1. golfermaniac | Rated | 24 Mar 2008 | Add A Review

Played here a couple of days ago. Course was in superb condition. Definitely worthy of best course in Qld. This course is tough from tee to green. If you play to your handicap (or better) here on your first visit, you are a legend. If you hit the ball sideways be prepared to lose quite a few balls in either the scrub or a couple of the water hazards lurking nearby.

Staff were extremely welcoming on this occasion and I couldn’t fault the service at all. A tad expensive at $130 a round on the weekend but then probably worth a once off just to say you’ve played here…before it goes private.

2. mazey77 | Rated | 25 Feb 2008 | Add A Review

Played Brookwater on 21/2. The course had been recently cored and sanded, in talking to one of the local pros is probably about 2 weeks away from ideal playing conditions. In saying that, this course is the best in SEQ (at a minimum). The course challenges you from tee to green on every hole. Every aspect of Brookwater is managed to perfection, Staff were helpful and friendly, course management, GPS carts etc…

You play this course once and you want to go back.

3. Eekthecat | Rated | 21 Feb 2008 | Add A Review

Played Brookwater 20/2/08.

The greens had been cored and fairways dredged (?) about 2-3 weeks ago so overall the course is slowly returning to normal.

This is a beautiful course. Hands down probably the best we’ve played at in the Brisbane area. Staff were friendly and the facilities were five stars.

Yes it is a challenging course but you have quite a few tee off options ranging from the difficult BLACK tees to the more manageable gold, silver or Jade tees.

Bunkers are deep and intimidating but they add so much to the course management puzzle and the overall beauty of each hole.

We played with some mid 20’s Handicappers and they thoroughly enjoyed the round and even managed to par a couple of holes. I would recommend this course for all avid golfers to try – just for the experience!

BRING LOTS OF GOLF BALLS.

PROS

• 5 Star Facilities
• Fantastic Course
• Friendly staff
• Free Driving range
• GPS in Carts!

Cons

• No Drinks Cart on course
• Green Fees at the high end of the scale

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• Bonville International Golf Resort
• North Lakes Resort Golf Club

4. camurquhart | Rated | 29 Jan 2008 | Add A Review

As a keen golfer but wiyh a handicap of 23 i was not sure if I had done the right thing playing here, as I stood on the first tee and looked at the awesome view in front of me.

At the end of 18 holes I need the experience would not be repeated for a long time. Absolutely fantastic golf course. The greens were tough but true, the fairways immaculate and the views awesome.

From the friendly staff that greeted me on arrival to the cold beer at the end of the day …........... it could not have been better.

I encourage all golfers (no matter what your handicap) to play this course.

FANTASTIC !!!!!!!!!!!!

5. BuggeraCup | Rated | 13 Jan 2008 | Add A Review

Have played this course several times and the layout and design is fantastic. The elevation changes and contouring ensure that few shots are played from a perfectly flat lie and places a premium on distance control and club selection. There are many truly memorable holes and the bunkering is spectacular and, in most cases, very penal. Accuracy is paramount off the tee with every hole bordered by thick scrub and there are no adjoining fairways. As with all Troon courses, the condition and presentation of the course is immaculate. Brookwater is probably the best course in Queensland.

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• Pacific Harbour Golf Club

6. jimmyv | Rated | 25 Dec 2007 | Add A Review

First time i have played the course(h/cap 10).Found course to be quite challenging especially if you don’t hit the ball straight. Make sure you think about your shot selection. A hint for other first timers would be to play with someone who has played the course before or get the cheat sheets and do some course research. Came out with 7 over (off the gold tee boxes)- pretty happy with that.

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7. whatajem | Rated | 05 Dec 2007 | Add A Review

I played Brookwater 4 weeks ago and, like most previous reviews, agree this course is not for the faint hearted. Playing off the back marks allowed me to use driver on all but 2 holes.Closer tee marks would require a lot of irons/fairway woods to avoid running through doglegs. Drive the ball straight and the course is very playable and scoring was not that difficult with large greens that were very responsive to good iron play. The greens looked a little ragged but rolled beautifully all day. Drive it off line and every hole is potentially a lost ball with no bail out spots off the tee. The service from start to end was great with very friendly/helpful staff. The complimentary use of the driving range, with balls stacked in a pyramid like the pros, was a must to warm up the driver before the daunting task of the first tee. Had been waiting a long time to get there and was not dissapointed. Well worth playing before going private and missing your chance.

8. SirSlicealot | Rated | 12 Nov 2007 | Add A Review

This place is great. I plyed here back in March in the middle of the drought so to speak then early September & it was 2 different courses. The conditioning is amazing & the bunkers brutal!

Play on a coolish day as the temperature can get quite high at Springfeild. Its a shame that Brookwater is going private as its a course visitors enjoy & love.

The staff here are great and very understanding that the GPS system that thay have isnt the best in the country let alone the state. I had many readings from a stationary cart – a bit interesting when you pay top dollar for things to work.

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• Bonville International Golf Resort
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9. tigertee | Rated | 30 Oct 2007 | Add A Review

An awesome course that will test every aspect of your physical and mental game. If you are beaten mentally early on you will have a bad day! The average golfer (like me) will do well on this course by playing smart all day. No weaknesses in its design, enjoyed every meter and all aspects. It has some of the biggest & meanest bunkers you will ever see.

10. carazy | Rated | 20 Oct 2007 | Add A Review

Despite the fact that this course eats up so many balls and can be frustrating for an 18 handicapper like myself. Brookwater still remains my all time favourite course.

Little things like the complimentary use of the driving range for warm up adds to the whole experience.

It’s a beautiful setting and and the lushness of the fairways and greens are a testament to their water conservation, planning and design when you consider the surrounding area as you drive there is dry and barren.

Recommend utilising the course map.

It’s a shame it’s turning private very soon so I’ll be heading there to get what may possibly be my last opportunity to play this fantastic course.

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• Pacific Harbour Golf Club

11. hackprowannabe | Rated | 23 May 2007 | Add A Review

I found Brookwater to be a really well set out course. I see a lot of people complaining that the course wasn’t a fun experience because it was to difficult too play? I think people that play Brookwater come for the challenge and can appriciate the layout and its features.

At present I’m playing to a 9 handicap, trying to get down to a 5/6 by years end. This aside I still manage 4 pars and 2 birdies on the back nine, and was consistent on the front. I ended up 8 over for the day. This was the first time I play it as well. I think if you a straight hitter and can get some control on your shots Brookwater is one of the best courses QLD has to offer at present. I wouldn’t say its the very best but its up there.

All in all it was a great day. The course was a little wet but I found most greens in reg. If your game play mostly ends up in the rough you will find the course very, very difficult. Its tree central when you head 3m’s in from most fairways. The staff and the experience made me keen to get in a few more rounds before winter sets in. Good playing!

12. panamajd | Rated | 29 Jan 2007 | Add A Review

Really a beautiful course. Wish we could have played all of it. The tees were all moved to the front and black gold and white hit from the same box. I'm not a low handicap golfer by any means but that took the driver out of my hands on most holes. I guess I'm just not used to hitting 5 wood off the tees on par 5's! Saw the drink cart on the 2nd hole and never saw it again. For the price and the hype I came away very disappointed with the service. I may try it again but not before checking that the yardages on the card is the yardage you get to play from. Every hole played an average of 30 to 40 meters shorter that the card distances.

13. drdrift | Rated | 24 Jan 2007 | Add A Review

Played at Brookwater today and it's fantastic!!!!!

Tee - Most of the tees are elevated which provide very nice view/scenery of the fairway and green. There are four colour tee markers (Black, Gold, White, Green). we didn't want to kill our game so we played off white, but most of them were only 5 meters apart.

Fairway - Superb, lush and divot friendly. A lot of trees and require accurate drive. There are no adjacent fairways so any drifting tee shots will be a lost ball.

Bunkers - Ball magnet, super high bunker wall. This is surely the deepest bunker I've played this far. I'd say some were at least 2 meters deep.

Green - Not in very good condition and pretty slow, bumpy but acceptable and not too tricky.

Overall - This is the best course, in terms of looks difficulty and customer service, I've played in QLD so far. Will definitely go back there if time permits.

Get there early cos driving range is free. Bring heaps of water because there's not much wind and can get very warm... Freaking toilet at the 7th hole is like those in a 5 star hotel! LOL must try hahaha

Just don't put too much pressure on yourself to perform well on this course and enjoy playing golf.

