All quiet on the Sandbelt?

[Shane Gurnett]

Its the middle of winter here in Melbourne, and the recent weather has been less than accomodating from a golfing perspective. Wind sqalls and thunderstorms have made play very trying of late.

I'm interested in whats happening at the various Sandbelt clubs, and more importantly what works (or tinkering) have been done to these precious gems over the last 4-5 months. We all know that Victoria has seen a lot of work under Mike Claytons guidance over the last year or so, but has there been any tinkering anywhere else?

I am pleased to report that Commonwealth is in the midst of a major tree/shrub clearing program, which has been long overdue and much appreciated by most of the members. This has also had the effect of accelerating the turf conditions to a very acceptable level. Fairway widths are also progresively widening again to the delight of many of us.  Theres still a lot of work to be done, but the signs are promising based on what we have seen since the start of the year.

Has anyone seen the new holes at Kingswood? How does Cashmores work stack up with the rest of the course? Is the work at Huntingdale finally completed, and how does it look?

[Chris Kane]

Shane,

What we're seeing at Commonwealth is stage three of the Clearing and Reduction program - the first two stages in terms of result were fairly meaningless, but what's happening now is for the best.

In the not too distant future we'll see the effects of Martin Hawtree's report at Royal Melbourne.  Mainly tree clearing to improve vistas, apparantly.  Some of the holes on the far paddock of the East could do with some clearing.

I've decided that I'm not in favour of a chainsaw at Commonwealth - a good bushfire would be so much cheaper, and do a better job.  Just need to be careful that it doesn't destroy the properties on Elora Rd though.

[NicP]

Not to much to report Shane but I have heard whisperings that all is not going to plan and budget at Kingswood.

[Justin_Ryan]

You can add Spring Valley to the list as well.  Has anyone had a chance to have a look at the changes made there?

[Mike Clayton]

Peninsula are planning on doing the first four holes which will finish that course off -except for the 17th green.
Fairway bunkers at 1,3 and 4 and a new tee back and left there.
After the Vic Am in December they will rebuild all 4 greens -moving the 1st and 2nd greens back a little.
Once the clubhouse is finished at Spring Valley the 11th tee will go back onto the old 10th green which will really improve that hole.
The new 18th tee makes that a terrific hole -probably 410 yards now and I think the new 10th is at least as good as the old one which was moved because of the new driveway.
Then again I would would'nt I .
Hopefully after the Open Victoria get to replicate the old 1st at Commonwealth at their 1st.
I guess if Comm. are not going to someone should.

[Chris Kane]

Mike,
Have Peninsula established a time-frame for improvements to the South course, or are they going to wait and see how the the work on the North is recieved?

I'd imagine that the South course reputation as the better of the two courses must be in serious jeopardy right now.

[Mike Clayton]

Chris
There is no time frame for the work on the South course but it will be sooner rather than later.
The North was always on better land but both sites are better than the rest of the sandbelt except RM.
When all the work is done both hopefully will be much better but they will always be different because the South will always be bigger and longer.
Right now maybe the North has the edge which certainly has never been the case.With the first four done it will defenitly have the edge.
The long term goal is to get the Open there -probably on a composite course .It would be a great site because it has all the space and a huge practice range.

[NicP]

Mike,

        Interesting news from PCC, can't wait to get down there and have a look at the work. I must admit for all the times I have played there, Pennant Vic Am's etc I have never set foot on the North as I was lead to believe it was far inferior to the big bad South! I think I nead to get on the Nepean Hwy asap! The Open??

THe 1st at Vic, one of our favourite topics. Has the board approved a re - design of the 1st?? Please tell me yes!

[Mike Clayton]

Nic
The front right bunker is going for the Open to 'help speed up play'
Hopefully the end of 2003 for the 1st.
Perhaps the Nth would be a good place for the get together
I have a meeting there tomorrow so I will ask if its available.

[Chris Kane]

Nic,

I'd love the chance to play the old first at Commonwealth, even at a different venue!

[Chris Kane]

Mike,

Can you see the pace of play issue at the Open being improved by playing 1 as a par 4?  I can't recall there being a big problem at the 99 PGA - in fact, it was really exciting.  There were people who sat behind the tee for hours with binoculars watching the pros firing at that green with 2 irons.  I was one of those people.    

Are you going to play the Open yourself?

[NicP]

Mike,

       If the front right trap is going what is it to become? A swale?? I thought it couldn't get worse but I was wrong. Oh well if the AGU want to play a 68 hole Open and a 4 hole circus, let them. Bring on the end of 2003.

The North at PCC would be fantastic if that could be organised.

Chris,

       I totally agree with the first tragedy as I am sure you know but the 2nd... more like a triumph! I will shout you a round at Vic when it's opened!!!

[Mike Clayton]

Nic
It will just be a slope comimg off the front of the green -not as severe as 5W but similar.
The slow play thing is kind of strange because there was only ever one problem - at the 1981 Open- but the AGU remember it well and dont want a recurrance.
In all the tournaments since the green was changed after that Open there has never been a problem
My attitude is 'its only for a week -dont worry about it.'

[Shane Gurnett]

Regarding the first at Commonwealth, it is most unlikely that the original hole could ever be rebuilt now that the second tee has been extended back where the 1st green once was. How then could the current hole be modified to better fit the rest of the (intact) course?

The current first has shallow bunkers everywhere, a boring green and departs from the traditional Commonwealth philosophy of single strategic bunkers at dogleg corners and greens. Surprisingly many members think the new hole "looks wonderful" which I suppose it does over a post round drink from the balcony. But to many of us it is completely devoid of the strategy that makes the remainder of the course so enjoyable. Where is the "tease factor" that makes holes like 4, 11 and 17 so great?

What can be done to make this new hole a better fit with the rest of Commonwealth?

[Chris Kane]

.

[Andrew Presnell]

Is talk of reinstating the old 1st and 7th at Comm perhaps dismissed on the basis that restoration as a concept is relatively new/unknown in Australia?

Seems to me from reading the posts here that the practice is far more common in the US.

Do we need one to get up in Aust (preferably on a sandbelt course) before the practice gains some acceptance and becomes (hopefully) the "flavour of the month" for some Aust committees?

Maybe Mr Doak could try to publicly push the case on one of his future trips out here?    

[Shane Gurnett]

Andrew, I agree. The first hole re-instatement will be the toughest to get through. Maybe it would be better if Vic could lead the way with their first green.

As for 1 at Commonwealth, Chris makes some valid points. The green currently points away from the corner of the dogleg, not towards it (and the bunkers that guard the corner), so the tee shot has little or no risk/reward relevance. The old green was smaller, and had three subtle tiers, and punsihed an approach from anywhere but the perfect drive. If the green was sloped more from front to back (or left to right), it would be a far more interesteing approach shot. All the bunkers on the outside of the dogleg should also be filled. And the crap growing on the right of the tee should also be cut back completely. Give the tee shot some width, but make the placement of the ball important in relation to the approach shot. Thats what it lacks at the moment.

[Chris Kane]

Andrew,

What you've said is entirely true: there needs to be a high-profile "pure restoration" before other clubs will follow suit.  Maybe some clubs are ignorant or scared of the restoration concept, because they don't have any examples of a course returning to glory after a job is finished.

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