The golf course now also includes apartments located right on the course. These are in addition to the fashionable real estate development The Golf, Lake & Canal Estates which the course moulds itself around, offering a unique lifestyle in Bunbury. The apartments can be purchased and managed for the investor, and they will offer a welcome addition to accommodation choices in this first part of the Southwest. The views from the apartments are superb, and you feel like you are stepping onto the fairway as it is landscaped to blend into the course proper.

The Clubhouse facilities have been expanded to include new changing rooms, a function centre and extensive conference facilities. The total package should have great appeal to the corporate market.

The Michael Coate designed 18-hole layout opened as a complete 18 in October 1994. Its distinguishing features are water, water and more water - in fact it comes in to play on no less than 12 holes and even the driving range is an aqua one using floating golf balls. There are 64 bunkers, large inviting greens and immaculate, tightly cropped Windsor green fairways. Apart from the water hazards you pay the price for going off the fairways with sandy lies in much of the rough but there is no "ball eating" bush to fear. It is a low lying, flat course, easy to walk, although carts are available for those who desire them. A pleasant change from the current crop of resort courses is the absence of paved cart paths, which can intrude so much.

Originally a sandfly swamp just off the estuary, some 1 million cubic metres of sand from local hills was used to build up a 3m fill and provide the basis for the groomed fairways. Course Superintendent, Bill Watchman, has nursed this golfscape from conception, and his attentive hand is reflected in the excellent condition the course is presented in.

Course management is assisted by distance markers and detailed diagrammatic maps on the tees, showing bunker distances etc, but similar detail on the score card would be of benefit. Prolific birdlife abounds in the lakes and the course truly lives up to its name "Sanctuary". Wind is very much a factor in the degree of difficulty and there are a number of doglegs but no blind holes. The driving range is quite different, using floating balls.

The opening hole is a picturesque Par 4 heading west and from the elevated tee there is an inviting overview of the course and the challenges to come. It is approximately 220m to the big trees on the right and 205m to carry the two bunkers on the left, so you have to pick your landing area carefully. From the ladies elevated tee the line is the 100m marker going for the big trees @ 150m using a driver. There is a slight dogleg left to the green and we are introduced to the hallmark water early in the round as it is all along the left side of the second half of this fairway. The large green is bunkered front right and back left so take advantage of the sizeable, holding putting surface.

The Par 4 second really presses home the marketing jingle of Pelican Point 'Bricks & Mortar, Golf & Water' - off the three teeing areas it poses a threat in front and for someway left, but the reeds mask the extent of its presence and can lull one into a false sense of security. The tee shot should definitely be right of centre. Along the right many trees have been planted which should mature in about five years time to make this a memorable hole. It is a dogleg right and off the men's tee in a favourable wind, driver and sand iron will be sufficient. The green drops off quite sharply at the rear, with mature trees behind, so be careful not to overclub.

Turning around to play back east on the 3rd we can benefit from the seabreeze in the afternoon and perhaps birdie this Par 5. There is a water hazard along the left of the fairway and the mounds tend to draw a left played shot towards the reeds. The brave could go with a driver & 5 iron but for the ladies the better strategy is to lay up before the cross bunker at 25 m. There are more bunkers at the back of the green.

Rounding into the breeze again to what seems firstly a straightforward broad fairway Par 3, from the tee we see what appears to be an incredible number of bunkers around the green. However walking up we realise there are only four; their shape and size leading to the illusion of more. The Golf housing estate is to the right and for the next four holes we are treated to different aspects of this very appealing development. Club selection on the Par 3, 4th can be a bit of a dilemma because of the wind factor.

If The Sanctuary is to have a signature hole the 5th could be it and the affectionate, local name for it "Nowhere to hide" is very apt, as there is water on both sides of the fairway as it snakes its way around the dogleg left to the green. The distance is 220m to the bunker on the left corner from the back tee but 30m past brings the water into play. Laying up on the right, in the elbow of the dogleg, leaves a lot of work to be done to reach the green in regulation, so the brave will risk carrying the bunker. The green has a shallow dip in front and the tip of the lake intrudes to the right front of the green making the approach difficult. This is an excellent golf hole and a challenge to all ranges of ability.

