Here are some pictures of this much discussed, great course. I have labelled holes from a hazy memory - if I am erred please correct me!
I was a bit unlucky in my timing as the course was in a pretty dreadful state following the problems on the greens (In passing - maybe one day my collection of "temporary" score cards from both courses at Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath in December 2005 will be of huge value!) The 5th was out of play and there were about four other temporary greens. That said, it was still a fantastic experience to see the course, and the club itself was extremely welcoming.
What is most difficult to convey in pictures is the sweeping feeling of the course - the product of a clever routing over rolling terrain. ( partly conveyed by the backward looking photos on 4? and 12). That is the strongest visual impression I carried away.
Similar to Kingston Heath, I was struck - but not disappointed
- at the course's relative lack of length, at least from the tees I played. Also, quite a few blind shots. The course has quite a distinctive look - more tea trees and fewer eucalyptus than some of the other Melbourne courses.
In truth when you have heard so much about a course before you play it, it is quite difficult to stand back from the whole experience. Suffice to say that even though I did not see the course at its best, I can't wait to play it again.
Looking back at clubhouse from first. Tee box is back left, the green in view is the 18th on the East.
2nd or 3rd green
Looking back at 4th fairway
5th hole
Tee shot on 6
6 from the bend in dogleg
6th approach
Drive on 8 to green in back right. Green to the left is the first on the East course.
The drive on 9
9 from behind the green
Looking back at 10 from the big bunker
Looking back at 12 fairway
Short 13th
??
The "short" 16th
17
Drive on 18
18th green
