Ross Watson GC Architects

[AndyP]

First time, I have visited the Ross Watson website. Sorry, g69. Shame on me. :oops:

If you look at the list of courses they have worked on, I am sure you will find courses there that you have played or are near you.

I noticed that they are planning and developing 27 holes for Warrnambool Resort.
I am intrigued, because I was born in Windy Warrnambool, and can't see why you would want to put a resort there, assuming it is a new resort.
For those who don't know, Warrnambool is 260km SW from Melbourne along the Princes Highway.

Can anyone provide any information on this, in particular, g69? Will you be making use of the antarctic winds in the design?

[golfer69]

Great news andy...that project officially died a couple of weeks ago.

Ross has been involved in golf course design for about 30 years. In his early days he primarily worked on small re-modelling jobs around Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
You will find dozens on golf holes around SE Qld that Ross has done work on.
He did a heap of the greens at Pacific, much work at Toowoomba City, Burleigh, and the golf holes around the bridge at RQ to name a few.

The new Pacific Harbour Golf Course is now under construction and should be a little gem. If anyone is interested later in the year, we could play an Ozgolf game at the old Bribie course and get a tour of the construction site at PH if anyone is interested.

[Fishman Dan]

On that note, is RW doing any more work @ Gordon GC in Sydney? I think he did work on a couple of holes a number of years ago, as well as re-number the hole order. Someone has been digging up the tee area on the 7th, which is the Index 1 hole. A long par 4 which bends to the right. They've only recently redone the tees which added about 15-20 metres, but there's even more earth-moving going on with what looks to another tee area being constructed?!

I guess it's for these reasons the course fees are so high for crap Sydney clubs - they don't only do some course reno's, but redo them within 5 years. :roll:

Isn't Warrnambool the official and geographical home of the Bogan? Can't imagine what a resort there would be like... concierge wearing flannelette with mullets?

[golfer69]

Fish...nothing happening at Gordon for us.

Currently in Sydney we are doing stuff at Bonnie Doon, Pymble, Eastlakes, and a couple of new courses up at Wyong and North Entrance.
The Gong are waiting on approvals for some new work too.

[Fishman Dan]

Fish...nothing happening at Gordon for us.

Currently in Sydney we are doing stuff at Bonnie Doon, Pymble, Eastlakes, and a couple of new courses up at Wyong and North Entrance.
The Gong are waiting on approvals for some new work too.

Like i've said before, Gordon is on your website so not sure what you've done to the place, but the 16th (par 3) is a stand-out hole and very different from all the others. Recently there was work done to the tees on the 7th, and there's talk that they're going to excavate and put in a new lake - which would be gutsy seeing as though we're nearly on permanent water restrictions now...

[Golfgirl]

The new Pacific Harbour Golf Course is now under construction and should be a little gem. If anyone is interested later in the year, we could play an Ozgolf game at the old Bribie course and get a tour of the construction site at PH if anyone is interested.

I'm sure that hubby will be interested enough to try and schedule a trip back later in the year... I'll come too - I like Bribie Island - nice course. :D

[CobraSS]

The new Pacific Harbour Golf Course is now under construction and should be a little gem. If anyone is interested later in the year, we could play an Ozgolf game at the old Bribie course and get a tour of the construction site at PH if anyone is interested.

I'd be interested in this, as long as it happens before it gets to hot.

[Onewood]

ofcourse I'm in :wink:

[990B Luva]

me too

[jarro]

i'll be in that too :D

how many can you swing golfer69 :?:

[golfer69]

The golf course could fit 1000's.
We can roam around the course under construction and maybe get a bit of an insight into some of the pitfalls in building these things.
We will actually be experimenting with a nifty new GPS system on the site too. We can load the designed model into a palm pilot with a GPS receiver and it will show you exactly where you will be standing in relation to the new design..basicaly like the GPS computers on the golf carts.

We will only be limited by playing spots at Bribie Island.

[jarro]

sounds great :D

when were you planning on doing this :?:

[golfer69]

I think if we wait until a nice winters day in August we can see the course at various stages of construction.
Some holes will be grassed, some shaped in dirt and other bits still raw.

