Growling Frog Golf Course (-)

The second SGA Tour Victoria game for 2016 had us travelling north to Yan Yean to the Growling Frog Golf Course designed by Australian golf legend Graham Marsh.

Clubhouse

An early tee off had some local wildlife out and about with numerous kangaroos around until it warmed up later.

Kangaroos a plenty

A shotgun start but we were off the 10th hole.  After one hole, a northerly wind picked up out of nowhere that was soon about 2 clubs worth and made for some long holes back into it.

Par 4 10th hole

We were off the blue markers or back tees today.  15 points on the first (back) nine holes played with 1 wiped hole.

Par 5 15th hole

Handicap of 22 (GA18.4) and I didn't make the most of two shot holes.

Par 3 16th hole

The long par 3 16th hole was playing straight back into the northerly.  Couldn't hit a 3 iron any better and still short.

Par 4 4th hole

The wind helped on the 18th hole as I can't remember hitting 9 iron in for second on a 400m par 4 before.  Made the turn and was looking to improve and play to handicap.




Lon par 4 6th hole

A good drive away on 6th had me well placed to take advantage of 2 shots but beware getting ahead of yourself when you forget about the blind water hazard to left of fairway on second shot....ooops!

Par 5 8th hole

After wiping 6 and 7th holes, please to make 3 points on each of the last two holes to recover for 31 points.

Although not in the 2012 rankings that I am using to list my courses played, the course is listed at 78 in Golf Australia magazines Top 100 public access courses in Australia

Melbourne Golf Academy Driving Range

Visited the Melbourne Golf Academy driving range at Moorabbin for a practice ahead of a game the following day.

The range has excellent facilities with 34 undercover driving bays, a short game area and huge practice putting green.

Mainly wanted to work on my driver which has not been cooperative of late and worked out a few things and ready to give it a go tomorrow.

Huntingdale Golf Club (38)

A new year and the first game with the SGA Tour Victoria for the year at the magnificent Huntingdale Golf Club in Melbourne's sandbelt.

The first game, great course and most people still on holidays had a large field for the early morning shotgun start.

They are getting serious

Started on the par 3 12th hole which is always a challenge for the first of the day, particularly when the green is surrounded by bunkers, which I managed to find.

Par 3 12th hole

Bunker play was better today (and it needed to be) and managed to get out of all the greenside and fairway bunkers I found although just one sand save.

Par 5 14th tee

Played reasonably for 16 points each nine, so 32 in total, no wipes and no lost balls. 

Par 3 15th hole

The tees were forward on a number of the holes for example the par 3 15th where we were playing from around 120m, whereas the hole can go back to about 141m plus.

Par 4 16th hole from fairway

Par 4 18th hole

 

Probably most consistent round since back from injury although put the driver away and still struggling with the over the top swing and resulting slice.

Barossa Valley Golf Club

The Barossa Valley Golf Club is situated in Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley just north of Adelaide.

The road trip continued on from the Adelaide Hills and we stayed in Nuriootpa for a couple of days whilst exploring the Barossa Valley.

Par 4 1st hole

The weather was warm in the lead up to new year and it was 36C when I ventured out, so a electric cart and lots of drinks was necessary.  I had the course to myself, so got around in less than 2 hours.

Par 3 3rd hole

The hot weather meant the fairways were quite dry but the tees and greens were in good condition, the greens in particular considering the dry spell were soft and so the ball stopped well.

Par 4 4th hole

A couple of kangaroos spotted in the shade on the way around.

Managed to play slightly above handicap which in the conditions I was happy with.

Par 3 15th hole

Tee shot on 15th

Looking forward to a full year of golf in 2016.

Long par 3 17th hole

A feature was the long par 3 holes, notably the 17th at 210 metres from the back.

Mt Barker Hahndorf Golf Club

A post Christmas road trip to South Australia provided an opportunity to squeeze in a couple of games whilst away.

Par 4 1st hole

An early morning start, an electric cart, hire clubs and ready for a quick round.

Par 3 2nd green

The Mt Barker Hahndorf course is located at Mt Barker about 15 minutes drive from Hahndorf and is in good condition with an interesting mix of holes.

Over the fence is in the paddock

The course is next to farmland so over the fence on a few holes has you in a paddock.  It also shows you how dry things have been and the condition on the greens and fairways is good with this in mind.

A number of water hazards around the course and although some were dry, others are placed such that fairways directed tee shots towards them and some local knowledge would be good to know when to lay up.

Par 4 16th hole

An enjoyable round and on with the holiday.