A spot the place they’ve ventured earlier than, loved the expertise, and may’t wait to return to play golf in that city or area once more. The appeal may need been across the welcoming nature of the membership, native pub, or the number of different points of interest. It may have merely been the problem and presentation of the course or programs. The place is that location that has our esteemed panel able to assemble a bunch of mates, maybe seize the associate or household, to move away to get pleasure from a recreation or two at their supreme {golfing} house away from house?
BUNKER-TO-BUNKER…
By Peter Owen
LIKE most good issues in life, an excellent golf getaway relies upon extra on the mates you’re with than the standard of the programs you’re taking part in. Not that there was something mistaken with the programs we performed when a bunch of us visited the Murray River a couple of years in the past for per week of golf.
We had been taking part in in an occasion referred to as the Murray River Problem, or one thing like that – visiting programs like Cobram Barooga, Tocumwal and Yarrawonga/Mulwala, and tallying our scores. One in all our mates had a vacation home at Mulwala and we bunked there for the week.
I can’t recall all the small print as a result of the hospitality of the varied golf equipment was so good, and there have been so many pubs and golf equipment to go to that the week merged right into a imprecise, however very nice, blur. Such is commonly the measure of an excellent {golfing} vacation.
Later, one other group of us visited Kooralbyn, close to Beaudesert in Queensland, for a weekend of golf. We stayed on the resort, ate and drank on the little pub subsequent door, and twice performed a course that continues to be one of the crucial difficult and spectacular within the nation.
Maybe the spotlight of the journey, although, got here on the primary night time when 4 or 5 of us had been taking part in playing cards at a correct card desk within the lobby, and ordering rounds of drinks from an accommodating receptionist.
About 10pm she got here from behind the counter, advised us her shift was over and she or he was going house, then requested us to lock the door after we had been completed and to document the variety of beers we drank and settle the account within the morning.
Now, that’s what I name service – and why I’ll be going again there once more and recommending you do, too.
By Michael Courtroom
IT occurred as lately as final night time.
Moist climate and course closures had me dreaming the place I may head subsequent for a calming and enjoyable recreation of golf.
So, I discovered myself googling lodging round Port Stephens – and extra particularly, Nelson Bay … once more.
There are two nice golf programs on provide right here – there’s the 27-hole masterpiece only a stone’s throw from the Nelson Bay city centre and in addition a powerful resort course, Horizons, simply up the highway at Salamander Bay.
As if that’s not sufficient for you, you’ll be able to seize your golf equipment, leap on a ferry and cross a bay that’s greater than Sydney Harbour and have a recreation at Hawks Nest as effectively. That membership will even ship a bus to select you as much as go and play and drop you again on the ferry afterwards.
There are few nation programs that may match Nelson Bay although as a result of there may be lodging subsequent door and you’ll stroll into city for restaurant or pub meals and never have to make use of your automotive in any respect.
However you’ll want to, as a result of just some clicks away is the Shoal Bay Nation Membership, which is a MUST go to and in the event you’re eager for a swim then Zenith Seashore, simply previous Shoal Bay, presents nice surf and a beautiful sandy seashore.
A bush stroll to the highest of Mount Tomaree can be on the ‘to do’ record, Take your digital camera/cellphone as a result of it presents gorgeous views throughout Port Stephens and past. Yep, you’ll in all probability spot a whale or two!
Again to the golf course and there are few programs within the state, make that the world, that may boast as many kangaroos on the right track as Nelson Bay Golf Membership.
And even in the event you land in the course of considered one of their competitions, there may be an ‘additional’ 9 holes the place they’ll ship you off, so you might be assured a success.
You need to keep on and seize a meal there too, because the eating room is pretty much as good as anyplace in Port Stephens; the wines are good – and never too costly, and the seafood can be the match of anyplace.
Not distant and there’s Horizons Resort, which has hosted some main skilled occasions and continues to be among the best nation programs in Australia . . . and a recreation there gained’t break the financial institution both.
And due to that Google search, I used to be shocked by how a lot moderately priced lodging there was within the space.
