Golfing into the Blue

Wentworth Falls Club

Australia has over 1500 golf courses which is probably more per head than any other country in the world.

Outside the man centres access to these courses is easy for the average golfer where a warm welcome will always be extended to visitors and none more so than on the scenic Blue Mountain golf courses.

An easy drive west of Sydney the Blue Mountains has many hidden surprises for the visitor. It is an important Australian heritage area covering 1 million hectares and has been a playground for Sydneysiders since the 1850's.

Nature lovers enjoy over 140 kilometers of bush walks through pristine natural flora many with spectacular cliff side views of indigenous bush land and waterfalls.

The upper Blue Mountains has five challenging and picturesque 18 hole golf courses in the villages of Springwood, Wentworth Falls, Leura, Katoomba and Blackheath. The topography of the Blue Mountains is undulating and the courses are laid out over gently rolling hills some of them offering magnificent views.

The Springwood course has views of Sydney and has played host to many well known golfers the most famous of whom was a young Greg Norman known as 'bomber' to his friends, he competed in the 1976 Pro Am.

The course at Leura has many breathtaking views of the Jameson valley and to ensure you find your way around the course all carts are fitted with GPS sat nav.

Wild birds like white and black Cockatoos, Crimson Rosealla's King Parrots and Kookaburra's keep you company as you stroll the fairways.

5th Wentworth Falls

Each course is surrounded by natural bush land and many of the fairways are lined with colourful exotic trees and shrubs. The Blackheath course in particular puts on a magnificent display of Rhododendron's and Azaleas in season and it's signature hole the 17th is based on the 12th at Augusta.

One of the great attractions of these courses is that it is possible to get a game at almost anytime. Although competitions are held for members on a regular basis visitors are welcome at all the clubs with minimal signing in formalities. During the weekdays in particular you can find yourself almost entirely alone on any one of the courses.

1st Wentworth Falls

I was playing a casual game at my home course Wentworth Falls one afternoon when some Irish visitors introduced themselves and remarked that they were amazed at how well maintained the course was given the very low green fees and apparent lack of players.

It is testament to the dedication of management, ground staff and members at all the clubs that they all offer world class playing facilities.

In true Australian style playing formalities are also kept to a minimum and players of all levels can enjoy a round in a relaxed atmosphere.

Each club provides hire equipment and all have fully stocked pro-shops and clubhouses providing full catering and bar facilities.

The area is well provided for with all levels of accommodation from small heritage style B&B's to budget motels and highly rated resorts and boutique hotels. As all the courses are within easy reach of each other it is possible to stay in one place and drive to the various clubs if you wish to sample them all. Some of the clubs offer 'Play and Stay' packages.

For non golfing partners there is plenty to keep you occupied. The Blue Mountains is home to many artists some of them leaders in the Australian art world. There are numerous galleries and interesting shops to explore in the mountain villages with a bus service and taxi's to help you get around from place to place.

The Blue Mountains has an excellent web site http://www.visitbluemountains.com.au/ which is worth visiting.