OT: Apropos April in Australia

[Marty Bonnar]

Have I ever mentioned that I think this discussion group needs an OT subject area?
Wait a minute - let me think...
...
...
...
Oh, yes, OFTEN!


Anyway, the title gives away the reason for this Post.
After years of cajoling, it’s looking increasingly likely that I have convinced Nancy that we should visit Australia, before she, me, my cousins and my lovely aunt and uncle who’ve been there since the 60s are too old to enjoy any of it.
Sydney & Melbourne area will of necessity be the main centre of activity, so I’m wondering what the DG thinks should be my golf/non-golf targets.
Yes, of course this is a shameless access-whoring opportunity. I’m too old to worry about what people think of me!


Thoughts/Comments/Outrageous piss-taking very welcome. So have at it...!


Cheers,
F.

[Colin Macqueen]

Marty,
 I totally understand that Melbourne and Sydney would be your first port of call. However....if you visit these places and you find the weather inclement (particularly in winter) do remember that a wee bit further north, only 1500 klm., there is Brisbane where a warm welcome in both senses of the word awaits you and yer Nancy.


A fine golf course, riverside/parkland, would be put at your and Nancy's disposal with a wee bit of help from yer Aussie/Scottish pal here.


Cheers Col

[Marty Bonnar]

Marty,
 I totally understand that Melbourne and Sydney would be your first port of call. However....if you visit these places and you find the weather inclement (particularly in winter) do remember that a wee bit further north, only 1500 klm., there is Brisbane where a warm welcome in both senses of the word awaits you and yer Nancy.


A fine golf course, riverside/parkland, would be put at your and Nancy's disposal with a wee bit of help from yer Aussie/Scottish pal here.


Cheers Col

Dearest cousin,
This is the very core of the dilemma. It’s a long way to go, a short time there and a limited budget and timescale.
Australia is simply too big!
However, we still have some planning time. So never say never!
Best,
M.

[Kalen Braley]

Time of year could make like a big difference here man....


For example in a place like Melbourne, Looks like Jan thru Mar is your best bet both for both temps and rain avoidance...


http://www.intellicast.com/Local/History.aspx?location=ASXX0075


Whereas Brisbane would be better in August and September.


http://www.intellicast.com/Local/History.aspx?location=ASXX0016

[Chris Kane]

Martin,


How much golf do you want to play? Access will not be an issue.


We'll also take you to an AFL football game at the MCG - a unique Victorian experience.


Chris

[James Bennett]

Whatever happens, you'll beat Redanman down under.....

[Marty Bonnar]

Martin,


How much golf do you want to play? Access will not be an issue.


We'll also take you to an AFL football game at the MCG - a unique Victorian experience.


Chris

Chris
Possibly a couple of rounds in both Melbourne and Sydney. Looks like we’ll be three golfers + one walker. Footie sounds cool too!
Thanks for kind thoughts. Hope to see you soon!
Cheers,
M.

[Marty Bonnar]

Whatever happens, you'll beat Redanman down under.....

I’m trying to talk him into being there at the same time...we’ll see!
Cheers
M.

[James Bennett]

Redanman should come in March, and do the Grand Prix as well as golf.
My wife and I are going this March to Melbourne.

James B

[Mark Chaplin]

Sydney is too great a city to waste time playing average golf. Only NSW is worth a knock and they have several weak holes, it’s world top 100 rating is very flattering.


Concentrate on Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath.

[Alan Ritchie]

Do you have time to go to Tasmania.. short flight from sydney or Melbourne and a great place not just for golf but scenic areas, beaches, also some wine.  barnbougle is an absolute must play ( and stay) and their is the spa at lost farm for any non golfers.


Agree that sydney falls short of Melbourne in terms of GCA plays but I’d put NSW as an 8 on my personal DS, I do not think it would disappoint in any way. a second game in sydney should probably be at the lakes, or the Renovated Bonnie Doon.


Non golfing activities available are huge, depends what you are interested in. The walk from Bondi to Coogee is a must for sydney if on a short trip.

