It’s just on 3 months since my last CRAPP report (remember its stands for Course Rating and Personal Preference). I have to say Albany Golf Course is one of the best conditioned courses I have played in the last few years, I think only Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes on King Island could be considered better.

Situated on the beach of Middleton Bay, it is basically a Links style course. When the the course was built over 100 years ago, they sowed grass straight onto the Sandhills. This has reared very undulating fairways but they are covered beautifully. There were no bad lies if you hit the fairways. That being said they weren’t overly wide, so you had to be fairly straight off the tee and in the wind, that skill becomes all important.

The course is similar to a Port Fairy but not as open to the winds. There are trees and scrub separating the fairways but these are costal trees so the are not of great height. The greens were superb, reasonably quick but consistent roll, it didn’t take long to get a liking for them. I’d be happy to putt on those greens all the time.

So here is my rating:

Design – 17 out of 20

Condition – 19 out of 20

Cost – 19 out of 20

Visual Appeal – 18 out of 20

Facilities – 8 out of 10

Ambience/Appeal – 5 out of 10

So a final rating of 86, which is the best so far on my trip. It would have been higher but I was disappointed in the course etiquette of a couple of members. Crossing over the fairway in front of the tee, on a par 3 just as you are teeing off was a bit rough. Only for it to happen again soon after. Additionally, the club felt rather elitist to me, which is something I haven’t felt at all on this trip. Maybe I’m being unkind but there the reason’s I gave a low mark on Ambience/Appeal. If I play again next week, I might have a different opinion but for now 5 is the best I could give. In finishing the cost @ $37.00 for non members to play in the comp was a great price, especially for a course in that condition.