Standing on the tee of the signature par-3, 185- meter (202-yard), 6th hole at NSWGC.
Today marked a very special day in the “Golf Journey to Australia,” I played my first round of golf “Down Under.” I could not have been invited to play a better, more inspirational, or more meaningful golf course historically or to me personally. While Aboriginal Australians were the first to live on this island continent, the British were the first from Europe to officially claim area on the Australian mainland. That occurred as a result of Captain James Cook’s arrival in 1770 on the Endeavour, landing in Botany Bay and coming ashore and finding fresh water not far from the 16th tee of the New South Wales Golf Club. What a thrill to put a peg in the ground with Club Captain Phil Banister and a number of other NSWGC members. Playing this seaside links course, an Alister MacKenzie original, that dates back to 1928, was as fitting a beginning to my journey as Cook’s discovery was to end his. I think I must have been as excited as he to discover and walk upon such a beautiful piece of land.
CLICK here for a BEAUTY VIDEO of the New South Wales Golf Club.
The 5th green in the foreground and the island rock outcrop which is a part of the Cape Banks Aquatic Reserve.
Each hole of the NSWGC is unique and memorable. Mackenzie died six years after the golf course opened but he praised it in Golf Illustrated with the following words: “At Sydney , I made an entirely new course for the New South Wales Golf Club at a place called La Perouse. This is a sand duned peninsula which overlooks Botany Bay and presents, I think, more spectacular views than any other place I know with the possible exception of the new Cypress Point golf course I am doing on the Del Monte peninsula in California.” I laughed when Ron, an Aussie turned American CEO and now again a retired Aussie, commented that “Cypress Point isn’t windy enough.” That was before the round. I wholeheartedly agreed after the round.
Eric Apperly, who won the Australian Amateur in 1920, continued along the lines of MacKenzie’s grand vision with alterations in 1932 and then again with a restoration in 1949 after the course had been converted to a military function in WWII. In the first ten year’s of the club’s history, MacKenzie and Apperly, fashioned the golf course pretty much as it is today, 76 years later, and I had the privilege to play that golf course on a beautiful day. It was an extraordinary walk!
The 13th green. It seems like all the holes are on the ocean or have an exceptional ocean view.
How unique and amazing are the 18 holes of this La Perouse Pulchritude? Let me count the ways! All four par-3s point in a different direction as do all four of the par-5s. This superb design feature maximizes the effect of the wind and along with an up-and-down routing amongst the outback-like terrain greatly that confuses the golfer, any golfer, professional or mere amateur. The first four holes are an interesting warm-up to a blind walk up the 5th fairway (see video above) in search of the golfer’s second shot. Once over the ridge one sees the ocean and then after completing the now downhill par-5 one walks across a narrow bridge to the 6th tee placed on a rocky outcrop that doomed the SS Minmi in 1937. Remnants of her 1455 displaced tons are still there wanting to fill your mind and wreck your tee shot. There you have the Gem of Australia Golf—links, seaside, wind—and you have her for the remaining 13 holes. If you are lucky enough to survive the test, you can hear the bell of the SS Minmi ring your drink or dinner order is ready in the Clubhouse lounge overlooking the 18th green. I had the pleasure of seeing and interacting with all of her today!
CLICK here for a VIDEO INTERVIEW with Club Captain Phil Banister.
It was an honor and a privilege to join in with the regular Thursday member competition. Phil is in the checkered sweater at the head of the table.
Club Captain Phil Banister hosted my visit to New South Wales GC and I was warmly greeted by countless members, Golf Manager Brett Folkes and General Manager David Burton. Folkes played collegiate golf in the United States on a golf scholarship from Georgia Southern University, pursued a professional golfing career, and worked in junior golf in the States before recently returning home to Australia. Burton is the consummate professional in the golf club business and is a past president of Golf Management Australia (GMA). Phil, not only was a great host at the club but offered me a room, if needed, to stay in when my first week accommodation was still in question. An affable guy, there is no wonder why he has been elected and has captained the club for the last three years. A lover of the game, the club and all things Australian, he reminded me of Adam’s Scott‘s pivotal win at New South Wales GC in the 2009 Australian Open. It was his first career victory in Australia and from there he went on to become the first Aussie to win the Masters in 2013.
If you ever get the chance to play the New South Wales Golf Club, I would highly recommend that you do so. Its history and place in the game of golf is unique and unmatched. Whether it is your first round of golf in Australia or the last round of golf you play in your lifetime, it will be eternally memorable. It is for me!
Stunning first round of golf in Australia at the New South Wales Golf Club… (Facebook Link, Andy Reistetter, 11/10/14)
Member Glen Martin pointing to the wreckage of the SS Minmi. He has watched it slowly deteriorate and fade from existence his whole life through.
What remains of the wreckage of the SS Minmi.
The bell of the SS Minmi is alive and active in the Clubhouse at NSWGC.
Looking back from the 14th green, evidently Nick Faldo’s favorite hole at NSWGC.
Typical bunker, though no two are alike, this is sandy, seaside links at its best!
The 18th green and Clubhouse at New South Wales Golf Club.
