Lang Lang Golf Club ( - )

A very early start for the 1 hr drive south east to Lang Lang Golf Club.  We seemed to be even too early for the pro shop staff as the gates were still closed on arrival.

Some locals were around enjoying the cooler conditions before the rain.

Another SGA Victoria game and a cooler start to the day

Par 4 first hole

We were the first group off the 1st, so got away slightly early to try and beat the weather than was looking a little ominous.

Short par 4 third hole



A mix of holes on the front nine, some longer par 4's but also some really nice shorter holes where it is all about placement off the tee and ability to hit short irons.  Today our distance judgement was not great.

Par 4 10th hole

A total of 4 wiped holes and 8 points on the front nine, before starting the back nine with a par 4 on the dogleg 10th.

Par 4 14th hole

The rain finally arrived around the 14th hole and although only for a few holes it was reasonably heavy and enough to make it unpleasant, wet clubs, ground and conditions.


Had a slight improvement on the back nine with a couple more pars including a par on the 18th.  Sixteen points for a total of 24 for the day.

Yering Meadows Golf Club ( - )

Second game for the year and it was round one of the 2017 Matchplay championship with SGA Victoria at Yering Meadows Golf Club.

An early start had us playing holes 19-27 and 1-9 otherwise known as the Homestead course.

No shots given or received against my opponent today and despite a delayed start to the round, I made a good start on the first hole with a 6-iron to 5 feet from the pin.

The good start continued and I made the turn 7up with irons and putting all working today.  Would have shot around 41 gross for the front nine, with 2 birdies and 2 pars.

Won the first hole of the second nine to go 8up before losing the next.  A 30 foot putt for bogey gave me a half and win 7 and 6.







Huntingdale Golf Club (38)

First game for 2017 and after some hot weather after Christmas we managed a perfect day for golf with light winds and 25C.

It is always a pleasure to come to Huntingdale, traditional home of the Australian Masters for many years.  The course was in magnificent condition even after suffering damage to some of the bunkers in recent storms in Melbourne.

A shotgun start, but we were fortunate to be off the 1st tee.

A reasonable start to the round, my first for over 6 months although only 1 par amongst a heap of bogies.  Unfortunately the second nine saw more bunkers and misdirected tee shots bring the scoring down.

Sixteen points first nine, but fell in a hole on second nine.

Have been trying to work on correcting the slice in my out to in swing.

Tina Golf Club, Noumea

A escape from the Melbourne winter took us to Noumea in New Caledonia.  After a couple of days defrosting and enjoying beautiful 24-26c winter days, an early morning start at Tina Golf Club awaits.

The course is about a 20 min taxi ride from the city (cost about 2000 XPF).  Had emailed the pro-shop before leaving and booked in for a 7:30am tee off but arrived a little early and getting away earlier was not a problem.

A reasonable set of hire clubs and electric cart and we were ready to go.

1st Fairway from tee

The front nine holes wind their way around the hills with some great holes.  Not a long course but requiring accurate tee shots and a good short game.  Course was quite wet under foot and the hills and undulations are a highlight with a few holes where care with the cart is required.

Par 3 Third hole

Caught up to a local New Caledonian who invited me to join him for last 3 holes of front nine before he headed off to work.  A nice way to start the day!.

Highlight of the front nine were the par 3 holes from elevated tees.

The back nine starts a very different type of course with the holes winding their way around the mangroves and bays with a few water carry the most spectacular being the par 3 13th and par 4 15th holes.

Par 3 13th green

The par 4 15th demands a tee shot to carry the water and long hitters can go for the palm tree guarded green or lay up across water to a fairway and leave a short wedge into the green.

Par 4 15th from the tee, green behind the palms

18th green

Box Hill Golf Club (-)

A mid week visit to Box Hill Golf Club with tee times available at Golflink.  Box Hill is always very welcoming to visitors and today was no exception.

The course was in good condition, although the greens were quite soft and therefore a bit slower than others.

Today was the second round match in the 2016 SGA Tour Victoria Matchplay and my opponent had to concede 10 shots.

A tight match and although I missed a chance to finish at the 15th hole, I lost the next three holes to come to the last all square where my last shot on handicap came in handy to give me a win 1up.