Just returned from a weekend on the NSW Far South Coast, playing Tura Beach, Pambula-Merimbula and Bega GC.
Merimbula is around 6 hours drive from Sydney, 7 hours from Melbourne and about 3 hours from Canberra.
Tura Beach GC - Par 73 - Thompson Wolveridge design. Tura Beach CC is located 5km north of Merimbula, sand based. Clubhouse sits atop a hill, offering sweeping views over the course to the ocean. The greens are large with some massive internal contours and tiering, the course style is modern and condition was exemplary. The greens ran at 12.5, and were firm on the approach - they took some getting used to from my normal soft, bumpy dartboards. The course drops down the hill on 1 and 2, with 3 and 4 played next to the beach where the sounds of the ocean are an ever present. 5 is a 190m par 3 off the tips, with a 175m carry - a large bail out area left is not obvious from the tee, but would be used by the majority of the older age group membership. 6 is a strange par 5, where a forced layup looks the play, but a blind tiger line with 220m carry is there for the long bombers. 7 and 8 zig zag back up the hill with both playing longer than their yardage, with 9 being a short 3 over a gully to in front of the clubhouse.
10 again rises up the hill, with a semi-blind tee shot and far more room that expected once you arrive at the landing area. 11 is a drive over a gully to a ridge, with a blind second over the hill to a green guarded by a pond short right. Three sensible shots should see anyone having a putt for 4, but a funky green means birdies are difficult. The rest of the course heads up and down, with the 16th being a 430m 5 straight down the hill giving a chance to rescue a score.
Overall, its a difficult walking course, and most players cart - the fit have electric buggies. Is it a great course? No? Is it a memorable course - yes. What does is remind me of? A little bit of Portsea, a little bit of Mollymook Hilltop.
Pambula Merimbula - 27 hole course. We played 1-18, which was dryest after 100mm of rain the night before. Pambula Merimbula is a far shorter and on paper easier course than Tura. A much easier walk, the course is on rolling sandy terrain. 1 to 9 are parkland style, with relatively short holes, softer but still difficult greens. Most greens slope towards the water of Merimbula Bay, with no flat holes. Each tee shot requires accuracy, but can be easily played by all ages and abilities, catering to the old aged membership and significant summer tourist trade. Highlights are the short 4s - 1 (280m), 5 (about 320) and 8 (about 310) for mine.
Holes 10-18 wind through old forest, with fairways lined with 50m tall gum trees. The land again has a bit of movement, and the course provides risk and reward to those willing to take a chance. Highlights include the short 13th and 14th - 600m of par 4's where 2 4s are excellent scores.
Its 'easier' than the brutal Tura, but great fun never the less. Well worth a round if you are in the neighbourhood.
Bega GC - 20 minutes north of Merimbula is Bega GC. Its 15k inland, and feels like a country course rather than a rural course. The course is 70+ years old, and has the typical small greens with significant internal slope, tall and majestic gum trees and relatively short holes. Each hole plays longer than the card though - most drives land on upslopes, and the thick kikuyu kills any roll. The front 9 is up and back to the clubhouse, going up and down the hill, with a creek cutting in front of the 1st and 3rd greens, and the water having to be hit over the 2nd and 4th. The back 9 has the highlights - 10, 13, 14 and 17 are all interesting holes and a good way to finish up.
Not a great track, but an honest one. Heavily over treed though, but the trees are the courses character. Don't go out of your way to play here, but if you are in the area on holidays, its worth a round if you don't want the crowds at Merimbula and Tura. As an aside, Neale Smith (USPGA Tour school champ in 92) grew up playing here...