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The Glory of The Glades on Queensland's Gold Coast

By George Begg,
Contributor

When Australian golf fans talk of modern era golfers, two of their own from "down under" stand out with three British Open victories between them. Greg Norman needs no introduction, and for that matter, neither does Ian Baker-Finch. Combine the two of them into the design and ownership of a golf course and you are bound to have something special.

Such is the case with The Glades situated in the Robina district of Queensland's Gold Coast and many who have played it, including Australia's most prominent golf writer Tom Ramsay, say that the course is one of the best designs that Greg Norman has ever done.

Australia is having a real love affair with Norman's designs as The Grand, another of his creations, is not far from The Glades and it will host this year's Australian Open Championship in November. Add to that the splendid Sanctuary Lakes residential resort in Melbourne and other new projects on the drawing board, and it is easy to see why Greg Norman makes so many trips back home to keep an eye on his constructions and designs.

Recently, Ian Baker-Finch aligned himself with a consortium to purchase The Glades development and already his judgment in taking on the task of being vindicated. Add his expertise in golf together with that of U.S. based course management specialists Troon Golf, and you have the recipe for a stunning success.

The course has a length of 6,431 metres (7,036 yards) off the black marks. Its strength is that it meanders through acres of spectacular wetlands which is home to many water-bird species and wildlife. Norman's design has shown his respect for Alistair McKenzie (of whose work he is a great fan) with the bunkering on the course, but he also allows devotees of the Scottish "bump and run" game plenty of chances to score a par or better.

The fairways have a beautiful carpet of lush CTZ couch and the excellently well shaped and undulating greens are of A4 Bent grass strain. Having only opened the course to play last January, Baker-Finch and his syndicate are determined to see the complex become a top resort on the Gold Coast, one of Australia's premier vacation spots. Yet it will also be available to anyone wanting to pay green fees to test their golfing prowess on this very demanding layout.

The longest hole on the outward or front nine is the 526 metre (575 yards) par five 7th, yet it is the 492 metre (538 yards) 12th that appears to be Norman's signature hole for this course. Rather than have rough near the greens that will trap many an errant ball, the designer has opted to allow the player a clear area to one side which to chip or even putt onto the greens, giving the course a true links effect.

Ian Baker-Finch was quick to add, "Although there is considerable water throughout the course, it doesn't dominate the lines of play. Although the longer holes are fraught with risks, each of them offers a safe line away from the water. But again, in the best traditions of risk – and – reward golf, the "safe" line can lead to tricky and demanding approaches from different angles, usually across bunkers and always to sloping sections of the greens.

As with any well planned golf course, the best is left to last! The closing hole is a monster par four of 417 metres (456 yards) and rated at number one on the index. It needs nerves of steel to get safely home. The wetlands on the left hand side can intimidate the player from the back and unless a better than average tee shot is executed, par or better will only be a pipe dream.

Work on the $85 million project commenced in 1995 and construction of the magnificently appointed clubhouse is expected to be completed by November when the course will be a must play for the many golf fans attending the Australian Open Championship when that event is played for the first time at Australia's vacation capital.

As a sign that the course is receiving approval, it will host the Australian Gold Cup next September which is a 72 hole, strictly amateur tournament and many will be looking forward to see what sort of scoring some of the country's better amateur players, both male and female, can produce, particularly playing the full length of the course from the back marks.

Ian Baker-Finch and Troon Golf welcome visitors to The Glades and the most essential thing to remember is that you will be made more than welcome at this excellent 18 holes test of golf.

The Glades Golf Club
Riverwalk Way,
Robina, Gold Coast
Queensland Australia.
Telephone 61 7 5569 2222
Fax 61 7 5569 2255
www.theglades.com.au
Or Troon Golf: www.troongolf.com

The Glades Golf Club 36 out, 36 in Par 72