Tasmania has built itself into one of the world’s most compelling golf destinations. And there is more brewing south of the Bass Strait. With the Ashes getting underway, Our Digital Editor, Callum Hill spoke with Ricky Ponting to talk about his new role at Country Club Tasmania, the state’s growing golfing reputation, and his favourite experiences on and off the course.
Barnbougle’s windswept dunes have consistently warranted global acclaim, and Seven Mile Beach has turned heads before it has even been born. Soon, Country Club Tasmania will step into the spotlight.
The Launceston venue is in the midst of a $20 million transformation, designed to make it a phenomenal championship hub and a place where locals and visitors can enjoy a different style of golf compared to some of the other Tasmanian venues which often steal the headlines. New practice facilities, a mini-golf precinct and upgrades across the property are reshaping it into something unique for Tasmania.
At the heart of that vision stands Ricky Ponting. One of Tasmania’s icons, and arguably this country’s greatest Test captain, “Punter” has taken on the role of Country Club ambassador - a position that connects his lifelong love of the game with his roots in Launceston. His final pennant match was played there alongside his brother and father, and the Country Club has always been a base when returning to Tasmania.
What excites you most about this new role?
“I first went down there in March, actually. Before I went over to India for the IPL, I went down and had a look around. Immediately, I was blown away with the vision of the place and what they had already started to do. When I was down there, the holes on the hotel, the country club side, close to the hotel and the new range, had almost been completed.
“I went down there again last week, and things have transformed really quickly. The place looks amazing. The golf course design and renovation are magnificent. I think it’s about a $20 million renovation they’re doing on the golf course, which was already a beautiful championship golf course anyway. What they’ve done with the range is outstanding, and the mini-golf putt-putt green they’ve got there is terrific.
“I was immediately impressed when I saw it. Then we decided we’d be able to do something for me to be the ambassador for the new championship golf course, which I did just think was a really good fit for everyone - me being from Tasmania, me being from Launceston, and golf being such a great passion of mine.
“I actually played my last-ever club pennant match at the Country Club many, many years ago. I played in the same team as my brother and my dad that day. There are lots of fond memories there. It’s always a place I stay when I go back to Launceston.
“There are some pretty exciting renovations which are going to happen on the hotel side of things as well. All in all, it just felt like a really good fit; great synergy between me being the ambassador and the golf course and the Country Club, and one that I’m really excited about.”
How did you go in that last pennant match? Just out of curiosity, did you win?
“Yeah, we did. I snuck across. I think it went to the 18th. I think I won. It was either one up or two and one. I believe we all won. I think my dad and my brother all won. So, it was a nice little way to sign off on pennant golf for the Mowbray Golf Club.”
Golf in Tasmania, how impressive it is that the small island boasts two already and likely about to be three top-100 courses in the world. Is that a little bit surreal?
“It probably is now, but I think the moment that anyone started talking about building golf courses in Tasmania, everyone probably thought that could be achieved. Barnbougle being the forerunner in that, and then what’s happening at Seven Mile Beach. I’ve heard that there might be a few more happening down that way as well.
“I think I maybe heard about something at Five Mile Beach as well. There’s potentially one at South Arm. The Country Club will be up and running in probably less than 12 months from now, and then you think about King Island as well.
“It’s becoming a real golfing mecca, if you like; a real destination for golf, which makes me really proud. That’s my home state. There are so many great opportunities for people travelling from overseas, and even interstate, to go down to Tasmania and see what it has to offer on the golfing front, let alone everything else you can do while you’re there. It’s really exciting for the state.”
Growing up in Tasmania, what was the golf like then when you were a junior coming into the game? How was the golf then compared to now?
“It’s definitely a lot different now. And in 12 months’ time, or a couple of years’ time, it’s going to be a different kettle of fish again altogether.
“When I was growing up, we didn’t travel a lot to play unless it was pennant games or pennant finals and things. You’d travel up to the Northwest Coast or travel down to Hobart to play, and your regional pennant final, things like that. But it was just normal club golf, I guess, back then. But that was before, like you said, before you ended up having a couple in the top-10 in Australia. It’s just been an hour’s drive away from Launceston. Then hopefully, when Country Club makes its debut, it’s going to be positioned in there somewhere as well.
“Things have changed a lot for good and bad. I think there are probably some other clubs around the state which probably haven’t fared as well. You think of somewhere like the Tasmania Golf Club, which I think is as good a layout as a lot of places in Australia; that’s probably just lacked a little bit of funding and money over the last 20 years. So, there are a lot of good things that have happened, and that’s where it’s really exciting for me to be associated with Country Club now.”
