Looking back now, it is hard to believe that it took some
convincing for the original developers of the North Lakes
project, north of Brisbane, that a golf course would add
"sex appeal" and flavour to, and provide a focal point
for, what may well have otherwise been just another housing
development.
Lensworth, the development arm of the Fosters group, were keen to
maximise as much of their land as possible at Mango Hill, in the
growth corridor of Pine Rivers some thirty minutes north of
Brisbane, for housing. After all the company had not previously
been involved in golf course development, but as planning evolved
it became obvious that the benefits of a golf course, which would
add green belt to the large number of houses planned for the
community, was the way to go. In any case the area set aside for
the golf course was not suitable for housing and contained
significant planning constraints and so the marriage between the
two was clearly defined and compatible.
The course would offer a golfing facility in the north of
Brisbane and be one of the first high end courses to be built in
the region in the last thirty or so years. With no other such
courses in the near vicinity it offered an opportunity to capture
the rapidly developing northern corridor market in addition to
the not too distant Brisbane golfing market.
The first task in the design of the golf course's layout was
to contain the golf course precint within the area defined as
'public open space' which entailed restricting the course
within proximity of a creek which ran virtually the length of the
site.
"It was one of the more constrained golf course sites we
have had to work with," said Graham Marsh's head
designer, David Ireland. Adding further to those issues was that
we had to include access for public walkways across the golf
course without compromising safety issues."
Enticing the partnership even further was the prospect of the
American Club Management Company, Clubcorp, looking to secure the
ownership of the course a few years after the completion of
construction. Clubcorp was already operating in Australia at
Lakelands on the Gold Coast, their flagship course, with the
Links at Port Douglas and the Macquarie Links course in Sydney
not yet part of their portfolio.
Clubcorp, with their headquarters in Dallas, are the largest
private club ownership/management company in the world, their US
flagship being Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. The security
that their guarantee of purchase offered the developers, was
another level of confidence in the decision making process and
ensured potential purchasers of golf adjoining blocks, that the
golf course would be well run and managed.
Clubcorp eventually took the ownership reigns almost immediately
upon the course's completion, a change from the original
arrangements, but one that had the course very much under control
of ClubCorp from the beginning.
In 2000 construction began and by the beginning of 2002 the
course was opened for play.
The par four first hole is not long but places demands on
accuracy immediately from the tee. Players long enough to carry
the left hand carry trap (200 metres) have a distinct advantage
in more than just length, as the fairway opens out beyond. Those
having to take a line right of that fairway trap need to be aware
of the right hand trap which is some 230 metres from the back
tee.
A feature of this hole is that the green tends to fall away from
front to back at about the half way point and like many holes at
North Lakes the general lay of the land is towards the creekline
along, in this case, the left hand side on the hole.
A nice balance in terms of an opening hole as it tests but
entices.
The second is a straightaway par four but it is important to keep
the tee shot along the left half of the fairway to avoid the left
to right camber. There is a lot more room left than there appears
from the tee. The green is divided in half by a prominent ridge
crossing the green.
The third is an interesting par four but it was a compromise from
the original plan and appears that way from the fairway. It was
originally intended that the hole would play forty or so metres
longer but issues to do with the realignment of a road behind the
green precluded such. It has options from the tee but you need to
be a very long hitter to consider taking the direct line. In fact
the risk far outweighs the reward. The hole measures some 330
metres going the safe route but a direct line is around 290
metres and the water carry around 265 metres. Suffice to say most
people find themselves playing for the middle of the fairway from
where only a short iron is required but you get the feeling that
the angle of the green was not necessarily designed to
accommodate a shot from that direction. The green is
characterised by heavy mounding in its front, but less so to the
back.
The fourth is a 510 metre par five that often plays with a left
to right wind further accentuated by a camber that feeds down
from the emerging real estate on the left to the watery hazard to
the right. Just inside the right hand bunkers is a good line from
the tee but be wary with the second, to start the ball left as
the camber will feed it down towards the hazard.
The fifth is a mid iron par three with water that creeps a little
closer to the front right than it appears from the tee.
The sixth is the first of what could be described as a tough
finish to the front nine. At 390 metres, the par fourís
first hurdle is the tee shot, but there is a lot more room left
than there appears from the tee. The bush surrounding the creek
left makes it appear that there is not much room to work with to
the left but that side of the fairway gives a nice angle to the
green. Once on the green the movement is again very much towards
the creek left.
The seventh at 537 metres is the longest hole on the course but
some of that may be saved with a tight line to the left from the
tee. The hole angles right to left, hugging the creek line all
the way and an attempt to save yardage may indeed work but if
not, can prove very costly as the creek will eat you up. Bunkers
guard the right half of the fairway from the tee but once
negotiated the only real concern is a bunker some 70 metres short
of the green. The buggy path in the distance is a good line from
the tee. The smallish green here is guarded by bunkers left and
right and overall a nice par five.
The eighth is one of my favourite holes on the course. At 164
metres from the back, the green is protected by a very large and
deceiving bunker some ten metres short. I say deceiving as the
hole appears closer than it actually because of that. A longish
green that is guarded by a two bunkers right also but feeds right
to left towards the creek left. Any attempt to bail out right
will leave a difficult downhill bunker shot.
