Course 22 for 2022 – Scamander River GC, Tas
Looking across the first green to the mouth
Another Bill Husband design, overlooking the mouth of the Scamander River
Nomadic_golfer : February 2022
Par 72, 5571m, slope 124, $20 green fee
4 par3s 130-180m, 12 par4s 268-351m, 4 par5s 432-558m
Designed by one of Tasmanian golf’s favourite sons in Bill Husband, and opening in 1987, this 9 hole course sits in the seaside town of Scamander, 3/4 the way up Tassie’s East Coast.
Fairways are a mix of rye and kikuyu; the kikuyu was thriving and thick in places giving the course a lush green look, while the rye was solid too. Greens are a bentgrass mix, quite large for a country track, of moderate pace and good condition. There are large gums to the left of the first and on the course’s boundaries but various small to medium trees (predominantly Blackwoods) line the inside fairways and are generally not too punishing, while there aren’t any bunkers.
The 1st & 2nd are among a few blind tee shots, as 6 of the 9 holes run more or less parallel to each other, traversing up and down a gently sloping dome. The approach into 1 is really nice – after a blind tee shot over a crest on this 350m par4, the further you progress over the crest, the more the Scamander River comes into view beyond the green until you get to see the mouth of the river over the back left of this large green, that has drop offs left and long and sits in a backdrop of gums.
The memorable holes for me here are the 2 par5’s and the par 3 8th. The 4th is a 558m par5 (13th is 501m), that snakes gently toward the west, with a large gum about 200m out on the right and a parallel blackwood on the left. It then goes downhill for 100-150 metres before going back uphill for the last 180m with a little stream left and a gum forest further left. The right-side has less trees but rough is a little thicker. Its beautiful, and so looooong). The 5th is a shorter 440m par5 turning right with OB and scrub left, and trees encroaching on the right for the second, meaning you must pilot your drive down the dangerous left side for access to the green – nice work Bill. The 165m 8th (130m 17th) is a lovely downhill par 3 with the river-mouth forming the backdrop beyond the first green which sits directly behind. Gums frame the right side and the ground slopes right, with the green dropping off right and assistance provided by a forgiving bank on the left.
I did have a chat with volunteer Jim, one of a small group of volunteers who look after the course and do an excellent job. Rodney and Jordan also work on the mowers, Darren and Matt look after the greens, with Dougie from Hobart providing expert turf advice. Overall, this is a well maintained course with some great views, not too much danger and some nice distinguishing features on 4 of the 9 holes……
