Blue tees par 72, SSS (ACR) 73, 6077 metresRed tees par 72, SSS (ACR) 74, 5209 metres
The Cut golf course lies on a spit of land bordered on one side by the Indian Ocean and on the other by the Peel Harvey estuary just south of Mandurah in Western Australia. It is a modern course, built in 2005 and designed by James Wilcher. This course has a split personality – part true links and
part Mediterranean style. We played it
on a warm, sunny and inevitably windy day and enjoyed the fast running
undulating and tilting fairways, the fast greens with subtle borrows and the
fabulous views of the Indian Ocean.
Holes 1 to 4 are true links holes with fairways meandering
through the natural sand dunes. The 1st
has a fairly easy drive although placement is key. Anything to the left leaves an almost
impossible approach shot up a steep slope to a high sloping green. We thought it was reminiscent of the 1st
hole at North Berwick (20/11/14). The next
three holes follow the coast with stunning views of the ocean. The 2nd and 3rd are
typical well bunkered par 4s although the 3rd is a real risk and
reward hole, tempting the longer hitters to attack the green with their drive but
risking bunkers or a blind shot from behind the dune which protects the green
on the right.
Turning inland the character of the course changes, with the 5th to 9th holes being probably the weakest and least links-like holes on the course. The second nine has more true links holes. The 11th is a challenging par 4 with another elevated green where the approach shot is blind. It is memorable for me as when I reached the green I realised I had holed my second shot for an eagle 2. The 12th is the most spectacular hole on the course, a narrow hole running through sand dunes to an elevated sloping green with beautiful sea views and played into the prevailing wind. The 15th is a par 5 with green nestled in a hollow to the right which was blind from most of the fairway. Unusually this green had no surrounding bunkers. Sitting on the highest point of the course the 16th tee plays downhill to a green guarded by a large sand dune to the right. This results in an easy hole when the pin is placed at the front of the green and an almost impossible hole when the pin is back right. The last two holes thread their way back through the dunes to the modern clubhouse.
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| The first few holes follow the Indian Ocean |
Turning inland the character of the course changes, with the 5th to 9th holes being probably the weakest and least links-like holes on the course. The second nine has more true links holes. The 11th is a challenging par 4 with another elevated green where the approach shot is blind. It is memorable for me as when I reached the green I realised I had holed my second shot for an eagle 2. The 12th is the most spectacular hole on the course, a narrow hole running through sand dunes to an elevated sloping green with beautiful sea views and played into the prevailing wind. The 15th is a par 5 with green nestled in a hollow to the right which was blind from most of the fairway. Unusually this green had no surrounding bunkers. Sitting on the highest point of the course the 16th tee plays downhill to a green guarded by a large sand dune to the right. This results in an easy hole when the pin is placed at the front of the green and an almost impossible hole when the pin is back right. The last two holes thread their way back through the dunes to the modern clubhouse.
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from the highest point at the 16th tee (below)
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Worth playing? Yes - a lovely course in excellent condition in an idyllic setting, it is mostly a true links course.
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