This latest golf course of this late billionaire is opening his gates – if ever so little

For more than 20 years, has been the white whale of 100 main rankingsA famous course so elusive that many rich and well -connected rich players have tried and failed to put their eyes.

Australian media mogul Kerry Packer would not have any other way.

Ellerston was his passion project, a family holy place introduced into the folding of the Upper Hunter valley, approximately four hours north of Sydney, which Packer predicted as a private playground for a small group of family, collaborators and friends. One of those friends was the legend of Golf Aussie Greg Normanwho designed Ellelerston in collaboration with well -known architect Bob Harrison. Packer gave the duo blanche card In hectares of rolling pastures and locals Bushland who had been in his family for decades. They could choose the best parcel, with only two conditions: the course should be a beauty and a beast.

The architects responded with an 8,000-plus-yard course as external in its drama as it is in its requirements, strategically erected through a raised landscape, with Creek pages that shook in the game in approximately half of the holes. While the course was under construction, Packer held hours nearby and was uncompromising in his expectations.

“But is it hard enough?” He would ask constantly.

It was.

In its 2001 opening, Ellelerston’s slope It was 153, the highest of each course in Australia. In the years that after that, Ellerston has been a match in the essential lists and has grown as high as no. 62 in the golf list of 100 main courses in the world.

But if you go to Ellerston is difficult, lowering a whole time has been even tougher. In recent years, fewer than 20 guests have played it every year. Now, however, a course located mainly for the outside world has opened its gates sometimes so little.

Starting this October, Ellerston will welcome about one group a month from four to eight players for one of two options: a one-day visit that includes golf, cadets, course food and drink and round air transport; Or a nightly stay that includes all of the above, plus dinner the first night, breakfast, a second round and lunch before departure.

Journey 8 in the morning is one of the small numbers of tour operators that Ellelerston has chosen to facilitate these trips. For more information, visit 8amtravel.com.