The third oldest club in Sydney, Bonnie Doon Golf Club began life as Marrickville Golf Club in 1897 when members played on a 12-hole course laid out in the Sydney suburb of Tempe. Ten years later, the club moved to an 18-hole course at Arncliffe, changing its name in the process of decamping to a new location. Finally, in 1947, the expansion of the Sydney airport caused the club to move to its current sandy site at Pagewood.
Bonnie Doon’s par 71 championship course is a stern test of golf for players of all standards. Though not overly long in comparison to new golf courses, the strength of the course lies in its strong par 4’s and slick firm greens, that have long been recognised amongst the best putting surfaces in NSW. Elevated tees and greens, offering sweeping views of the city, are a key feature of the course design, which emphasises the rugged natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Some of the best holes are the quartet of short par-4s. The 8th, 12th, 16th and 17th holes are all drive and pitch holes, drivable even for the longest hitters, but they are dangerous if played recklessly.
Bonnie Doon was, and still is, split by a busy suburban road but that is no great disqualifier when you consider world class courses like Merion, Oakmont, Worplesdon, and Royal Melbourne have roads running through them.
Bonnie Doon Golf Club is located only 15 minutes from the Sydney CBD and 10 minutes from Sydney International Airport. The club welcomes visitors on Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays, subject to availability. Bonnie Doon prides itself on being one of Sydney’s leading corporate golf venues, catering for groups from 12 up to 280 people.
