Tony, what have you heard in regard to Croydon’s new track out at Yering? What do you think of the land in terms of course suitablity and do you think the planned layout will produce a top-notch, challenging, member’s course? I’m tossing up whether to join Croydon or Eastwood. My mum’s a member at Croydon and although the thought of playing a new course and having a quiet one afterwards in a fine new establishment is tempting, my concern here is that a new course is so open to the natural elements. I played Eastwood in April and was impressed by how the course had stood up against the drought. From a course layout point of view, how do you rate Eastwood? If it gets really wet, does Legend couch hold up better than Santa Ana couch or is it much of a muchness? Cheers.

Thanks Gripnrip

Croydon’s new (27 hole) course has a fine architect in charge and a top rate construction team. The land forms suggest a nicely undulating and excellent golf journey will be there; and a modern club house specifically tailored to flexible membership and visitor requirements has been planned. And with the extended freeway, access to the venue will be quite ok. Yes, it will certainly be challenging from the back tees, but modern design standards will ensure all players can be examined and stimulated no matter what their skill and strength levels are.

I’m wondering what the hesitation is with having a course ‘so open to the elements…’ isn’t that one of the greatest qualities of a ‘traditional’ golf experience? So, if tree copses take some time to develop (and knowing the architect as I do, this will not be a strategic concern into the future), waiting for their maturity is not a disadvantage.

Eastern has a fine ‘membership’ golf course set in established trees. It has some problems with boundaries. It has an excellent course superintendent and staff who work like mad to keep the turf in good condition no matter what the season. But the course can be wet in a long winter. The club atmosphere is genial and warm. There are several fine strategic golf holes, and a few which might be improved and made safer.

Both couches are good, and it really depends on the soil characteristics and maintenance regimes as to how any couch satisfies cold winter conditions. The alternative of course is the use of cool season grasses.

Cheers Tony

Tony, what have you heard in regard to Croydon’s new track out at Yering? What do you think of the land in terms of course suitablity and do you think the planned layout will produce a top-notch, challenging, member’s course? I’m tossing up whether to join Croydon or Eastwood. My mum’s a member at Croydon and although the thought of playing a new course and having a quiet one afterwards in a fine new establishment is tempting, my concern here is that a new course is so open to the natural elements. I played Eastwood in April and was impressed by how the course had stood up against the drought. From a course layout point of view, how do you rate Eastwood? If it gets really wet, does Legend couch hold up better than Santa Ana couch or is it much of a muchness? Cheers.

Hey Gripnrip – In answer to your question about Eastwood.

Eastwood holds up reasonably well in the wet. It can get a little slippery on the 1st hole but the grass cover always holds up very well. They pretty much have a new committee down there now that know what they are talking about and are making some positive changes to the course and making it much less one-dimensional. It is an established course and doesn’t have too many boundary issues that I am aware of as both the North and South sides are basically open land. The West boundary has housing down the left but the angle of the tee mound on the 11th coupled with the massive pine trees all the way along the boundary pretty much negate any issues at this stage.

Dunno about Eastern though cos I am never played there. I am pretty sure that it is not close enough to Kilsyth/Croydon to make it a viable alternative.

;o)~

Sorry mate – misread Eastwood for Eastern (getting my glasses back tomorrow!).

I have no strong memory of Eastwood – it’s not a very difficult course, and my inspections some years back suggested the turf quality was good. Some very good short 4’s, and one uphill par-3 of fine quality, but really I’m not the one to ask about it. My gut feel is that the new Croydon venue will be significantly better.

Tony

Sorry mate – misread Eastwood for Eastern (getting my glasses back tomorrow!).

I have no strong memory of Eastwood – it’s not a very difficult course, and my inspections some years back suggested the turf quality was good. Some very good short 4’s, and one uphill par-3 of fine quality, but really I’m not the one to ask about it. My gut feel is that the new Croydon venue will be significantly better.

Tony

No idea then, really ? Jon…

Sorry mate – misread Eastwood for Eastern (getting my glasses back tomorrow!).

I have no strong memory of Eastwood – it’s not a very difficult course, and my inspections some years back suggested the turf quality was good. Some very good short 4’s, and one uphill par-3 of fine quality, but really I’m not the one to ask about it. My gut feel is that the new Croydon venue will be significantly better.

Tony

No idea then, really ? Jon…

The new course at Yering is going ok or not. We don’t seem to get any feedback to our questions ???
Jon…

Sorry mate – misread Eastwood for Eastern (getting my glasses back tomorrow!).

I have no strong memory of Eastwood – it’s not a very difficult course, and my inspections some years back suggested the turf quality was good. Some very good short 4’s, and one uphill par-3 of fine quality, but really I’m not the one to ask about it. My gut feel is that the new Croydon venue will be significantly better.

Tony

No idea then, really ? Jon…

The new course at Yering is going ok or not. We don’t seem to get any feedback to our questions ???
Jon…

Still no answer, this is considered quite rude in some circles, just some good old fashioned manners required.
Jon…

You need be more patieitn Jon. Less angry too.

Lads,
Tony probably knows little about the Croydon track as its a Watson design.
Construction on target for the first 18 to open around May 08.