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The Kooyonga Golf Club is located in the South Australian region of Adelaide and is regarded a championship golf course.
History of the Course:
The Kooyonga Golf Course was created upon the rich, sandy soil area of Adelaide. It was designed way back in 1924 by Mr. H.C. (Cargie) Rymill.
The Kooyonga Course history dates back to 1922. One day, when due to a train strike, Mr. Rymill, its creator, was compelled to take a tram instead to Henley Beach, midway through his journey he noticed a 'For Sale ' sign on a area of swamp and sand dune country (known as May's Paddock), and upon keen inspection, he knew that he had stumbled upon an ideal site for a brilliant golf course. Thus was its lucky origin.
The initial nine hole Kooyonga course expanded to eighteen, two years after its creation, and was formally declared open on the 28th June, 1924 by the Governor of South Australia, Sir Tom Bridges.
The par 72, 6160 metre layout of the Kooyonga Golf Course consists of narrow rolling fairways lined with rows of trees, with cleverly positioned bunkers framing the small and firm greens. The well protected greens are also aided by the subtle slopes and natural undulating surface of the course. The Kooyonga forms a testing yet fair challenge.
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Although it is not a long course-as none of the par 4 holes extend over 400 metres, the Kooyonga makes up for it by its clever design. Despite minor alterations and modifications made to the course, it still carries the original Rymill design in each of its 18 holes.
Some of Golf's greatest that have played at the Kooyonga Golf Club with high acclamation and respect for the course are Peter Thompson (1972 Australian Open winner), Rufus Stewart, John Muller, Fergus McMahon and Jane Crafter.
The original Kooyonga Clubhouse was built in 1924, where an old farmhouse named 'Surrey House' once stood. Today it forms the core of the Clubhouse.
Course Trivia:
- The Kooyonga Golf Club got its unique name when Rymill named his beachfront home Kooyonga , with a wrong interpretation of its meaning coming from an aboriginal word which meant 'plenty sand, plenty water'. Irrespective of its origin, the name Kooyonga has been regarded with affection and respect by golfers everywhere.
- In 2005, the Kooyonga Golf Club celebrated its eighty-second anniversary and its increasing fame is linked to its unique history and the evolution of its course.
- The Kooyonga Golf Course has been host to five Australian Opens and three Australian Amateur Championships as well as numerous South Australian Opens, Amateur Championships and the nationwide US PGA Tour.
The Kooyonga Golf Club is a private golf course. Guests must be accompanied by a member.
As per Australian Top 100 Golf Courses (2006 rankings), the Kooyonga Golf Club has been ranked as No. 11 .
As we continue on this tour we will learn about the other top-50 golf courses in Australia.
