GCA Boomerang 2011 - thoughts, memories, pictures etc.

[Scott Warren]

I am sure that will come, Jim. Many of the guys are still on the road or in transit headed back home.

[David_Elvins]

These are for David Elvins, who handled a most unfortunate rub of the green at a very crucial point in a match with the utmost decorum and good nature:

Our match was a definite highlight for me, Sven.  From the start where I managed to be 1 down after 4 holes despite being 2 under to the finish where, after being 1 up going down 18 and you taking 3 shots to get to my drive, I managed to lose the hole (that lie in the greenside bunker sure didn't help!). It was great fun.

Of course the biggest highlight was catching up with and meeting a great bunch of blokes and playing some great golf courses.  It doesn't get much better than that.  

[Kyle Henderson]

Two plus weeks of sleep deprivation, beer and red meat have de-barreled the guns... But playing with you (and the others) was well worth the sacrifice, BM.

Clearly the photo below displays the raw power of my take away...



*Does Kyle have the largest guns on GCA? ...a classic and a pleasure to play with, a excellent pre event warm up for 36 holes at 13th Beach.



can you beleive your eyes - the Gun Show's power captured mid pitch of his little wedge into LF 4 - the swing flex I beleive is an optical illusion.

[Kyle Henderson]

We never managed to get a photo of the entire group, but many of the key players are seen here in the Lost Farm clubhouse.

[jonathan_becker]

Kyle,

It looks like it's time for some X100s!

[George Freeman]

Kyle,

It looks like it's time for some X100s!

Kyle,

Is that the Medicus??


Everyone else - I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing the pics and hearing about the trip/courses.  Keep it coming!

Nilsen and Mayhugh never cease to amaze me...

[Sven Nilsen]

Michael:

In case you forgot, I had a very enjoyable round with you on Saturday morning.  You win the perseverance award in my book.

Brett:

I believe the LF/BD match looked like this:

1 - LF
2 - LF
3 - Halved
4 - BD
5 - LF
6 - BD
7 - BD
8 - LF
9 - BD

All square at the turn.

10 - BD
11 - LF
12 - BD
13 - BD
14 - LF
15 - BD
16 - LF
17 - BD
18 - BD

BD wins 2 up

Wayne:

Between listening to Sean's caddying stories and hearing Colin's accent echo through the dunes, the scent of the old course hung heavy in the air.  Sorry I didn't get to get a game in with you or Ron while you were there.  You guys seemed to have racked up a pretty impressive list of stops on the Aussie tour during your trip, only rivaled by Kyle's marathon run through the Sandbelt and Tazzie.

Scott:

It might help those reading the posts if you could point out exactly where on a Mappa Tassie one would go to find the Barnie (www.urbandictionary.com). 

[Scott Warren]

Sven,

Quite helpfully, any bloke who can successfully locate Launceston on a map of Tasmania is well on the way to locating something even more important on a Map Of Tassie!

[Richard Chamberlain]

Nice group....but seriously, caps on in the clubhouse, whats the deal with that ?

[Sven Nilsen]

Nice group....but seriously, caps on in the clubhouse, whats the deal with that ?

It's that kind of place, Richard.  I think I witnessed some loafers without socks, cell phone usage within site of the clubhouse and, god forbid, beer consumed out of the bottle.

You'd be happy to know that all caps were appropriately doffed at Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Yarra Yarra and the like.

[Scott Warren]

You can't wear a cap while eating a complementary scone. I'm sure that rule is written down somewhere. You just can't...

Richard: I noticed the same thing and almost half the offenders are natives!

Mike Whitaker is the consumate southern gentleman. Look at him in that pic! In fact, he looks like such a southern gentleman that I'm sure armed only with that term as a pointer, anyone viewing the above photo could work out which one he is.

[Bill_McBride]

You can't wear a cap while eating a complementary scone. I'm sure that rule is written down somewhere. You just can't...

Richard: I noticed the same thing and almost half the offenders are natives!

