The State Amateur Championships of WA are underway today from Lakelands Country Club. An exciting tournament looms over the weekend with some of WA’s biggest names going head to head. Here’s a quick course overview, so you know what to expect when playing or heading there for a look at the action.
Golfers will tee off looking to land on a generous fairway before competing with a short second shot that requires a delicate touch to ensure they land on the green and avoid the bunkers in front and to the left. Things get slightly easier on the second hole with a par three, however, some may have trouble if the pin is placed over the front right bunker, hopefully participants have worked on their control game heading into the tournament. The first three holes of the course rounds out with the longest par 4 on the course. A straight hole that requires an accurate drive before again requiring an accurate control game considering the surrounding bunkers which could turn any golfer’s day sour.
The fourth hole at Lakelands could be a fun one if the winds are in favour of the players. A driveable par 4, that if placed correctly, will leave a wedge shot inside of 100 metres to the two tier green. Golfers then move on to a lengthy par 5 at the fifth. A strong fairway hit is a must to allow the long layup around the corner. A short wedge to a green that lacks depth and a birdie opportunity opens up to the brave and skilled. Moving towards the sixth and golfers will be greeted by another par 3 guarded by bunkers and another test of skill and accuracy. Coming up short of the green here is the best miss of the green as you avoid the traps and gives a good chance at par.
A tricky swooping par 5 greets golfers at the seventh. A strong drive to the first corner and players will be looking at a shot to the green or a short lay up to the next corner. A tight squeeze to the green demands an accurate approach to land on the favourable side of the green. The eighth hole brings more challenges with a dogleg par 4. A choice of a layup or a more aggressive drive over the fair way bunkers will divide golfers, however the chance for a birdie here will sway most punters. Golfers will then greet the course’s halfway mark at the ninth, a tight driving hole where a par should be considered a good score.
We then move into the home stretch and begin with one of the nicer holes at Lakelands. A large landing area for a tee shot if laid up short of the fairway bunkers, however its not all smooth sailing with bunkers to the left of the green and a dip right sure to challenge. The eleventh brings a tricky tee shot with a sloping fairway. An approach from the fairway to a pin on the left side of the green allows for a run up shot if needed. A large hump splits the green here so being on the correct side is a must to stay on par. The hardest rated hole on the course awaits our players on the twelfth, requiring a precision drive to escape the two fairway bunkers. Get past the bunkers and manage the sloping green may see you escape with a par. The best chance at success may come from playing out to the right which gives a good look at the pin.
Six holes left and we begin at 13 with another well-guarded par 3. Big bunkers to the right make for a tough up and down. A small green with another tier makes it difficult to get the ball on the correct level. Rounding the corner to the 14th for another tight driving fairway with staggered fairway bunkers. Another layup leaves a short wedge shot to a green that slopes from front to back. The 15th finishes this set of three with a hole that dictates golfers to play smart. A layup leaves a short wedge to the pin and a tricky and quick green, golfers should be happy with a par on this tricky hole.
The last three holes at Lakelands begins with the signature hole of the course. A short par 3 that requires an accurate shot leading into a sloping front left that asks for a well-played tee shot for a left flag. The second last hole and the last dogleg of the course is a tough par 5. A generous tee shot for straight and long hitters can cut the corner, however this corner is also guarded by two bunkers at around 250 metres from the tee. Into the last hole at Lakelands and it’s a long par 4. Another well guarded green that requires a really accurate tee shot.