I would suggest a Sunday morning in August..or late july.

[jarro]

i'll be there with bells on :D

[jaster]

Well count me in also :P

[BrisVegas]

count me in too G69. 8)

[markTHEblake]

I will be in too, and you will have to pick me up cos i dont have a car.

[terryand]

Hey G69,very good of you to offer this chance for us 8)

And if your pickin Blakey up how bout you grt a bus and pick us all up on the way :lol:

Terry.

[AndyP]

Oi, this isn't a OzGolf day thread. :evil: BTW, sounds good if I am available. :wink:

So, what happened with the Warrnambool Resort? Did your deal fall through? Or the whole resort/golf course plan has been scrapped?

[golfer69]

andy...the bloke putting the Bool deal together was...well lets just say he was a tad unscrupulous !

As for you other lift scabbers...I already have my plan in the melting pot. The construction manager up there is a really nice bloke and has his temporary digs next door to the Bribie GC. I am already making inroads to go up there on a Saturday night..have a few sherberts with him...thus eliminating the Sunday morning drive up.
I understand there are plenty of spare rooms though.

[AndyP]

g69, I didn't realise that Troon would be managing Pacific Harbour. I just received an email from Troon that mentioned the course.

[jarro]

so if Troon is running the show we can expect to pay $100 + per round :(

[Eag's]

Yep I would be keen as well :wink:

[Onewood]

Got an e-mail from troon today, "play brookwater for $75 and recieve a free brookwater cap" must be quiet out there :D

[jarro]

Got an e-mail from troon today, "play brookwater for $75 and recieve a free brookwater cap" must be quiet out there :D

well what are we waiting for, lets go play 8)

[JJJ]

G69,

What was the site at Warrnambool like? There's some pretty sensational dunes down past Port Fairy and from memory Warrnambool has a decent track, they held a tournament down there at one stage (Vic Open?)

JJ

[AndyP]

They did hold the Vic Open there, JJJ. I remember from when I lived there, but unfortunately I never went, because I wasn't in to golf back then. And I was pretty young.

g69, is too busy putting smart-ass posts in other threads to answer serious questions here. :roll: :P

[cazandpaul]

Caz and I are interested - first 3 Sundays in August fit my roster.

Paul :)

[golfer69]

Work is moving well up at Bribie. Plenty of shapes in the dirt appearing on holes 1 and 9, and a big lake for the aquatic driving range is being dug.

I was hoping to wait a couple of weeks after the Southport Classic (August 1) before firing up the site visit / Bribie game.

How does August 22 or 29 sound ?

We can aim to get on site at Pacific Harbour about 8-9, and then head off to the Bribie course in a comp...thinking the comp rounds would start about 10 - 11.


I will make a call to Bribie GC and see what comps are coming up and suss out a sweet deal....stay tuned.

[CobraSS]

One week earlier or later than those two dates would be best for me I got Club Champs those two weekends.

[AndyP]

My club champs are the two weekends before the proposed weekends, so I am happy with the proposed dates at this stage. 8)

[golfer69]

No pressure, they will be building this thing for the next 12-18 months so there's no great hurry. Anticipated opening for the course is Dec 2005.

We can slide it back to September if you like, and it will certainly be a bit warmer then too.

[Golfgirl]

No pressure, they will be building this thing for the next 12-18 months so there's no great hurry. Anticipated opening for the course is Dec 2005.


Keep me updated, please, G69.... I need to return to sunny Qld desperately..... [-o<

[golfer69]

GG

Troon look like they will be managing the place...I would be getting sweet with those blokes. 8)

[Golfgirl]

GG

Troon look like they will be managing the place...I would be getting sweet with those blokes. 8)

Yeah - think I will start the cosying process shortly..... do you know if Mark Holland is still the Troon bloke based in Brissy?? :?

[golfer69]

GG

Yes..Mark Holland seems the man in charge still.

[Grunt]

Thought I might rebirth this thread.
G69, what courses are in stages of renos or construction nowadays? I know you have a few in Sydney at the moment, Wallacia & Bayview. How many courses are you guys working on at the moment?

[golfer69]

Boy..lets see.

