My Golfing Experience in Tasmania – Will Starkey

Report by Will Starkey

I had a good trip to Tasmania and played OK in the 2 tournaments over there – the Tamar Valley Cup and the Tasmanian Junior Masters.

Sam Raschella travelled with us which was good fun.   He played OK as well and enjoyed it.  Over both tournaments, we both had exactly the same number of shots!

Our first day there, we travelled up to Barnbougle and played 18 holes (in 40 knot gale).  I can see why the course is ranked No. 1 public course – it is a hard track but in excellent condition.  We had a couple of slow groups in front of us so it took us about 5 1/2 hours to play the 18 holes.  The wind was very strong. Into it, I was hitting driver 150 metres, and with it, hitting over 300 metres!  Brett Partridge, the Pro there knew Shane – apparently he played with him on tour years ago.

The Tamar Valley Cup was played on a 9 hole course at Greens Beach . The course was good with the greens in excellent condition. I ended up having rounds of  78,79,81,82.  I was happy with my long game but found the greens hard to read as they were very undulating.  I reckon I had at least 10 putts either lip out or sit on the edge of the hole, so it would have helped if a few of them could have dropped.  There was a field of 41, and I finished 20th.

With the practice rounds, I ended up playing the course 10 times so I had a good look around the Greens Beach track.

The Tasmanian Junior Masters had a field of 51, and I ended up tied 22nd with rounds of 77,83,77,82.  The mornings were good for golf but afternoons either a strong breeze or rain.

[intlink id=”2795″ type=”post”]Glenelg’s juniors perform well in Tassie events[/intlink]

Overall, the weather was good with rain for only 9 of the 144 holes played.  I enjoyed both tournaments and had a great trip.  My long game was solid and I felt as though my short game improved so that was good – although, I still had a few putts not dropping so could have easily had a few less.

I got to play with Frazer Droop, an Australian squad player which was a great experience and taught me a lot.

I would like to thank the Glenelg Golf Club Foundation for providing funding and support because with their help, and that of the Glenelg Golf Club, I am able to attend events such as this.

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