New Aussie No.1 ends 40-year domination
A public course less than 10 years old has dethroned Royal Melbourne as the top golf course in Australia for just the second time in 40 years.
Cape Wickham, on Tasmania’s King Island, has taken the coveted No.1 crown and joins Kingston Heath as the only two courses to topple Royal Melbourne in the four decades of Australian Golf Digest’s list.
The Grange in Adelaide, the site of this week’s LIV event, came in 42nd, with five Victorian courses making up half the top 10.
Considered the ultimate course rankings list, the biennial results come after a detailed analysis that measures the nation’s best courses against a key set of criteria.
For this year’s list, the number of judges was doubled as well as the number of courses reviewed.
Despite maintaining its position as one of the most elite courses not just in Australia but the world, Royal Melbourne’s west layout was dumped to No.2 behind Cape Wickham.
“This result will shock plenty, but it should be understood that iconic Royal Melbourne (West) has not lost ground – it’s as good as ever – it’s just that it’s been outpointed on our measurement criteria by the stunning Cape Wickham,” Australian Golf Digest Top 100 editor Steve Keipert said.
“And it’s also worth noting that we rate Royal Melbourne on its two established layouts East and West. The composite layout that most of us see for the big sporting events is a cherrypicked blend of both courses and not a real day-to-day golf course. As a result, the composite version doesn’t get reviewed; otherwise it would likely be untouchable, so there’s a lot to consider.”
While five Victorian courses made the top 10, including both of Royal Melbourne’s East and West courses, Tasmania boasted three – Barnbougle Dunes and Barnbougle Lost Farm holding their places with Cape Wickham among the best.
TOP 10 AUSTRALIAN GOLF COURSES
1. Cape Wickham, King Island
2. Royal Melbourne (West)
3. Kingston Heath
4. Barnbougle Dunes
5. Peninsula Kingswood
6. NSW
7. Barnbougle Lost Farm
8. Royal Melbourne (East)
9. Royal Adelaide
10. Victoria