Kooindah Waters
Kooindah Waters
Kooindah Waters is located just over one hours drive from Sydney. It is nestled behind the town of Wyong which is now a pretty sleepy place on the New South Wales central coast region. The main highway out of Sydney used to go through Wyong but since its bypass that town doesn’t see much thru traffic.
Designed by Ross Watson and Craig Parry Kooindah Waters opened for business in 2006. The original plan was to incorporate a residential estate which is still present. The golf course and immediate accommodation is now the Mercure Kooindah Waters Golf & Spa Resort, with hotel rooms, apartments, pools, a spa, and restaurants.
Anyway the lack of traffic is a bonus for those that know what a good course lies through the residential estate. Its location belies the quality of the course.
The course is par 72 and is built on natural wetlands with water on every hole although the water doesn’t play a dominant role on every hole. But when it does it creates some really fantastic holes and challenges.
The front nine is a little unusual as there are three par 3’s in the first six holes but those holes are good enough that their order is secondary to their quality.
The front nine finishes with what is probably the best hole of the course. The 9th involves a strategic tee shot with anything from a mid-iron to three-wood before an approach over water to a green in front of the clubhouse.
Each nine opens with a par five and the 10th eases you into a really good series of holes. These culminate in the fantastic par three 17th which is a water carry to an island green. Then the finale is a memorable par four, index 1for men and women. No easy finishes at Kooindah.
After the round its time to relax and enjoy your drink of choice on that balcony overlooking the ninth green and critiquing your fellow golfers.
Kooindah is a great day out and well worth the trip up the road from Sydney.