New South Wales GC, Australia    

The awe inspiring view down the fifth fairway.

Pebble Beach and Cypress Point are located along the spectacular Seventeen Mile Drive of the Monterey Peninsula. In the authors' experience, the only other course in the world that can compete scenery-wise with these two giants is New South Wales GC. Located along the rugged eastern seaboard of Australia, the Pacific Ocean is in view on all but five holes. And yes, whale watching is available here too.

New South Wales was fortunate that Alister MacKenzie got to this spectacular site first. Unlike lesser architects, he never sacrificed sound design for the sake of a few postcard holes. In fact, the hole he is most credited for at New South, he did not even build. An aerial photo after MacKenzie left Sydney from his first and only visit clearly shows that the next hole after the fifth was today's seventh hole. The par three sixth simply did not exist. Nonetheless, like at Seminole, the routing is what makes the course and that has MacKenzie's imprint all over it.

Like most courses built prior to WWII, New South Wales has evolved through several distinct phases. Unlike other courses, New South Wales has enjoyed the talents of noted architects who understood MacKenzie's original intent. After MacKenzie left Australia, Eric Apperly, an accomplished Australian Amateur golfer, carried out subsequent changes including the creation of the 6^th hole. As is evidenced by Apperly's work at Newcastle GC further up the coast in Australia, he was not afraid to go up and over ridges, as opposed to just playing through valleys. Thus the golfer at New South must attack the hills and ridges from all sorts of angles. Apperly's approach to course architecture was consistent with MacKenzie's: let the land dictate the holes and create the excitement. He moved little earth when he worked on the course after WWII.

Apperly's famous sixth.

The club has had its share of tough times and inevitably, some of the artistry of MacKenzie's work was lost. Tampering from lesser architects in the 1980s ruined the second green.

However, those sadder times are long gone and New South Wales is justifiably enjoying a resurgence as one of the world's must-play courses. The course's conditioning has improved immeasurably over the past decade. More importantly, the Club has hired a design firm to restore continuity to the course. Given the ferocity of the weather, a number of the bunkers are being rebuilt with revetted faces, which withstand the elements better. The bunkering is thus once again dictating the proper play.

In addition, some of the natural sandy areas had been grassed over through the years. These areas, such as down the left of the fifth and in between the eighth and 12th holes, are now being restored to their natural sandy state laced with native vegetation. Thus, MacKenzie's artistry, similar to that displayed at Cypress Point, is reemerging.

The eighth green nestled into the dunes.

The overall effect of the past 70 years is this course has actually been improved since the Good Doctor did his work. The authors contend New South would be one of the rare cases where MacKenzie would actually approve of the evolution of course as it exists today (whether he would admit to it is another matter).

Fairly normal wind is accounted for in the descriptions below. Otherwise, the 355 yard 14th can become a driver-driver affair.

Holes to Note:

5^th hole, 515 yards: The flexibility of the hole is unparalleled in the authors' experience and can range from a two iron third shot to a sand wedge second shot. From the tee to the green, there is a ninety foot drop. From the tee to the landing area is almost level, played across a valley. Therefore, almost the entire drop in elevation occurs from the 220 yard mark on. The back drop far below is the rugged shore line and the ocean. The hole can be played one of three ways: option (1) is a three iron into a valley, another three iron over the hill and then a nine iron. This option has some real appeal given the fairway ascends past the two hundred yard mark to on top of a mountain hemmed in by bottlebrush on both sides. Option (2) is a three wood to the crest of the hill and another three wood down to the green below. Option (3) is a driver which bounds down the hill and may leave only a short iron into the green in two. Regardless of how you play it, you will always remember it.

The intimidating tee shot on the fifth. If the golfer can carry the crest, his ball
could get an additional 80 yards (!) in roll.

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