Royal Melbourne (East)
Royal Melbourne (East)
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Course Type
Private -
GOLF Top 100 World Rank (2023-24)
92 -
Year
1932 -
Architect
Alex Russell -
Par
71 -
Yardage
6569
Course Overview
Confident in his own work, Alister MacKenzie freely lauded the work of others. In the United States, he considered Perry Maxwell to be as talented as anyone; in Australia, his man was Alex Russell, who deserves full credit for the East Course, in addition to Paraparaumu Beach, Lake Karrinyup, Yarra Yarra and other gems in Australia and New Zealand. Russell’s holes mesh so well with those from the West Course that a Composite Course is used for big events. MacKenzie never saw what Russell created in three different paddocks, but the Good Doctor would have been mightily impressed by holes such as the uphill par-4 2nd, the reachable par-5 10th with its stunning cross bunkers and the par-3 16th, where a front bunker eats into the middle of the green. The panel’s appreciation of the East Course raises the question: What is the finest 36-hole day in golf at one location? Winged Foot, Bandon, Sunningdale or here? (Photo: David Cannon/Getty Images)
3 things to know
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Hole everyone talks about
No. 10, par-5, 520 yards: The back-nine opener is a treat. The dogleg right is reachable — and it can blow up your scorecard. -
Best non-golf amenity
OK, this is technically a golf amenity. But Victoria, another Top 100, is right next door, should you have the itch for more golf. -
Insider tip
The West Course isn’t too shabby, either. It’s ranked No. 7 on this list.