The North Beach Club (National Treasure - Dr A. MacKenzie)
Jul 13, 2024 7:27:04 GMT -5
blueblood1995, greenlightning, and 8 more like this
Post by Rickster on Jul 13, 2024 7:27:04 GMT -5
The North Beach Club (National Treasure - Dr A. MacKenzie)
Update - "North Beach Club (Tour)" version published 4th August 2024
Welcome to The North Beach Club, my Dr Alister MacKenzie inspired course for the Season 10 - National Treasure design competition. Hopefully, I have captured in this course some of Dr MacKenzie's design essence and principles. And just as important, I hope you enjoy your rounds on the course.
To axelvonfersen and others who have given their time and effort organising this year's National Treasure comp - thank you. Much appreciated by us all.
This beachside (Delta theme) plot is my attempt to replicate two Northern beachside suburbs of Perth, Western Australia, known as North Beach and Watermans Bay. Unfortunately, if you live in one of the many multi-storey, multi-million dollar mansions that command an ocean view along West Coast Drive, or in near proximity to the Indian Ocean, your home is gone to an altered history of the area dating back to the late 1920s! The homeless is certainly a topic these days.
Changes to the plot are: I have increased the size of "Star Swamp" to a lake, created a ridge of hills around the inland perimeter of the course to mask out unused plot area, and added a couple of water storage ponds (16th and 18th holes).
This sandy area of Perth near the beach is quiet possibly similar to Melbourne's sandbelt in nature - no hints required.
Structures
Mt Flora Museum and Historical Society (at the back of the 1st green). This museum IRL is built inside what used to be a water tower for the area. A function centre has been built next to it, and stairs at the side of the museum lead to a viewing platform on top. Pity so many on course trees have grown over the years (and mobile towers), blocking some of the long distance views of the past.
North Beach fishing platform and change rooms (behind the 6th hole tee area). Spent many of my teenage years fishing at North Beach and from nearby rock ledges, and witnessed much of the beauty of the Indian Ocean and marine life.
Beach car park and nearby play area (100 metres or so behind the 6th hole green). A great spot to eat lunch while watching the waves.
Two underpasses (underneath West Coast Drive) to get to and from the signature "Beach underpass hole", being the 6th hole.
The Course
The course normally plays Par 72, however for pro tournaments and club championships, it plays Par 73. This is due to the 18th hole being setup for play as a shortish Par 4 instead of the usual Par 3, which members are so fond of (see scorecard below). When the 18th is a par 3, the rest of the 18th fairway and second green is used by the local golf pro for golf training.
Prevailing winds tend to be medium to high, being from the East/Southeast in the morning and from West/Southwest in the afternoons. Winds from the Northeast occur regularly, but winds from the North and Northwest are uncommon. Except for the clubhouse and Mt Flora museum areas, no out of bounds has been defined.
The clubhouse is almost 400m from the North Beach shoreline. West Coast Drive separates the course from beach, except for Hole 6 which is next to the beach. Holes 1 to 7 and 16 to 18 are on the ocean side of the clubhouse, with Holes 8 to 15 being more inland. Holes 9 to 14 play around an inland lake. Holes 16 and 18 have ponds as hazards and water storage.
I have tried to keep in mind the 13 principles that Dr MacKenzie designed with. Fairways are generally undulating as are the greens. Some greens may be considered quite bold, like the 9th green with its false front. Bunkers are generally large and are meant to be somewhat artistic with a natural slightly untamed style. Hopefully players will not be panting too much due to elevation changes from tee to green or green to tee. On many holes there is room to lengthen the tee area if required in future.
Pictures and Scorecard
Here are some pictures and the scorecard (in metres) for The North Beach Club. Hope you enjoy the course.
P.S. Apologies if I do not respond to comments until after 30 July 2024 as I am leaving on holidays today. The Par 73 Tour version of this course will be published in the first week of August 2024.
Hole 2 - Par 4 - shares a couple of greenside bunkers with the adjacent 17th green.
Hole 3 - Par 5 - the shortest of the Par 5 holes on course is reachable in two shots in most conditions.
Hole 4 - Par 3 - an often testy mid-length par 3.
Hole 10 - Par 4 - the green is about 15m below the tee area and can be reached with a good drive over the lake in a decent tailwind. Lucky we're walking downhill for this one.
Hole 12 - Par 5 - when the sea breeze is in, this may take more than two to reach the green.
Hole 14 - Par 4 - another testy little Par 4 that can be driven with a tailwind.
Hole 18 - Par 3 - The members are quiet fond of the Par 3 18th. The extended fairway beyond the Par 3 green is another Par 4 18th green around a dog-leg right. This is used for pro tournaments and the club championships, and the Par 3 green is designated GUR.
Scorecard (distances in metres)
It's nice to have someone who knows the local area too.
