The Hunter Valley has a number of championship golf courses. Courses are popular on weekends and bookings are recommended. Some of the courses have been ranked among the best in Australia including The Vintage Golf Club which features an 18-hole, par 71 Greg Norman-designed course. The Vintage also has a fully serviced driving range and putting green. Clubs are available for hire and the course professional is available for classes.
Hunter Valley Golf and Country Club is located at the Crowne Plaza Resort. The course is nearly 6000 metres long and is suited to golfers of all skill levels. The club has a well-equipped pro shop as well as an award winning bar and restaurant.
Unlike the other three main courses, The Oaks Golf and Country Club is located a little out of the vineyard area in the heart of Cessnock. In July 2010, the course was closed and following a $30 million redevelopment, will be ready to play in late 2011. The new course will be 18-holes and is designed by local golfing legend, Jack Newton.
Cypress Lakes Resort Golf club, Hunter Valley
The Cypress Lakes Resort is a championship golf course and spa, situated in the Hunter Valley wine region. Rated as one of Australia’s top 20 golf resorts, the course offers spectacular views from each tee and green across the Hunter Valley vineyards, and Brokenback mountain ranges. The 18 hole course is a par 72, and is 6359 metres long and the first nine holes have sloping fairways, with the back nine enjoying a links style layout. There are 60 large bunkers and raised greens and Cypress Lakes is proud to boast Australia’s longest par 5 at the 16th hole – measuring 603 metres. A number of package options are available and there is also a heavenly on-site day spa for the ladies. The country club offers a restaurant, convention centre and bar. Tel +02 4993 1800.
Newcastle Golf Course, Hunter Valley
Newcastle golf course is located just a few km from the city and port of Newcastle, at the mouth of the Hunter River, and is an internationally acclaimed championship course rated in the world’s top 100. The 6160 metre course features undulating sand dunes, and fairways lined with gorse and heather as well as plenty of native trees and wildlife, including kookaburras, and kangaroos. The par 72 course has 18 holes and offers golfers of all standards an exciting game. The Pro shop offers a club fitting and swing evaluation service, as well as stocking all the best names in golfing merchandise. Facilities include a full-length practice fairway and chipping greens. Tel. + 02 4928 1365.
Dunes Golf Course, Hunter Valley
The 18 hole championship course is surrounded by spectacular east coast scenery, and features a natural sandy base, an undulating layout with two distinct sets of nine holes. The back nine holes are interwoven with natural lakes and wetlands, and the first nine are played in the shade of Swamp Mahogany trees. The Pacific Dunes has consistently ranked highly in Australia’s best public courses guide. Both sets of nine holes are par 36, and offer a challenging game of golf for the most seasoned of golfers. There is a driving range and practice green and an elegant Clubhouse at the eighteenth hole, as well as a fully stocked Pro Shop. Dress code is smart casual with collared shirts. Tel +02 4916 0500.
