Graham Marsh's Vision for Anvil Creek

Anvil Creek possesses all of the qualities and attributes necessary for it to become one of the great golfing communities in the country.

The majestic northerly rural views from the Clubhouse down the 18th over the adjoining vineyards will set the scene for not only the golf course but for the entire atmosphere of the Anvil Creek golf community.

Undulating land, existing creeks meandering through the course, large areas of remnant vegetation and the low density of the proposed development surrounding the golf course, all combine to form the ideal framework for a classic golf course community.

Our design brief for the planning of the golf course was very simple - a “no compromise” golf course to challenge and stimulate golfers of every standard. The strength of this Championship golf course is reflected in the scorecard below.

When approaching the design of a golf course with this brief, it is worth reflecting on the words of Dr.Alister Mackenzie, considered by many, to be the doyen of golf course architecture…“The ideal golf hole affords the greatest pleasure to the greatest number, gives fullest advantage for accurate play, stimulates players to improve their game and never becomes monotonous.”

Mackenzie goes on to say.... “Playing on a course... where there is a complete lack of variety, flat fairways, flat unguarded greens, long grass necessitating frequent searching for lost balls and mathematically placed hazards, offends all of the finest instincts of the artist and sportsman.

Whilst the above is important, it is also vitally important to undertake any design works with careful consideration to regional climate, construction logistics, budgets, on going maintenance costs and environmental constraints and opportunities offered by the site. It is only with a full understanding and appreciation of these criteria that the course will inherit the true long term integrity of design.

Adopting all of the above as our design philosophy, the planning and design of the golf course was attacked with great enthusiasm. With the hillside Clubhouse acting as the central “landmark” for the site, the golf course was planned to play as two returning nines - the front nine playing out and back to the east and south portions of the site alongside Anvil Creek, and the back nine playing initially to the west and then looping back towards the northern corner of the site before returning home to the south up a broad valley to the Clubhouse.

The front nine starts with a brace of medium strength par 4’s and a short but testing par 3 downhill to Anvil Creek. Dynamic bunkering, creek views, mature vegetation and dramatic fairway shapes will set the scene for the coming round of golf. After a comfortable start the testing uphill tee shot of the 525 metre par five 4th will very quickly reveal the true championship qualities of this golf course. The 5th and 6th holes play as a long par three and a very strong uphill par four of some 390 metres respectively.

The downhill par four 7th will be one of the many feature holes of the golf course. Even though it will play shorter than its 370 metres, a long carry drive over the left side fairway bunkers will be essential to ensure a good approach to the well guarded green. The return to the clubhouse is via a very memorable 535 metre par 5 along the tree lined banks of Anvil Creek followed by a medium length but heavily bunkered and challenging uphill par four.

Starting the back nine with a moderately easy downhill par four may suggest that the golf course has softened. This, however, is only to deceive the unwary as ahead lies many golf  obstacles and challenges. Some of the most dramatic landforms on the property are along the fringes of the northern creek tributary and the adjacent holes have been specifically designed to complement and enhance these shapes.

The 11th at only 375 metres in length will be one of the most dynamic holes on the course. Off the tee, the golfer must choose to either lay up to the wide fairway short of the creek or play a long and accurate tee shot adjacent the lake to ensure the ideal approach over the lake to the green. The 12th, a long par five, initially plays alongside the northern tributary before playing through copses of remnant eucalypt forest. The same eucalypt forest experience is captured on the par three 13th.

The contrast of the 14th and the 15th will be very evident to the golfer - a short but very challenging par four of only 330 metres followed by a very long par four of 410 metres.
After a short walk through the Casuarinas lining the creek, the golfer is faced with a challenging 380 metre par four that doglegs strongly to the right through the Casuarina forest.

The 17th and the 18th will provide one of the strongest combinations of finishing holes in Australian golf. Even though it plays downhill, at 200 metres in length the par three 17th will challenge even the lowest of handicappers. The tranquil setting of the adjoining vineyards may lull you into a false sense of security, but at 560 metres in length and playing uphill, the 18th is a genuine three shotter for all but the very longest players. 

As one walks off the final hole, to the tranquil setting of the Clubhouse overlooking the 18th, the vineyards and the distant north facing rural views, it will not be possible to forget the intrigue and charm of the majestic Australian landscape that has been such an integral part of the round of golf.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you – one that every Australian golfer will find irresistible.

Scorecard – Anvil Creek

Graham Marsh M.B.E.