RACV Healesville ( - ) Legends Pro-am

A day off called for a trip out to RACV Healesville and a spot in the PGA of Australia Legends Pro Am series.

It was an early start

There is a hot air balloon there somewhere...

Our group included profession Trevor Hollingsworth, Head Professional from the Wattle Park Golf Course in Burwood

RACV Healesville is a short course, par 68 with 6 x par 3's, but large undulating greens that can test your short game and interesting placements of creeks to provide test of shot selection and distance control.

Par 4 1st hole - don't go right

Trevor was a great playing partner, gave each of us some pointers and was good company.

Par 3 4th hole

The afternoon field included a few more legends such as Ian Baker-Finch

IBF getting ready for pm round

Overall an enjoyable day and my first at a Legends Pro-Am.  Look forward to going to a couple more in 2019.  I ended the day with 36 stableford points

Huntingdale Golf Club ( 38 )

The first SGA Victoria game for 2018 had us off to Huntingdale Golf Club in Melbourne's famous sandbelt.

The home of the Australian Masters for many years, it is always in magnificent condition and today was no exception.

Leuk the Duck  along for support

Started on the 10th hole, a reasonably short par 5, and a comfortable par was a nice way to start the round.

Par 5 10th hole

A reasonably solid start today before a couple of lapses on short games on holes I had strokes on cost a couple of points.

Long par 4 17th hole

Three more pars on the second nine and I closed with 36 points, my best score for a few rounds

Victoria Golf Club (9)

Another golfing year draws to a close and have been pleased to play more than the usual number of games this year.  The final game with SGA Victoria means a trip to the wonderful Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne's sandbelt.

With the temperature already at 35C before we teed off, it was going to be a long day.  Eventually the maximum reached 37C and a few cases of exhaustion ensued.

Started on the short par 4 first hole and benefited from a fairway that opens to the right, leaving a short wedge to the green and a par start.

Par 4 2nd hole

Managed to hit a second fairway and a reasonable start was underway.  Unfortunately the wheels fell off a little later, and finished with 14 points on the front nine.

Par 3 16th hole

Highlight of the round was making par on 3 of the par 3 holes around Victoria including the long 16th.

Spring Valley Golf Club (55)

A charity day for Movember at the Spring Valley Golf Club.  After some rain and storms we had a milder day.

Spring Valley is in the Melbourne sandbelt and always in excellent condition.

Practice chipping green

Par 4, 1st hole

Par 4, 2nd hole

Par 4, 8th hole

Gardiner's Run ( - )

Gardiner's Run is a relatively new course in Lilydale.  It is very picturesque with Yarra Ranges nearby and a number of holes having the hills as backdrops.

The practice range and facilities are excellent.


Starting on the par 5 10th tee, we were off the whit etees which has the course playing significantly shorter.  I managed to make a good start with 6 pars in first 7 holes fo r20 points.

Not sure what went wrong after those seven holes as from then on only one more par and I struggled to hit a fairway.

Par 3 16th hole



RACV Healesville ( - )

A couple of trips out to Healesville first for a family visit and we managed to squeeze in 9 holes.

View over short 4 hole pitch and putt course

Accommodation and conference facilities

The second nine has 4 par 3 holes so a good test of your short game.

The course is tight in places and some good holes and greens in good condition.

Kingston Heath Golf Club (2)

SGA Victoria headed off to the Melbourne sandbelt again to the prestigious Kingston Heath Golf Club, rated number 2 in Australia.

Practice facilities

Starter Box

From the practice facilities, clubhouse and course this is golf at the highest standard.

Par 5 7th hole

A shotgun start on the par 5 7th hole was a gentle introduction to the course.

The bunkering is a feature at Kingston Heath and with the greens running fast you need to have a good short game around here.

The par 3 holes are fantastic and challenging, in fact any par around here is a good feeling.