On Par – All about golf in Australia

Country golf courses offer the opportunity for a relaxed round of golf with bargain green fees, generous hospitality and no crowds. Discovering a rural ‘hidden gem’ is always a bonus, Leongatha is one of those country courses that would rival many city based private courses. Located in South Gippsland, conveniently close to coastal Inverloch, Leongatha is a well treed, undulating layout. The course was designed by Vernon Mercom who also designed Kingston Heath with his brother, so the pedigree is outstanding. Green fees of $30 is an absolute bargain for a course of this quality. The santa-ana fairways produce perfect lies, the greens require concentration with subtle breaks.

15th green at Leongatha

The course requires thought off the tee, with driver needing to be kept in the bag on many holes. There are doglegs aplenty that require placement to setup the second shot. Favourite holes include:

2nd Hole: Par 4 dogleg, drive played to the corner with an uphill approach to a well bunkered green.

6th Hole: Par 5, tough uphill drive needs to be played leftside to allow for right sloping fairway. Green tucked behind a corner.

9th Hole: Par 4, long hole played back up to the Clubhouse, tough second shot

16th Hole: Par 3, played downhill, elevated green punishes anything left or short

Long uphill Par 4 9th hole at Leongatha

Course details The Leongatha Golf Club
- Par 70
- 5,795 metres
- Address: Koonwarra – Inverloch Road, Leongatha South
- Proshop: 03 5664 3314
- Website

With one of the toughest King Challenge’s ever planned for next month as we head to Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm, here is a brief retrospective of past King Challenges. Played between tour veterans Steve DaCosta and Mike Hauser, with regular appearances from other tour players, the King Challenge has been contested since 1997. Steve currently holds the stylish Purple Jacket, with the Challenge not contested in 2010.

The Purple Jacket

Laguna Challenge January 2009 Venue: Laguna Whitsundays Winner: Steve DaCosta

Canberra Challenge April 2009 Venue: Murrumbidgee, Quenbuyen Winner: Mike Hauser

Central Coast Challenge February 2008 Venue: Magenta Shores, Kooindah Waters, The Vintage Winners: Daren Armstrong, Kelvin Jones

Melbourne Challenge November 2007 Venue: Woodlands, Growling Frog Winner: Mike Hauser

Tropical Challenge January 2007 Venue: Paradise Palms, Andys Links, Mirage Port Douglas Winner: Mike Hauser

Capital Challenge April 2006 Venue: Capital, Royal Canberra Winner: Mike Hauser

Melbourne Challenge February 2006 Venue: St Andrews Beach, The Dunes Winner: Mike Hauser

*Missing results 2002-2005

Gold Coast Challenge October 2001 Venue: Royal Pines, Lakelands, Robina Woods, The Glades Winner: Mike Hauser

Melbourne Challenge February 2001 Venue: Portsea, The Dunes, Yarrambat Park, Kingston Links Winner: Rohan Tudor

Sydney Challenge June 2000 Venue: Leura, Eastlake, Castle Hill Winner: Rohan Tudor

Murray Challenge March 2000 Venue: Yarrawonga Murray, Cobram Old, Yarrawonga Lakes Winner: Andrew Millar

Capital Challenge October 1999 Venue: Yowani, Murrumbidgee, Royal Canberra Winner: Steve DaCosta

Gold Coast Challenge August 1999 Venue: Paradise Springs, Kooralbyn, Hope Island, Palm Meadows Winner: Mike Hauser

State of Origin Challenge February 1999 Venue: Horizons, Camden Lakeside, Castle Hill, Kingston Links Winner: Mike Hauser

Gold Coast Challenge October 1998 Venue: Robina Woods, Royal Pines, Lakelands, Sanctuary Cove-Pines Winner: Steve DaCosta

Sunshine Coast Challenge September 1997 Venue: Caloundra, Twin Waters, Hyatt Coolum Winner: Mike Hauser

Played yesterday at Flinders Golf Club, perched on the Mornington Peninsula coast overlooking the ocean, the course is one of the original layouts on the Peninsula and provides spectacular coastal views. With work colleagues Emma and Nigel, and Em’s friend Danielle we joined Emma’s regular Christmas Golf Classic. The weather radar was ominous, a nasty front was approaching as we teed off.

Flinders is not a long course, but the layout is challenging when the wind blows, and the conditioning is excellent, fairways perfect and the greens fast. The stretch of holes from the 4th through to the 8th are excellent seaside holes with clifftop views out to sea. The storm hit us on the 5th green, driving rain and wind followed by the golfers worst nightmare, thunder and a flash of lightning. Carrying a bag full of steel and carbon fibre turns the golfer into a perfect lightning conductor! We sheltered the worst and then bravely continued on.

The quality of the golf was pretty impressive given the conditions, and proved that we were either hard core or just plain crazy, to play through the weather! Having not played Flinders before, was impressed with the course, the layout, the views and the condition. So spoilt for choice on the Mornington Peninsula!

Nige plays approach to the Coffin Hole, ominous sky!

Emma tees off on 5th, the storm approaches

Impressive views at Flinders - Hard core weather!

