On Monday I had the good fortune of playing one of Australia's finest golf courses - NSW GC - with two USA GCA visitors "down under"; Ed Getka and David Kelly together with Terry (our host).

It was a pleasant Autumn Day with the wind coming from the SW (for those that know the course - that meant the 5th was played into the breeze !!).

The course was in superb condition given the recent rains in Sydney. I've always loved NSW and the variety of shots one can attempt to play into the greens especially the choice between the arial v ground routes. With the wind pretty much always a factor at NSWGC these options are paramount. How many courses in Australia offer said options to the extent NSW does ?

The 18th was out of play as it is going through construction under the guise of Bob Harrison which meant that the mecurial "spare hole" was in play. I was not too dissappointed as it's certainly one of the best 19th holes going around -probably the best hole under 100m ? (off the plates) I've seen. What other 19th (spare) holes are as good as this ?

As I have mentioned on another thread, I also like the aspect that the P3's and 5's are routed around the four points of the compass and the variety it presents. We played off the back markers of the day and with regard to the P3's - I hit 3I into 2 / hybrid into 6 / 8I down 11 and 9I down 17 (+ SW down the 19th) showing the variety of clubs used at NSW's P3's.

For mine the best stretch of holes are 5 through 7 and those home from the 13th. Others ?

It's a fantastic course and one just has to play when in Sydney.

Attached are some photos of the course and I believe Ed  / David are now on the Sandbelt enjoying more of Australia's Finest GC's

Kevin Pallier


1st & Clubhouse


4th looking back to the clubhouse


Ed Getka into the 5th green


David Kelly


Ed putting on the 5th


Behind the 5th looking back up the hill


Terry into the 6th off the plates


Ed birdied it !!  


6th from behind the green

More photos to follow...

Well done, gents.  

Where is #19 located?

James

Behind the 16th green - it used to be hidden somewhat but they must have cleared the entry to it over the past few years.

Can someone bring me up to speed on roughly what changes are being made on #18? Is the rationale to strengthen the course/restore it or some other?

Thanks

BTW - Excellent Photos

The rainbow is amazing.  

I really enjoyed the course but my strongest memory is of seeing whales and dolphins in the water.  

5-7 did not impress me that much as golf holes on the day I played them, but it was a rare windless day.  With a breeze off the water, I would think they would be terrific.

My favorite holes were 13 and 14.  

I would guess 18 could be improved.

Get that shirt tucked in, Ed.  

The Group...Terry / Ed / KP / David

Depends on your opinion of / relationship to sheep, doesn't it?

Re the pictures, I don't understand: why is it so green? (This is *not* a drought-related question, I just recall the course being far yellower in my visits.)

I also noticed the greenness, Mark, as well as some bunker renovations. Here are a couple of comparison photos:

2002


2007



2002


2007

James B. If memory serves, I've played it in Feb., Apr., and August.

Perhaps I just recall one state and forget the others, but it sure looks really green!

Matt,

The before and after pictures, in particular the 5 green pot bunkers: are the newer bunkers closer to the originals?

I like MacKenzie bunkers for their tendency to "eat in" or really intrude on the green.  For example, those on 13 have some of this -- although they too appear removed; have green mowing patterns created a buffer that didn't exist originally? (I will get around to starting a thread on this some day.)

the older bunkers on 5 had some of this but the newer ones don't -- curious to know if anyone can share details on the work.

Thanks for any info -- I will dig out the club history when I get a chance and look for original pictures.

Mark

I know it's not regarded as the best of the sandbelt courses, but this one more than any makes me want to start saving my pennies for an AU golf trip.

Thanks for the great pics guys.  

Jeff

I know it's not regarded as the best of the sandbelt courses, but this one more than any makes me want to start saving my pennies for an AU golf trip.

Thanks for the great pics guys.  

Jeff

Jeff:

   Save your pennies up, by all means! NSW is not a "sandbelt" course as it resides near to Sydney and thus sits quite a far way from the "Sandbelt" down in Melbourne.

All:

  If I recall correctly, Ed & David are now headed down in the next few days to tour the Sandbelt, beginning with rounds at Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath. At RMGC, they'll be getting the"royal" treatment from, one of our lurkers, and Australia's premier 14hcp $2AU a side grifter, Graeme R. They'll be lucky to leave with all their clubs, toes and fingers by the time my pal Graeme gets done with them.

  This thread reminds me that when many here call a course the "best in the world," as they so frequently are prone to, it just reveals the relative provinciality of so many Americans. Places like RMGC, Kingston Heath, and NSW are handily the equals (or perhaps even the superiors) of Shinnecock, Merion and Pebble. Until you've seen these gems (as well as Cape Kidnappers, Barnbougle, St. Andrews etc...) its downright silly to make such foolish statements. Down under golf never fails to deliver greatness, charm and pleasure, often all within the same 18 holes!

 

Great pics of a great course.

Bear with me as this is post #1 in my GCA career......

I'm a big fan of NSWGC, having played it 4-5 times a year since moving to Australia in 2002. The first few times I played it, I honestly didn't like it as I was so used to parkland golf having grown up in Winnipeg at St. Charles CC. Blind shots, funny bounces and too much wind was all I could see the first few trips to La Parousse........Funny how things change when you start to learn to play the course and see it's nuances.

Personally, I think from the 2nd shot on 13 to tapping in on 17 (usually for 4) is one of the greatest stretches of golf on any course anywhere in the world. 5 and 6 are gorgeous to look at, but strategically 13-17 are the heart of the course.

Interested in your opinions of #2. To me the green sits on a completely wrong angle when you look at the surrounding topography and the surrounds just don't seem to fit with the rest of the course. I'm sure most would agree that the old #18 was the worst hole on the course, but to me #2 isn't far behind.

One of the best rounds of my life was playing NSWGC with my Dad and Brother when the family made it out to visit in '05......Watching Adam fire a smooth 68 on 15 minutes sleep was a sight to behold.....

Cheers.

Rob

Mark

I think #2 was amended about 15 years ago or so.  I haven't seen it, but the hearsay was not good at the time.

Adelaide also received about 4 inches of rain last weekend, but it has (so far) missed Melbourne.  Ed and Dave should be enjoying reasonably firm and fast in Melbourne this week, but certainly not as green as NSWGC.