Few ‘second fiddle’ courses resonate with golfers as much as Kingston Heath. The perennial understudy to Royal Melbourne’s West course – and located only a few kilometres away – Kingston Heath has an armada of admirers across Australia and around the world. On land ringed by market gardens sits a brilliant example of how an astute mind can create a masterful layout on a small parcel of space. Once the longest course in Australia, Dan Soutar’s genius routing coupled with Dr Alister MacKenzie’s expert bunkering unveiled one of the great showpieces in world golf.
“The bunkering is just phenomenal,” Tiger Woods commented while winning the Australian Masters at Kingston Heath in 2009. “You don’t get to see bunkering like this in any other place in the world.”
The 14-time Major champion is correct. While Kingston Heath is a memorable excursion through heathland and magnificent Australian flora, the bunkering is exceptional and almost every shot is framed by at least one pocket of sand that dominates the golfer’s view and their thoughts before drawing back the club.
THE DETAILS
Kingston Heath Golf Club
Ranking in 2018: 2nd
Prior rankings: 2nd (2016), 2nd (2014), 2nd (2012), 1st (2010), 3rd (2008), 3rd (2006), 2nd (2004), 2nd (2002), 2nd (2000), 2nd (1998), 2nd (1996), 2nd (1994), 3rd (1991), 3rd (1989),
First Ten (1986)
Where: Kingston Rd, Cheltenham VIC 3192
Phone: (03) 8558 2700
For more information on a Golfing Great head to Visit Victoria.
