Ellerston,
nr Scone, New South Wales
Office
The Course:
18 holes. Open links-style. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb (and long green-to-tee walks).
Surroundings:
Rolling bushland.
Designer:
Greg Norman Golf Course Design (lead designer Bob Harrison).
-31.807177
151.299355
220 km NW of Newcastle.
Ellerston
Ellerston Golf Course: hidden away in the secluded high country of the Upper Hunter, the ultra exclusive Ellerston golf course remains the very private "playground" of one of Australia’s wealthiest families, the Packers.
Founder Kerry Packer's instructions to Australian golfing superstar and course designer Greg Norman were unequivocal. "Build me the toughest and most spectacular golf course in Australia". One imagines budgetary considerations took a back seat, as Norman set about designing a world-class course.
In every respect, from the superb and challenging design, faultless day-to-day conditioning, and sheer golfing exhilaration, Ellerston is (they say) a world-beater. But who's to know, except an elite few who have played there.
The majority of holes are laid out along a dramatic and fast-running stream (Pages Creek). Others meander into and through the spectacular and undulating terrain of the upland country. Beyond the course, the pristine rolling hills of the Upper Hunter play their very scenic part in this fabulous but very private project.
Private course, reserved exclusively for the owners and their invited guests.
Good
Ellerston was conceived by the late Kerry Packer (1937-2005) as an exclusive and world-class golf (and polo) facility for his family and invited guests. Kerry Packer, son of Australian media proprietor Sir Frank Packer, became one of Australia's most powerful media tycoons and, in his time, the richest man in Australia.
Beyond his media interests, Packer was best known for founding World Series Cricket, which helped transform and modernise the game, but at the time was considered an affront to the cricketing establishment and its controlling bodies.
World's former 83rd best course (GOLF Magazine, 2021/22; not in latest edition of this ranking).
The Sentry: known for many years as the Tournament of Champions, the PGA Tour’s 2025 season-opener gets underway on Kapalua’s Plantation course (Jan 2-5). Chris Kirk defends.
Tournament of Champions: the LPGA Tour’s 2025 season is launched at Lake Nona with the their Tournament of Champions (Jan 30-Feb 2). The 2024 edition gave Lydia Ko her 20th LPGA Tour title.
Attahya Thitikul: also known as “Jeeno”, the Thai golfer won the LPGA Tour’s 2024 CME Group Tour Championship … and an eye-watering $4 million, the richest first-prize in women’s golf.
Rory McIlroy: scooped the 2024 European (DP World) Tour season-long Order of Merit title, joining Seve Ballesteros as a six-time winner of this prestigious award.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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