Say the word “Craigieburn” to many Melburnians, and you’ll often garner a simple nod and a response like “Oh, you mean the Craigieburn Bypass on the M1?”
In truth, however, Craigieburn is also the home to a quaint little 18-hole golf course, offering some unique challenges and a good day of golf.
About 45 minutes north of Melbourne, the par-72, 6142m Craigieburn Golf Course is a gentle, parklands-style track. Relatively flat, the course features wide fairways, Bent greens, a pair of lakes and a few other hazards (with no sand bunkers at all). This makes it a solid option for a relaxing social game, group outing or Corporate day.
But the benign layout doesn’t necessarily mean that the course lacks bite. On the contrary there are a few holes that can make a good round come unstuck. Case in point is the 196m par-3 6th hole, which is long by any standards. Add to that a solid Northerly wind blowing directly in your face, and you’re in for a tough ride.
Also notable is the 16th, a 431m par-4, which requires two solid shots for any chance of a Green in Regulation. And let’s not forget the closing hole, the par-3 18th, which is also a challenge. Though only 120metres long from the back, playing a successful shot from the elevated tee can prove difficult, especially if the wind is up. Proper club selection is critical here, lest you come face-to-face with the resident creek guarding the hole.
Overall, the front nine is a bit more difficult than the back—requiring more thought and proper course management. The par-5s on the back, however, do offer the longer hitters a few chances at eagles/birdies, which is always exciting during a competition or if you have any side-action in your group.
The course is generally very well maintained, and the staff pride themselves on providing the best public golf course in the northern suburbs, and offering the very best value for money.
Designed about 30 years ago, the course is part of the greater Craigieburn Sporting Club, which in addition to golf, offers locals and visitors a high-quality function centre, gaming venue and bistro. The Club was voted by the local community best Club/Pub in Hume for 2007, and it’s easy to see why. The cafe, which is open every day from 11.00am – 4.00pm, offers a tasty selection of items – from the traditional sandwiches and pies to lamb kebabs and spicy chicken wings. The fairways bistro—open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner — also offers a solid selection of meals at great prices. Finally, the members bar area gives the club’s 200+ members a chance to a cold beer or wine while watching the live racing action on the big screens, or trying their luck on the TAB.
With a well-stocked pro-shop, private function rooms, golf practice facilities including a chipping green and a putting green—not to mention and a very friendly staff — Craigieburn Golf Course offers a good alternative for social groups wanting to escape the confines of Melbourne, and have a hit in the northern suburbs.
Course Notes
Craigieburn Sporting Club
Address:
Craigieburn Road West
Craigieburn Vic 3064Administration: (03) 9308 2386
Bistro Bookings: (03) 9308 2386
Golf Course Bookings: (03) 9308 2774
Number of Holes: 18
19th Hole: Yes
Motorized Carts: YesGreen Fees:
Weekdays: 9 holes: $12 / 18 holes: $14
Weekend: 9 holes: $16 / 18 holes: $22
A four-time winner of the Australian Golf Media Awards, including Best Photojournalism, Best Opinion, Best Column and Best Photographic Presentation, Inside Golf Group Editor Richard Fellner is the quintessential Golf Tragic, having played the game for over 50 years (but has never gotten any better!) He has played and reviewed courses all over the world, and has interviewed many of the great players of the game (including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Greg Norman). Richard is a member of both the Australian Golf Media Association and the Golf Society of Australia, and has been a featured guest on many Australian "sports talk" radio shows and networks, including ABC Grandstand, SEN 1116, Melbourne Talk Radio 1377, 2GB and others.
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