[David McIntosh]

Marty,

I’ve only visited Australia once and played just the one round while I was in Sydney at NSW. Sydney may not be as well-endowed in golfing terms as Melbourne but you’d be missing out if you didn’t play at NSW while in the city. I haven’t played a lot of golf outside the UK but would say that NSW is the best course I’ve played out with these isles and compares favourably to most of the places I’ve played here too. It has some truly excellent holes (5, 6, 13 and 14 immediately spring to mind) and the routing is exceptional. I think Mark’s comment about there being several weak holes is a bit harsh - sure, there are some that don’t scale the same heights as the outstanding ones I mentioned but they are by no means poor holes and most courses have these types of holes which benefit the flow of the routing and allows the really great ones to shine.

As for other things to do in Sydney, there’s a great thread on the board (by Scott Warren I believe) which would definitely be worth perusing before making the trip. Personally speaking, the day trip to the blue mountains and taking the ferry across to Manly were very enjoyable and I’d highly recommend doing both if you can whilst there.

[Mark Chaplin]

David - NSW does have some lovely holes and good scenery, but [size=78%]the 1st, 2nd and 18th are very average. The 3rd is a poor hole now the green has been altered and there’s an uphill par 4 on the back 9 maybe 14/15 where the protected native means the fairway is half the width it should be. [/size]



To me 6 is a tragic wasted opportunity, unless they’ve changed it since my last visit there was a stunning vista and a flat uninteresting green complex.


The final nail in the coffin was the tannoy in the bar/lounge calling people to the tee, etc!

[David McIntosh]

Mark,

I’d concede that the 2nd is probably the least interesting of the par 3s and the 18th primarily serves the purpose of taking play back to the clubhouse - your description of average is very apt regarding these two holes.

I actually think the first is a decent opener - rewards accuracy, not too difficult, but I can see how it would be possible to run up a big number if out of position. I played NSW in early 2014 so not sure if the alterations to the 3rd green have been made since but the version I played was fine.

I know the hole you’re referring to on the back 9 - the 15th. You’re right, the driving area is far too tight but the club is limited in what it can do the clear this out. I’m sure my playing partner told me it was even tighter until they had a bush fire that opened the fairway up a little more! I didn’t think this was a major negative however as it’s the only hole where width is an issue and there is plenty of it elsewhere on the property.

Conversely, I enjoyed the strategy involved on the 6th. The green’s right to left slope meant bailing out on the safer line to the right of the green left a very difficult recovery shot with everything running away from the player. From memory, the green had a few subtle breaks and a spine/tier running across it which I though was appropriate given the difficulty of the hole, particularly straight into the wind as I played it. I did like that they cut the slope on the left side of the green a bit longer which meant that going left wasn’t automatically dead and into the ocean. No doubting though that back tee is a special spot on a property filled with great scenery.

There’s some great golf in the run between 7 and 11 and I also liked the 16th a lot so NSW is well worth its place in the world top 50 in my view. Whilst our opinions may differ somewhat on that particular point, I’m sure you’d agree that it’s one FBD should play if in Sydney - he can then tell us who’s view he is more aligned with! On a separate point, I need to get over to Melbourne to sample those sand belt courses for myself and to add to my (decidedly lack of) Australian golf experience to date.

Do concur with you on the tannoy - definitely got a bit irritating by the end of the day.

[Tom Birkert]

This is suddenly relevant to me, but at much shorter notice. I am heading to Australia in December with my family (to Sydney and then Melbourne).


I'm planning on playing NSW in Sydney ahead of Royal Sydney, which a friend is suggesting I play, and then Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath in the limited time I will have in Melbourne. I have good friends with family members there, does the fact it will be between Christmas and New Year change anything? I'm more than happy to pay if by some chance a member can't host me, but I'm assuming they get booked up a fair while in advance like what happens at Muirfield etc.


This is a brief trip for family reasons but I absolutely plan on returning to visit King Island and New Zealand on a pure golfing trip.

[Mike_Clayton]

Tom


The days between Christmas and NY are perfect to play. The courses are as empty as they ever are.
If you play a second game in Sydney play The Lakes - it's only 10 minutes from the airport.

[JMEvensky]

This is suddenly relevant to me, but at much shorter notice. I am heading to Australia in December with my family (to Sydney and then Melbourne).


