[Scott Coan]

http://www.golfobserver.com/features/Clayton/clayton_kidnappers.html

[Jeff_Mingay]

Very good profiles of Barnbougle and Kidnappers. In fact, I enjoyed both pieces so much they're linked at my web site!  

Mike Clayton is an excellent writer; and one of the most important writers in golf today. He addresses issues of real importance and highlights the best in contemporary golf architecture.

Hopefully his own design firm will receive some exciting commissions in the near future, following the remarkable debut of Barnbougle Dunes and the forthcoming unveiling of St. Andrews Beach to a wider audience.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

thanks Scott, There is alot left in the world for this man to see and play.

[Scott_Burroughs]

For the lazy, a shortcut to the pics:

Cape Kidnapper's:

Back nine:


#7 414 yards


#9 364 yards


#10 430 yards


#12 par 4


#15 and 16 at left


#17 423 yards



Barnbougle Dunes, some stunning coloring in these pics:

#5 200 meters:


#6 381 meters:


#12 275 yards par 4:


#17 440 yards:


#15 The real stunner of a pic, worthy of framing, or even better, Michael Miller:

[Tom_Doak]

Very nice reviews by Mike, although he could be fairly accused of bias on the topic of Barnbougle.

I did notice that one of the pictures is wrong:  the second photo of Cape Kidnappers is the par-5 16th hole, not the par-4 seventh.  Golf Observer had it wrongly labeled, Scott just copied their caption.

[Mike_Clayton]

I'm happy to accecpt the bias bit - I tried to make the piece  more a story of how it happened and the importance of remote golf to the future of design,than a true review of the course itself.

Tom

I was down there last weekend - the amazing thing is the clubhouse restaurant is full every night of the week - the locals have quickly figured out it is the best in town by a long way.
The course is doing better than anybody expected as well although it's early days. Some hate it - too windy,too many lost balls - but most seem to really appreciate the golf and how different it is from anything most down here have ever seen or played

[Tom_Doak]

Mike:

What did Norman think?  [You can send this in private if you'd rather, but I'm sure the folks here would love to know.]

[Mike_Clayton]

Tom
I'm pretty sure he only played the front nine - Richard told me he said he liked it a lot.
It's a pity he didn't play the back nine because they are so different in terms of look.It seemed a long way to go to only play nine but I suspect he would really like to do the next course.

[Brian Phillips]

Mike, Tom and Greg,

Jealously is something that pops into my mind when I look at the barnbougles website...I can see why some are and I am close to it as well....

I will settle for being envious and congratulate you guys again.  It just looks awesome.  I look forward to one day having a beer on the patio on what looks like a superb clubhouse.

You guys deserve all the praise you get and it seems a long time since we chatted about the project all those years ago at Sand Hills when things were not looking great for the project.

Looks like you have put on a bit of weight clayt...not playing enough?  You look thinner in this photo from Sand Hills...

I just love the way you are looking at Graeme...sort of get on with it mate...

[PThomas]

both look incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Philippe Binette]

Mike: about the restaurant... how can the clubhouse restaurant be better than Bridport's Top Pub on wednesdays..

The pics are amazing, the one that surprised me the most was the 12th at Barnbougle, grass really gives contour definition, it looked a lot flatter on sand

[Mike_Clayton]

Philippe

The top pub on Wednesdays - how could I forget!
What did Dave Wilbur call it??

The 12th is really fun - especially on the rare days when it's calm or a little downwind and you get to take a fly at the green across all the sand.
You can replicate the challenge into the wind by going to the forward tee -  to the right of the back tee which makes the shot across more of the sand and the face of the dune.

You have to get down to play it soon.

[Tim_Weiman]

Mike Clayton:

Very happy to hear things are going well in Barnbougle's clubhouse/restaurant......I had a feeling that would happen.

Can't say I'd rather be there than Ballybunion, but the truth is I miss Barnbougle and look forward to having more than a few beers there..........and of course , the golf!

[Dave_Wilber]

What did I call the Top Pub? I can't remember. Something like 'The Alien Bar in the first StarWars movie". I think.

Those really are some great pics and a very nice write by Sir Clayton.

[Philip Gawith]

Wow! Those pictures take the breath away. One question to antipodean friends: Is December/January a good time to visit Australia/New Zealand for golf?

Some people say it is very hot/too hot in Melbourne at that time. And every time I watch a rugby match in New Zealand the rain is horizontal! I no there are no guarantees in these matters, but the thought of going halfway round the world ot play Cape Kidnappers and have it chuck down for two days is too depressing!

The appeal of the year-end is that it will allow me to watch the South African cricket team take the great form they are showing in the West Indies down under to confront the faltering Aussies.

[Mike_Clayton]

Philip
December/Jan. is a great time to visit Australia for golf.
Melbourne can be hot but you tee off at five in the afternoon or early in the morning.
We were at Kidnappers in mid-December and the weather was perfect.
March/April is better in Melbourne and Tasmania but you will miss Boxing Day at the MCG - and the Aussies chopping the South Africans.

[Philip Gawith]

Mike - yes, I had Boxing Day at the MCG in my thinking. If I do go down at that time, I think I will have to turn up to observe the ritual, though it will be more out of naked patriotism than any sense of expectation!

I think it will be a wise strategy for a Saffer to focus his emotional energies on the golf rather than the cricket.

[James Edwards]

I've just waited about 20 minutes for all these photographs to download due to the fact we work out in the sticks in England and because of the last caption Mr Burroughs posted, which was teasing the hell out of us here!

With all that said...  what a great couple of golf courses they are!  The trip I am planning to Oz next year to take in the usual suspects will definately now incorporate NZ.

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