The Course
Forest Resort is situated on sacred land of the Dja Dja Wurrung People. To signify the importance of the traditional owners each of the holes were named after important symbols of the Dja Dja Wurrung People.
The Forest Resort Golf Course was designed by internationally-renowned golf course architect, Tony Cashmore. This magnificent vision of such a legendary course designer resulted in a course of forest framed greens, fairways set in cathedral-like passages, sweeping slopes and cooling creek systems invoking the unique Forest experience.
This beautiful 6.2km course incorporates natural vegetation in a bushland setting with 15 picturesque lagoons to add to the challenge of the game and beauty of the environment.
Hole 1 - BOLEANG
The drive is played from an elevated tee to a gentle valley. The second shot is played uphill to a green terraced into a hillside.
Hole 2 - NALDERUN
The drive is played across a ridge sloping from right to left. The green is located in an amphitheatre with a steep down-slope beyond.
Hole 3 - LARR
A challenging Par 3 with a pond short to the left of a green well below the teeing ground and guarded by two large bunkers beyond.
Hole 4 - YEPENE
The drive is played from tees adjacent a small ornamental pond, to a steeply upward sloping fairway with more than ample bunkering to catch wayward drives. The green is obscured near the top of the ridgeline and is sympathetically concave to help the approach shots.
Hole 5 - GHEERARNAL
A strong Par 5 played across a ridge sloping from left to right. The fairway is wide but presents two fairway breaks to encourage strategic planning. The green is slightly elevated, compact and contoured at the rear.
Hole 6 - MUNNAR-KAREEK
Another Par 5, this time downhill from the tee and continues sharply uphill on approach to the green. A spectacular gateway to the green has to be negotiated through the virtual canopy of trees. This hole can prove to be a test of nerve.
Hole 7 - GOORA
A sublime Par 4, dog-leg to the left. It is within easy reach of everyone in two shots and drive-able at times for the strong player. The long oval shaped green will appeal to the thinking golfer. An old mine shaft complements the scene at the rear of the green.
Hole 8 - BARRAMUL
A magnificent Par 3 to an obscured green. You can see most of the pin and the green feeds the ball left to right on landing. Set in a perfect sheltered area the hole was built by nature and is pure and simple Australian bush-land golf.
Hole 9 - BUNYA
One of the most spectacular tee shots on the course. Playing back toward the hotel with the fairway far beneath the elevated tee it beckons and it's tempting going for an all out drive. Just mind the large bunker to the right and the ever present overhanging gum tree limbs.
Hole 10 - YOURKOON
This dog-leg left Par 5 again commences from an elevated tee. The hole is not daunting in length but a well positioned pond short left of the green will see plenty of passers by and passers in. Two large deep bunkers await the water shy at the back of a large green that is beneath fairway level.
Hole 11 - TARRIEN
This steady uphill journey will require accurate shots from the tee and a positive approach to a green that is deeper than many others at Forest Resort. Set amongst native gums and wattles it is a must hit fairway from the tee.
Hole 12 - WEERAP
This narrow driving hole presents an exhilarating second shot to a plateau green with deep bunkering to the left. Be sure to give the second shot height to carry all the way into the middle of the large green.
Hole 13 - WOOROOMOOK
A great example of the quality of the site and the strong finish you are about to enjoy. Spectacular scenery beyond the green guarded, yet again by water. This is a pure breathtaking example of golf in the tranquil Aussie bush.
Hole 14 - YOYLANIL
We go to another level in this challenge. A drive to a bottlenecking fairway, then a dog-leg to the right. A second shot to a sand guarded, but a benign green set in a tight corner is your reward for a drive in play. A hole you could drop into any world top 100 course.
Hole 15 - WYCHARARNG
More challenge and amazing scenery. An elevated tee to a generous fairway with most shots bumping to the left on landing. A massive lake is to be carried on the approach to a green that will hold the ball well. Of course, you can take the narrow "safe" way home alongside the lake to the left. But look out, it's narrow along there.
Hole 16 - WIRRIMUL
A steady uphill par 5 with a narrow pathway to the green. Deceptively long on the approach it is a hole that will yield birdies with accurate play and sound putting on an exposed green.
Hole 17 - MINDYE
The last of the memorable downhill shots Forest Resort is famous for. This time the green is set low with plenty of shade, water and sand for your final one shot examination. On this occasion the distance is lesser but the accuracy is a premium.
Hole 18 - BORA
Your final test is over a strong distance and gently uphill. The hotel beckons beyond the green but first you need an accurate drive and a long carrying second shot from a gentle upslope to a green cambering from left to right and back to front. Club yourself to the top of the pin.