World-class golf club officially opens on Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island Golf Club officially opened this month and is Australia’s only 18-hole championship golf course situated on its own island.

The opening event was marked by an official handover between designer and champion golfer, Peter Thomson AO CBE and Hamilton Island owner, Bob Oatley, on Sunday 30th August 2009. The opening was especially timely for Thomson, a five-time British Open winner, who celebrated his 80th birthday the week before.

The 18-hole golf course has been tipped to quickly gain a reputation as one of the best courses in the world, not least because of the stunning views of the Whitsunday Islands from many of the holes. The 6,120 meters, par 71 course sits on its own island called Dent Island, just a five minute ferry ride from Hamilton Island. It has been designed not only to test the golfing proficiency of resort guests, but also to challenge the world’s professionals.

The course makes the most of the island’s natural and rugged beauty and works with the landform, offering variety and excitement with some holes being played across steep valleys and over lakes, trees and natural boulders. To ensure a good game for all proficiencies, three tee positions are offered for each hole, taking their names from indigenous trees on the island. The changes in course elevation, restricted landing areas and the ever-present breezes provide a definite challenge from the back ‘Hoop Pine’ tees. Meanwhile, resort golfers can enjoy an easier time of it from the forward marks of the ‘Grass Tree’ tees. For the middle-ground, there are the ‘Pandanus’ tees.

The crowning glory of the course is the stunning Chris Beckingham-designed clubhouse, ideally perched to take in the stunning views of Passage Peak and the Coral Sea. The clubhouse offers an idyllic spot for non-golfing partners to relax over a laid-back lunch, or for golfers to take stock of the day’s game over a cold beer.

Guests wishing to brush-up on their golfing skills can enlist the support of the resident golf-pro, Cherie Byrnes. Cherie, a professional for nine years, has been Tournament Director for the 2002 and 2003 Australian Ladies Professional Golf Players Championship, as well as assisting with the 2004 Men’s ANZ Championship.

A number of packages are being offered to celebrate the opening of the new resort, including ‘Golf in Paradise’ and ‘Golf and Spa in Paradise’. Guests can enjoy three or four nights’ accommodation on Hamilton Island, to include a round of golf on the new course and an optional spa treatment, from $628 per person. qualia guests can benefit from preferential tee times on the course and, in the near future, luxury golfing packages will be offered, to include accommodation at qualia and helicopter transfers to the course.

Sandy Oatley, chairman of Hamilton Island, commented, “The opening of the Golf Club is part of our ongoing commitment to develop and maintain Hamilton Island as a truly world-class and leading holiday destination. Since we purchased it in 2003, we have invested over AUS$300 million (approx £155 million) in the Island. This has included the development of qualia, the 60 pavilion luxury resort on the northern most point of the Island and, most recently, the building of the iconic Yacht Club.”

The Hamilton Island Yacht Club, due to open its doors to members in November, was designed by renowned Australian architect Walter Barda alongside famed yachtsman, Iain Murray. The venue, housed under an iconic starfish-shaped copper roof, promises to be a centre for lifestyle as well as boating, with first-class dining, wellness and pool facilities.

As part of the complex, a luxury 35 villa residential development is being built adjacent to the marina. Using natural timbers and sweeping lines, Barda’s vision for the villas is to capture an informal ambience and beauty that makes the most of the unique setting of the Dent Passage waterfront.

Bridge & Wickers (bridgeandwickers.co.uk) can arrange a six-night bed and breakfast stay at the Reef View Hotel on Hamilton Island, coupled with four nights at the five-star Four Seasons in Sydney, from £1,865 per person including return economy flights with Qantas Airways and transfers.

Hamilton Island is located off the Queensland coast of Australia, within the Whitsunday Islands and at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Here visitors can experience everything that is great about Australia – natural landscapes, calm turquoise waters, secluded beaches, beautiful weather, fascinating coral reefs, diverse flora and fauna.

Hamilton Island offers a wide range of accommodation options including award-winning qualia, restaurants, bars, pools and shops, not to mention over 40 activities and all within a short direct flight from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns. There are also great connections from other Australian cities.