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.

2016 Eynesbury Masters Pro-am

A fine morning and an early start for the drive west to Eynesbury Golf Club for the 2016 Eynesbury Masters pro-am.

I have played this event three times now and it is always well organised and a great experience at a reasonable cost.

Today we were partnered with professionals Wade Lowrie and Daniel Smith.

Started on the long par 4 fourth hole which is rated hardest on the course.

Marysville Community Golf & Bowls Club

The SGA Tour Victoria were heading to Marysville Community Golf club and a clear day but cool morning greeted an enthusiastic bunch of golfers for a early morning shotgun start.

Marysville clubhouse

Started on the par 3 18th hole and a first up 3 putt was not they way to start.

A frosty practice green

The course is one of the most picturesque I have had the pleasure to play on and although not long the holes demand accuracy and the tree lined fairways snaffled a few of our tee shots.

Par 3 4th hole

18 points on the first nine, and 16 coming in for 34 points with two wiped holes after lost balls on  each.

Par 5 12th hole

The back nine has a few climbs but the views at the end are worth it.  A recommended trip if you have never played  Marysville before, with easy online booking.

Oates Vic Open Thirteenth Beach Golf Links

The weather was perfect and so a day off and an early morning start for the drive over the Westgate towards Barwon Heads and the wonderful Thirteenth Beach Golf Links.

It was the second round of the Oates Vic Open an event where mens and womens championship is played together with alternating groups.  For the spectators it is up close as you get to walk the fairways with the players.

First two rounds are alternated on the Beach and Creek Courses.

The practice range and green was busy for the early morning start with first group off at 7am.

I chose to follow a group of women international players being Amandeep Drall (India), Charlotte Ellis (England) and Jessica Macphee (Canada).  They were teeing off at 8am on the 1st tee of the Creek Course which I have not played before so was a good opportunity to walk the course.

Amandeep, Jess, Charlotte on 1st tee

The Creek course is interesting with bunkers strategically placed and plenty of swales around the green giving some challenging short pitches.

Creek course 1st tee

Driver time

Sponsor tee markers