The drive up seems to take forever, through a dusty road that ends at a facility that is immediately a lot more tourist or visitor orientated than the 'simply golf' approach at Barnbougle. Anyway, don't like to dwell on those things so on to the course...
The first gives an idea of whats to come with a generous fairway dotted with huge waste bunkers leading to a small green ( that In my opinion could have done with a bit more design), though still a strong par 5. The next is a short par 4 with a fairway thats impossible to miss but with two large strategic bunkers to capture some poor strikes. Note this is a bit similar to Barnbougle that starts with a fairly gentle opening before springing to life.
As such, the 3rd is a fantastic short risk/reward hole that is easily drivable but onto a very narrow green full of undulations...a great hole that is followed by one of the signature holes of the course. The 4th is 140 yards with gorgeous views off the headland and looking back over at Barnbougle ( below)
The 5th continues what is in my opinion the best stretch on the course. A Unique left to right dog leg around a huge dune still leaves a long approach to a St.Andrews size green. Without prior knowledge of where to go or a strokesaver, the line off the tee is a total mystery!
The 6th is a nice par 3 with another undulating green that can leave a few interesting putts but its the 7th that gets the interest up again. A testing par 4 with a fairway literally 100 yards wide, it could almost be the first at the old course were it not for a huge hill of rough at driving length. Left of it is narrower but offers a superior line to the pin. Right is safe but leads to a more difficult approach over a greenside bunker.
The 8th ( left) is a massive par 5 that for me anway would be impossible to get anywhere near in two whilst the 9th is a decent par 4 that takes us back towards the clubhouse.
I've often thought that if I had to create a composite course what holes would I have. For me, 3-5 would definitely get in though Barnbougle is so strong throughout that I don't think the rest would. Not saying that any of the holes are poor but they are just up against world class opposition.
From here the course heads out onto the 'lost farm' away from the dunescape. the 10th is another long par 5 that starts off well but I just feel the uninspiring approach could do with a few more bunkers or undulations. The 11-12 are decent holes but don't really get the pulse racing.
13 is an interesting one that is played in a gully between two rows of dunes though I was again left with the feeling that a bit more bunkering on the right could improve it. Next is one of the extra holes ( for there are 20 here) and its a lovely little par 3 at the top of the dunes that would grace many a course.
The 14th raises the bar a few notches and is again a hole that would make my composite course. From high up you have a stunning view of the coast and down to the green is only 300 yards or so but the approach is guarded by bushes and sand making the driver sheer folly. The 15th pictured above looks up to the spa with some great ocean views.
A flat but strong par 4 16th is followed by a great uphill par 3 but the finishing hole (above) is a real masterpiece and one of my favourite holes on the course. teeing up high on the dunes we hit down to the fairway and to a relatively narrow and softly undulating green.
The course finishes with the second 'betting' hole which is a nice little par 3 under the clubhouse. Overall I would say it is a very good course with some world class holes. It's problem for my is that it will always be compared to it's neighbour and in my opinion it has a few holes that are not quite in the same league. It does however help make this small region of Tasmania a little piece of golfing heaven.
No comments:
Post a Comment