New course to open at Barnbougle Dunes this month

A new 14-hole short course designed by Bill Coore will open later this month at Barnbougle Dunes in Tasmania, Australia.

The ‘Bougle Run’ layout is joining two highly ranked courses at the resort; the original Dunes layout by architects Tom Doak and Mike Clayton that opened in 2005, and the 20-hole Lost Farm course that Coore & Crenshaw laid out in 2010.

Barnbougle Dunes owner Richard Sattler identified an area of land on a ridge alongside the Lost Farm course and asked Coore to create a design for the course. He delivered a 14-hole layout that comprises 12 par threes and two par fours, and Riley Johns and John Hawker were brought in to handle construction.

“The routing begins and ends at the same tee box as the first hole at Lost Farm, albeit it plays in the opposite direction,” said Johns. “The first two holes are rather short and mellow, but then beginning with the third hole, they begin to get a bit sporty.

“The 14-hole routing essentially plays up to the top of a giant dune ridge where it meanders in-and-out of peaks and valleys. There are short holes that require only a well struck putt, and then there are others that require a full driver. The dune ridge affords spectacular views of the entire property and the ocean coastline beyond. At its highest point, it may even be higher than the Lost Farm restaurant.

“A few holes that stand out are the driveable par-four fourth and fifth holes, the puttable sixth, and the ninth, which has one of the most distinct backdrops found anywhere on the property.

“The short course is different in style and design from the other two full-length courses. From the onset, the course was designed to be sporty and fun. Matchplay or skins would be the ideal mode of play.”

Construction began in February 2020 and was completed in June. Greenkeeper Anthony Toogood and the resort’s staff handled the installation of the irrigation system, as well as grassing and grow-in duties.

The project didn’t escape the effects of the pandemic. “John Hawker and I had 10 holes shaped and ready for irrigation when the pandemic shut the entire resort down at the end of March,” said Johns. “I had to make a 2am dash for the border in order to get myself back home to Canada before being trapped in Tasmania. They closed the island off the day after I left.

“Luckily, John is Australian and had his family with him during the project and he could stay to finish things up. He, owner Richard Sattler, and Anthony Toogood deserve extra credit for bringing this project across the finish line during such uncertain and unpredictable times.”

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