Ross Watson research the format of the Caloundra golf course – his first and final design challenge.
IT WAS simply probability that Ross Watson, who has designed extra Australian golf programs than maybe some other golf architect, selected to retire to Caloundra, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
By coincidence, it was at Caloundra that Watson started his illustrious profession greater than 4 many years in the past – redesigning the city’s 18-hole course, refurbishing the tees and bunkers, and renovating all 18 greens.
And, by a stroke of exceptional fortune and a wholesome dose of what he describes as ‘serendipity,’ it will likely be at that very same course that Watson brings down the curtain on a physique of labor that has made him a legend.
“We’d been taking a look at going again to the Gold Coast, the place we had lived for 43 years, however couldn’t discover something we preferred,” Watson stated. “I then thought I’d examine the Sunshine Coast, discovered one thing that suited us completely, and right here we’re.”
Watson and his spouse Carol, who had been dwelling within the Brisbane suburb of Manly, selected to settle at Caloundra Cay, a Palm Lakes Over 50s resort.
It was there he bumped into former Caloundra Golf Membership president Jim Burns, who prompt he would possibly assist out with a significant refurbishment of the identical course he designed all these years in the past.
Ross Watson and his spouse Carol drink to a exceptional profession that refuses to finish.
“The greens want a complete refurbishment, which is able to embody having all Bermuda 328 grass changed with Tif eagle,” he stated.
The duty additionally contains putting in new drainage programs and changing the par-five fourth gap with two new holes – a par-four and a par-three.
“I’ve arrived right here proper on the excellent time,” Watson stated. “And I’m actually excited concerning the problem.”
Again in 1980, Watson had reduce his tooth in golf course design with Gold Coast consulting engineers Geoff Burchill and Companions, engaged on the event of Windaroo Golf Membership close to Beenleigh.
When that challenge ended, Watson wrote to each golf membership within the nation, providing his providers. Caloundra was the primary to reply, launching a brand new profession for the previous highway design draftsman.
Watson modified the format of the outdated Caloundra course, refurbished tees and bunkers, and renovated all 18 greens. By the point work was full, Ross Watson Golf Course Design Providers was prepared for brand spanking new challenges.
Since then, he has been accountable for numerous tasks in Australia and all through Asia.
He’s positioned his imprimatur on Royal Sydney, Avondale, Horizons, Magenta Shores, Kooindah Waters and Terrey Hills (all NSW), The Vines (Perth), and Queensland programs Paradise Palms, Pacific Harbour, Robina Woods, The Palms (Sanctuary Cove), Brisbane Golf Membership, Palm Meadows, Indooroopilly, Cairns and Townsville.
Watson has designed 19 programs in Malaysia, six in Japan, and one every in South Korea and Guam. Alongside the way in which he’s labored with the likes of Graham Marsh, Norman Von Nida, Bob Shearer and Craig Parry.
The Caloundra Golf Membership on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is ready to endure a refurbishment below the steerage of Ross Watson.
Now 80, Watson was the founding president of the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects, and is a life member of that organisation.
He was additionally an impressive younger golfer, who as soon as toyed with the concept of turning into a trainee skilled at Sydney’s Windsor Golf Membership.
His function at Caloundra contains an honorary membership and, although a dodgy again has stored him off the golf course in recent times, he’s fascinated about a comeback.
He nonetheless owns a handicap of 11.2 – nicely shy of his finest mark of two – has began to take a number of apply swings and is trying ahead to an occasional social sport along with his new mates.
