most exciting golfing land one could hope to
see. Again the fairway and valley floor below the tee is blind,
and golfers must trust their aim at a large limestone bolder on
the ridges beyond. Only a handful of tee shots provide the same
thrill as that which finds fairway centre on the 12th. The
approach is played to a wonderfully situated skyline green,
protect by native coastal shrubs, informal sandy waste areas, and
a trio of formal sand traps short and left of the putting
surface. With the wind whipping off the ocean, the beach
immediately right of the tee and a massive driftwood covered sand
dune on the pro line from the tee, the 12th is a joy to play, and
any par on this index #1 hole will no doubt be a cherished
memory.
The 194 par 3 13th is the second one shotter of the day, and has
the golfer with their back to the coast whilst aiming at a
somewhat obscured green. Two sand traps are distinctly removed
from the putting surface, allowing a degree of latitude for those
who can't find the green on the other side of a deep and
imposing valley, much like those of the 7th and 15th on The
National's Old Course.
The par 4 14th is another down hill par 4, and a classic slight
dogleg right. Left and right side fairway bunkering is suitably
offset and positioned such that it sternly poses the question as
to whether one attempts to fly the traps, or lay up. The length
of the hole, prevailing breeze, relatively narrow green front,
all demand driver, but the landing areas for this club are small.
Wilcher poses a good question in an age where ball and club
technology allow us to eat up holes, even of this length. The 412
metre par 4 14th does not take the driver out of ones hands, but
asks them to hit it accurately if they choose to use the club.
Those with less nerve won't bring the fairway hazards in to
play, electing to hit a hybrid or fairway wood, leaving a
difficult approach in excess of 200 metres.
The 15th is another exciting three shot hole, playing slightly
uphill, and back towards the coast. The hole is straight for the
most part, veering right at its end. A solidly struck drive
brings the solitary right side fairway trap into play. From this
point, the bold strong and accurate player may aim for the green
with their second shot. Playing up hill, and to an unsighted
green, which is tucked ever so slightly to the right, beyond a
solitary shrub-covered dune, this elusive target provides a
tantalising proposition. Those electing to play the hole in
regulation may take a shorter club for their second, and aim left
for the haven of visible fairway at the crest of the hill, only a
short lob wedge from the putting surface. The bunkerless 15th
green is another that features good contouring, and several
ridges, which divide the putting surface into a number of
functional areas.
The par 3 16th is the 3rd and final one shotter of the day, with
play commencing on an elevated tee, over a small valley, to a
long skinny offset green, nestled against the hill only 130 odd
metres away.
This hole provides a wonderful challenge, and great golfing
excitement for all levels of player. As expected at such a hole,
routed in close proximity to the coast on an elevated, exposed,
and windy segment of the course, many will attempt a low shot
underneath the wind. Those trusting a full swing with their
lofted clubs put themselves at the mercy of the prevailing ocean
wind. As such, this hole poses a similar question to that asked
by The Postage Stamp at Troon.
The 16th green is 40 metres long but very narrow and offset. A
great test of accuracy, with some margin left for those to
recover after missing the green. This hole is similar in style to
the 16th holes at Kennedy Bay, and that at Paraparaumu Beach.
The penultimate hole is another thrilling shot making invitation.
At 293 metres from the back pegs, anything from 2 to 7 (or maybe
even more) is possible on this wonderful penultimate hole. Tee
shots are played uphill, beyond a saddle at the 180 metre mark,
towards a unsighted green. Those attempting to drive the green or
close to it must be incredibly accurate and may also require an
ounce of luck when their ball finds the downslope beyond the
saddle. The really long hitters face an all or none proposition
with the driver, as the 17th green is surrounded by trouble on
all sides. Conservative play off the tee leaves a shortish
approach pitch, to a well structured green. Green width tapers
away at the rear as the putting surface forms a small neck that
forms a junction with the 11th green.
