It begins as a trickle in the Australian Alps and winds northwest forming the border between NSW and Victoria before flowing into South Australia then heading south and, ultimately, out to sea.
The mighty Murray River – the third longest navigable waterway on earth – is Australia’s greatest river with a majesty that enthrals hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. This holiday-maker’s playground has an ideal year-round climate, incredible natural beauty, historical sites and has gained a reputation for great food and wine.
There is also an abundance of riches for the travelling golfer with more than 20 courses to be enjoyed between Albury and Coomealla in what is now widely-regarded as Australia’s best-valued golf holiday region.
ALBURY TO COROWA
The challenging Thurgoona Country Club Resort, on the north-eastern outskirts of Albury, is one of the most underrated layouts to be found along the Murray River and is regarded by many as some of the best design work by Peter Thomson and Mike Wolveridge.
The par-72 layout has gained wider acclaim in recent years as the host of the NSW Senior Open, which has seen the likes of heralded players including Peter Lonard, Peter Senior and 1991 Open Champion, Ian Baker-Finch, compete for the trophy.
Thurgoona bares several Thomson and Wolveridge trademarks including rolling fairways, groups of mounds as well as strategically-placed and visually intimidating bunkering.
But it is the huge greens that o. er the greatest challenge at Thurgoona. From the tee, most of the fairways are generously wide but heading for the green on each hole is fraught with all sorts of dangers. Many of Thurgoona’s greens are raised above the level of the fairway and, despite their size, will deflect mis-hits well away from the putting surface. Small mounds built into the edges of the greens make chipping a thoughtful task.
The good design is complemented by its great year-round condition. In winter, it is possible to see the white peaks of the Snowy Mountains while walking the manicured couch fairways and putting on some of the best bentgrass greens in the area.
The 173-metre par-3 16th is one hole you will remember long after you have left the course. This is Thurgoona’s signature hole and from the tee an intimidating scene confronts you. Water from the front of the tee stretches to the green and wraps around the right toward the back of the putting surface. The green is wide but all that water sitting in front of you can be enough to add tension to the muscles in your arms and shoulders.
From Thurgoona, it is an easy 15-minute drive to the the picturesque Commercial Golf Resort Albury.
There are only a handful of courses in Australia that can claim the great Jack Nicklaus once held their course record. This is one of them.
The Golden Bear was in his prime in 1971 when he visited the course for an exhibition match and posted a four-under-par-67, breaking the course record by two shots. It took decades for Nicklaus’ record to be bettered, and was one that couldn’t even be lowered by the likes of Greg Norman, Billy Dunk and Brett Ogle.
These great Australian players would have found tight fairways and small greens. Mishits to either are heavily penalised.
Accuracy is the prime importance at Albury. At 355 metres, the par-4 3rd is not a long hole by any means but it is still rated the toughest on the course. Bungambrawatha Creek runs along the right of the narrow fairway before cutting across the front of the green. The approach must be played over the creek to reach a dish-like green, guarded by bunkers left and right.
Albury is an undulating layout, far more than any other Murray course found to the west, and rarely offers the same shot twice. The 339-metre par-4 8th is a prime example. It is a terrific short par-4, about five minutes’ drive from the bridge spanning the Murray.
