Course 53 for 2022 – Lawrence GC, NSW
Coming up the par5 last
Nomadic_golfer : December 2022
Par 72, 5342m, slope 119 $15
4 par3s 106-152m, 10 par4s 280-335m, 4 par5s 427-445m
There is something a little different in this interesting and quirky 9-hole layout at Lawrence, an hour inland from the holiday mecca of Yamba, on the Northern NSW Coast. A pretty flat and small parcel of land is the canvas, with a couple of dams as the centrepiece to the very interesting last 2 holes, which are the highlights of this track.
Fairways are a mixture of naturally occurring broad leaf grasses and the greens have a couch base, with a few broad leaf runners to test your skills. They are small, domed greens and this, combined with the shortness of the course, means your pitching skills get a good workout here. The community spirit and volunteer work on the day was very evident, I attended a charity ambrose day and you get the feeling everyone chips in around here. There are quite a few ‘characters’.
The fairways are quite generous and trees sparse so there’s not too much deep trouble to get in. A bit of local knowledge is required around here, especially with the tee shot on the par5 2nd, which requires a severely cut driver to keep it in bounds, but those last 2 holes are the ones you’ll remember and pose the biggest questions. The 8th is a 328m par4 with the tee shot needing to negotiate water both left and right, unless you have a 250m carry in your armoury. There are numerous options off this tee which makes it a super hole in my book.
The 9th is a 427m par5 sweeping right and slightly uphill with the dam down the right from about 190 to 260m keeping you honest. There is some thick stuff out left so a lay-back with something you have some confidence in hitting straight, is favoured over the bail-out left if you are afraid of commitment! There is ob left and long of the green to protect it against the bombers too.
Overall, it’s not the toughest track you’ll play, but its fun, they are a fantastic bunch of hospitable people and the last 2 holes will leave an even better taste in your mouth than the free snags and onion that were on offer on the Charity Day
