Welcome to the ozgolf.net forums.
+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 21 of 21
  1. #1
    Senior Member Golf Hall of Fame Inductee
    Join Date
    May 03, 2004
    Location
    Pin high, in the lake
    Posts
    25,285

    Default Ratho Farm - Australia's oldest course

    I hadn't heard about this before, but my folks just visited & sent me some pics & info, and I thought I'd share.

    Oldest course in the country, oldest 'original' course outside of Scotland.

    Website here: http://www.rathofarm.com/

    Pics from my Dad:

    Sign at the clubhouse:


    1st tee... the green is just left of centre between the 2 sheds.


    15th tee



    Anyone played there? Know any more? Sounds like an interesting piece of history, even moreso to play.
    Handic(r)ap | 2024 Eclectic | WITB | GolfMap

    10 glorious tours of the Uncivil War

  2. #2
    Senior Member Touring Pro (PGA)
    Join Date
    Oct 02, 2009
    Location
    in the doghouse
    Posts
    6,919
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

    That looks awesome!

  3. #3
    Moderator Touring Pro (European Tour)
    Join Date
    May 13, 2012
    Location
    Probably not on the fairway...
    Posts
    4,225

    Default

    I have heard about it, but haven't been.

    I vaguely remember hearing that they will hire out old school hickory clubs and you can play it like it's 1900.

    One day I'll get there, it's only a couple of hours drive.
    Chopperlink | Chopperstats | Chopsticks | #ConfederatetillIdie




  4. #4
    Member Club member who plays rain, hail, shine
    Join Date
    Sep 08, 2013
    Location
    16th green.... For 2
    Posts
    141

    Default

    Gets wickedly cold in Winter... They have the Highland Championships in July.

    Also home to the Australian Hickory Championships... Old balls, old clubs... and oldtime tweed clothing

    Australasian Golf Hall of Fame is also located there

  5. #5
    Senior Member Major Winner
    Join Date
    Oct 23, 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    10,625
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    Courty, I dare you to wear your Glades outfit down there.
    You don't get me. I'm part of the Union.

  6. #6
    Moderator Touring Pro (PGA)
    Join Date
    Apr 23, 2008
    Location
    45 degrees to the right
    Posts
    5,318
    Blog Entries
    7

    Default

    There are lots of angry salmon in Tasmania.
    Still not playing enough GolfLink | Slightly less terrible stats brought to you by Golfshot - F: 57%, GIR: 23%, UD: 14%, P: 34. Wow, improvement! | Nickent brand ho or tightarse? You be the judge!

    [img]http://i.imgur.com/4Y4Q0jZ.jpg[/img]

  7. #7
    Senior Member Touring Pro (Nationwide Tour)
    Join Date
    Oct 25, 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    2,063

    Default

    Went there back in 2006. Visited the museum there and had a hit. It was only 9 holes (well one paddock with lots of fenced off greens) then and I think I read somewhere that they have opened up a few more of the original holes since then??

    Played it with my old man on the way up to Barny... it was a bit of fun!
    Attached Images

  8. #8
    Victorious Confederate Captain Order of Merit winner
    Join Date
    Sep 12, 2007
    Posts
    9,759

    Default

    Kite Boy has a few photos up on TGF -

    http://www.thegolfforum.com/index.ph...urse/?p=209575

    Looks pretty cool to be honest!

    Chopperlink

    WITB
    Cobra Speedzone::Cobra Speedzone Tour 3 wood, Cobra F6 5 wood: Mizuno H4's, :Mizuno 50, Mizuno MP 56 and 60*:TM Works #7
    AndyC will always be my AndyB(unny)

  9. #9
    Senior Member Golf Hall of Fame Inductee
    Join Date
    Apr 28, 2004
    Location
    Gold Coast
    Posts
    30,227

    Default

    Greg Ramsay's family are the ones running Ratho farm now, he was one of the initial guys that was got Barnbougle Dunes started up.
    --
    Criticism doesn't bother me, as it means I am doing something and people are watching.
    Handy-Cap

  10. #10
    Member Monthly medal winner
    Join Date
    Mar 04, 2013
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    175

    Default

    I'm sure I heard on one of those Travel/Getaway shoes that Norfolk Islands had the oldest course in Australia... they may have got it wrong tho.

  11. #11
    Senior Member Touring Pro (PGA)
    Join Date
    Apr 18, 2013
    Posts
    6,398

    Default

    I saw this place on Sunrise a little while ago, in sure they said oldest original course in Aus.
    Ping G10 Project X S
    TM V-Steel 16.5* w Speeder 57s at 3 wood length
    Ping G10 21* Hybrid Reg
    Ping i3+ 4-W CS Lite S
    Ping Tour 54* and 60* (ground) CS Lite S
    SC Pro Platinum Mid Sur Counterbalanced
    Ping Hoofer Vantage
    NB 574 Greens (yes, no more Crocs)
    Golflucky


  12. #12
    Senior Member Multiple Major Winner
    Join Date
    Nov 01, 2008
    Location
    Redlands, on the shores of Moreton Bay
    Posts
    19,214

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Xout View Post
    I'm sure I heard on one of those Travel/Getaway shoes that Norfolk Islands had the oldest course in Australia... they may have got it wrong tho.
    Not Norfolk, it is an early 1900's course.

    http://www.norfolkislandgolf.com/history/

  13. #13
    Member Monthly medal winner
    Join Date
    Mar 04, 2013
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    175

    Default

    Yep, fair enough... With the convicts ebing in both places pretty early I thought both could be true.
    Ratho it is.

