Country Club Boy

CLUB TAREE

I always did want to belong to a country club. Just could never afford it - or at least justify it... Well, I got the opportunity in Taree, New South Wales, Australia of all places. There is no golf course in Old Bar, but Taree has one. It's 15 minutes from our house and about five minutes from where I work. There is a group of current and retired teachers that play every Monday and Friday after work. I also try to get out early on Sunday mornings on the weekends when we aren't bopping about the countryside.

Remarkably, to me, is that there is rarely anyone on the course at any of the 3 times a week I get to play. There is a huge split in Australia between "competitive golf" and "social golf". The 'competitors' play on Tues., Thurs., and Sat. and have mini tournaments. They look waaaay down their noses at those that play for recreation and fun. In fact there is a club rule that all 'social' players must play from the yellow (forward) tees. Of course, no one obeys that stupid rule... None of these players come to the course on the other 4 days a week. This leaves it beautifully open for the rest of us.

The course is beautiful. It's long and crooked with small elevated greens. Nearly every hole bends from left to right so I've become a bit of a hooker wishing to be a draw-er. The greens are slower than I'm used to, but are smooth - probably due to the lack of play. I took Karen out this past Sunday to play and take some photos. We teed off at 7:15 and didn't see another soul till we had played 8 holes. Nirvana for a fast player.

The golf members also belong to the attached social club complete with a restaurant, bar, and casino. The whopping charge for this is $198 (Aus) or about $160 (US) every 6 months. It costs me about 3 dollars a round if I play 2 times a week. It is truly the best deal in town for me. I plan to take advantage of it all year. The problem is that as we are now heading into winter the sunlight keeps decreasing for the after work golfers, but we'll still get in 7-8 holes in June according to my partners.

Just thought some of you might want to take a look at the course. Looking forward to teeing it up with some of you next spring. Hit 'em long and straight.