Giant golf course to open in Australian outback

Rusty · 07-13-2009, 07:51 PM

Australia's Nullarbor Links is the largest course in the world, crossing two time zones and encompassing some of the flattest, driest terrain on the planet.

It spans two states, stretching 848 miles from Ceduna in the south to the old gold mining town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. Alf Caputo, who has managed the construction project, said the idea was to attract tourists and golfers who want to experience "the real Australia".
"There's some absolutely amazing scenery out there and before Nullarbor Links there was no magnet to bring people out there to have a look at these beautiful things," he said.

As well as its size, the course boasts some rather unique sights. "One of the holes is right smack bang in the middle of a sheep station," Mr Caputo said. "You can actually see the sheep, you can see the shearing shed, you can imagine international tourists will have never seen anything like it in their lives. "There's also a wheat farming area – people would have never seen anything like it."

Construction on the course, which has taken five years, will finish next month and its first tournament will be held in October. Some 250,000 tourists travel the Eyre Highway each year, and it is hoped the venture will draw more than 26,000 visitors from England, Japan and China annually to bolster the region's tourism market and its economy. The course, which was part-funded by the Australian government, is expected to take between three days to one week to complete, with players staying in roadside motels en route. Driving time between the holes varies from 45 minutes to two and a half hours.

Mr Caputo said he believed the launch of the links would not be affected by the global downturn in travel. "This is a course that backpackers can do, you can stay in caravan parks and drive yourself around," he said.
"It is also so unique, and that's the difference, you can go to the Sydney Opera House 30 times and nothing changes, but there is nothing else like this in the world. "It's not just a game of golf, it's a true Australian experience."

Giant golf course to open in Australian outback - Telegraph

Rusty · 07-13-2009, 07:56 PM

I don't imagine the fairways will be to flash. Last time I played an outback course the fairways were made of rock so we moved the ball onto bits of dead grass to make it playable. The greens were made of dirt and the balls buried themselves in the green every time you hit it. You had to rake the green when you finished.

This coarse sounds like a nice nature walk but not a coarse I'll be playing.

chgolf · 07-14-2009, 02:32 AM

45 minutes to 2 1/2 hours between holes! I don't think so. Interesting article though, thanks Rusty.

MarinePaul · 07-14-2009, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by chgolf

45 minutes to 2 1/2 hours between holes! I don't think so. Interesting article though, thanks Rusty.

And I already get irritated with six hour rounds.

BigBurt · 07-14-2009, 07:31 AM

How much are green fees? Do you have to use a cart? How much for caddies? Just curious.

xman5 · 07-14-2009, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by BigBurt

How much are green fees? Do you have to use a cart? How much for caddies? Just curious.

Where do you put the snack bar?

07-13-2009, 07:51 PM	#1
Rusty Administrator Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northern Territory Posts: 905 Images: 79	Giant golf course to open in Australian outback Australia's Nullarbor Links is the largest course in the world, crossing two time zones and encompassing some of the flattest, driest terrain on the planet. It spans two states, stretching 848 miles from Ceduna in the south to the old gold mining town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. Alf Caputo, who has managed the construction project, said the idea was to attract tourists and golfers who want to experience "the real Australia". "There's some absolutely amazing scenery out there and before Nullarbor Links there was no magnet to bring people out there to have a look at these beautiful things," he said. As well as its size, the course boasts some rather unique sights. "One of the holes is right smack bang in the middle of a sheep station," Mr Caputo said. "You can actually see the sheep, you can see the shearing shed, you can imagine international tourists will have never seen anything like it in their lives. "There's also a wheat farming area – people would have never seen anything like it." Construction on the course, which has taken five years, will finish next month and its first tournament will be held in October. Some 250,000 tourists travel the Eyre Highway each year, and it is hoped the venture will draw more than 26,000 visitors from England, Japan and China annually to bolster the region's tourism market and its economy. The course, which was part-funded by the Australian government, is expected to take between three days to one week to complete, with players staying in roadside motels en route. Driving time between the holes varies from 45 minutes to two and a half hours. Mr Caputo said he believed the launch of the links would not be affected by the global downturn in travel. "This is a course that backpackers can do, you can stay in caravan parks and drive yourself around," he said. "It is also so unique, and that's the difference, you can go to the Sydney Opera House 30 times and nothing changes, but there is nothing else like this in the world. "It's not just a game of golf, it's a true Australian experience." Giant golf course to open in Australian outback - Telegraph

07-14-2009, 05:40 AM	#4
MarinePaul Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Warren, Ohio Posts: 8,003	Originally Posted by chgolf 45 minutes to 2 1/2 hours between holes! I don't think so. Interesting article though, thanks Rusty. And I already get irritated with six hour rounds. __________________ Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's wanting what you have.

07-14-2009, 08:39 AM	#6
xman5 Contest Statistician Join Date: May 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 3,904	Originally Posted by BigBurt How much are green fees? Do you have to use a cart? How much for caddies? Just curious. Where do you put the snack bar?

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07-13-2009, 07:56 PM	#2
Rusty Administrator Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northern Territory Posts: 905 Images: 79	I don't imagine the fairways will be to flash. Last time I played an outback course the fairways were made of rock so we moved the ball onto bits of dead grass to make it playable. The greens were made of dirt and the balls buried themselves in the green every time you hit it. You had to rake the green when you finished. This coarse sounds like a nice nature walk but not a coarse I'll be playing.

07-14-2009, 02:32 AM	#3
chgolf Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 32	45 minutes to 2 1/2 hours between holes! I don't think so. Interesting article though, thanks Rusty.

07-14-2009, 07:31 AM	#5
BigBurt Senior Member Contests: Joint 3rd place overall winner 2009. Joint 3rd place overall winner 2010 Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 318	How much are green fees? Do you have to use a cart? How much for caddies? Just curious.