  14. #14
    Member Club member who plays rain, hail, shine
    Join Date
    May 20, 2014
    Location
    Far South Coast NSW
    Posts
    143

    Default

    Played all 18 back in '09 when on a trip to Tassie. Didn't know about it prior but drove past, saw the signs and just had to stop and play ... my wife is very understanding and she walked along taking photos despite it being August and very cold. She did the same at BB on that trip but it was planned.

    Was the only one on the course and finished all 18 in just over 2 hours (its short) ... longest part was opening and closing the gates on the greens on the front 9 but it was a fun novelty (yes they had sheep on the course when I was there). Back 9 was definitely newer but interesting. Toured the proshop where he shared his work on restoring old wooden and hickory clubs. Bought two hats to support them as well.

    If you're in the area well worth the time to retrace some history - back when golf wasn't about perfect aesthetics and artificial landscapes.

    FWIW - they even had a honesty box for green fees. Pro wasn't in when we first arrived so I slid $ in the box, grabbed a scorecard and off I went. Oh the simpler times !

  15. #15
    Senior Member Touring Pro (European Tour)
    Join Date
    Apr 16, 2014
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    3,038

    Default

    Ratho Farm looks fascinating. I'd love to become a member of the Rural & Ancient Golf Society of Van Diemen’s Highlanders. Will have to drop in next time I'm in Tassie...

  16. #16
    Junior Member Fairweather club-member
    Join Date
    Apr 26, 2011
    Posts
    96

    Default

    Anyone been lately? Thinking of making it a pitstop from Derby to Maydena.

  17. #17
    Member Club member who plays rain, hail, shine
    Join Date
    May 20, 2014
    Location
    Far South Coast NSW
    Posts
    143

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Diamonds View Post
    Anyone been lately? Thinking of making it a pitstop from Derby to Maydena.
    Played in early October as part of a BB/LF trip. Was 3rd visit to Ratho and it continues to improve albeit the conditioning and architecture is not anywhere near BB or LF. You go for the history and uniqueness, simplicity and relaxed nature of it.

    1st hole sets the tone for the day as even with their free course guide you try and work out where the heck you're aiming over the fences and gates. The Par 3 4th along the river is the standout hole for my money. Of the others the 18th and the fence and hedge in front of the green baffles me - people warming up on the putting green beware !

    All in all I'll do it again as there is nothing else quite like it and nothing that has it's story. Plus Nant Distillery is basically next door

  18. #18
    Junior Member Fairweather club-member
    Join Date
    Apr 26, 2011
    Posts
    96

    Default

    Thanks. Will make the stop

  19. #19
    Site Owner Golf Hall of Fame Inductee
    Join Date
    Apr 28, 2004
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    44,754

    Default

    There are a few guys that played it earlier this year, that should be able to chime in.

  20. #20
    Junior Member Fairweather club-member
    Join Date
    Apr 26, 2011
    Posts
    96

    Default

    Played it today in howling wind. Loved the quirkiness of it. Some really good holes. Glad I detoured to find it.

  21. #21
    Senior Member Touring Pro (PGA)
    Join Date
    May 27, 2013
    Location
    Cairns
    Posts
    5,898

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Courty View Post
    I hadn't heard about this before, but my folks just visited & sent me some pics & info, and I thought I'd share.

    Oldest course in the country, oldest 'original' course outside of Scotland.

    Website here: http://www.rathofarm.com/

    Pics from my Dad:

    Sign at the clubhouse:


    1st tee... the green is just left of centre between the 2 sheds.


    15th tee



    Anyone played there? Know any more? Sounds like an interesting piece of history, even moreso to play.
    How did we miss this thread earlier this year @Courty @Hoges??

    What a day it was. Hickories and Gutty balls.



 

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

     

Similar Threads

  1. Oldest putters and their origins....
    By Lagerlover in forum Equip Me
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 15th August 2013, 06:30 PM
  2. Oldest club in your bag
    By drnick in forum Equip Me
    Replies: 63
    Last Post: 29th October 2011, 09:07 PM
  3. Oldest pice of equipment in your bag?
    By Hack in forum Equip Me
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 13th June 2008, 09:50 PM
  4. Who is the Youngest and Oldest Member here
    By addamsmith in forum 19th Hole
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 26th August 2007, 09:04 PM
  5. Australia's 20 Greatest.
    By raidrboy in forum Golf Matters
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 15th February 2007, 12:39 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Back to top