Overview – Barnbougle Dunes Golf Course
Barnbougle Dunes lies on Scottish links-like landscape on the Tasmanian North Coast, an easy hours drive from Launceston. There has been plenty written about the course and owner Richard Sattler whose ideas and dreams have been realised in a new World Golfing mecca. Designed by Tom Doak and Mike Clayton, Barnbougle Dunes was ranked at No. 4 in the Australian Golf Digest 2010 Top 100 Australian courses, Golf course guide ranks Barnbougle the top public access course in Australia and the Top 100 courses site ranks the course at 45th in the world. Fine praise indeed, and the course lives up to the hype and accolades. The first thing that greets you on arrival is a relaxed atmosphere, Barnbougle must be one of the most laid back courses in the entire worlds Top 100. Basically relax and enjoy the ride!

The Layout
Tom Doak has created a magical layout winding through the seaside dunes in Tasmania. The opening par 5 eases you into the round but by the time you play the 4th, the course has accelerated to awesome! Many holes run between and around untouched dunes, with most of the rough made up by coastal grasses, they consume golf balls! An “Irish drop rule” is in place for lost balls, drop taken at point of entry to the rough for a 1 shot penalty. This local rule alone should be enough to ensure that you carry plenty of balls. There are no motorised carts on the course, big wheeled push buggies are available, though I would recommend carrying your clubs if possible.

Favourite Holes

Fourth hole – Par 4 271 metres, index 17

At only 271 metres from the tips, the par 4 Fourth hole initially tempts the driver to be pulled from the bag. A huge dune obscures some of the direct line from the tee, a large bunker will punish anything less than perfect, but an accurate drive could find its way onto the dancefloor. On further review of the hole from the tee, the driver will often be swapped for iron. Of course, laying up next to the bunker presents a blind second to the raised green. A classic risk and reward, short par 4, requiring careful thought and shot selection.
Seventh Hole – Par 3 112 metres, Index 12

The short par 3 has almost gone the way of the Tasmanian Devil in modern golf course architecture, so a big shoutout to Tom Doak for creating the exquisite little par 3 seventh. At only 112 metres from the back tees, its tiny yet punishing if not treated with respect, huge bunkers protect the small raised green. If the wind is blowing, the exposed hole will grow even more teeth. Treat with respect.

Seventeenth Hole – Par 4 400 metres, index 3 Barnbougle Dunes has more than its fair share of great views from tees, this is yet another one. Looking out over the rivermouth and out to sea, this exposed tee is a Kodak moment, with no wind its a daunting drive to avoid fairway traps and rough, with wind I can only imagine the increased severity of the tee shot. Having negotiated the drive successfully, the angled green is a narrow target for a medium to long iron approach.

The Word
Barnbougle Dunes, believe the hype. In only five years, the course has established itself as one of Australia’s best layouts. Do yourself a favour and plan a trip to one of the World’s newest golfing destinations, and with Lost Farm Golf Course just opened next door, its got to be one of the best locations in Australia for a short break golfing trip.

Course details
Barnbougle Dunes
- Par 72
- 6,148 metres (Forrester)
- Address: Near Bridport, Tasmania (One hour drive from Launceston)
- Proshop: 03 6356 0094
- Course Bookings

Returned to Melbourne this week after spending two days playing two of the World’s best golf courses. Barnbougle Dunes already has accolades aplenty, the Tom Doak designed course on the North Coast of Tasmania has had golfers singing its praises over the last few years and ranks in the top 10 courses in Australia, and top 100 courses in the World. Lost Farm is located next to Barnbougle, the Coore/Crenshaw designed course already has built up a legend status despite only opening in October 2010. It will be ranked as good if not better than Barnbougle.

Joined my mate Simon, and Jamie and Michael, the Puregolfers who are on the final leg of their epic golf trip around the world. This would be their 327th and 328th consecutive rounds of golf. An early morning flight from Melbourne to Launceston and hours drive got us to Barnbougle Dunes for lunchtime tee off.

Jamie, Simon and Michael at Barnbougle

Barnbougle Dunes starts with a loosener but the layout quickly builds the momentum, the heart rate and the ‘wow’ factor. Carved between coastal dunes, the hype is quickly realised. We decided to play a ‘Bledisloe Cup’ match, Aussies Mike and Simon v the travelling kiwis Jamie and Michael in a two round fourball. The course can be brutal on inaccuracy, with my driver misfiring, a poor shot off the tee is almost always lost into the impenetrable coastal rough.

Barnbougle Dunes 5th Hole

The Kiwi lads finished the first round stronger taking the win, a few rounds of Boags was the perfect end to the round as we reviewed each superb hole in the clubhouse. Stayed overnight at the new accommodation at Lost Farm, excellently appointed rooms and a restaurant and bar with magnificent views over the 14th and 18th green of the Lost Farm layout.

Lost Farm 8th Green

Overnight rain had cleared as we teed off at Lost Farm Golf Course, another very easy opening hole but again the layout quickly builds to awesome. My game was strong early, but fell away luckily as partner Simon was starting to nail his drives, Jamie and Mike had some competition on their hands. The banter remained friendly, with an occasional sledge to keep opponents honest.

