Tasmania - Greens To Envy The Royal Hobart Golf club has come a long way since humble beginnings in 1896 at Sandy Bay, not far from here the Wrest Point Resort stands today. A move to the eastern shore of the Derwent River followed in 1915 and royal charter was attached to the club a decade later. But the expansion of Hobart forced the club to move again in 1956 to its present site at Seven Mile Beach, about 20 minutes’ drive north east of the city centre. Vern Morcom, whose experience as course superintendent at Royal Melbourne and his design work on other courses in the famous sand belt, was the choice for the project. There is no mistaking Morcom’s touch. There is a real Melbourne sand-belt feel about the par-72 layout, with its fairways laid out over slightly undulating sandy land. Each fairway is lined by wide bands of rough with tall gum trees mixed with thick native shrubs and the occasional pine tree. This not only creates a sense of isolation on many holes but the challenge is to keep your ball on the fairway and out of trouble. This is perhaps one reason why Royal Hobart has been home to several world class players including legendary Tasmanian players Peter Toogood and Lindy Goggin. Royal Hobart has matured considerably in the past 34 years. The Bentgrass fairways and greens are well groomed and are arguably the best conditioned in Tasmania. Morcom’s design throws out the challenge from the first tee shot of the day. The par-4 1st is rated the hardest hole at Royal Hobart and for good reason. At 402-metres, this hole is not only long but it presents a narrow path from tee to green. It requires a rifle-accurate tee shot to miss fairway bunkers left or right, then a long iron to a small, welltrapped green. A hollow short of the green gives the distinct impression that the flag is closer than the yardage might suggest. To read the 16 page review of Tasmanian golf courses, see the May 2005 issue of Golf Australia magazine. Reviews include: Tasmania Golf Club Kingston Beach Golf Club Claremont Golf Club Tasman Golf club Barnbougle Dunes Links Launceston Golf Club Country Club Resort Riverside Golf Club Mowbray Golf Club Devonport Golf Club Ulverstone Golf Club Also reviewed in the May 2005 issue is the Norfolk Island Golf Club Read the complete reviews in the May 2005 issue of Golf Australia magazine. Order your copy at www.mymagazines.com.au     course review archives