2016 Rankings - Golf Digest Magazine
CAPE WICKHAM debuts at No. 3 in Golf Digest's 2016 list. A huge call by this magazine for a course so young, and as with Golf Australia Magazine, it would seem that the panel voted despite the published criteria that demand a certain weighting be allocated to conditioning of greens and fairways. The GOLF Course Guide went to press before the course was officially opened, but noted that judges who previewed the King Island Wonder were unanimous in awarding top spots for its Design and Aesthetics. One can only salivate at how much further Cape Wickham can improve once its beautiful fescue playing surfaces mature.
ROYAL MELBOURNE WEST remains entrenched at the top of the list, this gem of a design is possibly Mackenzie's best work, combined with a wondrous site, superb construction, and supreme conditioning. The Legend fairways have been presented by Superintendant Richard Forsyth to permit the ball to bounce and roll thus preserving the architect's intent, where the clever doglegs mitigate much of the long hitter's advantage. The firm fecue surrounds brilliantly enhance the fun of the running approach shot to greens that can be presented as the firmest and fastest in the world.
VICTORIA continues its rise to No. 8 and THE AUSTRALIAN also improves 3 spots to No. 12, the beneficiary of tournament driven expenditure .
LAKE KARRINYUP down 6 places at No. 15 will surprise some who have not witnessed issues with Poa in greens at this Perth venue.
Many who admire the pure Sandbelt architecture on COMMONWEALTH's best holes will applaud its move up 6 places to #22.
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