Port Fairy Golf Club
A review of Golf Fairy Golf Club in Victoria, Australia
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Overview
We made a little weekend trip to Port Fairy in Southern Victoria to join a birdwatching group from Melbourne to see how many birdies we could see in this beautiful part of the world. We decided to play a little golf at the legendary Port Fairy Golf Course whilst we were there… and hopefully see even more birdies of the golfing kind!
Checking the dogs into holiday camp for the weekend we set off, renting a little beach shack right on the ocean. Each morning we walked into town for a coffee and a fresh salad roll to take with us on the birdwatching expeditions. Lucky to be joined by some pretty amazing bird spotters and ornithologists, we visited Yambuk Beach, Tower Hill, Griffiths Island and Colac wetlands on the way back. My fav was seeing four hooded plovers bathing in the entrance to a rivermouth - splashing and shaking their feathers all happily before walking back to the beach - so special!
The Course Review
The Port Fairy Golf Club has a long history. It was established in 1899, relocated in 1962, re-designed by Kevin Hartley in 1985 and in 2001 Mike Clayton made further improvements. It joins Barnbougle in Tasmania and Barwon Heads in Victoria and true Australian Links Courses.
Condition 15/20
Fairways a little rough coming out of a dry season but the greens were beautiful.
Biodiversity 13/20
We saw many beautiful birds on our birdwatching travels, not as many on the course, however there were some lovely birdlife on the beach in front. Very linksy so didn’t expect a lot of trees.
Vistas 16/20
The second nine are splayed across the ocean (we didn’t get time to play), and there were glipses of ocean along the first nine too.
Organisation 13/20
Didn’t get to try the food and drink or the practice facilities, the club house is cute enough. The club captain drove up to use at the end of the second and gave us some local knowledge, offering to take a photo of us on the top of the hill on the fifth tee.
Design 17/20
Used the contours of the sand dunes well, creating a lovely links style course. Each hole a unique challenge!
Highlights and Hazards
One surprise: wasn't windy the day we played!
One birdie: European starlings on the clubhouse roof - lots! Unfortunately these are not native birds, but sleek colouring nonetheless. I also had four birdy putts on the first nine, so knocking on birdie's door!
Biggest challenge: Seventh hole, quite exposed narrow fairway with rough on the right down the hill to the first…!
Suggestions and strategy
Something the course taught you: how to play a links course
Favourite hole: hole 5 along the ocean
Some advice: Keep left on the front nine!
Mental approach: focused on performance routine, taking a deep breath before making the shot.
Overall review
75%
We loved playing this linksy country course and can’t wait for the next birdwatching expendition to play again! Port Fairy is a special place.