Mike Whitaker is the consumate southern gentleman. Look at him in that pic! In fact, he looks like such a southern gentleman that I'm sure armed only with that term as a pointer, anyone viewing the above photo could work out which one he is.

......even while down with a bad virus. That was a sad tale. Is there anything worse than being sick while out of town?

[Anthony Gray]

  GCA golf is the best golf.

  Anthony

[Andy Gray]

Nice group....but seriously, caps on in the clubhouse, whats the deal with that ?

It's that kind of place, Richard.  I think I witnessed some loafers without socks, cell phone usage within site of the clubhouse and, god forbid, beer consumed out of the bottle.

You'd be happy to know that all caps were appropriately doffed at Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Yarra Yarra and the like.

I'm pretty sure at this point I was bare foot, and was so for about an hour before.

I agree with Anthony, GCA golf IS the best golf.

I will try get some pics up in the coming days.

[Matthew Mollica]

Mike Whitaker is the consumate southern gentleman. Look at him in that pic! In fact, he looks like such a southern gentleman that I'm sure armed only with that term as a pointer, anyone viewing the above photo could work out which one he is.

At the risk of this turning into a mutual appreciation society - I totally agree.
What a pleasure it is to share a round with Michael.

And Messers Kelly, Mayhugh and Kiser for that matter.

I didn't make it to Tasmania for the Boomerang, but played with several visitors on their way about Melbourne.
What a genuine pleasure.
I hope to share some games with them all again at some stage.

Well done Scott on organising such a great event.

Matthew

[Patrick Kiser]

What a trip!

Got in early today and have been scrambling to get things in gear.  Now I'm fighting off the desire for some zzzzs.  Couldn't sleep on this return flight, so a little on fumes at this point.

Downloaded the pics and thought I'd post a few as well.

Couple of thanks are in order...

First and foremost Scott Warren for being a great host and putting on a bang up show.  You rock.  Everyone was pumped for a good time.  Top notch red carpet treatment.  Good seeing Kerry again and good call on Zushi for Mike and myself at the end.

To Mike Whitaker for being a real trooper and hanging in there with me throughout this trip.  Got along just fine as early roommates and had a blast going around to all these fine courses.  Definitely the gentleman.  Had my back all the time.  Compresses too for my poor feet.  Thanks Mike!  Good luck in NZ and at the KP.  

To Sven Nilsen for hanging with Mike and myself while staying in the North Brighton area of Melbourne.  Good seeing you and getting a chance to play with you again.  I promise to post Commonground at some point.  Honest...

To El Capitan (aka Kyle Henderson) for being the chauffeur this time around and rooming down the stretch.  Good seeing you as always.  You really are the Bionic Man or ... is it the Energizer Bunny?  How many 36 hole days can one play?  Amazing...  Just keeps going and going and going...  Hang in there with the crunch classes ahead.

To David Elvins for being a fine host as well and helping out with some of the chauffering.  Good to see you again David and had a good time playing a few rounds and throwing a few back too.  Yes, that shirt is quite the babe magnet!  I expect a call whenever you make it out to SF.

To Matthew Mollica and Steve McMurray for our wonderful day at Kingston Heath.  Tremendous!  Matthew also took some time off of his busy practice to squeeze in a round at Metro with Mike and myself.  Also, a special thanks to Matthew for taking a look at my bruised and battered feet.

To Andrew Bertram for hosting us a Yarra Yarra.  Excellent experience and some good stories.  Enjoyed that tremendously.

To Mark Ferguson for the RM experience and helpful insights/guidance along the way.  Oh ... and how can I forget the extra compresses down the stretch that came in really handy!  Many thanks.

To anyone that had to put up with my stretches of "Mr. Hyde" swing.  Poor David Kelly had to deal with my two worst rounds at YY and the Friday afternoon fourball at BD.  Sorry David...  Good to see you again though and thanks for the tip on the shoes.

