{"id":1255061,"date":"2025-01-12T17:15:44","date_gmt":"2025-01-12T17:15:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/?p=1255061"},"modified":"2025-01-12T17:21:04","modified_gmt":"2025-01-12T17:21:04","slug":"grade-a-architecture-commonwealth-golf-club-melbourne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/grade-a-architecture-commonwealth-golf-club-melbourne\/","title":{"rendered":"Grade “A” Architecture – Commonwealth Golf Club"},"content":{"rendered":"

Commonwealth Golf Club (1921)
\n15th Hole \/ Par-3 \/ 160 yards
\nOakleigh South, Victoria, Australia<\/p>\n

Architecture: Sam Bennett (1921) with revisions by Charles Lane (1928), Sloan Morpeth (1938 and 1967), Kevin Hartley (1991-93), Michael Clayton & OCCM (2006-2019), Brian Slawnik and Tom Doak (2021-). Present configuration dates back to 1967 when club extended 10th and 11th holes after acquiring land.<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

Nothing elevates more joy or indecision than playing an engaging short par-3.<\/p>\n

Why?<\/p>\n

The lack of distance invites the mind to believe a possible birdie is there for the taking. However, on a well-designed short hole it is that seduction in thinking that can equally mean a quick bogey or even worse.<\/p>\n

Those dropping guard can be in for a rude awakening.<\/p>\n

\"Commonwealth<\/p>\n

The Sandbelt region of Melbourne is home to a stunning collection of well-designed courses. The strength of Commonwealth comes from an array of compelling greens which provide a number of devilish riddles to solve.<\/p>\n

Mike Clayton, former touring professional from Australia, writer and golf course designer summarized the appeal of Commonwealth’s 15th.<\/p>\n

“Charles Lane and Sam Bennett – made such incredible greens complexes dominated in most cases by the unique Sandbelt bunkers, the look of which is almost impossible to replicate elsewhere, said Clayton.<\/p>\n

“Like the 10th at Kingston Heath and Commonwealth\u2019s 9th hole, the 15th takes up almost no land, something important on a relatively small site.”<\/p>\n

Quality routing is always a test in the creation of any golf course site. Getting the most out of a given property and doing so without replication is no easy task.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Commonwealth’s 15th is tucked into a sliver of available land.<\/p>\n

When arriving at the tee the hole rises ever so slightly uphill and this mandates a clear understanding of the proper club to select.<\/p>\n

Two large bunkers on the right serve as fierce protectors for the 6,000 square-foot target. The visual intimidation when seeing the green from the tee can make the available landing area seem much smaller.<\/p>\n

Clayton adds, “It\u2019s not a long shot but rather one demanding of a well-flighted, accurate short iron to one of the smaller greens on the course.”<\/p>\n

The hole plays north to south. Wind patterns can change during the course of a year. In winter the general pattern is a headwind. In summer, when blowing from the north, the green can be elusive to hold.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Tom Doak in his 1996 book, The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses<\/em>, summarized how the crafting of the holes is indicative of what one finds when playing Commonwealth.<\/p>\n

“Construction of the course was left to a professional in the field \u2014 Vern Morcom, the original Royal Melbourne superintendent, who mastered the secrets of natural-looking construction as taught to him by Dr. MacKenzie. Commonwealth’s marvelous greens and bunkers are testimony to his skill.”<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

For more info go to:<\/p>\n

www.commonwealthgolf.com.au<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Photos courtesy: Gary Lisbon \/ aerial and David Scaletti \/ ground shot<\/span><\/p>\n