Royal Hobart,TAS
The Royal Hobart Golf Club in Hobart is one of the finest championship courses in Tasmania.
History of the Course:The Royal Hobart Golf Club has come a long way through history. Around 1896, the original club in Hobart Town was known as the Newlands Golf Club, but the main course situated in the Sandy Bay area came to be known as the Hobart Golf Club and was created in 1901. The Club had 127 foundation members then.
However, in 1915, the Club acquired 130 acres of land on Hobart's Eastern Shore at Rosny, constructing its new course here; it was inaugurated in 1916.
In 1925, the Club was bestowed with the Royal Charter, and came to be known as the “Royal Hobart Golf Club”.
Once again in 1956, due to Post-World War II, rapid growth on the Eastern Shore had changed the course to its current location at Seven Mile Beach. The 70 hectares of natural bushland and sandy soil acquired here was converted into the present day Royal Hobart Golf Course.
Designed by famous golf architect Vern Morcom in 1956, the Royal Hobart layout consists of a 6115 metre, par 72 championship course. With well trimmed greens and smooth rolling fairways lined with trees, the gentle slopes and troughs on the course all combine to form a unique golfing experience in this natural bushland surrounding.
The 18 hole course itself is not difficult to get through with, yet, it demands concentration and accuracy off the tee, for any careless shots would be punished by the mean bunkers or tall trees. Overall the Royal Hobart forms an exciting yet challenging golfing experience.
The Clubhouse of the Royal Hobart provides various services and facilities to its members like, conferences, weddings or celebrations or simply as a place to relax and sink in the panoramic view of the beautiful golf course set amidst its natural bushland surroundings.
Course Trivia:
- Due to the 18 hole Sandy Bay Hobart Course being deemed difficult with a Par totaling “80”, Scottish Golf Professional, James Hunter was commissioned to sort out the complication. He was Tasmania's first ever Golf Professional to teach and to hone up golfing skills.
- The current Professional at the Royal Hobart is Roger Hughes.
- The Royal Hobart Golf Course has also hosted various major Championship events as well as the Tasmanian Open, Australian Amateur, Australian Women's Amateur and the Qantas Australian Open.
- The Royal Hobart Championship layout saw golfing legend Jack Nicklaus win the Qantas Australian Open in 1971.
- Some of Australia's golfing greats that have played at the Royal Hobart as its members are brothers Bruce and Clyde Pearce, Mrs. Lindy Goggin (nee Jennings), Mr. Peter Toogood, Mathew Goggin and Brett Johns.
- At the Royal Hobart Golf Club bookings are necessary, and a strict dress code is to be followed, keeping to the norms and standards of the club.
As per Australian Top 100 Golf Courses (2006 rankings), the Royal Hobart Golf Club has been ranked as No. 56 .
As we continue on this tour we will learn about the other top-50 golf courses in Australia.