Great to meet some new folks like David Shannon, Kevin Hughes, Scott Coan, James Templeton, Todd Shuiling, Victor Annamalay, Matt "Bombs Away" Maydo, Michael "Pup" Taylor, Tyler Ince, and Derek Culey to name a few.  Also, great to finally meet in person Brett Morrissy, Terry Thornton, Andy Gray, James Bennett, Sean Walsh, Matthew Mollica, Bill Brightly, Kevin Pallier and Mark Ferguson amongst others.  Good to also see some of the state side regulars like John Mayhugh.  All great blokes...

I'm sure I'm forgetting some other folks, but my Academy moment is up.  

Finally ... incredible night sky while in BD.  Amazing.  Milky Way was awesome from there.  Last but not least, fantastic wildlife.  Especially the variety of birds was tremendous.  Just a wow! trip.

As the Governator would say ... "I'll be back".


Pre-season Footy:  Geelong "Cats" vs. St. Kilda "saints".  St. Kilda put a beatdown on Geelong.






Mike Whitaker, David Elvins, Moi, Kyle Henderson, Brian Walsh




Long first day...




Welcome to Kingston Heath.  Wonderful course and tremendous club!




Matthew Mollica showing off the smooth swing




Steve McMurray not to be outdone




Southerly Buster.  Dangerously tasty...




Group Shot




David Elvins on the 1st at St.Andrews Beach




Mike Whitaker at St.Andrews Beach.  Guess which hole...




Kyle Henderson on a green at St.Andrews Beach




Royal Melbourne




Ubiquitous derriere shot on the 15th at RM West




Group Shot in the RM clubhouse. Yummy biscuits...




Composite Course




Yarra Yarra




David Kelly getting onto the kid slide?  No.  Just getting a little look up top for our blind tee shot on the 5th at YY.




Incredible wildlife on display in Australia.  I felt at times like I was in Brazil or something.




Tyler Ince busting one off the tee at YY.




Well earned beverage at the clubhouse overlooking the course.  Sven and Terry didn't waste any time.




Metropolitan.  Forgot to take a pic of the very nice fish and chips.




Metro's 11th




Finishing 18th at Metro




Gene Sarazen championship ball




Kevin Hughes off the tee at Barnbougle Dunes




David Elvins imitating Mark Ferguson...




Friday night dinner




Richard Sattler and Phil Hill answering questions




James Templeton and Scott Coan on the 4th at Lost Farms




Scott and James cranking their iron tee shots onto the 17th at Lost Farms








Do I have to explain?  Yes, "Pup" got abused...  He's accompanied by James Bennett, David Elvins, and Terry Thornton back there.  Kyle is at the wheel.








Don't argue with Mum when getting fish and chips.  Can't believe I forgot to take a pic of some $60 worth of fish and chips, potato cakes, fried shrimp, and dim sum we ordered.  Grrr....




Rex's Hut






This looks strangely familiar...






Brett goes for it on the 7th at the Dunes course




Finishing hole at the Dunes with the Lost Farms clubhouse in the distance to the left




Sydney cruise




Gap Bluff at Watson's Bay




Watson's Bay






Doyle's at Watson's Bay






The Opera house






Tazmanian Wheat Beer on Circular Quay




Royal Sydney




8th at RS







Lawn Bowling and Tennis Courts at RS








Homebound

[Mark Chaplin]

Great photo tour.

ANGC must be proud at picking the correct patron from those on offer in the group shot! Sorry to hear Lord Whitaker was unwell.

The most pleasing thing must be to see St Andrews Beach re-opened.

[John Mayhugh]

Nice collection of photos Patrick - I have quite a few duplicates.  I'm impressed that you found the time to get them uploaded and posted already.

[Patrick Kiser]

Nice collection of photos Patrick - I have quite a few duplicates.  I'm impressed that you found the time to get them uploaded and posted already.

John,

Just forcing myself to stay up and fight the urge to sleep.

Good to see you again and glad we had a chance to play.  I'm sure you've got a couple of good ones to add.  Me thinks your funny pics are called for as well.  And ... you must have a few choice wildlife pics.

[Richard Choi]

Love the pictures. Now I am kicking myself for not biting the bullet and going on this trip. Perhaps in a couple of years...