Maintain on Nelson Bay . . . I’m on my approach!
By Michael Davis
Rosebud Nation Membership, the 36-hole parklands format on the Mornington Pensinsula, has at all times been superb.
However now I reckon it’s genuinely within the prime few to go to often together with your mates proper within the coronary heart Victoria’s fabled playground
Nevertheless it’s not simply the golf course. The place has vibe from the second you drive in there; the meals’s good and fairly priced; and large noters look like few and much between. (It could be ridiculous to count on any golf membership to be fully freed from them.)
Ian Todd, from elite sandbelt membership, Victoria has actually his stamp on the golf course over the previous couple of years.
It’s now genuinely not drawing too lengthy a bow to say that the again 9 of the North Course at Rosebud Nation Membership (RCC) has shades of Augusta Nationwide about it, though many imagine this was at all times the case.
And in the event you suppose we’re gilding the lily right here, take the hour of so drive from Melbourne to expertise RCC firsthand.
It is likely one of the greatest nines on the Mornington Peninsula as a result of it simply highlights the attractive undulations of the property.
The membership is thrilled with the work of Todd and his assistant, Damien Windsor.
RCC misplaced its approach a little bit throughout its 60-year journey when so many new programs had been constructed on the Mornington Peninsula within the 1970’s and 80’s.
However inexperienced payment gamers typically comment how effectively they’re handled after they play RCC – particularly within the clubhouse. That’s why I preserve going again and can proceed to take action.
By Sam Arthur
FOR many many years, the magnificent layouts stretching from Far North Queensland to Western Australia and past have stirred the creativeness of {the golfing} traveller.
There are such a lot of dazzling golf gems to select from a plethora of {golfing} areas.
We, at Inside Golf, discover and audition as many as 16 {golfing} areas in our golf and journey pages annually in order that readers get a style of the golf pleasures that await.
On this difficulty, we characteristic the NSW Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Port Stephens and Forster Tuncurry.
Up to now 25 years, I’ve visited and skilled a whole bunch of programs. One golf area that at all times provides me goose bumps is the Mornington Peninsula – an hour from Melbourne’s CBD. The programs are sensational and at all times in nice situation. What’s to not like with the ocean on either side, panoramic views, links-style layouts, parkland settings, award-winning wineries, weekend tee instances, loads of lodging choices on- and off-course, nice pubs and eating places.
For me, must-play programs embody St Andrews Seashore, Moonah Hyperlinks, The Dunes, Portsea, Eagle Ridge, Rosebud, Bay Views, Cape Schanck, Satan Bend, Flinders and Sorrento … the record goes on.
And in the event you get the chance, play the three wonderful programs at The Nationwide. You gained’t be dissatisfied.
I may advocate going West as a result of the programs in Western Australia are superior.
From Perth, head straight to Joondalup Golf Resort for 27 holes of world-class golf. Then level your self within the course of The Vines Golf Resort and go to the close by wineries. Don’t neglect Wembley Park, arguably the most effective 36-hole public golf facility in Australia. Then there’s Lake Karrinyup (a must-play format). Different highly-rated layouts are Mount Lawley, Cottesloe and Kalgoorlie Golf Course, which is in my top-5 in Australia regardless of being a little bit off-the-beaten-track.
If you are within the West, head south to Mandurah and play the Robert Trent Jones-designed Meadow Springs, Secret Harbour, Hyperlinks Kennedy Bay, The Lower, Mandurah, Bunbury, Capel and Busselton.
And don’t neglect the Margaret River for golf, surf, seafood … and extra wine, after all.
Additionally, add to your bucket record areas just like the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Murray River, NSW South Coast, Cairns, Port Douglas, Hamilton Island, NSW Mid to Far North Coast, Coffs Harbour (Bonville), NSW Central West, Tasmania, King Island, Toowoomba, NSW Central Coast, Nice Ocean Highway (Port Fairy is a should), Bellarine Peninsula and Adelaide.
So, choose a area, go stay-and-play as a result of you’ll gather great recollections that may linger for a lifetime.
What do you suppose? E mail feedback to rob@insidegolf.com.au
