King Island’s Cape Wickham Golf Course has been declared the top golf course in Australia by Australian Golf Digest.
Royal Melbourne was knocked off the top perch for just the second time in 40 years by the less-than-10-year-old public course. King Island’s Ocean Dunes was 13th on the top-100 list and five Victorian courses made up half the top 10.
Considered the ultimate course rankings list, the biennial results come after a detailed analysis that measures the nation’s best courses against a key set of criteria.
For this year’s list, the number of judges was doubled as well as the number of courses reviewed.
Despite maintaining its position as one of the most elite courses not just in Australia but the world, Royal Melbourne’s west layout was dumped to No 2 behind Cape Wickham.
“This result will shock plenty, but it should be understood that iconic Royal Melbourne (West) has not lost ground – it’s as good as ever – it’s just that it’s been outpointed on our measurement criteria by the stunning Cape Wickham,” Australian Golf Digest Top 100 editor Steve Keipert said.
Tasmania boasted three on the list – Barnbougle Dunes and Barnbougle Lost Farm holding their places with Cape Wickham among the best. Course general manager Thuan Quach said they did not expect the accolade as they have gone through a very dry season.
She said the course’s natural landscape is part of its appeal.
“Everyone who plays here says ‘wow, it’s amazing’; they can’t compare it to anything else.
“Some of them tell us that it is the best,” she said.