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Launceston is a popular stopping off point for golfers heading north to Barnbougle. But as Jon Underwood discovers, there are several quality courses to be found in and around the city.
The mist was still rising from the lake as I made my way to the first tee at Country Club Tasmania. In my opinion, there’s nothing better than playing really early when the only living things on the course are a few ducks, the occasional native hen and a sleepy greenkeeper or two.
But any thoughts I had of a gentle start to my round were soon shattered. This is a course that immediately snaps golfers from any early reverie.
The opening hole is stroke index four and at 395-metres is the second-longest par-four on the course. The aforementioned lake must be carried in order to find a twisting, narrow fairway. No simple beginning to warm stiff muscles or ease into the round. A quick trip to the adjacent driving range to oil the swing before playing is well worth the time.
Designed and built in 1982 by Mike Wolveridge and Peter Thomson, the par-71 course measures 6,065-metres off the back tees. Although that’s not considered long by modern standards, it more than punches above its weight thanks to clever routing and impressive use of the natural topography. Initially intended to resemble a links course, it now has more of a parkland resort-style feel, although the long rough in evidence when I played would surely worry the very best.
While a premium is placed on accuracy off the tee, there is a bit of space for the occasional sprayed drive. Water does come into play on a handful of holes and the greens are slick and exceptional.
Five par-fives and six par-threes give the card a somewhat unusual look. The fourth is the shortest of the par-fives and water is again the issue off the tee. Big hitters will bomb it over the lake to reduce the second shot while the more cautious will aim left, trying to avoid a sneaky bunker or the dead tree that’s been left in the middle of the fairway as a feature. It’s a great driving hole.
Equally noteworthy on the opening nine are the sixth, a cracking uphill par-five, and the eighth, a charming downhill par-three with a couple of high branches on a big gum tree sticking out on the right to keep you honest.
The inward nine is slightly shorter than its big brother thanks to the presence of four par-threes, including the somewhat unique 13th. It’s the only short hole I’ve seen with an electricity pylon next to the green. A wayward tee shot here could definitely be unlucky 13 for someone.
Although the par-four 14th is rated hardest hole on the course, my particular favourite was 16, a par-five of only 478-metres. Two lusty blows and a birdie beckons with the green set among an amphitheatre of adjoining properties to provide an audience as the putt drops.
Having such a great course on the doorstep is just one reason to set up base camp at Country Club Tasmania during any golfing odyssey in Launceston. With the city’s only official five-star hotel rooms, the accommodation is top class – I was lucky enough to stay in the Rozewood Suite and found it to be both luxurious and incredibly spacious.
This exceptional standard also applies to the multi award-winning Terrace Restaurant where fine dining is the order of the day. Executive chef Sean Keating sources almost all of his fresh ingredients from the local area and the quality of his food shines through.
I had the most exquisite meal – the Cape Grim eye fillet and the honey crème brulée were to die for – and the wine list was one of the most comprehensive I have ever seen (little wonder as they have a custom-designed, 2,400-bottle Tasmanian blackwood wine cellar).
A different kind of vintage exists at Launceston Golf Club. It is the oldest 18-hole course in Tasmania, having been founded in 1899. Take the time to look at the fascinating collection of memorabilia in the clubhouse, including old wooden clubs and photographs from the early 1900s.
Launceston is the kind of course they just don’t make anymore and for me, the game is somewhat poorer for it. It’s just a tick over 6,000-metres but the game here is all about precision not power…if you don’t hit the ball straighter than a runway you’ll be in a world of pain, more commonly known as ‘the trees’.
My playing partner is Gary Colgrave, the type of member most clubs desperately need. When he’s not playing the course, he’s working on it, volunteering his spare time to maintain Launceston’s impeccable fairways and greens. Awarded life membership in 1996, Gary is rightly proud of the course and is the perfect tour guide.
“The course has been carved out of the bush and it’s pretty tight if you don’t hit your fairways. You’ll be chipping out sideways most of the time,” he explains kindly as we head towards the trees in search of yet another errant drive from yours truly.
Again, the card is somewhat unusual with only three par-fives and three par-threes but with plenty of doglegs, the course keeps you guessing throughout. Big hitters will be able to fly some of the corners but only perfect strikes will keep the ball in play as those damned trees await anything off line. Small greens offer another line of defence but with billiard-table smooth surfaces, they are a pleasure to putt on.