Do you have a particular favourite course in Tassie? I suppose it’s like asking if you have a favourite kid. There are so many brilliant ones. And then maybe one which doesn’t get talked about as much as the Barnbougles and Wickhams of the world?
“I mean, it’s hard to go past what they’ve created at Barnbougle. And I’m really excited to see what they do with the next one up there. They’ve been talking for 20 years about another block of land they said is a lot better than the other two. So, if that’s where they’re planning on building the third one, that will be really cool and really exciting.
“I’ve just got this really great vision of what the Country Club Championship Course is going to become. If you look, I’m not sure if you’ve seen any images of it now, but what they’ve been able to do with the bunkers, with the little creeks and lakes that they’ve got running through the place - they’re going to make sure that no stone or no blade of grass is left untouched to make it just a magnificent place to go, play and stay, and to enjoy, and to have family there as well, with the tennis courts, the pickleball, and the range and things. It’s going to be a great destination.
“I always really enjoy playing the Lost Farm up at Barnbougle. For someone to go with a group of mates, it was just a bit more open, but still had that real Barnbougle feel about it. Probably a little fairer to play. So, I always enjoy playing there.
“A little hidden gem? There are some cool little places we played pennant golf - places like Onford and Scottsdale and even somewhere like Bridport. Green’s Beach is a really good, fun little course, only once again 45 minutes out of Launceston. My club, Mowbray, used to have an annual event at Campbell Town Golf Club as well, which is halfway between Launceston and Hobart, which is literally just a little wooden shack as the clubhouse, and a nice little golf course. I have lots of great memories about some of my junior golf and my early days playing.”
When you were playing internationally or even now coaching, where are your favourite places to play around the world? Are you a fan of Links golf, like you get in Scotland and Ireland, or do you prefer some resort-style layouts like in the States?
“It’s a bit of both, to be honest. I think I can pick up a bit of a Kiwi accent in your voice as well. New Zealand is another place I love. I love going to play golf there. I’ve been lucky the last seven or eight years to go and play the New Zealand Open every year. Millbrook, The Hills, Jack’s Point, places like that in Queenstown are pretty special places to go and play golf.
“I don’t really have a favourite style of golf. I’ve obviously been able to travel through the U.K, Ireland and Scotland quite a bit over the last 30 years and love some of the golf I’ve played there. Portrush is a spectacular place. I’ve played Kingsbarns and places like that as well. Then just last year, I had a two-week trip through the States, where we played some of the great courses - Pine Valley, Merion, Friar’s Head, Shinnecock Hills. Those are all iconic.
“When we talk about golf, I know this is a big thing at the Country Club - I’m really keen on making sure that when you play golf, it’s a real experience. It’s not just turn up and have a game of golf; you make it into the best experience possible. That’s what America does particularly well, and that’s one thing I’m really keen to bring to Country Club.”
You touched on the New Zealand Open. What keeps you coming back to those?
“Mate, it’s my favourite week of the year. I say it every year. I just hope that I play well enough every year to keep getting the invite back. That’s the way I look at it. I’ve been lucky - maybe seven or eight times now that I’ve played. You get looked after. The hospitality is incredible. Flying on one of their airlines, staying in one of the hotels, playing golf — they look after you, almost second to none.
“And that’s the feeling you get straight away when you walk onto the course at the New Zealand Open. And that’s not just me. Amateur players who turn up say the same thing. It’s just an awesome week. If you happen to stay at Millbrook, that’s an experience in itself. My family have just come back from another skiing trip last week. I think it’s the 16th time I’ve stayed at the resort. We go summertime and wintertime, and even as just a couple of weeks ago, you can still play golf there. Millbrook turned it on for us. Queenstown itself is probably my favourite destination in the world for what we can do as a family in the wintertime. And then that week, we get to go back for the New Zealand Open. It’s pretty cool.”
As a cricket player and a coach, who were your favourite teammates to play golf with? Did you have any really good battles while you were away playing cricket?
“Yeah, we still do now. Even in India now, coaching over there, golf has taken off a fair bit, and certainly in a few different states; places like Bangalore and Delhi. There’s some really good golf and cool destinations there.
“Greg Blewett is probably the guy I’ve had the most battles with as far as cricketers I played with. James Hopes, who’s now assistant coach with me in the IPL, is also a very low marker. I think he has a one handicap or something like that. We have some pretty good tussles. Glenn Maxwell and those guys in the current Aussie team are low handicap as well. You’re always guaranteed a good game when you’re away as a coach with those boys. I’m obviously 15 or 20 years older than most of them, but I’m doing my best to keep up with them now. But there’s definitely no shortage of golf.”
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