St Andrews Beach in Oz?

[George Pazin]

Just wondering if my friends down here are still playing this course.


Let's face it, sooner or later, my wife is going to get rid of me, and I need to know I have options down under....


 

[Mark_F]

You're always welcome down here, George.

I haven't played there for a few years.  I did see some photos posted somewhere - here? - of the course looking rather derelict ; bunkers rounded, off-fairway vegetation even more intrusive.  The last time I was there the greens were quite furry - they obviously only get mown a couple of times a week. 

Sad, but at least it's still open. 

A pity the Sandbelt clubs didn't have the foresight to buy it all those years ago (unless the morons in charge were just asking too much at that time).

[Chris Kane]

I played there on Saturday - the timesheet was about 2/3 full at $85 a game. There are a few spots where the vegetation is overgrown, but overall I thought it looked terrific.


The St Andrews Beach Brewery 700m down the road is comfortably the best 19th hole in Australia.

[Mike_Clayton]

I hit some balls there last night - on the best range no one knows about in Australia - and the pro shop guy was telling me they were in the process of cleaning up the extraneous vegetation that inevitably appears and grows if no one is paying attention.


Every time I play there it's in good condition and, of course, the holes are first-class.


Mark. It was a pity. Didn't Hank Haney write a book about it? The Big Miss:) History will judge that decision very harshly.

[Mark_F]

the pro shop guy was telling me they were in the process of cleaning up the extraneous vegetation that inevitably appears and grows if no one is paying attention.

Mike,
Hopefully they clean out the rear dune on 14 enough so you can play it from there if you want. Such a better hole from back there.

It would be a pretty good asset to have for the Sandbelt clubs, and could also have had the beneficial side-effect of not wasting vast sums on new clubhouses.

[David Restrepo]

Played this past summer in Oz.


It was in good condition when I played it, but my mind is fuzzy because I was walking and playing quite terribly. Greens played firm and true.


Need to get back for a reevaluation.

[Mike_Clayton]

Mark,


No surprise 14 is better from the unbuilt tee (back and right of what's there now) because all the bunkers were placed with that tee in mind. Happily it's cleared just enough to be able to play from back there.