Saturday the 21st of November 2020 – Blackheath, New South Wales

Posted on by bebraveontour

Yes, its my time to CRAPP again. Today I played in the Saturday competition at the Blackheath Golf Club and I have to put my hand up and say I played very well (at last) but that has not affected my rating of the course. I’ve tried to be objective with all ratings, whether I played good, bad or indifferent. I have to say that Blackheath is probably the best or one of the best, visually appealing courses I’ve played on this trip.

The club has managed to receive a significant amount of money to upgrade the course and they are currently working on 3 holes, the 1st, 16th and 18th holes. Despite this work being undertaken the course is in spectacular nick! Even the temporary greens on these holes are far better than normal greens on most of the other courses I’ve played. When the 3 holes are finished it will truly be a must play course, if it’s not already there now.

Last years bushfires came extremely close and they were very lucky not to lose some of the course. Thankfully it didn’t and now the course even with the works, looks superb. So here are my rankings.

Design – 18 out of 20 (It’s a very hilly course, being in the mountains covers that but the holes have been designed perfectly with the contours of the land and it just flows nicely, unlike Dubbo last week).

Condition – 18 out of 20 (The course overall was in great nick, the greens were consistent and the fairways lush but with good run. If the new works weren’t happening it would have been 19 or 20).

Cost – 20 out of 20 ($38 for 18 holes, comp fees and a schooner of beer at the finish, on such a good course, well you can’t get better than that!)

Visual Appeal – 18 out of 20 (It was a very stunning course visually, if not for the works for the new 18th green under the clubhouse it would have been 20)

Facilities – 9 out of 10 (I took one point off because the car park was very small and tight for parking, probably harsh put it was very noticeable when driving into the club).

Ambience – 10 out of 10 (This is a club I would be proud to be a member of, especially after the upgrade is completed. It really is a community club, from the Club pro to the staff in the bar/bistro, you really felt comfortable and at home. I played with two locals although Danny was local to Sydney but not Blackheath. Both were excellent companions and played some good golf throughout the round,)

So the final score is 94, which places Blackheath as my number 1 course on this trip. I have a few more courses to play in the final weeks of our trip and I know they have good reputations but they’ll have to be good to beat Blackheath. Whilst I’m not a fan of Sydney, I would come back thru here to play the course again, Susan loved Blackheath as well so hopefully we’ll be back sometime in the future.

The clubhouse overlooking the 9th green.
Looking down the 9th hole from the clubhouse.
The par 3 7th hole, a beautiful amphitheater to hit into.
The 11th hole was a great short dogleg. You really had to position your drive to get thru the tight downhill ok-ending to the hole. There were 2 other holes similar that added to the enjoyment/challenge.
The signature hole of the course. A relatively short hole of 125 metres but the water to the right was very threatening, particularly when the other tee box is used and you have to span the complete 120 metres of water.
The new works in place for the 18th green. Two bunkers, one covering the front and one to the right side protect a large undulating green. The 18th hole will be a great par 5 when finished. A blind uphill tee shot to a right hand dogleg to the ridge and then another 200 metres to a elevated green. I look forward to playing this sometime in the future.

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