A local’s guide to Golf on the Coffs Coast
Amelia began her golf career at the age of 12 at Coffs Harbour Golf Club, and after 5 years study at Iowa State College, has returned as a professional golfer on the Australian tour. Only in her second year as a Pro, Amelia has played tournaments including the Athena, the Australian Women’s Classic and has qualified for the 2023 Australian Open. Here she tells us why the Coffs Coast is a great place to hone your golfing skills and the perfect springboard into professional golf.
The Coffs Coast is a golfer’s dream
‘Every day is a different challenge. I love the ups and downs of golf’.
We are so lucky on the Coffs Coast with the golf on offer, with 4 amazing 18-hole courses, and a further 11 clubs within the NSW Mid North Coast Golf District. Coffs Harbour is also home to the NSW North Coast’s premier driving range. Boasting a 320-metre driving range, Top tracer training and gaming technology as well as a 6-hole chipping facility with a bunker. Not to mention the multiple mini-golf options along the Coffs Coast for the younger golfers to enjoy.
With these facilities, Amelia is able to hone her skills on championship courses every day. From her home club of Coffs Harbour to the iconic Bonville Golf Resort voted Australia’s Favourite Golf Course in Golf Australia Magazine’s, Australia’s 50 Favourite Golf Courses poll, 7 years in a row.
Australia’s Favourite Golf Course here on the Coffs Coast
Offering Australia’s best golfing experience, the championship course at Bonville Golf Resort has been challenging and exciting golfer’s for over 3 decades. Set at the foot of the Great Dividing Range it’s a serene, tranquil place to play. Bonville even boasts its own Golf Academy run by renowned PGA Head Teaching Professional Daniel Dosen, offering a range of courses, from standalone 45-minute lessons to multi-day packages.
The resort offers a number of additional golfing facilities including putting and chipping practice greens, a fully equipped pro golf shop, and club repair and fitting services. Alongside, resort-style accommodation, a pool and an award-winning dining experience at its Flooded Gums restaurant. Bonville is particularly special to Amelia, as it features her favourite hole on the Coffs Coast – Hole 18
Sawtell, Coffs Harbour and Safety Beach Golf Courses
Next up is Sawtell Golf Club, another hugely picturesque course, only 500m from the beautiful fig tree-lined main street of Sawtell. It’s a very social track, however, even Amelia notes it can be quite unforgiving with some tight holes, making for a fun challenge. Sawtell Golf Club, widely known as the ‘Friendly Club’ was established in 1946 and has developed into the modern, superbly maintained 18-hole course and clubhouse it is today.
Amelia’s home club of Coffs Harbour is an immaculate 27-hole championship course, with a friendliness that makes you feel right at home. Home of the North Coast Open, the course was originally designed by three-time Australian Open winner Carnegie Clark in 1940. Offering three 18-hole courses, The Lakes, East Lakes and West Lakes, the highlight holes can be found on The Lakes 3rd and 6th where small ponds protect the front left of both greens.
To the North, Safety Beach Golf Club is another great option for golfers of all levels, with a course featuring a vast array of native wildlife including a huge population of kangaroos. This course, suited to golfers of all levels, features some challenging holes including the signature short par 3 11th and long par 4 8th.
Where you’ll find Amelia
When not on the course, Amelia’s favourite spot is the Hub Cafe down by the jetty, where you can grab a coffee and enjoy the views over the harbour. For drinks, food and a great place to hang out with friends, Amelia loves King Tide Brewery in the heart of Coffs and is only around the corner from Coffs Golf Club, it’s a great spot to relax after a hard day of Golf.
Read more about the amazing golf course the Coffs Coast has to offer at ‘Holiday At Home: The Coffs Coast Swing’ as featured in the February edition of Golf Australia Magazine
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