IN a first for the Coffs Harbour Golf Club, it has been named in Golf Australia magazine’s list of the top 100 public access courses in the country.

The 27-hole layout was named at No.89 on the list.

The club’s general manager, Paul McAra, said the reaction among members to the news has been one of pride.

“Obviously the club is ecstatic with the course making its way into the Top 100 list,” McAra said.

“It reinforces after the Women’s NSW Open and the North Coast Open that having those professional events is putting the club on the map.”

When the list was released, the magazine included comments from a member of the judging panel about each of the 100 courses.

The comment regarding Coffs Harbour from judge Joe Thomas couldn’t have been more effusive.

“This is easily the best country course I have ever played,” Thomas said.

“Great greens, great fairways and the challenge is ever-present.”

The judge added Coffs Harbour is unlikely to be a one-hit wonder.

“Coffs Harbour has made a significant rise in this ranking and, in my opinion, it will probably climb higher as more judges discover its delights,” he said.

McAra said inclusion in the list probably isn’t a surprise to local golfers.

“It’s great that other people are now seeing what locals have known for quite a while,” he said.