New courses
1. Horizon Hills, Malaysia - under construction
2. Nanning China - very early planning
3. Vietnam - very early planning
4. Langkawi Malaysia - concept stage
5. Sanctuary Cove Palms..full remodel...been signed up for years...waiting for the nod to detail design.
6. Gainsborough Greens ..full remodel...concept stage
7. Singleton..just got rezoning approval..probably detail design late 2007..ripper site that one too...looks like Ellerston country.
8. Croydon..new 18 holer in Melb...under construction
8. Mt Coolum...remodel course...early concept stage...could do some design late 2007.

Smaller remodel or club courses.
1. New brighton....looking at extending course across highway.
2. Wallacia...working on 2 or 3 holes a year from Master Plan
3. Bayview...completed Master Plan...currently doing detailed design to commence some holes mid 2007.
4. Brisbane GC Master Plan
5. Mollymook Hilltop..Master Plan completed..commence work 2009.
6. Mollymook Beachside 9 holer...design new layout now..build in 2008.
7. Wollongong...completed first 3 holes...build 3 or 4 more next year when effluent water gets turned on.

There must be more but I can't remember now.

[AndyP]

Has work on City GC finished?

[golfer69]

Has work on City GC finished?

I'm up there tomorrow for a meeting. They seem to want to do a few little bits and pieces each year but nothing this year. Still have lots to do but it will be spread out over a 5 - 6 year plan I expect.

[AndyP]

A mate of mine, who grew up in Toowoomba but now lives in Japan, is playing the course for the first time in ages tomorrow. I've given him some warning about a couple of the changes, but it will be interesting to hear his thoughts.

[Moe Norman]

Indooroopilly?

Although word on the street is that the Mirvac deal aint going ahead.

[dc68]

g69, is too busy putting smart-ass posts in other threads to answer serious questions here. :roll: :P


Does anything change around here?

[golfer69]

Indooroopilly?

Although word on the street is that the Mirvac deal aint going ahead.

Oh yeah..Indoo..

Ross just buolt 3 new holes and they are progressing with digging big holes for water.
One Mirvac application failed but I hear its still a chance. Even if the Mirvac deal falls thru there will be contunied work on the course.

[markTHEblake]

So in other words, not a lot happening, thats why you got so much time for forums( in particular psychological counselling), the tab, and 'networking'

[Moe Norman]

Ross just buolt 3 new holes Yes, I went and had a look the other day. 14 would be good if it weren't for the stupid green and 15 looks like the gobi desert. 16 is no better or worse, just a bit longer.

[goughy]

A mate of mine, who grew up in Toowoomba but now lives in Japan, is playing the course for the first time in ages tomorrow. I've given him some warning about a couple of the changes, but it will be interesting to hear his thoughts.

Do you know how long it's been since he played it? I'd be very interested in his thoughts too.

[glen]

golfer69, i assume you work with ross watson? I am a member at singleton,can you fill me in on where that development is up to as our committee are all ex ASIO agents and as members of the club we dont have the security levels needed to be kept up to date. thanks

[Fishman Dan]

Was that a proverbial can of worms I heard being opened?

[Grunt]

I am going out to Wallacia for a hit today, will see where the course is at. I have not played out there for some time. Looking at Google Earth there seems to a fair bit of work going on, not sure how old the image is though.

[Grunt]

Played out a Wallacia this morning.
What can I say the new holes are sensational. One thing I did notice though was, the new greens were like concrete. The 14th was playing at 135m today, I hit 8i to the heart of the green only to see it bounce 2 m in the air and over the back of the green. Bunkers on the Par 5 13th are good too, that hole is a nice par 5, bigger hitters might be able to try and get on the green but they have to find a way though the bunkers to the green.
The other New hole currently under construction looks awesome, green is in and fairways laid. How long before this is in play Rich? this summer?

[Moe Norman]

new greens will often play like that, especially if the entire complex is new and they are using a surface like tiff eagle (although I doubt thats the grass used in Sydney)

[golfer69]

Grunt,

Those greens should still be settling in..give it another season or two.
Not sure of the hole numbering but we have now completed
- the 4th par 3
- the 6th par 3
- the 13th green and approach
- the 14th par 3.
- the new 5th will be a top little par 4 around the lake. It was serioulsy delayed in its construction due to all the wet weather and was only grassed a few weeks ago. As a result they had to plant a lot more solid turn rather than stolonise the fairway. The green needs about 10 weeks to grow in and that will start to kick in after winter. I expect they will be on the hole later in the year line November.