5/5 stars!!!

14. telboy | Rated | 13 Dec 2006 | Add A Review

We made the trip from the Sunshine Coast to play Brookwater in late August during a golf week. My playing partner had played the course in March and raved about continuously since he got home so it was a must play for me. Unfortuneately the day we played there had been a heap of rain over the previous few days (and on the day we played) so the numerous bunkers were hard packed and difficult to get out of. This course is worth playing just to appreciate the course design and the surroundings, but if you are a high handicapper you should give it a miss as it is TOUGH! I play off a 14 in NZ and was pleased to break 100 (I shot 97) but will play it again next time, surely it must get easier. GPS on the carts is great and gives you some idea but this is a course you would need to play more than once to score well.

Expensive, tough but beautiful!

15. isold1 | Rated | 04 Dec 2006 | Add A Review

i played at brookwater not long ago and the course is great. standing up on the first tee just gets you excitied to see wats coming up next. the layout and design of the course is one of the best in AUSTRALIA. each hole is individually separated in long hilly valleys. the fairways are very hilly and if you dont hit your ball straight you will be looking in the hazards and bushes because this course is tight. the faiways are nice and green the greens are fast and great. all bunkers have high lips and in some places there is not as much sand. overall this course is one you have to play at!!!!!!!!!!!! the green fees are a bit too much. but for a one off game at a top course you can't get better. you wouldn't play here like every few months or even every year. but like i said a one off isn't bad.

16. terryyoungw | Rated | 20 Nov 2006 | Add A Review

Reading other reviews has been funny. People "down rate" a course because it's hard? It is a hard course however the course design and condition is normally wonderful. I have played it half a dozen times and the condition has varied depending on the weather we have had and how recently the greens have been cored etc... It is a 4 star golf course no doubt, maybe even 4 and a half. If you play a normal members course in the suburbs and have a 18+ handicap, add 10-15 to your normal score and if you do better than that - well done!

17. thechopper | Rated | 20 Jun 2006 | Add A Review

Words can not do this great golf course justice. As you stand on every tee you are confronted by a marvellous view which is differant from any other hole before.

From the back markers it is long and if you are off line with your drives you will punished. Although if you hit around the fairway it usually ends back in the middle.

The greens are large, fast and hilly and if the pin placements are difficult, (as they were when we played) expect a few 3 putts.

One critiism is that with the drought the fairways are rock hard and a delicate pitch quickly turns into a scull as the cub head bounces of the ground.

Well worth the money to play the best course in Queensland

18. leighroy | Rated | 13 Jun 2006 | Add A Review

Playing this golf course for the first time was a experience on its own,dead left and right all the way puts a different level of good golfing in the bin,scoring low around here is out of the uestion the first time,gps in the buggies appeared to be a slight advantage when using shot selection, but hey getting it close means you are a star,every one get out there typical greg norman layout, with plenty of thinking skills to be used, I had a blast shooting 90 and I am of 6 handicap,hit it like a busted @!#$* which you cant do around this attractive and challeging golf course. awesome...

19. golpher | Rated | 04 Jun 2006 | Add A Review

Played Brookwater today,

To be honest, great layout and design, but its not all its cracked up to be. For the green fees, course should be in alot better shape.

Greens were great, fairways okay, maybe cut a bit short in places. My biggest gripe would be the bunkers, very high lips (which is fine) but there was no sand in the traps making it next to impossible to get under the ball and get it out cleanly.

Must hit fairways, its that simple, dont have to be long, just on the short stuff.

Nice course, might play it again, but won't go out of my way, I think it has seen alot of traffic with all the hype and is looking a bit worse for wear because of it.

My two cents

20. brisbanedrive | Rated | 10 May 2006 | Add A Review

I played Brrokwater recently and must say that I looked forward to the opportunity. I must say that I left disappointed.

The course is a great challenge, but you must hit on the fairway as there are no adjoining fairways and therefore wayward shots are either lost, or in incredibly bad spots.

The bunkers were in incredibly bad shape and could be considered hard pan. Many courses have this problem, but Brookwaters are also very challenging when in good shape. The cost is quite high and therefore you expect these to be better maintained.

