We took the opportunity to play Capricorn Resort Golf Course today, so for all you devotees, here is another CRAPP report!

As I have mentioned previously, Capricorn resort has been closed for approx. 5 years, its basically a ghost town but the owners (still the Japanese Iwasaki family) have continued with the Championship Golf Course and the Resort’s Japanese restaurant. The Resort Course has been closed for 5 years and the emphasis has been placed on the Championship Course.

Andrew and I decided we’d play of the “Blue” tees, basically the longest the course plays at over 7,000 meters and par 74, so the challenge was on. Unfortunately the maintenance on the course was commensurate with the numbers visiting. Whilst the course was still in reasonable condition, I’m sure it was much better in the past when the resort was open and thriving.

So here is our CRAPP score for the Championship course:

Design – 18 out of 20 (basically it was a very impressive layout, probably an 18 rating was on the low side).

Condition – 13 out of 20 (this is were the course fell down. The greens were in very good condition but the fairway in places could have been much better with more maintenance applied).

Cost – 20 out of 20 (Outstanding value at $40 per person including a cart. I’m sure once the rejuvenation of the resort goes ahead this will change but till then its the best value golf I’ve played in a very long time).

Visual Appeal – 18 out of 20 (As the photos below highlight, its a very pleasing course to the eye. Looking down some fairways and driving to new tees, you feel like your in the Daintree rainforest not in Yeppoon playing golf).

Facilities – 4 out of 10 (Unfortunately this is were it falls away big time. The Clubhouse is very impressive but only the ground floor is used. The carts are very old and the general facilities around the clubhouse is poor. Hoping the revamp will make a difference)

Ambience – 7 out of 10 (Overall our experience was very good but because of the situation the resort is in and there is no real club atmosphere, The ambience rating was lower than it should be).

So the overall rating is 79, which is equal to the Yeppoon Golf Course as the highest rated course so far on BBOT. It was really a very good course to play and probably the best so far but the ratings don’t lie, so instead of being number 1, its equal first with Yeppoon. Strange how the 2 courses in Yeppoon have come up trumps in the rating. I would love to come back in a few years and play it again after the resort is up and running again. This course is to good to let it rot away as it seems it is now, hopefully money will get it back up to were it belongs!