Yes its more of my CRAPP, this time the course under inspection is the Mollymook Hillside course. I’ve always wanted to play this course since the early 80’s. The annual inter-service golf championships were played at Mollymook and I was never good enough to force my way into the RAAF team, so it was always going to be a private visit, unfortunately its taken nearly 40 years to come to fruition. It’s by far the hardest course I’ve had to play on my trip with a slope rating of 137, hence the couple of extra shots on my handicap today.

As I mentioned in my BBOT blog, the winds here have been horrendous and I did talk to the pro whether it was safe on the course when your playing in 100 kph winds. Standing on the 17th tee, we were held up because of the wind, all of a sudden a tree branch fell right next to me. If it had hit me on the head I would have been dead. Now I’m used too tree branches falling after 30 years in the Dandenongs but this was frightening (no wonder I 3 putted on the par 3). Low and behold just after I teed off on the 18th a branch did hit me on the head, thankfully it was a Sammy one and my hat softened it somewhat but I do have a sore head and a bump, 7 hours later. Golf courses should have a duty of care and I considered it was dangerous and let the pro shop know. Unfortunately all I got was a bit of lip service, which was very disappointing.

Forgetting about the King Island courses , where is is really no comparison, Mollymook Hilltop would have to be one of the most picturesque courses going around. I did not get to play Bonville which is also up there apparently, Australia’s version of Augusta. Blackheath last week was fantastic but Mollymook beats it. If I ever get back here I won’t walk it, its not called a hillside course for nothing. After the 15th hole, and the 3rd long uphill climb in a row, I was knackered. I’m sure I left a few points out there because of that. My playing partners were all in carts, should have followed the locals.

Despite the conditions, I didn’t play to badly with 33 points, hopefully a bit of form is coming back. So here is my rating of Mollymook.

Design – 19 out of 20 (the holes really flowed nicely and there was a minimal walk between holes, pity it was so “hilly”)

Condition – 18 out of 20 (certainly a well maintained course although the greens showed a far bit of wear. No doubt from the amount of players it sees, as there is a competition everyday)

Cost – 10 out of 20 (this is were Mollymook let’s itself down. Blackheath at $37 for 18 holes was great value but Mollymook at $87 for 18 holes I don’t think so. Mollymook is not worth $50 more than Blackheath if your using comparisons thats for sure)

Visual Appeal – 20 out of 20 (just look at the photos below to see why I gave this rating)

Facilities – 7 out of 10 (whilst everything was there, I just felt the course didn’t have the facilities to match the cost).

Ambience – 6 out of 10 (now I have to say this rating may have been influenced by the reception I got in the pro shop after my safety comments but Mollymook did remind me of Albany golf club. It did not have a welcoming feel about it, like Albany a bit elitist)

So after all that, Mollymook comes up with a score of 80. Rather disappointing I have to say, I was so looking forward to this course but that’s the way it goes. My next course is another that I always wanted to play, Narooma Golf Club, hopefully it lives up to expectations better than Mollymook and the weather is more kindly as well.