Playing the 14th hole at Lost Farm

Lost Farm has so many holes that are simply sensational, standing on the tee lost for words is rare, at Lost Farm its happens regularly. Again, anything loose of the tee is punished, many hole layouts present multiple options featuring split fairways, layups and strategic bunkering.

The Aussies maintained the pressure and won the second round of the Bledisloe Challenge to tie the series. Returned to Barnbougle for lunch, Boags and to discuss how to settle the tie. Heavy rain looked to have left the tie as a draw, however as the rain cleared we headed back out to decide the series as a two-team ambrose over the front nine at Barnbougle Dunes. Finally my driver woke up, Simon and I held on as Jamie and Mike setup some strong team birdies, however the Aussies played some great golf over the closing holes and took out the Bledisloe thanks to Simon’s birdie on the 9th.

A fantastic two days of golf on two brilliant world-class courses. Stay tuned for more detailed course reviews. Jamie and Michael raved about both layouts, having played 60 of the worlds greatest courses and 320 rounds this year around the world, the praise is very good indeed! Check out their blog for the latest on their amazing journey

Sam and I headed to the Growling Frog on Saturday afternoon for a lazy nine holes. The course is in excellent condition at the moment thanks to recent rains and warmer weather. However the downside has been the rapid growth of the second cut of rough, currently waist deep in places. Anything errant off the fairway is virtually gone. It reminds me of the first time I played the Frog, the deep rough was severe and toughens up the course considerably.

My game struggled, and whilst not disasterous, one poor shot per hole was enough, luckily the short game was OK! Sam had his hybrid going well, and hit a couple of nice chips. For the young golfer, distance control on chips and putts is difficult, working out how hard to hit the ball to get it close takes practice, and Im still learning!

Victoria Golf Club hosted the 2010 Australian Masters last weekend, the second Masters since the fantastic decision to leave Huntingdale and rotate through the best courses on the Sandbelt. Victoria also welcomed back Tiger Woods, 12 months after his victory at Kingston Heath. To say that a lot had happened since that victory is an understatement. Tigers world is a different place now, following a smashed up car and subsequent news of affairs, the divorce and the impact on his golf that removed him from world’s #1 later in 2010.

Tiger however was still the drawcard at Victoria Golf Club, with a good supporting cast including Villegas, Garcia, Ogilvy, Appleby and top Australians, a pity Adam Scott was in Singapore.

I worked in the “Golf in Victoria” stand again this year, last year at Kingston Heath had been busy in the midst of Tiger-mania. This year was more subdued, but the crowds still wanted to see Tiger. Saturday at Victoria was forecast to be a shocker, and it didnt disappoint, grey skies opened and the rain fell, and fell and fell. Drenching Victoria golf club and all those within it!

Did manage to watch Tiger play a few holes, here he is playing a fantastic approach shot to the par 4 3rd hole, he missed the putt which was the story of his tournament.

As the rain continued a small lake appeared in front of our stand, three ducks decided that this was the place to be, and took up residence. The “great weather for ducks” joke stopped being funny after the 50th time. However, the day was proof that golfers are either tough or silly, as given the weather, there was still a lot of spectators, many very wet!

Alas, it wasnt me who pulled on the Gold Jacket at the end of the round, though it did fit rather well. A final round stoush between Aussies Daniel Gaunt, Adam Bland and Stuart Appleby, plus a backnine of 30 to Tiger, provided a close finish, and Stuart Appleby emerged as the 2010 Masters champion with an almost faultless final round.

Struggling for Christmas gift ideas for the frustrated golfer? How about the Big Daddy Driver!

I could have used this club a number of times during my last round! Pretty funny, apart from the whole pile of Rules of the game getting broken here!

Pick up any golf related publication and there is likely to be a competition to win a golfing holiday, mostly to an iconic golf destination such as Mornington Peninsula or the Gold Coast, if your lucky it will be further afield to New Zealand, Asia or even Europe. However Coopers (the brewers) are currently running a competition to win a golfing holiday in the Himalayas, staying at the Shangri-La Village Resort in Pokhara, Nepal and playing a local course, most likely the Himalayan Golf Course, located in a canyon near Pokhara. I wonder if they have Sherpa’s for caddies!

Picture courtesy of Twisted Sifter

Finally the Australian Masters is underway, after a much less hyped lead-up to the event. Practice days and pro-am crowds were back to normal numbers, lets just play golf! Early starters are already out on the course, with benign conditions providing brilliant scoring conditions, couple of players are already picking off a few birdies, the hunted Tiger is still the hunted and has made a cautious start.

Victoria Golf Club is an excellent layout, Ive been lucky enough to play a few rounds there. The undulating fairways and greens, cavernous bunkers and thick rough is classic sandbelt. Tiger has commented that the Par 3′s are sublime, the short Par 3′s are well gaurded by bunkers and many pin placements make it almost impossible to fire at the hole, even with a lofted club. Probably the downfall is the short Par 5′s, however this makes for exciting golf by tempting the players into attacking the greens for eagle.

The forecast is not pretty, by the weekend storms and torrential rain is expected. So the tournament is going to favour wet weather stayers, can Tiger keep his head above water?