The Links Kennedy Bay, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

February 18, 2009

I really wanted to play on a course with kangaroos roaming around the fairways. Initial checks with the web sites were not encouraging. The course at Wanneroo as recommended by Norm earlier is a private club. Wangaroo did not look attractive enough. So I decided to head to the beach to test a links course.

The Club House

Kennedy Bay was voted as Australia’s No. 1 Public Access Course, so I thought it made the right candidate for my last golf round in Perth. Burswood was a letdown. The GPS took me from Perth to Rockingham. Without it, I would not have found the way to the place.

The Course

The clubhouse did not look like much. I was getting a bit apprehensive. The sun was at its peak. It was getting very hot. The clear blue sky that Perth is famous for did not help. I chose to walk the course. The links course meant there were no trees for shades. There was no protection from the blazing sun. I was excited to play on a links course for the first time and at the same time I knew I was in for a tough game.

Typical Links Course with small, deep bunkers

The course plays 6,144 metres from blue tees. All the holes carry nicknames like Sunrise (1st Hole) and Sunset (18th Hole). The 497-metre par 5 hle number 5 is called Hell. I was curious about Hell expecting all sorts of troubles. However, I managed a good tee shot and my second took me to about 50 metre to the green. I thought Hell was not that bad. Then, all hell broke loose when my lob shot to the green found the bunker. It took me 3 times to get out. Kennedy Bay’s bunkers were design to mirror Saint Andrews; small deep with steep slope facing the greens.

I was having good long drive, poor approach shots and surprisingly better than average putting. I had 8 one-putts for my round. The score remained disappointing with only 2 pars to show.
The wind began to pick up when I was at the back nine. Then, I began to understand the difficulty of playing on a links course. I had to use my iron wood for a 154 metre par-3 because of the strong wind. Normally my 6 iron would be the preferred club.

The kangaroos having a good time on the fairways

On the back nine my luck changed. There were kangaroos running all over the fairways. I saw a couple mating on the fairways of Hole 15. Then again, I saw more kangaroos on Hole 17. My wish to play on a course where kangaroos roam was granted.

More kangaroos

It was a slow and tedious game. There was a flight of 4 golfers in front walking. They offered me to overtake but I stayed behind to take pictures of the course. Walking while pulling golf cart in a hot sun was a real test of a golfer's stamina.

That was a memorable links course experience.

Caversham Wildlife Park, AUSTRALIA

February 17, 2009

We have been to Caversham before during our first trip to Perth. We figured it was a good time to revisit as this could be our last trip to Perth.

Caversham (http://www.cavershamwildlife.com.au/) is located inside Whiteman Park about 15 km from Perth city centre. It is situated at the entrance of the Swan Valley, Western Autralia’s famous wine region. The park is open all the year round except Christmas day.

Feeding the kangaroos

The kids with the kangaroos

The koala

It is a family owned and run wildlife park started by David and Pat. David is the guy I used to see at MATTA fair in Kuala Lumpur. He dropped by when we were taking a short break and told us that he would be going to KL again for the MATTA fair.

Tasmanian Devil

The park that doubled in size from its original 2 hectare houses a good collection of Australian wildlife. We spent more time at the kangaroos feeding area and koalas pent. There were native wombats, wallabies and Tasmanian devils. There were also animal shows. We watched sheep rearing and wool shearing show. We missed the wombat show as we were busy having lunch.
It is a good place to spend time with the family and learn a few things about Australian wildlife. The staffs were friendly. There are souvenir shops, restaurant and resting places around the park.

Animal show for the kids

It was worth the second trip.

Burswood Park Public Golf Course, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

February 16, 2009

I brought along my golf set on this trip for 2 reasons. I have never played golf every time I came to Perth. This could be my last trip here. My daughter, Nina is graduating from Curtin University. We came for her convocation.

Burswood Park (www.burswoodparkgolfcourse.com.au) is part of the Burswood hotel/casino set up. Its location close to the city made it easily accessible.

I did not book tee off time, thinking Monday would be a slow day for golf. I was only allowed to play the back nine since I was alone. I would have to join with another group at 9.30am if I wanted to continue another nine.

Burswood flat terrain with waters fringing the fairways

As I was pushing my cart to the 10th tee box, I was joined by a husband and wife team. I invited them to join my flight. Norm was the golfer and Jenny caddied for him. They were both good company for a golf flight.

Burswood is set amongst 8 lakes with panoramic views of the Perth city skyline and the picturesque Swan River. Australian Golf Magazine described it as “the best public layout in Australia”. I found the course generous with its rather wide fairways but the waters fringing them were a constant threat. I sent my second shot into the water on the left of the 10th hole after having a good drive.

Norm & I

The course plays 5,642 metres from blue tees. Norm and I played from the white tees since the blue tees are championship tees. I always play from the blue tees in Malaysia or any part of South East Asia. It was too short a distance for me. Once, my drive left me about 50 metres to the green. It measures 2,483 metres for the back nine from the white tees. Luckily, I was not getting my usual long drives.

I was not much into playing. I was getting the feel of playing on an Aussie course for the first time. The cool morning breeze was something I really enjoyed. Jenny said it was hot. Norm was focusing more on his game. He was not a long hitter. I outdrove him most of the times. I was surprised to learn later that this friendly couple has a granddaughter. They did not look like grandparents to me.

Black Swan that made Swan River famous

We stopped after 9 holes, had coffee and bade goodbyes. Norm and Jenny were truly a reflection of Australian hospitality. They made good company.

Kuala Terengganu, MALAYSIA

February 7 - 9, 2009

We had a long weekend. It was Thaipusam, a Hindu holiday. We decided to drive to KT for the weekend to Liza's (my sister) house. She just moved into her new house. The last time we were in KT, it was still under construction.

Liza's House in 2008

Completed & Occupied

We spent one day visiting KT's feature attraction, Taman Tamadun Islam. It is a park filled with miniature model mosques from all over the world.

I managed to squeeze sometime to hit a round of golf at Green Acres Golf Club. It was formerly known as Tuanku Mizan Golf Club. Earlier it was Ibai Golf Club. The course was just average, obviously the reason why the name was changed. Tuanku Mizan is the current reigning King. The course, I think, is not worthy to be named after the KIng unless it is spruced up nicely.

Nina was down with chicken pox so we did not visit many places. Furthermore, Liza and her husband Hadi had to go to work. Terengganu has a different weekend than Kuala Lumpur. So most of the time we were by ourselves in Liza's brand new bungalow.