The closing hole, a 552 metre par 5 aided by the prevailing wind,
is yet another that affords wonderful ocean views. The drive
appears more demanding than it is as the fairway bends slightly
right, and widens over the crest of the small rise. Much of the
fairway landing area is unseen from the tee. Those hooking their
drives towards the beach can take solace in one of the more
beautiful out of bounds demarcations in Australian golf. A big
drive aided by the wind brings a series of bunkers 70 ñ 50
metres short of the green into play for the second shot. If
unable to reach the green with a bold and long 2nd, the play is
to lay up well short of these traps allowing a full third shot
from further back in the fairway. This conservative approach also
yields greater visibility of the green. The final putting surface
is yet another boasting artful contours. It is likely to see
three putts when approaches are hit to the wrong green segment.
James Wilcher has designed a course that maximises the wonderful
block on which it lays. The routing forays towards the ocean at
its earliest opportunity, ventures back near the middle of the
round, and provides a stunning conclusion with the final two
holes in close proximity to the ocean. The course has a wealth of
wonderful short par 4's and strong, longer 2 shot holes,
which bend both left and right.
Wonderful Rhythm
Prevailing breezes exert different effects upon these holes,
providing various golfing experiences from day to day. The course
boasts a wonderful rhythm, with the tough demanding holes
expertly balanced between short par 4's, reachable par
5's, and the various one-shotters. Bunkers are thoughtfully
placed, not overly used, and prove points of consideration on the
drive and approaches. Bunker design is sympathetic to the
prevailing terrain, never appears out of character, and
doesn't overpower undulations throughout the plot. Given the
voracity of winds acting over the course, some consideration may
be required in times ahead, on the coarseness of the sand filling
the traps. Fine grain sand bunkers could conceivably be emptied
in the week by strong winds, with their contents deposited over
adjacent greens and fairways.
The Cut has been open for play for less than one year. As one may
expect of a course in its youth, the greens are rolling
incredibly truly and are totally free from any poa contamination.
On the day of my visit green speeds were perfect. Similarly the
putting surfaces were firm and not overly receptive to poorly
struck approaches.
A Stunning Property
The Cut is a course built on a stunning property, which has been
exploited to its full extent, providing shot after shot of
challenging, exciting and memorable golf. The course doesn't
really boast a poorly designed hole, and features many A-grade
holes which are strategically sound, eminently playable, and
great fun on sensational land. Holes in this category include 3,
11, 12, 15, 16, 17 and 18. James Wilcher is to be commended on a
job well done, as the block provided environmental concerns, and
other factors, which had the potential to detract from the
overall course aesthetics and playability. Also, one all too
easily forgets that a property such as this affords the designer
at least 100 holes and that the work to find the best 18 is truly
challenging.
The stretch from Bunbury north beyond Perth is blessed with an
abundance of sandy coastal dunes land. More golf courses should
be made of this terrain. Thank goodness The Cut has exploited it
well. West Australia is now finally getting more good courses in
the ground. The Cut joins Kennedy Bay, Lake Karrinyup, Joondalup
and The Vines as worthy sites to visit in the West. Clearly, The
Cut and Kennedy Bay lead the way. Despite the long flight from
the Eastern seaboard, every golfer in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
and all points in between should visit The Cut. Any golfer who
takes the game seriously owes themselves a game at this wonderful
course.
(4.0) | Add A Review
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18 Jan 2012
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20 Dec 2011
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10 Jun 2011
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08 Jan 2011
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04 May 2010
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25 Mar 2010
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28 Mar 2007
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03 Apr 2006
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1. LarrikinLefty | Rated
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07 Feb 2012
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Add A Review
If there is a Heaven… This is it!!!
A must play for every Golfer, you can complain about the wind, the rough, the green fees, however they pale in to insignifigance for this experince – This is not a round of golf – this is an surreal adventure!
Until you conquer The Cut your a golfing nobody. You need every shot in the bag and then some.