This is probably a great course for the low handicapper, but is too hard for this average golfer.

21. tape | Rated | 27 Jan 2006 | Add A Review

Well my brother-in-law and I were quite excited at the prospect of playing this much revered Greg Norman course and were happy to shell out the top dollar green fees for the opportunity.

However, when we started to play the course and were presented with ungroomed and, let's face it, poorly maintained bunkers, some of the shine came off. When I asked one of the staff whether they had bunker grooming equipment he simply said they were too busy as they would have to do that on top of everything else! Well excuse me!

Obviously this is a very tough course and my skills were certainly left wanting, particularly as we were faced with 40 plus degree temperature which made it that much tougher.

So, whilst we enjoyed it we were not left with much of a desire t o return thinking it one of those courses everyone should play but not one you would rush back to.

22. richardgore | Rated | 30 Nov 2005 | Add A Review

Played at Brookwater early last week and was most impressed. Troon golf have taken the golfing experience to a higher level. The layout looks like it has been well established as the courses winds through some heavy bushland. Very challenging course however, as off the fairway is generally lost ball. Fanastic condition of the course however, and bunkers surround the 18th hole like the course doesn't want you to leave. A+

23. durelli | Rated | 26 Jul 2005 | Add A Review

Having not played a course before that had graining greens, it was an experience to putt on these greens. I consider myself a good putter, but got found out on these greens as the grain takes control of your ball! You have to belt the ball up grain, tap them down grain and across grain aim high to make sure that the ball does not break too much. I play off 11 and shot 85 off the stick, played quite well considering I never lost a ball, but, putting was the main problem too many 3 putts. I was told that the course is too hard, but providing you can keep it in play, it is not really that hard. The fairways I believe was the only downfall. The grass covering was not that great, probably due to the drought, but the fairways are cut too short I believe, and you tend to get tight lies. Probaly okay for the pros but for the average golf, not the best of lies! The staff are great, they take your bag when you turn up, you get to use the driving range with free balls. Service can not be faulted, I recommend playing here and I hope one day I can get back to play as I leave in Nth Qld. Thanks Brookwater well done, but lift you mower blades 10 mm.

24. lukerex | Rated | 31 Mar 2005 | Add A Review

This golf course, despite being extremely difficult, is an absolute joy to play on and I can't wait to play here again.

I played here twice last year and my friend and Ieven though I shot something ridiculous, and I'll tell you -138 or something, I loved it. Sure, there were times where I thought it was hard but all you have to do is step back and take this magnificent course in. It might not help you play better, but you'll enjoy the experience more - and this is what Brookwater is - a truely unforgettable experience.

I'm playing better golf now and have a handicap (about 22) so look forward to going back and trying to crack 100 (not in the cricket sense).

The layout is amazing. Every hole is just you and the golf course - no players, just, you, the wilderness, the animals, the mist and the echo od the ball - an amzing sensory experience. And the colour gps golf carts are a really nice added touch.

Play here. No..don't. Keep it a secret.

25. soonapro | Rated | 29 Mar 2005 | Add A Review

I turned up at Brookwater full of excitement, having purchased a new set of clubs only the day before. Due to an errant friend, we couldn't get there early enough to use the range. This you MUST do to warm up and make sure you hit straight. As other reviewers have noted, you go a few metres off the fairway, you curse and reach for yet another ball.

The course design is hard, with a knowledge of your skills vital. Sharp doglegs and hazards requirinf you to lay up, or take another drop. The bunkers are deep. Both my friends distressed this point to where one sand wedge seemed to bear wings...

The staff here are awesome. The GPS buggies tell you distance to pin (ours was off due to pins not being on the green where the computer put them), keep your score... An awesome idea you will love, and it keeps your score! (Note to the maker, a cheat and mulligan option would be really appreciate on this kind of course!)

I do enjoy a challenge, but for 90+ handicappers you just gotta look elsewhere. There are prettier courses out there, and not made for the skill of a PGA pro. Enter at your own risk!

26. luke15 | Rated | 14 Feb 2005 | Add A Review

Greggie Norman has done an excelent job in designing this course, but not everyone can afford it mate, i;ll definately be out to have a hit on this course when i get a bit better, playing off a handicap 15 still think i should get below ten to guarantee i dont loose any balls out there, good buffet lunches and functions with great staff.

