Ellerston Golf Course - Australia

Ellerston Golf Course was designed by Greg Norman and Bob Harrison on the private estate of Australian media mogul and sportsman, Kerry Packer. Packer, reputed to be the wealthiest man in Australia and a passionate golfer, gave Norman free run of his 70,000-acre preserve in the wild, secluded high country of the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, north of Sydney. After two or three days of exploration, a 400-acre site was selected that features the sinewy Pages Creek, tousled native vegetation, and gum trees. This exacting course, which was completed in 2001, takes full advantage of the craggy bush, with long views over the hills, and shoals of white sand bristling with blond wiry grasses. The essential design feature of the course is the winding creek that comes into play on nine holes, including five where it runs directly in front of the green.