Despite being just a few minutes’ drive from the city centre and surrounded on several sides by housing, the course is remarkably peaceful. Only the occasional car scooting along Opossom Road spoils the serenity.
The first hole is a driveable par-four for the low markers but from there it all gets a little testier. Gary nominates the seventh as one of the tougher holes on the opening nine and he’s bang on the money: the 383-metre par-four is usually played into a prevailing wind and the drive and approach are nerve-wracking.
Special mention must go to the 12th…and not just because Gary had a hand in re-building the green. But first you have to avoid the fairway bunkers (of which there are many) off the tee before playing downhill to one of the biggest greens on the course. It has a ridge at the front and certain death over the back. Gary shows me just how to play ‘his’ hole by pitching to three feet and making birdie. Show off.
There are lovely little touches here. Some of the holes are imaginatively named – 10 is called ‘the tenth’, 17 is called ‘the seventeenth’ – and the back-to-back par-threes at 13 and 14 are the golfing equivalent of little and large.
And when it’s all over, the journey finishes right in front of the clubhouse, where you’ll be able to reflect on memories of a great course among the incredibly hospitable members.
A similar welcome awaits to the north of town. Riverside Golf Club is situated on the western side of the Tamar River. Founded in 1933 when a local landowner donated 50 acres, the club now sits on 110 acres (about 44 hectares) and offers great views of Mount Arthur and Mount Barrow in the distance.
Rob Fitzgerald joined the club as a junior and some 40 years later he’s now the general manager. He has big plans for the club’s future, knowing that competition for golfers is fierce in a city with such a selection of quality courses. Money has been spent upgrading the irrigation system and that has already improved the look of this picturesque, par-72 course.
“The layout is pretty much as it was when I started playing here 40 years ago,” he tells me as we play. “It’s a fairly easy walking course. It’s relatively flat, which makes it a pleasant experience for the older golfer. It’s just an enjoyable, parkland setting.”
Given that Riverside employs only four full-time green staff, it was quite remarkable just how good the course looked. The greens were superb and I didn’t get a bad fairway lie all the way round.
Asked to nominate some signature holes, Rob picks the seventh, a 383-metre par-four with water in front of a small green, and the ninth, which is best played army-style: right-left-right. Rumour has it that some golfers can actually reach the 498-metre par-five in two.
For mine, I would also add the longest hole on the course, the 531-metre 15th, which is a genuine three-shotter, and the short but scenic par-four 16th where you have to pull your drive up just short of a ditch that runs across the fairway. And Riverside has a wonderful finishing hole with the green again right in front of the clubhouse, allowing members to watch the closing action from the comfort of the first-floor verandah.
“Launceston is just a great place to play golf. You’ve also got the added bonus that we’re only an hour and a half’s drive from Barnbougle so you can make it a really good golfing holiday,” adds Rob.
Now that’s what I call local knowledge.
*Main pictures courtesy of Country Club Tasmania.
at a glance
Getting there: Qantas and Jetstar operate direct flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne to Launceston.
Qantas: 131-313; qantas.com.au
Jetstar: 131-538; jetstar.com.au
Accommodation: Country Club Tasmania offers four-to five-star quality accommodation, including Manor Suites, Deluxe rooms, Villa Suites and self-contained one-, two- and three-bedroom villas. Rates from AU$129 per night in a one-bedroom Villa to AU$247 per night for a five-star Manor Suite.
Stay & Play: CCT is offering a round of golf for two, two buckets of range balls plus overnight accommodation and full buffet breakfast for two. Rates are AU$349 per night in a Manor Suite/$271 per night in a Deluxe Room/$231 per night in a one-bedroom Villa. Offer is for one nights’ accommodation for two people per room, valid until September 30. 1800-030-211; countryclubtasmania.com.au
Green Fees: CCT. AU$70 for 18 holes, house guests AU$40.
Launceston GC. AU$65 for 18 holes. 61-3/6344-1154; launcestongolfclub.com.au
Riverside GC. AU$50 for 18 holes. 61-3/6327-3312; riversidegolf.com.au
What else to do: Country Club Tasmania has casino facilities, live entertainment, tennis courts, a health centre, horse trail rides and trout fishing.
Further information: Tourism Tasmania provides a wealth of knowledge when it comes to things to see and do in Launceston. 1300-827-743; discovertasmania.com
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