COURSE TOUR
Get started on the 1st Fairway (also the 10th) (Raspins)
This is a tough opening hole with a narrow fairway lined by trees on both sides.
Slice to the right and if the beautiful poplar trees don't help keep you in bounds you may be out to the Tasman Highway or venturing over into the Raspin's Beach Reserve!
Go short off the tee and your ball may be lost in the tussock in front of the tee or the large sag at the start of the tree line on the left.
Named after Spring Bay and the famous surf beach at Spring Beach, you should have a spring in your step as you play this short par three.
Don't underestimate the challenges.
On your right there is a nasty group of small trees and 'out of bounds' on the road. There are also bunkers around the green.
Careful with your putts as it can be a tricky green, especially with a nasty Captain's pin placement.
If your ball strikes the overhead power lines, the stoke must be re-played without penalty (Rule 20-5).
Named after Spring Bay and the famous surf beach at Spring Beach, you should have a spring in your step as you play this short par three.
Don't underestimate the challenges.
On your right there is a nasty group of small trees and 'out of bounds' on the road. There are also bunkers around the green.
Careful with your putts as it can be a tricky green, especially with a nasty Captain's pin placement.
If your ball strikes the overhead power lines, the stoke must be re-played without penalty (Rule 20-5).
3rd and 12th (Maria)
Maria Island dominates the beautiful view along the lower East Coast.
This left handed uphill dogleg will give you a few reminders of Maria island.
There is a long, flat section of fairway, then uphill to a plateau where you get a better view through the trees to beautiful Maria Island.
The testing green is guarded by a bunker on the left and a group of mounds on the right to remind you of the Bishop and Clerk knobs on Mt Maria (709m high). Go too far on your approach and you will be over the back of the green.
Enjoy your views of the island which was once a penal colony and was named by Abel Tasman after Maria Van Dieman.
4th and 13th (Wineglass)
A short gentile dog-leg par 4 with a wide fairway and a short approach to a flat green.
Don't be lulled into a false sense of security. If you go right off the tee, you will be facing an approach to the green which is guarded by two large pines and two bunkers on the right-hand side. Go to the left and you will be lucky to get a shot between the trees.
5th and 14th (Break-Me-Neck)
Named after one of the nearby rugged hills as you head to the East Coast, this is ranked as the hardest hole on the course for golfers.
Your tee shot must cross Shea's Creek and the steep bank.
If you are challenged for length off the tee or are prone to an occasional miss-hit then you are in trouble here.
A slice to the right has tree trouble and a large water hazard (dam) beyond. Hook left and it will seem a million miles to the green.
A tricky green has a small embankment on the right and the dam (lateral hazard) runs parallel with the fairway.
6th and 15th (Bust-Me-Gall)
If Break-Me-Neck didn't get you Bust-Me-Gall gives the course another chance to damage your score with an out of bounds on your right. There is free relief if you go near the safety fence near the 5th green from the men's tee.
This par 5 is virtually all uphill but with a short downhill slope to the green which is hidden from most of the fairway.
Look for the flagpole to check if the green is clear. If the flag isn't showing (at half-mast) wait for the green to clear and admire the views of Rudd's Hill and Darlington Vineyard to the right.
If you over-hit the downhill approach to the green be prepared to face the challenge of a steep embankment to the back of the green.
7th and 16th (Paradise)
Maybe this elevated tee overlooking an open fairway with Paradise Gorge in the distance and The Thumbs hills in the background. Convicts built a road along the Paradise Gorge in 1843.
On perfect sunny days, golfers can dwell a little longer at this tee because of the scenery, the dappled shade from the trees in the tee area and the occasional added refreshments from the wooden hut.
Look out for the different tee blocks for men and ladies.
Keep your mind on the job for this penultimate hole named after the stretch of water between Maria Island and the mainland which is famous for fishing.
Tee shots need to be straight because of the narrow passage to the fairway with trees on the right hand side and the wooded embankment on the left.
Go to the widest part of the fairway short of the big tree on the corner of the embankment and you shouldn't have too much trouble. If you rise to the challenge of accepting a longer tee shot then be prepared for some consequences!
Watch the bunkers to the left and the flat green shouldn't present too much trouble.
You are on the home run towards a well earned drink in the clubhouse as you walk the tree lined fairway towards the Prosser River with Prosser Bay on your left.
With trees on either side of the fairway, keep your mind on the job, otherwise you will surrender another stroke!
The green has grassy mounds at the rear and on the right. There are out of bounds areas to the back of the green and also on the paths and gardens around the clubhouse. If you land in the drain at the back of the green take a free drop no closer to the hole.
Good luck and enjoy your round!