Curlewis Golf Club has rocketed 23 places up a ranking of Australia’s public-access courses.
The freshly published 2019 Golf Course Guide’s annual list of 100 top courses placed Curlewis at 51, up from 74 in 2018.
The guide’s judges base the rankings on course design, conditions, aesthetics and amenities.
Barwon Heads rose one spot to seventh overall and Thirteenth Beach beach course dropped two places to 11th and Thirteenth Beach creek course slipped from 26 to 35. Portarlington rose five places to 73
Curlewis club director David Sharp said the club’s rise was “humbling, exciting and gratifying on a number of levels”.
“It’s a demonstration that faith in the course, financial commitment as well as innovation, hard work and dedication by numerous people, including our golf operations manager, Jamie Brigden, and course superintendent Rob Bradley is all worthwhile,” Sharp said.
“Credit must also go to the ongoing commitment of Curlewis members, including the member advisory liaison committee who continues to advise and contribute to the evolution of their club. We are all working collectively towards ensuring Curlewis is a premiere 18-hole golf course of the region.”
Brigden said Curlewis had undergone “immense and ongoing improvement” over the past three years under the guidance of renowned course designer Mike Clayton.
“To date, more than $2,000,000 has been spent on course and clubhouse improvements. It’s fantastic to see the course evolve into offering some of the best fairways and greens in Victoria,” Brigden said.
“Further course innovations are scheduled for roll out over the next few years.”
Brigden described the course as “seductive yet deceptively challenging”.
“Watered year-round via an onsite water reclamation plant, the lush greens and undulating fairways are known to lull players into a false sense of security yet no one should take Curlewis for granted,” he said.
“Our par-72, links-style course has gained tremendous respect for taking down even the most seasoned of golfers.”
