Far from the madding crowd is probably the best way to sum up
Bonville International Golf Resort (BIGR). In actual fact you are
not all that far from anywhere but it seems that way from the
moment you drive in the gate until the moment you leave. That is
the attraction of the place, it is another world.
Opened in January 1992, the course was originally developed by
the Japanese backed Coffs Harbour Development Corporation. Their
choice of venue was considered a little unusual given the fact
that Coffs Harbour was not exactly on the beaten Japanese tourist
map at that stage. It was certainly ahead of its time in that
regard but the rapid development in the Coffs Harbour area and
the growing appetite of Australian golfers for escapism, in terms
of golfing experiences, has seen the resort establish a niche in
the market.
The company engaged the services of Terry Watson and Ted Stirling
to design the course and whilst not exactly recognised names in
the design industry, they succeeded to a very large extent in
meeting the brief of the developer. That brief in part was to
create a course with the feel of Augusta, the home of the US
Masters.
The pressures that came on many Japanese companies who had
invested so heavily in Australia during the eighties and early
nineties befell the owners and in 1999, Ironhill Management Pty
Ltd a company with both American and Australian interests took
over the course and injected a new lease of life. The positive
impact of the new ownership is becoming increasingly evident.
Brad Daymond, who was originally from Coffs Harbour, returned
from a stint overseas to take up the position as Golf Director on
the course's opening in 1992 and has recently been appointed
to the General Manager's role.
The course is marketed in many areas as the Augusta of Australia.
It is probably a good marketing ploy but I'm not sure that it
does justice to either Augusta or Bonville Golf Resort as it
probably serves to create undue expectations. I am of the opinion
that in time it will not need the tag of Australia's Augusta
as it will develop its own reputation. I think the course at
Bonville is special and unique in its own right.
Weaving its way through an existing flooded gums plantation, the
course is interspersed with outcrops of rainforest. The flooded
gums were originally planted for milling by Australian Paper
Mills (the original owners of the land) and as a consequence they
are tall and majestic in their presence. Although originally
planted in a structured way to accommodate milling and growing
requirements, they certainly do not give that impression when you
are on the course. They divide most fairways providing the great
feeling of isolation and privacy as you play each hole. Several
of the holes run side by side but there is seldom contact with
other golfers as you play.
As a further introduction of character to the course there are
several areas of orchard with kiwi fruit, mangoes, lychees and
other native and exotic fruits on display. All serving to enhance
the ambience.
The course was opened in 1992 and has undergone a number of
changes in recent times including the change of ownership in
1999. The new owners made a commitment to introduce 328 Tifgreen
to all greens and although three are yet to be converted from the
1020 bent it is clear that once done there will be a greater
consistency of surface on all greens. The difficulty in using
bent in this region has been proven time and time again due to
heat and humidity concerns. Although only three or four
kilometres from the ocean the course is nestled amongst the
forest mentioned earlier and this, along with the hills behind,
prevents air movement of any significance and thus the need for
warm season grasses.
The fairway grass is "Greenlees Park" an Australian
variety of bermuda grass used on many resort courses here, more
especially those constructed in this era. It is a quick recovery
grass and offers a good playing surface virtually year round. The
management has resisted the temptation of using other grasses in
off-fairway areas for contrast which, from a maintenance and
playability point of view, is a wise decision.
The opening hole is an interesting one and gets away from the
typical trend in resort golf that almost dictates a generous
opening tee shot. In fact it would be fair to say that it is the
most demanding on the course, making sure that you are on your
toes from the start. It is not all over once your tee shot is
safely negotiated either, with an uphill second to a green angled
from front right to back left.
Of the other holes on the front nine those that stood out
included the downhill par three fourth which required a mid to
long iron to a green and surrounds which sloped very much from
right to left. An element of luck required here with the bounce
but no doubt after playing the hole a few times the secret code
can be broken. It was certainly a great looking hole from the tee
especially with the backdrop of rainforest.
The par five eighth was another one of those holes that are
enjoyable to play over and over again. Very generous from the
tee, as are most here, the decision making process begins with
the second as it can require two good shots to get across a rocky
creek some seventy metres short of the green. A warning here is
that the rocky creek is not always evident from where the teeshot
lands. Having safely negotiated the rocky creek, it is uphill to
a long green with three levels including a very small one at the
back.
A long cart drive to the ninth concludes with the longish, 183
metre par three 9th which plays slightly uphill to the clubhouse.
Out of bounds left threatens those attempting to avoid the bunker
guarding the front right of the green and with such a long iron
you need to be on your guard.