[Sven Nilsen]

Since we haven't really discussed the courses yet, I'll give it a go:

I played Lost Farms first, so I'll start there.  The first round was played in a 4 to 5 club wind on Thursday afternoon.  Even with the extremely harsh conditions, I found the course to be extremely playable.  There's enough direction change in the routing that you're rarely playing the same wind on consecutive holes, and the variety in the terrain (dunes to flats back to dunes) makes for a wonderful mix of shots.  The course is still maturing, and still looks young in parts.  Quick thoughts on each hole:

1 - Par 5 playing into the prevailing wind.  Wonderful opener that sets the tone for one of the themes of the course - wide fairways that continue to pinch as the hole plays to the green.  Here, the preferred play is down the left side to set up a direct approach to the green taking the right-side bunker out of play.  

2 - Short Par 4 - this hole is made by the green, which looks like three conjoined greens set side by side.  There is a ton of strategy off of the tee based on the day's pin position.  There are two fairway bunkers to contend with, and choosing the side of the fairway you'll play is the key to finding the easier approach.

3 - Shorter Par 4 - a wonderful little hole that is drivable when the wind is down.  The hole plays uphill to a green protected on the front and left by nasty looking bunkers.  The right to left slope of the fairway funnels many balls down to a position where you have to play over the front bunker.  If judged correctly, the hill on the right sweeping down from the dunes can be used to sweep a ball onto the green.

4 - Little Par 3 - plays from a crest of the dunes into the corner of the property formed by the river and the ocean.  Views over Barnbougle Dunes and into Bridport are amazing.  With a wind sweeping off the ocean, it is very difficult to play a shot that will find the green.  Much easier when the wind is down, and the green site has plenty of contours to make rollouts and putts interesting.  I watch a putt to a front pin roll 5 feet past before catching the slope and rolling back into the cup.

5 - Massive Par 4 - probably the hole I had read about the most before seeing the course.  You see a portion of the fairway from the tee, but the aiming line is over the dune on the right.  Without that local knowledge, tee shots will run downwind into the rough.  The green here is probably one of the biggest on the course, and no two putt is easy.  There's a back hollow on the green that was pinned on Sunday while we were at BD which looked like it would have been a ton of fun to play.  Alas.

6 - Par 3 - plays back into the prevailing wind.  The green sweeps around a fronting bunker with a dell like section on the right.  Into the wind, it is possible to hold a shot into that section.  Pins on the bigger left portion of the green can be tricky as there's a ridge running near the middle that can push a putt with to much tempo past the hole.  As with a lot of holes on both courses, there are slopes surrounding the green that can be used to bi-pass the ridge and run a ball back to the hole.

7 - Par 4 - plays back downwind.  Off the tee you're staring at a 10 foot high mound in the middle of the fairway blocking your view of the green.  With the wind, the play is to take it over the mound, as shots to the left will run into the fairway bunkers, and shots to the right leave you with a tough line into the green.  The approach plays slightly uphill to a canted green where the contours reward a slight miss on the right, but punish any shot just inside or to the left of the green edge.

8 - Par 5 - also generally downwind.  Your drive needs to hug the right to gain maximum distance and to give you a look at the rest of the fairway.  I can't imagine many people would get on this one in two, as its well over 580 yds.  Playing from the right with your approach allows you to take the fronting bunker and the waste area on the right out of play.  A terrific green setting tucked on the side of the dune and perched on a shelf above the fairway and the sand to the right.  

9 - Short Par 4 - on the front nine, this hole seemed the least polished.  With the normal crosswind, the play always seems to be to the left lower side of the fairway.  The green is higher on the left with a trough running down the right side.  Pins on the left require good distance judgment, while the right side feels like you're hitting into a catcher's mitt.

At the turn, the first 9 at LF seemed to be the equal if not better than the first 9 at BD.  Its a tremendous stretch of holes, with the series from 2 to 5 being the highlight.