Beautiful Clubhouse

Views

Golf

Luke

27. hackeroff4 | Rated | 04 Feb 2005 | Add A Review

Great visual golf course but not for the faint of heart or inaccurate!!

Not a course which favours any one kind of player but if you don't hit the ball longer than average and straight you will struggle to score well no matter what ur handicap.

For $110 I can think of better ways to spend 5 hours as when we played it was at least that long with lots of delays.

However, I would recommend it to anyone as it gives the general player a sense of what the pros go through every week and gives you much appreciation to Normans design skills.

28. drjeffsik | Rated | 08 Dec 2004 | Add A Review

I have played the course twice and play of a 16 handicap. The second time was in the rain.

The first time I played mainly irons off the tee including the par fives and was happy to be on for three or four. At one stage I hit 3 five irons and was either on or near the green.

The staff have been most helpful and the last time they allowed us a buggy each.

I was one over my handicap the first time.

The second game was three days after 14inches of rain in 12 hours. The course was quite playable apart from the odd ball lost in the water filled bunker.

I will play this course any time that I am visiting Queensland.

29. dtrain | Rated | 26 Jul 2004 | Add A Review

Ok,

The course is 5 stars for look, lies, and service. Everything you expect from Troon Golf. As a package it is great.

But, for playability, it is very, very, very, very hard.

Par is an achievement, sometimes just a fluke. I have had birdie putts here, so you can get them. But the greens are unbelievably difficult. You can hit the greens in regulation and easily still three putt.

The greens border on rediculous.

If you can drive the ball 5 metres either side of where you aim, and if you can hit your irons like darts then this is the place for you. And your probably playing pro golf.

If you are a sub 10 marker you will probably shoot close to 85+. A 10-15 then you will chalk up 95+ and 15 to 20 you will total 110+.

Look, it's got the best amenities and views I've ever seen. But you'll walk away feeling like you can't play golf at all. But you also think that you can play any other course you try.

I enjoyed the experience but I would not pay $110 a round again until I turn pro...

This would though be the best Ambrose course ever.

If you want to know exactly how good your game is, this course will tell you the hard truth.

30. johnfish | Rated | 22 Jul 2004 | Add A Review

I know what happened to the dinosaurs!

They buried them under the greens at Brookwater!

Take the second for example. I'm sure they've got a T Rex under there.

This course is tough enough on the tee but hit it to the wrong part of the green and you can guaranatee yourself a three putt.

In many ways they have made this track too hard. The local rule applying to lost balls goes against the rules of golf but is the only way to guarantee a decent pace for the round.

If your strength is recovery shots then forget about turning up to this course as the design has completely eliminated that facet of the game. In other words, miss the fairways and your dead.

There's lots of "wow" holes on this course but it's not the sort of track that anyone would ever call home.

Great for a visit as it makes your own course seem a lot fairer.

31. bennyboy | Rated | 17 Jul 2004 | Add A Review

Amazing!!

32. Horse | Rated | 02 Apr 2004 | Add A Review

What a course! I have played this 4 times now and am going back again next week - I am either crazy or just plain sick. It's a great course and the layout where every hole is it's own little island is great, but don't stray or you will pay. And give it a few more years for the scrub just of the fairways to mature and you will really pay.

What's up with Norman? That 4th Hole, the Par 5, 545m is bordering on insane. I have birdie it once and really been punished every other time. It's a really dramatic hole and not easy!

You shoot from the blocks, a drive down the hill that hopefully lands on the fairway in a shallow valley surrounded by a number of fierce looking bunkers.

At the bottom of the hill, there is a gully (no fairway) before the fairway rises steeply up the hill to the right.

The beginning of the green is pitched steeply and guarded by bunkers both front right and back making it very difficult to reach. The bunkers on the front right are among the most dramatic on the course, and deep. We lost a player in there with the rest of the group standing on the green (we couldn't see him).

Another troon course and another beauty. The new clubhouse is a winner, for a cool ale or three afterwards and the staff can't do enough to help you.

Definately worth the time, money and effort.