The Par 4 6th is an unusual hole in the context of the course. There is a temporary notice advising not to play woods because of the proximity of the road. The estuary can be viewed in the distance and the fairway is framed by the Lake Estate on the left and Golf estate on the right with water along the right too. This is birdie territory and as it plays with the prevailing South Westerly a wood is not necessary. In our group one lady used a 3 iron + 7 to the green, whilst another only needed a 9 to finish out.

Crossing the road we meet the Par 3 7th also playing downwind, but with three large scalloped bunkers waiting to catch the inaccurate shot - difficulty here relates to pin placement and there is considerable left to right slope on the green.

The Par 5 8th again hinges on the wind as it plays southwards - it is about 220m to carry the bunker with 'out of bounds' running along the right. For the men about a driver and a 5 iron in over the traps short of the green. A more conservative play for the ladies or shorter hitters is to land short of the bunker then going for it with a full wood on the 2nd shot, then a wedge to green.

The 9th, index 1 on the card, is a very tough hole, playing slightly uphill into the wind. A strong man can drive around the huge fairway bunker @ 230m and on up the hill. The safest play is to the right then a sharp iron over the big right side green bunkers to the two tiered green.

After refreshments at the clubhouse we wind our way around the resort development to the 10th tee and go from the lowest rating to the highest @ index 18. Don't need a wood here - just lay up to the right and probe a short iron on to the green, surrounded by four deep bunkers.

The 11th Par 4 strikes fear into the hearts of beginners observing the water cutting across the fairway 195m from the back tee. The drive must be played for position e.g. a 2 iron from the men's tee then play across the water contending with bunker and wind to the green with a 5 iron or similar. Over the hump in the first part of the fairway there is quite a bit of space projecting to the left of the water which gives the choice of playing into the green from this angle. Choice of club varies according to the wind factor.

The 303m Par 4 12th has the appearance of a World War 1 battlefield from the tees - bunkers stretch across the wide fairway waiting to swallow the over-enthusiastic drive. They are deep and soft at this point but a "thinking" lay-up rather than trying to "thread the needle" will be rewarded. Then play a full shot on to the large, left to right sloping green 13 brings us back to the Clubhouse again with an easy Par 3, but don't be short and get caught in the plugging bunkers.

The 14th is a par 5 for ladies and a 4 for men. Off the tee there is an unusual 'out of bounds' within the golf course to give maximum protection to the growing trees. This prevents the adventurous cutting the corner and really shortening the hole, and brings the four centre fairway bunkers in to play. The first bunker is about 165m to carry and the last one approx. 200m. This hole is representative of a characteristic of The Sanctuary - it is about choices. You can lay up with an iron or 5 wood, then go full strength towards the green, or attempt to drive over the bunkers left. The hole shapes into a right dogleg with water on the left and the green hugs the lake as well. When the trees mature on this hole it will be sensational.

Turning east again the 15th has water for about 100m left of the tee and impeding the short cut - quite daunting for beginners. Three bunkers patrol the fairway so the play is along the right. As if we haven't had enough there are bunkers left and right of the two tiered green.

The 16th par 5 is an excitingly different hole and could also lay claim to signature status. For the high markers this is a scary hole, as you have to hit out towards the water off the tee. There is a "leapfrog" effect - drive short of the water, play to the island and then a mid iron to the green. The risk takers have the choice of a double water carry with the second shot. This is one of the most talked about and photographed holes of The Sanctuary.

So we head for home with the short par 3 17th. - We are very much aware of the birdlife here and careful monitoring is carried out to ensure the balance is kept. There is a large lake to the left and behind the green and bunkers protect the right side and a short shot. The same lake is either side of the teeing area of the 18th and runs along the left side of the fairway until we meet the driving range. The ideal position is the right hand side of the fairway, then gently playing up to the elevated bunkered green. This is an excellent finishing hole for spectators with the wonderful aqua backdrop as they watch the approach shots.

The Pro Shop staff welcome any enquiries you may have relating to corporate golf days, lessons, tournaments etc.

The low marker can take risks and be rewarded with birdies, whereas the high handicapper will feel comfortable, and if able to overcome aqua fears, will be able to cope with a satisfactory round, without too much frustration. Apart from the water hazards there is no "ball eating" bush which can be so costly on many resort courses. So now make Bunbury, with its award winning cappuccino strip, your next Southwest destination. Don't bypass it!

For more information or bookings contact (08) 9725 29989.