10 - Par 5 - Tee shot from an elevated tee down into a canyon that marks the start of a stretch of holes over the flatter portion of the property.  Down wind this hole is reachable, but beware of missing this green to the right.  The green is tucked off the fairway on an angle to the left and sits near the 11th tee and 12th greens.  The use of this little plot of land by Coore was pure genius, as you get a peek at the tee shot on 11 and the subsequent return on 12 as you walk on and off of 10.  The intimacy of these three holes at this spot is very cool.

11 - Par 4 - the prevailing wind is helping from the right.  There's a cross bunker off the tee that serves to suggest a stronger swing, but is not really in play.  The mental games it plays can be damaging, as an over-swing is not what you want to do here.  If your drive has crested the hill, you're left with a downhill approach to a green tri-sected by ridges and a very subtle fronting swale that takes a little steam off of a runner.

12 - Par 5 - a sweeping right to left par 5 with a wind that wants to keep you on the right.  For a flat hole, the fairway bunkering is distracting enough to make every shot feel like you're walking a razor's edge.  Another huge green, where proper line and distance will help one avoid a three putt.

13 - Par 4 - I was amazed at the disparity of opinions on this hole.  It into the hollow between a set of dunes that narrows the closer you get to the green.  Into the wind, its a beast with most tee shots being guided out to the right creating a longer approach straight into the wind tunnel.  I appreciated the seamless connection between fairway and green and thought it was appropriate on a hole where a low, straight approach should be rewarded.

13a - Short Par 3 - LF has two extra holes.  13a plays perpendicular to the line of 13 and 14, and is a neat little 3 par with a very cool multi-leveled green.  I thought the hole broke up the flow from 13 to 14, and might skip it on repeated plays.

14 - Short Par 4 - the walk up to the 14th tee is one of the best on the properties, as the ocean comes back into view as you crest the hill.  The hole hugs a right side bunker that into the wind is very much in play.  The preferred line is a close to the bunker as one can get, as the tee, bunker and green are aligned.  A front pin brings the green slopes into play to allow one to funnel a ball to the hole, while a back shelf requires a perfect shot to hold for a short putt.

15 - Longer Par 3 - Plays down from the oceanside dunes to a hollow below the clubhouse.  I hit driver into the wind and 8 iron with it.  It seemed that any shot on line with the green would funnel to the right, and any slight miss on the right side would leave you with a tough up and down.  The green has a run-up area over the bunker on the short left side that will steer a ball back to the middle, but anything too far left will find another devilish bunker just left of the green.

16 - Par 4 - In retrospect, maybe my favorite hole on the course.  The hole is entirely flat, with bunkers in play on the left when into the wind.  The green is set off to the right beyond the 2nd and 3rd of a series of bunkers that frame the approach.  The play is to get far enough to the left where you can get a look at the pin, but its hard to convince yourself of this mindset on the tee.  The green on this hole appears to be completely flat, but the very subtle front left to back right slope has an influence on every putt.

17 - Par 3 - An uphill shot to a green that looks very shallow from the tee, but is probably almost 50 yards long.  Pins on the front require the ability to find the green but not run past too far, and pins at the back can ask for the driver again if the wind is howling.

18 - Long Par 4 - A terribly fun downhill tee shot when downwind.  There's a lot more room left than it appears of the tee.  The approach requires a well-judged shot into a very long green (reminiscent of the 9th at BD).  A strong finisher, and a good deciding hole for match play.

18a - Short Par 3 - really nothing more than a way to pass your time before taking the uphill walk back to the clubhouse.

I found the back at LF to be slightly weaker than the front.  One of the themes of the course is how Coore used changes of direction and the corners of the property in his routing.  The turn from 3 to 4 to 5 is brilliant, as is the 16, 17, 18 combo.  As noted above, the setting of the 10th green, 11th tee and 12th green was also a highlight.  As mentioned in our presentation on Friday night, they have a bit of a problem keeping sand in the bunkers in certain places, which will contribute to the evolution of the course as it matures.  It'll be interesting to see pictures in the years to come of how the bunkers change.  

