DEVRIES NEW GOLF COURSE BEGINS CONSTRUCTION AT CAPE WICKHAM, KING ISLAND

[Niall Hay]

http://www.planetgolf.com/index.php?id=1832&utm_source=Planet+Golf+Subscribers&utm_campaign=45143115e7-Planet_Golf_November_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_845871f1b6-45143115e7-39220405

NEW GOLF COURSE BEGINS CONSTRUCTION AT CAPE WICKHAM, KING ISLAND

July 9, 2013 - Construction began last week on an exciting new golf course in Tasmania, this time at Cape Wickham on the northern coast of King Island. The course is being designed by American golf architect Mike DeVries and will be built by Victorian golf course builders TURNPOINT.

[David_Elvins]

Looks great.  Always hard to tell from a routing plan, but it looks like there are some fun holes out there!

If I am reading the plan right, the opening tee shot with the prevailing wind hurting and from the left at anything up to 6-7 clubs might become the toughest opening tee shot in golf. 

[Connor Dougherty]

Just from a location standpoint, I can already see people going crazy for the finishing stretch!

Also what is the area to the right of 13? I thought it was the driving range but it appears that that is to the right of 14.

[Lyne Morrison]

Very keen to see this one evolve, I'm told the site is exceptional.
Also good to see realistic yardages on the card - it looks like there are tees for most to enjoy a hit from, even with the Roaring Forties.
Lyne

[Tyler Kearns]

Just from a location standpoint, I can already see people going crazy for the finishing stretch!

Also what is the area to the right of 13? I thought it was the driving range but it appears that that is to the right of 14.

Connor,

From the plan I can decipher the word Warm-Up in the area to the right of #13 and it appears to have just enough space to hit some short-irons before the round.

TK

[Jim Nugent]

How close/convenient is this new course to Barnbougle?  I'm wondering if golfers can play both the same day. 

[Colin Macqueen]

Jim,

I cannot imagine playing both in the one day as really feasible as there would need to be private small planes involved methinks.

Nonetheless this King Isalnd addition will make for a fine golfing and food trip as one does a few Melbourne sandbelt courses then over to King Island for a few days with wonderful scenery. Then back to Melbourne with a flight to Tasmania taking in the Lost Farm - Barnbougle complex and a few of the other gems in Tasmania all the while grazing on the fine food and wine that Tassie has to offer. Verging on Paradise! I think it will be a goer.

Cheers Colin

[David_Elvins]

How close/convenient is this new course to Barnbougle?  I'm wondering if golfers can play both the same day. 

I am not sure why you would want to play both in a day.  Barnbougle and Lost Farm are worth spending at least two days at and from what i am told the King Island course will be set up as a course you will spend a few days at...  But one of the airliines that flies direct from Melbourne to Barnbougle does stop off at King Island on occasions so it will probably be possible to combine both into the one trip.

[John Mayhugh]

Jim,
King Island is just that - an island, and it's either a long ferry ride or a plane trip there.  The two courses are around 180 miles apart point to point, and Barnbougle has an airstrip next to the 2nd hole.  So someone will play both in a day, for sure.

Congrats to Mike.  Really looking forward to seeing what he does there.

[John Kavanaugh]

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/13/us/navy-all-caps

[Niall Hay]

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/13/us/navy-all-caps

It was a copy and paste. Didn't realize it would allow all caps. Point taken as it does look obnoxious.

But it is great news and awesome for GCA.com favorite Mike DeVries.

[Niall Hay]

 "I must note here that I have been working as a consultant on this project for around 18 months. I like to describe the site as being like the best bits of Old Head, Cypress Point, Pebble Beach and Turnberry all mixed together. I'll no doubt be accused of bias, but seriously it's that good." - Planet Golf - Darius Oliver.  Sounds pretty impressive.

[Eric Smith]

[Bill Seitz]

From the size of the fairway, the length of the hole, and the position of the front bunker, the 10th hole reminds me a lot of one of Mike's great short par 4s, the 13th at Kingsley. 

[Brett_Morrissy]

here is an update that Darius put up this week - not sure how much information if different - but there is a routing laid over the aerial map.

http://www.planetgolf.com/index.php?id=1833

[Brett_Morrissy]

Dave, I dont know for sure, but the look of the vegetation shaped/windscaped? the prevailing looked more to be between South and West - and strong!
this would make 2,3,5,10 very challenging - and 11, ...well how far to aim out to the left of the green would be a lot of fun with a short iron in hand - may have to be kept low.
I would guess the little cove to be sheltered, and provide a nice spot for a cool dip after a hot round...any chance partners could sunbake with lounge chairs down there

[Richard Chamberlain]

This is a view along the beach from down below the 18th tees.
The fairway is up on that first shelf and has to be at least 25 foot of steep bank. I can;t see them getting down to play a shot from the beach back onto the fairway.

[Brett_Morrissy]

Richard - personally, I would love the chance, and may well get it with a weak fade off the final tee!

[Richard Chamberlain]

Brett there are some ridiculously big surf swells that come into that cove. I'm not sure what Mike has planned to reinforce and protect the steep bank but if steps can somehow be incorporated it would be very cool.
I have been down there on the beach and the sand is very soft. Even if you can get down there not sure if a ball would be playable.

[Neil_Crafter]

Dickie, how different is the routing now from the one you came up with?

[Richard Chamberlain]

Neil
My layout was significantly different as I only had one parcel of land to work with, with the southern boundary virtually running through the centreline of Mike's 13th. A few of my coastal holes were similar (15,16,17) and 18 was always locked in there. It could have been a Par 4 or Par 5 but I prefer a four.
I utilised more of the big dunes to the east of Mikes 15th hole to make up the numbers. The golf holes were really dramatic but the dunes were very big and carts would have just about been compulsory.
There were a million terrific layouts on that site and when the southern land was added to the mix the options were endless.

The clubhouse and accommodation location is brilliant as it sits high above the 18th, overlooking the beautiful Victoria Cove and has that magnificent lighthouse as a backdrop.

[Lyne Morrison]

Richard - congrats on the early involvement, shame it didn't play out the whole way.
Look forward to having a hit with you down there in due course.
Cheers, Lyne

[Richard Chamberlain]

Thanks Lyne
I mentioned on another forum that I feel like that Beatle that got the tap on the shoulder in the early days.
It was an exciting project to be associated with and I wish Mike and the team the best of luck.

It will be a great addition to the golf landscape in southern Oz.

[RJ_Daley]

Are there other outdoor sporting activity like fishing or hunting to be done on the island?  Would there be other activities to occupy a tourist primarily there for golf, if staying a week?  Are they planning on-site lodging or is there available lodging in the couple of villages?

How about whale watching?  Do they come around there?

[Mark_F]

Are there other outdoor sporting activity like fishing or hunting to be done on the island?  Would there be other activities to occupy a tourist primarily there for golf, if staying a week?  Are they planning on-site lodging or is there available lodging in the couple of villages?

How about whale watching?  Do they come around there?

You eat cheese, RJ - a very fine pastime indeed.