The "forgotten sister" of Hunter Valley golf?
When people are planning a golf tour to the Hunter Valley, this layout is not the first one mentioned. It’s more glamorous sister courses in the valley, namely The Vintage and Cypress Lakes that get the attention.
But perhaps people should consider this course more as an enjoyable alternative in a week of Hunter Valley golf. With some rest holes placed amongst some real tests, it can could be a good addition to an itinerary of golf in the Hunter.
A layout to test and yet still enjoy
Just outside Cessnock, the layout at Hunter Valley was designed by Richard Mercer. Richard comes from the famous Mercer family, a name synonymous with golf instruction and coaching in NSW. Richard is now the head teaching professional at the Vintage. After the closure of Cessnock Golf Club in 2018 with nearly $11 million in debts, most of the membership has now transferred to this Lovedale layout.
The course starts off with a relatively easy opening with a 296m par 4, eventhough water lurks on the right. In fact the first three holes are fairly straight forward with a 2nd hole which is 294 m dogleg par 4, followed by a 111m par 3.
The course stiffens up with next hole, the 4th a 167m par 3, 160m of it being water carry. The course continues with it’s most difficult stretch with the 5th, a tight drive for a 400m par 4 with OB staring at you on the left and trees on the right.
The tee shots don’t get any easier with the 6th of 346m requiring a 190m water carry off the tips to make the fairway. The greens on the course are relatively easy to hit but the penalty comes to those that are not consistent along the short grass.
The 7th, a par 4 of 392m is probably the hardest hole on the course and one of the hardest par 4’s in the Hunter Valley. Water lurks down the left and in front of the green with fairway bunkers also coming into your sights. The approach shot must be high enough to carry the bullrushes at the front. You cannot run it up. Many may lay up short of the water and play it as a par 5.
The 8th is a long par 3 of 207m with a huge green giving you a big putt even if you make the green.
The par 5 9th has lots of hidden water from the tee with a channel dividing the fairway in half. Again consistent shotmaking will get you to the green in regulation. A double green awaits you if you make it.
The back nine starts simple enough with a 176m par 3 with water on the right but plenty of room for a bailout on the left. The 11th of 262m is an attractive tee shot through a chute to a dogleg with a wall of fairway bunkers awaiting a miscalculated shot left.
The back nine then is more open with plently of ponds to focus your mind less it is taken away with the commanding views over the vineyards and the Brokenback Range.
However it sharpens up again with par 5 16th. At only 436m it might seem for some a potential birdie or even eagle from a tight fairway. But the lurking jungle on the right makes a reload a certainty if you venture there. The final par 3 of 159m requires an accurate shot to a raised green with a bunker on the left and a water hazard surrounding the back of the green.
The final hole, a par 5 of 454 m is a tight tee shot where placement to the left will open up the fairway for you. Going right brings in the water hazard to play and trees shut you out from cutting the corner and making the green or giving you a short approach.
A Hunter Valley resort
The 18th finishes in front of the Rydges Hunter Valley Resort where there are bars and cafes to enjoy the result of your round or even their Red Salt Restaurant if you wish to linger longer.
Our preferred accomodation provider for our tours in the Hunter Valley is the Cypress Lake Resort which is only a 15 minute drive away from this golf course. There you can enjoy luxury two or three bedroom villas either as a twin share or having your own bedroom. Of course we can source other accommodation choices if you want.
Check out our Hunter Valley and Port Stephens golf tours page which include this fine golf course as part of the itineraries section.