I really love that Wallacia site and hope like hell the panthers keep funding these improvements. If it ges completed it will be a fun little course.

[BrettM]

Can you post some pictures of the new No. 9 at Brisbane GC?

Cheers.

[Grunt]

13th & 14th were the hard greens. The new par 4 has the older members on where to hit the ball. They did say that their approach would be the bail out area to the Left of the green. They were all worried they would never get out of the bunkers below the green. When I mean get out, I mean the person, not the ball;).

Have to agree on the site the new holes are great, is weird going from a green about 4m x 5m to a 20m x 15m though.

[Moe Norman]

Can you post some pictures of the new No. 9 at Brisbane GC?

Cheers.
It's not in play yet.

The fairway is taking FOREVER to get grass coverage

[BrettM]

Strange, it should only take around 10 weeks.

[golfer69]

There was some big chunks solid turfed at the landing zone but the rest was stolonised and they had a couple of months of crap growing weather after that. Lots of rain and when it didn't rain it was cloudy. Now it looks like we've missed the boat as it will struggle to grow in now.

I'll be there Thursday and will get some photos Brett.

[Moe Norman]

I had a look yesterday, the tee, green and green surrounds all appear ready for golf and have done for some time.

The fairway appears to have gone backwards

[golfer69]

Yeah Moe..the areas that were solid turfed were virtually instantly playable. The rest was looking crook about a month ago and it apprears has not gone far since.
I'll ask some questions this week.

[jarro]

So Dick, you got the Nudgee gig yet ? What's the goss ??

[golfer69]

All quiet there.
Four architects have bidded (Clayts not one of them Moe) and all four earmarked the use of the flat land over the back of the driving range.
Main roads are still working out where their roads and bridges are going so hope to get an interview in a few weeks.
The club has already started working out how to get that additional land off council.

[jarro]

All quiet there.
Four architects have bidded (Clayts not one of them Moe) and all four earmarked the use of the flat land over the back of the driving range.
Main roads are still working out where their roads and bridges are going so hope to get an interview in a few weeks.
The club has already started working out how to get that additional land off council.

Cheers. Good to hear it's slowly being worked out. A lot of members are getting impatient about wht the hell is going on !

You reckon there is enough dirt behind the range to squeeze in the required number of holes ?

[golfer69]

We can fit 9 new holes up in that space.
Its going to be a pretty tricky engineering feat though with lots of important flood storage issues and enviro stuff to contend with.

[Andrew]

Its going to be a pretty tricky engineering feat though with lots of important flood storage issues and enviro stuff to contend with.
Lots of lakes with reeds in them.

[PeteyD]

Extend the bog of Eternal Stench!

[jarro]

We can fit 9 new holes up in that space.
Its going to be a pretty tricky engineering feat though with lots of important flood storage issues and enviro stuff to contend with.

There isn't any mangroves over there is there ?

I would've thought it would've been a case of just firing up the dozers and away we go !!

[golfer69]

Nah mate...the area to the left of that par 3 hole...is it the 2nd or 11th....is earmarked fragile. That extends for a couple of hundred metres even though it looks like mud on the aerial photo.

[jarro]

But you aren't going left of that hole (11) are you ?

I thought it was more to the other side of the driving range but not as far down as the 11th ??

[PeteyD]

How can an open sewer be fragile? Stupid government.

[Grunt]

Hey G69, Played out at wallacia today. The new hole not in play yet, the green looked awful. Looked as if it had weed/other grass growing in it. When is this going to be in play. Do you know which hole will be dropped off?

Members asked if any more work has been approved.

[leighthebee]

We can fit 9 new holes up in that space.
Its going to be a pretty tricky engineering feat though with lots of important flood storage issues and enviro stuff to contend with.

Sh*t really?! :mrgreen:

I would have thought flat swamp would be perfect for flood storage. :lol: