I had the good fortune to visit Australia/New Zealand over Christmas/New Year and play some wonderful courses. They included:
Royal Melbourne - East/West
Kingston Heath
Victoria
Commonwealth
Peninsula North
St Andrew's Beach
Moonah Links - Legends course
Barnbougle Dunes
New South Wales
Newcastle
Wairakei
Cape Kidnappers
Paraparaumu
I took about 600 pictures and thought I would try and find a sensible way to share some of them. My plan in this post is to post about 20 of the pictures I liked most on the older, classic courses.
Then (maybe) in a separate post to put down my favourites from the three Doak courses I played.
And finally - assuming there is still some interest - to post a few more on each of the individual courses. Although many of these courses are frequently referenced, I have not seen that many pictures posted.
I am not sure I have enough words to go with the pictures, but hopefully some people will enjoy seeing the pictures anyway - whether to reaffirm what they anway know or, for others, to act as a stimulus.
All I would say by way of overview is that the golf absolutely lived up to expectations, and expctations were high. The overwhelming feature of the Sandbelt courses, especially Kingston Heath and Royal Melbourne, was the bunkering. It is difficult to do justice to the scale, beauty and impact of the bunkers on these courses.
To the pictures - I am a bit vague on one or two of the holes. Maybe the boys down under can help fill in the gaps!
First two pictures are Victoria - the first is a par three on the first nine I think, maybe the fourth; the second is 11th, maybe the best hole on the course?
The sixth a Peninsula North - my favourite hole; up hill dog-leg to the left to a skyline green.
A few from Royal Melbourne - 5,6, 16 (?) and 17 on the West course, and 2 on the East course. The 5th green had just been replaced following the problems.
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Five from Kingston Heath - not sure of the first, second is the famous third - excellent short two-shotter, next is 6 or 7? - back to clubhouse. Last two are 15 and 14, in that order
Two from Commonwealth - the second is the "signature" 16th, not sure about the first. Chris?!
Finally, four from New South Wales - probably more scenic than Pebble Beach (hiss)? In order - looking back up the famous 5th from behind the green; the 6th from behind the green; the 15th (I think) and the 14th.