www.portfairygolf.com.au
Blue tees par 72, SSS (ACR) 72, 5887 metres
Red tees par 72, SSS (AWCR) 72, 5063 metres
Port Fairy Golf Links lie on a spit of land between Port Fairy Bay in the Bass Strait and a lagoon called Belfast Lough on the south coast of Victoria. The bay was named by the crew of a whaler 'The Fairy' in 1828 and the town was briefly named Belfast between 1854 and 1887, hence the two names. To the west of the course lies the town of Port Fairy, which is a convenient stopping place at the end of the scenic Great Ocean Road. The original course was in the town but by 1963 nine holes were in operation on the present site, followed by an 18 hole course in 1985. Significant changes were made in 2000 by Michael Clayton who describes Port Fairy Golf Links as being 'largely unaltered by man and only mown to define fairways and rough'.
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| The 3rd hole turns into the dunes |
We played Port Fairy on a sunny but windy day and found a delightful and scenic true links course. There are five holes on the flatter ground outwith the dunes - the 1st, 2nd, 9th, 17th and 18th which are somewhat disappointing but when the course turns into the dunes at the par 4 3rd hole it comes into its own. The par 5 5th is a classic links hole well bunkered and winding uphill to a sloping green on the side of the dunes. The outstanding holes are along the ocean with views of the Bass Strait. These are the 12th to 16th holes and are all proper links holes, made more difficult by being into the prevailing wind. Our only criticisms of these holes would be that the par 4 14th and par 3 15th holes would be improved by some bunkering around the greens. At the farthest end of the course the 16th is a dogleg from right to left to an elevated green which has the Belfast nature reserve as a close out of bounds on the right.
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| Looking back down the 12th hole |
. Worth playing? Yes, a lovely links course. Stay at Oscars Waterfront in Port Fairy and have dinner at Conlan's.
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