Course 90, Yowani CC, ACT
Narrow, pine-lined fairways and water-wary finish
Nomadic_golfer : December 2020
Par 72, 6150m, slope 130, green fee $45
4 par 3s from 135-182m, 10 par 4s from 330-399m, 4 par 5s from 445-522m
Round 2 in the pm on day 1of my 2 day trip to Canberra, hosted by Camp Remmers in Googong, was at Yowani. Designed by James H Scott in 1954, its situated in Lyneham, only 10 minutes from the city centre.
Characterised by narrow, pine tree lined fairways. Mostly medium to large pines with good growth out between the pines making for tough recoveries. Very good Pentcross bent greens, similar in condition to Gold Creek not quite as fast but very nice. Fairways are rye based with some winter grass and Kentucky Bluegrass also, and slightly better nick than GC. A bit of water that is definitely in play, it’s bunkered but not many fairway bunkers and not a huge number greenside.
Memorable holes for me were: 5 (390m right to left with pines both sides and OB left, then uphill to slopey green with drop off on right); 7 (345m left to right around a pond but trees on the left of the tee make you play a right to left tee shot to avoid the water. 260 to carry water and lots of layup choices. Trees narrow in on either side 50m short of green also); and 11 (323m across a lake, pick out how far you can carry it and let it rip. Straight at the green is a 240-260 carry depending on the tee position. If you pick a left line, ensure you don’t go too long, there’s a diagonal row of trees and greenside bunker short left to catch the squibbers!
The 16/17 combination around the lake are good at that time of the round, test the nerves if you have a good round going; a circa 150m water carry to a shallow green with bunkers long and then a short par 4 that turns right into the green and has water on the right for its entire length and has to be carried on the 2nd if you drive down the right.
Overall, pleasantly surprised by this underrated track; a real premium on driving and a good mix of different elements. Not that difficult around the greens with soft surrounds, flat surfaces and not too many bunkers. Condition very good.