The ninth completes the strong finish to the front nine with a
387 metre tough driving hole. Longer hitters could consider
carrying the right hand bunker to avoid the possibility of the
creek left but there is another bunker some forty metres on which
significantly narrows the landing area for the brave. A beautiful
balance to the second shot with a huge bunker right, one in the
front left and the ever present creekline beyond. Another very
good hole.
The tenth hole has a lot of similarity to the sixth. A bunker
guards the right hand side of the landing area for the tee shot
but again there is more room left than appears the case from the
tee. A little bit of dead ground in front of the green and around
ten metres of false front to the green accentuate the difficulty
of the approach.
The eleventh is a par five full of options, both from the tee and
with shots further along the fairway. A creek crosses the fairway
at the 280 metre mark so for some a decision needs to be made
from the tee. The ideal tee shot favours the left half of the
fairway and works back with a slight left to right camber. The
choice for the second is influenced by a large centrally located
bunker some sixty metres short of the green. Flag position may
also influence which is the preferred line in order to set up the
third and a false front to the green also affects the approach.
Several defined areas to this green.
The twelfth a long par three but that is really it's only
strength. 198 metres from the back and a carry over water and
wetland but that carry is only a concern for the lesser player.
The strength of the 13th hole is in the second shot. A
comparatively wide landing area for the tee shot although it does
run out at the 280 metre mark so some consideration is needed
dependant on tee placement and wind conditions as to a lay up but
once safely negotiated then the thoughts turn to the approach. It
is a wide green with water short and to the right. Into the
breeze this hole is a bit of a sleeper.
The 14th hardly rates a mention for mine. Plays down wind often
and as such requires only a reasonable tee shot to set up a short
approach. Tee shot down left feeding off left to right camber is
the way to go.
From the par five 15th tee, the line is over the left hand
fairway bunker for those who can fly it more than 210 metres, and
that then opens up a wide expanse beyond. That line is further
rewarded with a forward kick off the downhill gradient gaining
yardage. A hole that perhaps unfairly favours the longer hitter
as it just gets wider the further you hit it. The second is a
little confusing the first time you play it as there is a sea of
bunkers near the green making the definition of the landing area
for the second a little hard to see. For those not all that long
from the tee, the creek crossing the fairway around 130 metres
out becomes a consideration with the second. The widest green on
the course with three defined putting areas separated by ridges.
Once you get to know the hole an interesting and fun hole to
play.
The 16th a short 148 metre par 3 but often playing into the wind
can prove dangerous. Water creeps closer to the back left of the
green than appears the case from the tee. Back flag positions can
be rewarded by an almost basin like effect in that half of the
green.
The seventeenth offers a blind tee shot at least to the landing
area and from there an slightly downhill approach to a green
guarded in the front right by a large bunker and in the left by a
grassy swale.
The eighteenth, if North Lakes ever becomes a tournament course,
may well become known as one of the best finishing holes in
Australian golf. It may be that anyway. Measuring 420 metres the
tee shot is dominated by bunkers right and bush left. From there
a mid to long iron will be required to a green heavily guarded in
the front right by bunkers and to the left and close to the left
at that, by a small saving bunker and heavy penalising bush.
Longish green to further stretch the hole out if necessary.
The greens are the hybrid Bermuda, Tifeagle, North Lakes being
the first to introduce this increasingly popular warm season
grass to Australia on a full course scale. The benefits are an
upright blade promoting a good putting surface and year round
colour not always typical of other Bermuda grasses.
The fairways are wintergreen as are the roughs allowing
flexibility in course set up and cost efficiencies in
maintenance.
The Verdict
My initial impressions of North Lakes are that it is a golf
course with plenty of variety and degrees of difficulty. The
constant easterly breezes quartering from the north through the
south provide further contrast in character from day to day.
There are several standout holes such as the 6th, 8th, 9th, 11th,
and 18th but there is hardly a weak hole either. Even the par
four third, which has its peculiarities, is fun to play and
something different.
I don't doubt, given the lack of other quality courses in
Brisbane, that in time North Lakes will stage a tournament of
some repute and when it does it will gain the profile that it
deserves. In the meantime however there will be many who will
enjoy the still relatively hidden gem that North Lakes is. I say
hidden as it is still somewhat tucked away inside the rapidly
developing residential estate at North Lakes.
Once you have found it however and begun experiencing its
subtleties then you will join the many who are singing its
praises.
The Graham Marsh team have created a very good golf course from a
site that had significant natural and statutory limitations. The
creek that so dominates the site has provided both opportunities
and limitations but the end result is a golf course that very
much provides a valuable and welcome addition to Brisbane golf.
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30 Jun 2009
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06 Oct 2008
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1. selepepre | Rated
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30 Jun 2009
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If you are a big hitter (I’m not) and can keep it straight (I can), then North Lakes is well worth a visit. Some holes are a most interesting design.
I’ve had several games there on Brisbane visits (from Sydney) and it remains on my desired list.
If your shots tend to stray, make sure you get some good lessons first. Sudden death waits for you if you are a slicer or a hooker.