Port Fairy Golf Club is about 3 and a half hours drive west of Melbourne. Because it's out of the way, it's off the radar for many golfer. However, it is one of the best public access courses in the state. It is possibly the closest mainland Australia gets to links golf.
The feature of the course is a ridge of dunes which run along the coastline which separate the sea from the course. However, several holes on the back nine run along the top of this ridge and two more run close to the ocean and could truly be described as links holes. The front nine plays on the protected side of the ridge with views across the coastal plains and an lough which runs into the township.
I was down in nearby Warrnambool last week for a court hearing and managed to get out on Thursday at around 5pm for nine holes at Port Fairy. Took my compact digi and managed to take a few pics in the quickly disappearing light. It was a rushed walk around and the photos probably belie the amount of preparation for each shot - but that just goes to show what a photogenic course it is.
For any overseas visitors, it would make a great three day trip from Melbourne, combined with a trip along the world famous Great Ocean Road, the quaint township of Port Fairy itself and some sightseeing of a beautiful part of Victoria.
8th green from up 10th green
12th
13th
more to come...