The par five 11th is my favourite on the course. Plenty of
options once the tee shot is safely negotiated with waterway
running diagonally across the fairway twice determining the
strategy for both the tee shot and the second. Longer hitters can
take it on with the second shot but for those less fortunate,
they can plot their way up close to the water and leave a short
iron to a shallow green.
I also liked the par four 16th. Planning is required from the tee
as it is possible for the longer hitters to knock it in the
water. A precise second is also required to a green guarded in
the front by a small lake and through the green by a creek. Club
selection is all important here.
There are two options for the 17th a par four and a par three
which provides flexibility and variety for the course and the
management. Both are good holes and that concept allows the
opportunity for maintenance on a particular hole without the need
for temporary greens. If you like, a spare.
The par five 18th is not long but it provides plenty of intrigue
from the tee shot to the green. It is the sort of hole that can
produce birdies or triple bogeys in the blink of an eye.
There were several small aspects of the service that to me meant
a lot as they are easy to implement and offered that special
touch. The first was the cheat sheet that was included on all
carts, a sheet of A4 paper with a brief but precise description
of each hole and how to play it. No need therefore to spend more
money on a course guide as this described all you needed to know.
At the 9th tee an intercom system allowed you to order your food
and drinks, which would then be waiting for you after you had
completed the hole. Simple but just another means of adding to an
enjoyable day. The drinks cart was a regular visitor during the
round.
A roomy and well stocked pro shop with welcoming staff greeted
you, although I would prefer to have seen the shop on ground
level rather than having to walk up stairs to gain access.
A great variety of holes overall and each memorable in its own
right. When I sat down to commence this article the night after
my first round I found the recollection of the holes very easy
which is always a good sign. That quality is likely enhanced by
the fact that the surrounding forest provides such uniqueness in
character and isolation, which in turn enhances the memorability.
If I had one criticism of the course, and it is only a minor one,
is that I would like to see the lake edges planted out with water
flora that would break down the sharp edges of the lakes. Reeds
or such that allowed the lake edges to tie in with the surrounds
would further enhance the beautifully natural environment. I know
they do not do that at Augusta but I feel it would just help to
soften the sharpness of the lakes.
It is not an overly demanding course especially from the tee but
I am not sure that a good golfing resort necessarily needs a
tough golf course. Bonville is, however, one that provides
interest all the way. If the golf is not going too well then
there is always the opportunity to relax and enjoy the surrounds.
The beauty of the Resort as I mentioned at the beginning is that
it is a hideaway, if that is what you are after, but it is also
close to Coffs Harbour (11 kilometres) and the increasingly
trendy seaside holiday village of Sawtell. There are some great
restaurants there if you are looking for variety but having dined
at the Resort on the Saturday evening of my stay I can recommend
the food, the service and the outlook (you look over the 18th
with floodlights making almost ghost like figures of the flooded
gums).
The clubhouse is a fine example of an old world
Queenslander-style building with verandahs and balconies further
enhancing the natural surrounds. The "Flooded Gums"
restaurant offers not only fine food and service but great views
over the 18th and beyond. The Clubhouse also offers an
outstanding venue for functions and conferences.
Accommodation is taken care of with 30 suites, several having spa
baths and balconies. Adjacent to the first fairway and only three
minutes walk from the clubhouse they will be joined in the not
too distant future by even more accommodation.
All in all a fine golfing resort.
(4.5) | Add A Review
|
11 Dec 2008
|
|
15 Oct 2008
|
|
04 Sep 2008
|
|
12 Nov 2007
|
1. BuggeraCup | Rated
|
12 Feb 2009
|
Add A Review
I have wanted to play this course for ages and finally got the opportunity on Australia Dat weekend. The course and the setting is spectacular. The course is carved out of tall forest and features heaps of elevation change and tranquil water hazards and streams cutting the fairways. The course is not overly long but with each hole bordered by the forest and, with the added element of elevation changes, it doesn’t have to be long. Course was in fabulous condition and the service was brilliant.
On the negative side, the course has some bizarre routing with some lengthy drives between holes meaning it is basically a cart only course (also due to some of the massive climbs and descents). Additionally, some of the bunkering looks like it has only been added for asethic appeal and lacks strategic merit with most of them positioned too far from the putting surfaces to influence the better players. However these minor shortcomings can be easily overlooked due to the beauty of the place and the interesting risk-reward design of many of the holes.
Bonville is a must play, you won’t be disappointed – I certainly wasn’t.