Foreword
The reference to Tasmania and “Van Diemen’s Land” above relates to my 16-year quest to get to the Doak and Clayton masterpiece that is Barnbougle Dunes. Ever since I saw the launch pictures, sitting in my office in Holywood, County Down in 2004, I was smitten and resolved to one day get to the “back of beyond” to see how the course measured up with the best that Britain and Ireland have to offer.
Over the coming posts I will share with you an adventure in ‘mateship’ that leads to C19 lockdown and the start of an unexpected adventure that continues to this day, my thanks to AT and the boys from RA for the exceptional welcome and their continued friendship from afar (I will be back boys, have to sort a few games in RM & PK so I can really fall in love with the sandbelt….I’m only smitten now, however, it did change my outlook on golf forever).
Sunrise @ Lost Farm, Barnbougle, Bridport, Tasmania
I can confirm that I was not in the slight bit disappointed with the links playground that Richard Sattler and his dedicated design/build team have created. Truly an Open rota course if transplanted to the coastal UK!
A pure golfing destination replete with “Roscoe,” the one of a kind “Golfologist” (just remember...he tells the jokes, and he may also offend...I’m pretty sure it’s for comic effect) and indeed at least one Platypus that we encountered in the middle of the private road linking the Dunes clubhouse with the Lost Farm accommodation...but more of Tassie anon!
Introduction
A Whatsapp message with these now-famous last words — “Can you get to Melbourne for the 12th?” — was all it took to kick-start one of the most epic 20 day golfing adventures yet experienced by this sometimes intrepid “golf tragic” correspondent. In my haste to book things, I didn’t get to King Island this time...however I will include some information on this beauty in a later post, as much as a reminder to myself of what I missed out on, as well as an introduction to those who have yet to see some truly remarkable golfing terrain.
Our band of merry golf tragics at National Golf Club (Moonah Links) kicking off the Melbourne adventure
Looking back on my antipodean experience from the remove of a very wild and windy Irish wintertime (originally written March 2020 for clarity), I have been reflecting on how to best mark my Australian golfing adventure. Writing a few simple reviews did not seem to do the experience justice...I suppose I was looking for something more meaningful than just a number of sterile course reviews. In an effort to keep the main article body live on the site, I have included a number of what I hope are “non-sterile” reviews paying homage to, possibly, my all-time favourite golfing destination.
Golfing Precursors
It’s always a treat to be in famous company (one of my companions on this trip thinks he’s famous in a big fish/small pond sort of way, that’s you AT) and the balance of the famousness was hoovered up by Michael Vaughan (ex-England cricket captain), Noel Ratcliffe (former Aussie PGA pro), Peter Lonard and Travis Head (current-Australian cricketer). I only actually met Travis and Noel but the others were on the New South Wales Golf Club property at the same time as I was, so I’m going to use poetic license.
This would be a whistle-stop 20-day golf-driven tour through South Australia, the Victoria Sandbelt, Tasmania, Greater Sydney and then back to the jewel that is Adelaide. People called it “a trip of a lifetime.” I intend to make a few more of these so “just a golf holiday” will suffice, but one replete with new lifelong friendships made through shared experiences on the rolling fairways of far away.
‘It’s about the places you visit and the people you meet’
The National Golf Club (Moonah)
“You can’t beat a golf trip.” Sage words from serial tripper @peterorminator
Having landed in Melbourne, the hire van was quickly under our backsides and Longey was piloting us South, skirting the Melbourne Central Business District, bound for Frankston and beyond to one of the best-named golfing locations there is, Cape Schanck, where 54 of The National Golf Clubs’ holes are located. Our mission for the day was the majestic Moonah Links designed by Greg Norman and his former design partner Bob Harrison.
The view from the driveway is striking as the scale of the property unfurls into the distance beyond. The imposingly stark and beautiful clubhouse looms large as you make your approach. The building presents an optical illusion of sorts...huge from outside but cosy and personal inside.
Abandoned windmill @ The National - photo credit Wallace Long
After a quick gourmet sandwich, we were sufficiently fed and watered to commence battle. For Moonah National, think Tralee without the sea views but on a grander and more undulating, resort-like scale. This course was as near as I had yet gotten to a proper Great Britain & Ireland links course in Australia. Overseeded fescue fairways predominate, so I felt right at home until the aforementioned jet lag and some hydration issues conspired together...leading to a collapse somewhat akin to a toppling block of Turkish flats.
Approach shot @ 18th hole @ Moonah National, VIC
The course is a delight, a rollercoaster ride that wends its way throughout the property. Special mention must go to the par threes and the green that is shared by the 6th and 14th. Some people say that Greg and Bob didn’t do great redesign work (talk to the members at NSWGC about that), but Moonah National is an original creation representing all that is good in modern golf architecture. As long as you follow the excellent course guide notes, it is possible to shoot some half-decent numbers. When you get your hydration wrong...strange stuff happens! Moonah and Gunnamatta are not to be missed. However, I hear that unless you like target golf, you might be better off giving the Old course a wide berth.
Tune in later for further despatches, thanks for reading!
Loved this read Shane! Looking forward to the next one