Victorian Open 13th Beach

[Thomas Dai]

Watching the Victorian Open on ‘the box’.
Interesting and imo a great development that the lady pro golfers and the male pro golfers are playing in the same event, alternate gender tee-time groups, same prize money etc.
A couple of general observations -


While I’m not really able to comment on the quality of the course(s) viz other Aussie courses, perhaps locals could tell us more, its nice
to see a course on TV that’s many different shades of colour and texture and with a bouncing and running ball instead of pretty much the standard tree lined uniform manicured green, lush and soft layout.
The Spectators are walking on the fairways!!!!
A ex-US Open champion is playing without wearing a glove!!! Nice one GO.
Atb

[Greg Gilson]

Spectators also with dogs (on lead)!


The courses are good if not great, IMHO.  Beach is fun but not in the best condition (water an issue). Creek is solid if unspectacular & a good support act to Beach.


We actually just got home after a day a "the beach". Fun event with lots of ++++'s. My only real "opportunity" was that the players, in general,  still give so little. I get it, the course is your office. But, just make some eye contact. Acknowledge & say "hello" to the 10 people following you around. The King would roll over in his grave if he saw the way the players looked through, over or around the audience.


That said,...great vibe, great food options, music on the range & in the food zone, good golf on a couple of fun tracks.  There are worse ways to spend a day.

[James Bennett]

13th Beach Beach is a great course - next to Barwon Heads.The fairways are a mixture of some couch but a lot of fescue.Might be Tony Cashmore's best course.
Course is rated about #20 in Australia

[RJ_Daley]

I like the different approach that the Aussies take to the golf broadcast.  Their commentary and analysis adds more charm than the same old stuff we hear on U.S. broadcasts. 

Unfortuatlely,  we were unable to stay around Geelong long enough to take up an invitation to 13th Beach.  But, it appears good on TV.

Is the Australian am Miccheluzzi the next big thing? 😎

[Thomas Dai]

If ever there was a tournament I’d like to be watching on-site it’s this one, particularly in the conditions described in this piece - https://www.golf.org.au/newsdisplay/huggan-no-science-to-links-golf/102826 - and watching from on the fairways too!
Be great if more events, tournaments etc followed such a format. Well done to all those involved for putting this one on.
Atb


Edit - photos of Barwon Heads GC in 1952 that I happened upon -

[Pete_Pittock]

how much yardage difference between genders?

[Brett_Morrissy]

I agree that this is a not only a fantastic course - the Beach - and a great club to be a member at with two courses offering a really nice variety of holes and conditions. The club membership is a vibrant one and well utilised across the year.


This event is easily one of the most popular among the players, the sponsors get the double hit, the organisers find it easier to attract sponsors, and the local and state governments have been the key buy in, and have driven the prize pool up the $1.5m for both men and women. Some really difficult conditions yesterday which allowed the course to show it's teeth as all the locals are well aware of, and highlight how awesome the Beach 7th (members 16th) short par 3 is. Ideally routed cross ways to the prevailing wind and challenging the players commit 100% to their shot. Chook Fowler on Friday hit the ideal punch with low follow through to 18 inches to just show what experience is worth.


The routing is different to how it is played the other 51 weeks a year - this routing does provide the ideal 'boat propeller' effect, with three large rotations around the compass, which points some way toward ALL the golfers late yesterday being mentally exhausted at the end of their round.


As James mentioned there is some native couch still on the property, the Beach is planted and maintained as fescue fairways and the Creek course has Santa Ana couch fairways. The club is home to many of the districts best golfers who love the year round challenge of wind, design and normally pure greens that others have said are the best year round conditioned greens (they don't need to be cored).


The club has a very good quality water supply, although there has been little rain for the last 6-8 weeks that assists this supply. The Beach greens have had some issues since Christmas, that is a one time thing on the Beach only, and the course super and his team have done an amazing job to get them to where they are for the tournament. Personally, I feel the course is playing almost perfect, as Thomas noted, lots of shades of colour, tee shots are running and bouncing in many places, for men and women, the greens could be a little firmer, but I expect that is due to weather yesterday and the super's maintenance of the Beach greens.


RJ - at least you had time for a coffee in Geelong  .


Hey Pete - see an article from Mike Clayton in regard to the Ladies course set up this week, about 300m (330 yards) less than the men:
http://www.vicopengolf.com/news-display/clayton-women-rise-to-course-challenge/102817

[James Bennett]

Thanks Brett
good to hear about the water supply.  It has been a tough year (dry spring and summer).
James B

[Colin Macqueen]

Gentlemen,


13th. Beach is, to my mind, a terrific course.  And when the wind blows it is a real challenge and puts the wind up you as you play!   Needless to say I found it a very interesting tournament to watch.  Free-to-air on our ABC, so no advertising, and with both male and females playing it was most entertaining.


Now of course David Law sneaking in with an audacious eagle on the last hole managed to rattle the leader and steal the Championship from under his nose! Very entertaining and a great showcase for Australian golf. There is never any trouble getting on as a visitor and the golf and the environs are simply splendid. Well done Victoria.


Cheers Colin