33. dionknowles | Rated | 28 May 2003 | Add A Review

I played this stunning golf course August 2002 and am itching to get back there again soon. I played from the back tees, expecting that it would be a challenge. I ususally have no troubles from the tips, as I'm a 4 handicap.

This is not a course to go for everything off the tee. There are no adjacent holes, nor safe misses and the rough is quite punitive. Brookwater places a premium on finding the right landing area from the tee if you are to have any hope of attacking the pin. I found trouble off the tee on several holes on the first nine, which ruined my score. Once I settled into the round I found the layout tough, but playable. Each par is an achievement. Several of the holes are simply spectacular, such as the 11th & 13th.

I have played other Troon courses in the USA and also The Vintage here in Australia. Brookwater is a much more natural experience than most, with very little intrusion from the residential development. There is very little intrusion from other players either, given the out and back layout.

I can thoroughly recommend it as worth playing. The price is quite reasonable for the quality and test that it presents.

34. drawdoow | Rated | 23 Apr 2003 | Add A Review

I played the course from the Gold Tees and really enjoyed the fact that the positioning of bunkers and course layout required you to think your way around the course. Being a reasonably long hitter it is rare that I play a 500+m par five using irons only. The greens and fairways were in superb condition. The bunkers I ended up in were challenging but fair. The course design is magnificent and really adds to the golfing experience. Facilities are good, including a good practice range that sets you up for what you are about to experience.

35. no3put | Rated | 26 Feb 2003 | Add A Review

I think that this is the first time that I spent much of my playing time contemplating how I could possibly return quickly to play this wonderful course again.

I played it of the gold tees which was just perfect for my standard of golf. I agree entirely with the author of this site's official review that you need to play from the correct tees. I would not have enjoyed the course nearly as much if I had played from the back tees. The course can be quite difficult and it is vital to get off the tees well. Fortunately I played my best golf, of the four courses I visited, here. The outlook from the par 5 fourth hole's tees were just breathtaking.

The clubhouse was temporary and acceptable. The welcome and service first class. The food experienced by me were somewhat below par with the sandwiches available on the course very ordinary but this is perhaps a trivial complaint and should not stop anybody from going there.

36. andrew14966 | Rated | 26 Dec 2002 | Add A Review

Off the back markers it plays long, but the greens have been quite soft on each occasion I have played there so stopping long irons is no problem. This does tale away from the challenge a bit.

Beautiful setting (a little like Bonville) that gives you the feeling that your group is the only one on the course.

You will not have too much trouble with the breeze at any time, so what you see is what you get. This helps if it is your first round there, and it helps with your confidence when playing approach shots.

37. macleod | Rated | 26 Jul 2002 | Add A Review

Having now ponied up the $ to play Brookwater 3 times by choice and once against my better judgement it scares me to think how familiar I am with this gorgeous course. :)

The design of 2 separate loops creates a course where every hole is yours alone, totally isolated from others and really adds to the appeal of the course.

Makes no mistake it's a scary course as there's no corresponding fairway to save your lovely slice or wicked hook, but the illusion that the fairways are tight is just that. An illusion, the landing areas are quite good and the valley-type nature of a lot of the fairways has a good gathering effect that funnel shots back towards the short grass.

Elevation changes also play a big part and make for some spectacular holes that look like massive valleys of green just waiting for you to place a great drive into. In paticular the par-5 13th is one of the most spectacular holes and you have to play to see it alone.

The fairways and greens are fantastic and well above par ('scuse the pun) from other local courses as per the Troon experience.

When I first played 1 month after it's opening the greens were very firm and reallly fast, but they have since softened (only a smidge) and roll extremely true.

The Troon service is excellent with bag drop, free range balls/tess and nice personal first tee service. Typical to Troon is the explanations of the days tee positions, which are also marked inside the carts. ie. 1-4. Drink/food service during the game is also excellent with the staff being both unobtrusive whilst you play but also extremely firednly when marshalls do their rounds.

One point I should make is that bushland sorrounding the fairways is now treated a hazard to assist in speeding play, ie. play a provisional if you think you've gone bushside. Effectively you should think of each hole being surrounded by water. :) There. Doesn't that make you want to play here even more!

Overall this is an excellent course at a excellent price and more than worth the visit. Expecially if you can book through iseekgolf!