'Down Under'

[Tyler Kearns]

I have just returned from a 2-month voyage to Australia where I hunkered down in Melbourne for one month of golfing, and can say without hesitation that the city gives any other in the world a run for its money in terms of great golf architecture. I am already eager to get back to see some of the courses I missed, and to have another crack at the many I was fortunate enough to see.

I was also happy to meet many members of the Melbourne GCA contingent, with whom I shared some very enjoyable rounds and heard many a good tale. While gleaning some insight into the architecture and history of golf in Melbourne I also got some insight into Australian politics, Aussie rules football and cricket, which are know a little less perplexing. Therefore, I owe an extra big thank you to Michael Clayton, with whom I spent nearly a week, and thoroughly enjoyed his frank commentary and architectural appraisals. A terrific bloke, and a damn fine player!! Thank you to Darius Oliver, Mark Ferguson (whose "fade" was contagious), Justin Ryan, David Elvins, Michael Cocking, Chris Kane (who I infected with a case of the power fade), Paul Daley and Neil Crafter.

In the near future I will make my first attempt to post some pictures and commentary from my trip which included (in order); Yarra Yarra, St. Andrews Beach, Portsea, Peninsula Country (North), Peninsula Country (South), Woodlands, Kingston Heath, Victoria, Royal Melbourne (West), Royal Melbourne (East), Barnbougle Dunes, Commonwealth, 13th Beach, the National (Moonah) and Royal Adelaide.

TK

[Scott Coan]

Tyler,

Looking forward to the pics/commentary as 11 of us from NZ are heading over to Melbourne for pretty much the same itinerary in 3 short weeks.  Can't wait!

sc

[Tyler Kearns]

Scott,

The scary thing is, there is a lot more to see in the Melbourne/Mornington Peninsula area. On the short list is Metropolitan, the National (Ocean), Ranfurlie, Sorrento, Long Island, Moonah Links (Legends) and the Dunes!!

TK

[RJ_Daley]

Wow, two months!  That is very cool and a dream trip for many of us.  I'm looking forward to your comments, particularly any observations of some local customs, like dragging pull-push carts straight across greens and such.  

[Ed Tilley]

I have just returned from a 2-month voyage to Australia where I hunkered down in Melbourne for one month of golfing, and can say without hesitation that the city gives any other in the world a run for its money in terms of great golf architecture. I am already eager to get back to see some of the courses I missed, and to have another crack at the many I was fortunate enough to see.

I was also happy to meet many members of the Melbourne GCA contingent, with whom I shared some very enjoyable rounds and heard many a good tale. While gleaning some insight into the architecture and history of golf in Melbourne I also got some insight into Australian politics, Aussie rules football and cricket, which are know a little less perplexing. Therefore, I owe an extra big thank you to Michael Clayton, with whom I spent nearly a week, and thoroughly enjoyed his frank commentary and architectural appraisals. A terrific bloke, and a damn fine player!! Thank you to Darius Oliver, Mark Ferguson (whose "fade" was contagious), Justin Ryan, David Elvins, Michael Cocking, Chris Kane (who I infected with a case of the power fade), Paul Daley and Neil Crafter.

In the near future I will make my first attempt to post some pictures and commentary from my trip which included (in order); Yarra Yarra, St. Andrews Beach, Portsea, Peninsula Country (North), Peninsula Country (South), Woodlands, Kingston Heath, Victoria, Royal Melbourne (West), Royal Melbourne (East), Barnbougle Dunes, Commonwealth, 13th Beach, the National (Moonah) and Royal Adelaide.

TK

Tyler,

Cricket is quite a straight forward game:

You have two sides: one out in the field and one in.

Each man that's in the side that's in goes out and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out.

When they are all out, the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out.

Sometimes you get men still in and not out.

When a man goes out to go in, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in.

There are two men called umpires who stay all out all the time and they decide when the men who are in are out.

When both sides have been in and all the men have out, and both sides have been out twice after all the men have been in, including those who are not out,

That's the end of the game.

Easy

[Chris_Clouser]

That reminds me a lot of the old Bob Newhart skit where he tries to explain baseball.

Good stuff.

[Andrew Thomson]

It's amazing you can play so many fine courses and still miss some excellent ones along the way.

Having said that, you picked the eyes right out of the best we have to offer.  Only missing a trip to NSW.

I'd be more concerned about missing National Old than Ocean.  Unless you like goats

Andrew

[Tyler Kearns]

Ed,

Very funny!

RJ,

I am sure someone could search through the GCA archives to find the post where I admonished the practice of pulling carts across the greens. However, I have had a change of heart, and did so often while in Australia. It certainly does help speed up play, and more importantly spreads the wear and tear around the greens much more evenly.

Andrew,

Unfortunately only one of my two months was dedicated to golf, and the other to travel. It's funny regarding the National, because I have heard so many varying opinions, with players professing a love for each course. I guess I'll have to play all three in time, and decide for myself . Next time I'll stay on the Peninsula, because it is an awfully long voyage from the city centre each day, hence why I missed quite a few gems.

TK

[Bill_McBride]

Ed Tilley:  Who's on first?

[Chris Kane]

Sounds like a great trip Tyler - it was good to catch up at Commonwealth.

With a possible exception of Metropolitan and Ranfurlie, you've managed to see all thats worth seeing in these parts.