I'm planning on playing NSW in Sydney ahead of Royal Sydney, which a friend is suggesting I play, and then Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath in the limited time I will have in Melbourne. I have good friends with family members there, does the fact it will be between Christmas and New Year change anything? I'm more than happy to pay if by some chance a member can't host me, but I'm assuming they get booked up a fair while in advance like what happens at Muirfield etc.


This is a brief trip for family reasons but I absolutely plan on returning to visit King Island and New Zealand on a pure golfing trip.

While at RMGC,be sure to buy a copy of their anniversary book. Then get it to Mike Clayton for a personal inscription. You'll never have a better golf club souvenir.

[Mike_Clayton]

JM


The pictures are fantastic:)

[Pete_Pittock]

Marty,
The Great Ocean Road  is a day trip from Melbourne. Uluru (Ayers Rock) can be done in an overnight trip, although two nights is better.


Down under guys - do you have a recommendation for someone who can put together a NZ/AU trip for me. Barnbougle/K.I. for a week's golf, North Island for 7/10 days golf, access to top courses. Plus some non-golf on South Isl.

[Sean Walsh]

FBD,


Wonderful to hear. Given the hospitality you and Nancy showed to us on our trip I am at your service.


For your info I am nowhere near any good golf but am near some pretty handy wineries and within striking distance of the airport. I also have a small bungalow at the back of my place with wonderful views of the surrounding hills. If you can fit a little dalliance in central Victoria into your schedule I am happy to assist and bed and board plus a bottle or two of wine comes with the deal.


If you aren't getting a car from the airport I'm happy to pick you up and you can either spend your jet lag recovery at our place before hitting the big city and bright lights. If none of this works for you I'm happy to catch up in Melbourne. As I said before I am at your disposal.


I'll DM my email and phone number.

[MKrohn]

Down under guys - do you have a recommendation for someone who can put together a NZ/AU trip for me. Barnbougle/K.I. for a week's golf, North Island for 7/10 days golf, access to top courses. Plus some non-golf on South Isl.

Pete, I would probably book the AU/NZ legs separately however this company comes recommended by my mates for NZ. He's a Queenstown specialist but does trips all through NZ


http://remarkablegolftours.co.nz/

[Marty Bonnar]

AND, LO, THE DEED IS DONE!


After our long visit with the Travel Agent today in Dundee, we have now booked the flights DOWN UNDER, BABY!
Simple Itin so far is:


Arrive in Melbourne 4th April on Etihad from Edinburgh via Abu Dhabi.
6 or 7 days in Melb. Fun, sightseeing, eating, drinking, meeting Melb GCA contingent. GOLF! (X2?)
6 or 7 days drive up Coastal Highway to Sydney, sightseeing, eating, drinking. No Golf.
7 or 8 days in Syd. Visiting with relatives, eating, drinking, meeting Syd GCA contingent. GOLF! (X2?)
Depart Sydney 25th April on Etihad to Edinburgh via Abu Dhabi.


So, that’s the basic plan. Still to sort out Accoms in both cities. Any thoughts/help on those would be useful. Looking for nice (4*ish) hotels or apartments.
We’ll need a SUV-sized vehicle for the Touring part of the trip, which we’d like to pick up in Melb and drop in Syd. Thoughts also useful.


Prob best to take any replies to PM/email. Much thanks in advance.
Cheers (and did I say woo-hoo?!),
M.

[Scott Warren]

FBD,


Looking forward to receiving you in Sydney.


May pay to book accoms and car asap — school holidays are 30/3 to 15/4 in Victoria and 14/4 to 30/4 in NSW.


Look into staying & eating at Bannisters in Mollymook on your way north. It’s Rick Stein’s Aussie gaff.


If Mrs FBD may allow a game of golf on that stretch of the trip, have a look at Narooma.

[Marty Bonnar]

Sorry for the outrageous renaissance of this thread, but just wanted to make sure I haven’t missed anyone. Trip approaching fast!
Think we have some fun arranged...
Can’t wait,
Cheers,
F.

[Rich Goodale]

Fellow Faux Fifer


Play Kingston Heath as many times as possible when near Melbourne.  RM E or W are interesting, but KH is world class, in all aspects, even you get to play the composite.


FFF