I had high expectations going into the trip for LF, and i don't feel like they were let down.  Unlike others who have commented, I didn't find the rough to be that much worse than at BD, besides a few places that were obviously to be avoided.  It was as much fun to play in a strong breeze as it was to play on Saturday with lighter winds.  To me, this says alot about its playability.  With the wind down, I found myself contemplating shots I wouldn't have dreamt of on Thursday - going for the green off the tee on 3, taking a direct line at the pin on 4, taking the hill out of play on 7, etc.  All in all, a very fun course and a great complement to its neighbor.

[Jason Topp]

I am looking forward to this thread.  Some questions out of the gate:


1.  Is a 4-5 club wind standard at the location? It sure seems like it is based on my visit and comments from others that have visited.
2.  Which course did people like better and why?
3.  Did anyone eat vegemite?
4.  How many pictures of animals and signs did Mayhugh take?

[Brett_Morrissy]

Sven, that is an outstanding review and I believe we are both probably in agreement on many aspects of the courses as we discussed on Sunday.

Important to keep in mind, is that although the greens have only been in play for less than 6 months, they rolled very true and speed was good and will only improve. The rough at BD has had years of golfers stomping thru it ( as well as the local wallaby, echidna and wombat population), so it is certainly thinned out in most areas, that is the most noticeable difference in the rough at LF, some areas of the marram were so thick, that you could not even step in to look for a ball, let alone find one. This will change over the next couple of years, as the super improves hi rough traffic areas.

The differences between the nines at both courses are more exaggerated at BD IMO, the land feels quite tight thru the F9 at BD, which is fine for me, but some of the guys find it a bit constricting, but of course it makes for spectacular golf holes. The B9 opens out with some incredible golf holes that are joined by my least favorite holes there. As Sven noted, the F9 at LF is also the more spectacular of the nines, and some land there is the poorest of all the entire property, but to Coore's credit his use of this land was outstanding. (I wonder what could have been achieved with more land, there is plenty but perhaps that is being saved for the future? I cannot see why they did not use the land out the back of 13 and 13a for LF.) in looking at the site before construction, or early construction, and that real swampy land that is now 1,2,16, I amazed at what has been achieved.

Personally I find that Lost Farm has nicer balance and smoother flow than Barnbougle Dunes, it is a more enjoyable walk except for the finish up the hill. My only criticism of the greens, of which I really liked, is that after playing Doak's so much, where you have more options in putting than straight at the hole using the banks, slopes and mounds (which I love), these kind of shots or plays as our American friends like to say, did not find the same reward. My only other criticism of LF is that of 13a, it serves no purpose and only serves to break the rhythm of the B9 and let's it down in doing so. I have no issue with an extra hole, but it does not even fit from a green to tee basis.

So, I love both, it will take a couple more years of playing for it occur to me that I really enjoy playing one more than the other, in the meantime, if that isn't one of the best 36 holes at the one property, anywhere in the world, at $130 per day unlimited golf - well....let's say I feel very lucky and fortunate to have these in our backyard!

Jason, I have been regularly playing BD since opening, and along  with Terry T (agree?), for every ten rounds 5(18-36) have little breeze (there will sometimes be a little sea breeze late in the day), 3 would have 1-2 clubs, 1 round stronger and one really tough. I have never seen it unplayable (at least 3 visits per year), only once have I experienced heavy rain, it just seems to the have this unique temperate climate, balmy days even in May.
So, no, the wind the boys had on Thurs is not normal, a Saturday two weeks earlier, we actually called off play at my home club, coastal in Victoria, unheard of, so that day at Barnbougle was also a tough day !

[Brett_Morrissy]

...and further to my point of balance and flow,  I really like the feeling at Barnbougle Dunes of turning around at 4 and knowing that most of the holes between here and 15 are in the same/similar direction apart from 7&12, I find this a unique feature and one I really like, it is also a result of the land available for Doak's routing and he made the best use of it. But if I had my blank canvas kind of option for routing a golf course, I would prefer an all points of the compass routing, and that is what I think attracts me to the balance of Lost Farm.

[Bill_McBride]

I love these tales of Down Under.

The Australian echnida (as mentioned above by Brett Morrisey), an egg laying mammal.  Cute!