Barnbougle Dunes is a must-play on an Australia golf vacation.
If you watched the telecast of the PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament this past weekend, you probably heard the announcers say that Matt Goggin, who ultimately finished tied for second place, hails from Tasmania.
Like any reasonable person, you were probably wondering: 1) Where the heck is Tasmania? And, 2) Do they even have golf courses there?
Normally, I’d be wondering right along with you. Heck, until last year, my knowledge of Tasmania began and ended with that ravenous, whirling dervish from Bugs Bunny cartoons.
Tasmania, it turns out, is an island state off of Australia, which I learned from the editors of Golf Odyssey, who didn’t hesitate to visit this far flung corner of the world to conduct a comprehensive assessment of Barnbougle Dunes, the much-talked about Tom Doak golf course that recently opened there.
You know what? It’s worth the trek to this top-100-in-the-world candidate, no matter how many hours of recycled air and overly salted peanuts you have to ingest.
The course is set on scenic Anderson Bay, and, aside from a modest clubhouse and a cluster of unpretentious golf cottages, there’s nothing here but ceaseless winds, heaving dunes, and tall native grasses (most ominously, thick and exasperating marram grass).
The fairways and greens blend well with the vegetation covering the sand hills. In fact, Barnbougle Dunes looks likes it’s been there forever. Abundant birdlife and perhaps a stray wallaby complete the picture.
The editors of Golf Odyssey said, “Seldom have we encountered a course where so many holes are instantly memorable and offer so many strategic options. From start to finish, the links’ variety, vistas, and shot options thrill us. Barnbougle Dunes is a piece of golfing heaven.”
Yes, it’s remote, but Barbougle Dunes is an absolute must if your Australia golf vacation includes the great sandbelt courses around Melbourne. Royal Melbourne, the greatest course in the Southern Hemisphere, is just across the Bass Strait.
November through March (summertime Down Under) is the best time to visit, as temperatures hover around the 70’s and 80’s. Avoid June through September, however, when wind, rain, and cold present uncomfortable conditions.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
What this says to the your readers is that most Americans don’t have a clue about world geography unless they have started a war there. How can you be the editors or writers of a golf vacation magazine and not know where Tasmania is? Some Americans I have asked think its a country near the equator. What do they teach in the American school system?
Not to worry, in 1991, the Taz character got his own show, “Taz-mania,” which ran for three seasons on Fox, the opening trailer of which gives clear indication of the Australian connection. It was after my cartoon watching days, but one of the interns here advised me that plenty of younger Americans now know where Tasmania is because of it. P.S. I guess I need to do a better job of telegraphing my jokes.
Barnbougle is a great seaside course. Their dinners and wines are worthy of comment also. Perhaps a mention of the real Tasmanian Devils would have been nice. There are a number of parks there dedicated to their survival and are most informative about their eating habits.
I’m a Canadian golfer who has played in Tasmania but unfortunately a few years before the debut of Barnbougle. It’s a fascinating place where courses can range from very basic (with sheep grazing in fairways) to better courses like Royal Hobart and the Launceston Golf Club. I played 36 holes a day for seven days and can say it is one of the most memorable golf trips I’ve ever taken. In typical Aussie style, many courses are very casual where pro shops are unmanned and visitors leave their greens fees in an honesty box. I hope to return some day to play Barnbougle and its new sister course currently under construction. Donna C.