Pelican Waters Golf Club

About the club

One hour north of Brisbane at Golden Beach, this was Greg Norman's first course on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. With the sea as a backdrop, and in the other direction the majestic Glasshouse Mountains, this site seemed unpromising territory for golf when the course was carved out of swampy bush-land. Norman then introduced as many indigenous features as possible; amid abundant local trees and bushes he added bunkers and made sensitive use of water hazards. While lakes on Florida courses tend to look as pre-planned as they are, here they look like part of the landscape. The one drawback to the course is its tendency to remain wet after heavy rain. There is a pleasant, understated feel to Club Pelican; a nice but not flashy clubhouse offers views out over the course. The course also features one excellent innovation, a moveable shed on the practice ground for sunny or rainy days.