Maroochy River - The $42 million rebirth with Mount Coolum watching
Maroochy River Golf Club
Location: 374-514 David Low Way, Bli Bli QLD 4560 Region: Sunshine Coast, Queensland (10 mins from Maroochydore) Ranking: TOP 100 Public Access Course Australia | 2021 QLD Golf Club of the Year
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Holes | 18 |
| Par | 72 |
| Designer | Graham Marsh |
| Established | 2015 |
| Style | Championship / Parkland |
| Layout | 4x Par 3, 10x Par 4, 4x Par 5 |
History & Background
The $42 Million Move
This course is barely 10 years old, but the club’s been around since 1950. Originally called Horton Park Golf Club, it sat smack in the middle of Maroochydore CBD for 65 years. Then Sunshine Coast Council came knocking - they wanted to run a road straight through the fairways.
Rather than fight it, the club got smart. They sold the old site for $42 million and used the windfall to build something purpose-built at Bli Bli. The new course opened in 2015 and the club finally changed its name to match its new home on the Maroochy River.
The Designer: Graham Marsh
The course was designed by Graham Marsh - better known as “Swampy” on the tour. This bloke won 64 international tournaments including 10 on the European Tour and 9 on the PGA Tour. He’s one of only a handful of Australians to win on all six continents.
Marsh knows what makes golf fun for mere mortals. His philosophy here was generous fairways that welcome high handicappers, but strategic bunkering and water that challenges better players who want to take aggressive lines.
Design Philosophy
With a blank canvas and proper funding, Marsh created a modern links-inspired layout:
- Wide, welcoming fairways - you can swing freely off the tee
- 14 holes with water hazards - but mostly visual intimidation rather than penal
- Strategic bunkering - large fairway bunkers positioned to make you think
- Wind as the real hazard - the course “absolutely howls when it wants to”
- Only one forced water carry - the 18th, saved for a memorable finish
Timeline
- 1950 - Horton Park Golf Club founded in Maroochydore
- 2012 - Council road proposal triggers negotiations
- 2013 - Sale agreed, new site selected at Bli Bli
- 2015 - New course opens as Maroochy River Golf Club
- 2021 - Named Queensland Golf Club of the Year
- 2024 - Ranked in TOP 100 Public Access Courses in Australia
The Rebirth Story
What could have been the death of a 65-year-old club became its rebirth. The $42 million sale funded not just an 18-hole championship course, but state-of-the-art practice facilities, a Performance Centre with golf tech, and even the Sunshine Coast’s first 18-hole mini golf course.
It’s a rare success story - a club forced to move that ended up with something far better than what it had.
Course Ratings
| Tees | Distance | Par | Course Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 6,450m | 72 | 73.4 | 126 |
| Blue | - | 72 | - | 124 |
| White | - | 72 | - | 120 (M) / 131 (W) |
| Yellow | - | 72 | - | 114 (M) / 127 (W) |
| Red | - | 72 | - | 121 |
| Orange | - | 72 | - | 100 |
Seven tee options for men, four for women. Length varies 5,997m to 6,823m
Scorecard
Front 9 (OUT)
| Hole | Par | S.I. | Black (m) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | - | 379 | Opening hole |
| 2 | 4 | - | 346 | |
| 3 | 4 | - | 410 | |
| 4 | 3 | - | 142 | Shortest hole - attractive par 3 |
| 5 | 5 | - | 540 | |
| 6 | 4 | - | 305 | Short par 4 - two-tiered green, watch for 3-putts |
| 7 | 5 | - | 515 | Tempting birdie chance |
| 8 | 3 | - | 200 | |
| 9 | 4 | - | 380 | |
| OUT | 36 | 3,217 |
Back 9 (IN)
| Hole | Par | S.I. | Black (m) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 4 | - | 390 | Dogleg right - big hitters can challenge bunkers |
| 11 | 5 | - | 508 | |
| 12 | 3 | - | 136 | BEST PAR 3 - Lake entire right side. Club selection critical! |
| 13 | 4 | - | 403 | Tight driving hole - bunkers & wetland entire length |
| 14 | 4 | - | 412 | |
| 15 | 4 | - | 292 | Kidney-shaped green - wrong side = trouble |
| 16 | 3 | - | 182 | |
| 17 | 5 | - | 557 | LONGEST HOLE |
| 18 | 4 | 1 | 399 | SIGNATURE HOLE - Forced water carry, tough closer |
| IN | 36 | 3,279 | ||
| TOTAL | 72 | 6,496 |
Signature Holes
Hole approach with water in play
Hole 12 - Par 3, 136m
Described as “one of the best one-shotters on the Sunshine Coast”. A lake runs along the entire right side, making club selection critical. The green has a spine running through it - be on the correct side of the flag!
