Royal Pines Golf Course, Australia

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Both the West and East courses are par 72 with three tee positions and both surround the Resort complex – a first class, 333 room hotel.  Both are also open to hotel guests and to the public, the only course on the Gold Coast with two distinct courses that is open to the general public.

The West course is comprised of the 9-hole Gold Course and the 9-hole Blue course. The 9-hole Gold course was actually only opened a few years ago.  Together these two make up the 18-hole 6392-yard West course, with an Australian Golf Union rating of 75.

The Gold course was designed by Japanese architect, Tomijiro Maruyama, who, to his credit, has designed more than 10 courses in Hawaii, Japan and Asia.  Maruyama shaped up the 27 existing holes to reflect the philosophy of old masters like Robert Trent Jones Snr. – namely that a course should always present a tough test for the professional but an easy alternative for the casual golfer. The eighteen  hole course, which consists of four par 5s, four par 3s and 10 par 4s, is different from the existing one (the East course) because of its distinctive, undulating layout.

According to the general manager, “Golfers of all grades will find that accuracy from the tee is important because of the prevailing south-east wind”.  He adds that the rolling tree-lined fairways (there are 11,000 trees planted) and the picturesque ridges with their water hazards and sand traps “test golfers all the way”, while the large, multi-tiered greens “add subtleties to the close game.”

Being 15 meters higher than the East course, prevailing winds do come into play more on this course than on its sister course. The holes on the West course are also more undulating than on the East, with the 189m par three eleventh being one to watch out for since it’s played from an elevated tee.

The 348 meter par 4 15th hole plays uphill into the wind and the 18th, a 534 meter par 5 with double water carry, is a real beauty.  Pros and low markers will be able to get home in two on this, the signature hole, and a good well-positioned tee shot will leave players with 200 meters to the green—all water carry.  Higher markers on the other hand can play a relatively safe second shot up the fairway which will leave anything from 100-150 to a large green. This hole is a great finish for the avid golfer.

All the fairways on the back nine of the West course are tight and they wind and twist through, around and over hills and valleys, while bunkers come into play on almost all drives.  In general, the fairways are much narrower than those on the rest of the complex.  Several holes offer spectacular views west to the Hinterland and to the south. It might be said that the West course is for the more fine-tuned golfer who must hit straight with a good short game.

While each course has its own clubhouse with golf shop, pro center, tennis course, hire service, storage and restaurant, the West course also has its own gym, lap pool, locker room and spa and is located close to the Marina Floating restaurant. There’s even a state of the art 150-strong fleet of electric golf carts.

The 6570 meter East course is home of the Australian Ladies’ Masters, held in November.  Compared to the West course, this one is flat with long straight fairways. Here, as on the West course, the prevailing south easterly afternoon breezes set the scene for a challenging and enjoyable game, where skill and concentration are required to negotiate the many and varied pitfalls.

Water hazards dot the fairway, but the management will tell you they are not into water torture!  Average golfers often start and finish with the same ball here.

Nonetheless, players will still be challenged by the East course.  Most golfers will find the East course moderately hard. The fairways are wider, so there is more room for error with the average player.

Tariffs on the East course are less for hotel guests than for non-hotel guests.

Wind is very much a factor when playing on both the West and East courses and no hole is protected from the offshore winds that prevail from the ocean.  This is mainly due to the flatness in the Gold Coast landscape.

Golfers can choose among three packages, while sharing a twin room.  This includes a round of 18 holes of golf, full buffet breakfast and one night’s accommodation in a Premier room.  Golf school, lasting five days, also gives the golfer the opportunity to improve his play.  Individual or group coaching by resident professionals can be arranged.

Royal Pines Resort offers the visitor seven restaurants, covered and outdoor tennis courts, an indoor lap pool, a 27-hole putting course, koala sanctuary, beauty parlor with masseuse, child care facilities and a driving range.  In addition, it owns a million dollar cruise boat and residential village so there’s plenty to keep you busy in your non-golfing house. Outside the resort, you’ll find Surfer’s Paradise, Pacific Fair Shopping Center, Sea World, Movie World and Dreamworld, all just a short drive away.  The rest of the family can even enjoy a fun 27-hole putting course.

Royal Pines Gold Coast, Ross Street, Ashmore, Queenland 4214, Australia.

Website: www.royalpinesresort.com.au