About the Course
The St Leonards Golf Club relocated play to the new course on the Western side of Ibbotson Street in late 2023. The new course is greatly improved from previously, with a fully automatic irrigation system and desalination plant helping to keep the course irrigated year-round.
An inland links style of course, the course consists of nine greens played to from three different tees, providing twenty-seven different hole configurations. The courses vary considerably, with split fairways and assorted distances providing a different and diverse challenge on each hole. The rear course is called the “Dolphin Nine”, following the club logo, with blue tee markers. The middle course is called the “Pelican Nine” with black markers, continuing the seaside theme, whilst the front course consists of white markers and is called the “Seahorse Nine”, following the towns logo.
The Bentgrass Greens are large and are designed in a “Turtle-back”, raised, push-up style, with accuracy demanded on approach shots as those towards the edge of the Greens will be repelled off. Surrounding the Greens, Bunkers have been sparingly used, with short-grass fescue run-off areas preferred, allowing a range of recovery shots from flops to putts to be used from close to the green.
Whilst used sparingly, the Bunkers are organic in shape and are designed to provide a strategic element to the holes. Firm and steep Bunker faces generally direct the ball into the flat base of the Bunker, providing an opportunity for recovery with a well-played Bunker shot. Centreline Bunkers are used on the 5th and 7th holes to challenge the golfer and create a choice of playing around, over or laying up before them.
The Fairways are wide and generous off the tee, however a drive played to the correct location on the Fairway will provide the best angle into the Greens. Santa-ana couch grass has been used, with the Fairways cut quite tight to provide for run and allow for running approaches into Greens.
Native grasses and Indigenous Shrubs have been planted in the Deep Rough, which as they grow will provide a significant hazard for wildly hit shots. Significant Mounding has been added to split Fairways and provide playing corridors, whilst Water is in play on the 3rd, 4th, 6th and 9th holes, with out of bounds running along the 1st, 2nd and 5th holes.
Similar to most Links’ courses, the Wind is the biggest protector of the Course, and with holes playing in different directions, and changing wind paths, it must be considered on all shots (including putts sometimes!!) A short iron on a par-3 one day might require a wood or even Driver on another!
Practice facilities are limited however a practice green with 9-holes is located next to the clubhouse, along with a hitting net. A practice fairway is located in the middle of the course between the 4th and 8th holes.
The course is serviced by a Modern Clubhouse, recently refurbished and with a fantastic outdoor barbecue area under sails and overlooking the final green. The clubhouse is open during competition days on Thursdays and Saturdays, as well as on other special events. Guests are welcome to play on competition day. The course is closed until 2pm on these days to non-competition players.
A spacious Maintenance Shed houses modern turf maintenance equipment for use by the valued volunteers that maintain the course. Course maintenance days are every Wednesday until midday, with assistance always greatly appreciated for those happy to volunteer their time.