Hole 18 - Par 4, 399m (Stroke Index 1)
Hole 18 - Forced water carry to home green
The hardest hole on the course and only forced water carry during the round. Often played into a headwind. The approach must carry water to a heavily-contoured home green. A tough but memorable closer!
Hole 6 - Par 4, 305m
A fun short par 4 with a two-tiered green. The subtle breaks can lead to an easy 3-putt if you’re on the wrong tier. Risk/reward opportunity.
Course Strategy Tips
General
- Wide fairways - welcoming to high handicappers
- Strategic options for accomplished golfers who want to challenge bunkers
- 14 holes have water hazards - but rarely in play from broad fairways
- Course can be windy - “absolutely howls when it wants to”
Water Hazards
- Water is mostly visual intimidation - doesn’t come into play unless you’re wayward
- Exception: Hole 18 - forced carry over water to green
- Hole 12 - lake runs entire right side
Bunkers
- Large fairway bunkers well positioned throughout
- Varying shapes and sizes - some shallow but visually intimidating
- “Make you second guess your club selection”
Greens
- Firm Bermuda Tifeagle greens - excellent surfaces
- Allows variety of running or high approach shots
- Good contouring - read breaks carefully
- Multi-tiered greens on several holes (6, 12, 15)
Wind
- Can be significant factor
- Hole 18 often into headwind - add club
Facilities
Practice (Excellent!)
- Driving range - opens 6am on Sat-Mon
- Practice putting greens
- Practice bunkers
- Short-game area
- Performance Centre - indoor/outdoor bays with K-Vest 6D, SAM Pressure Plate, gym
Dining
- Cane Cutters Bar & Bistro - pizzas and favourites, 7 days
- Terrace dining with Mt Coolum views
- Great 19th hole!
Pro Shop
- Full pro shop
- Golf tuition available
- Club hire: $20
Other
- Mini Golf - 18-hole course, first of its kind on Sunshine Coast
- Functions and events venue
Contact & Booking
| Phone | (07) 5457 0900 |
| operations@maroochyrivergolfclub.com.au | |
| Website | maroochyrivergolfclub.com.au |
| Online Booking | Via miclub portal |
| Booking Window | 28 days online, 5+ weeks by phone (up to 8 players) |
Green Fees (2025)
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Visitor (18 Holes) | $115.00 |
| Members’ Guest | $60.00 |
| Juniors (under 18) | $45.00 |
| Uni Students | $75.00 |
| Motorised Cart (18 Holes) | $50.00 |
| Motorised Cart (9 Holes) | $35.00 |
| Club Hire | $20.00 |
Our Rounds
Saturday 17 January 2026 - Sunshine Coast Golf Weekend
- Tee Time: 6:00am
- Players: Simon, Russ, Dec, Jonas
- Status: To be booked - call (07) 5457 0900
- Est. Cost: ~115 + 2 carts @ $50)
- Trip: Sunshine Coast Golf Weekend
Why We Chose This Course
- TOP 100 Golf Course in Australia - quality assured
- 2021 Queensland Golf Club of the Year - recognition of excellence
- Best value on Sunshine Coast - 175 at Pelican Waters
- Excellent practice facilities - range opens 6am for early warmup
- Close to Twin Waters - convenient for back-to-back rounds
- Graham Marsh design - former touring pro knows what makes golf fun
Sources
- Maroochy River Golf Club Official
- Golf Australia Review
- Top 100 Golf Courses
- 18Birdies Scorecard
- Australian Golf Digest Review
Last Updated: 2025-12-08