Talking Point: Teeing off on global golf mecca

CRAIG FERGUSON: A NEW 18-hole course near Hobart will build on Tasmania’s growing reputation as a golf destination.

Golf course, recreation and accommodation development proposed for the South Arm peninsula by Tasmanian entrepreneur Greg Ramsay, an aerial view of Arm End headland reserve area

IT is a typical Hobart autumn Saturday, sun shining, but cool. Clouds high above the River Derwent scud downriver on a gentle breeze.

At the Arm End jetty, the hourly water ferry/taxi is disembarking 20-50 people.

Among them, a young Australian couple, with golf clubs, a band of young men headed for the pro shop, excited to be away for their annual golf weekend.

There is a group of Chinese tourists, two families, who are met by an Arm End tour guide who speaks Mandarin.

Two Australian family groups, one from Launceston and another from Melbourne, both with small children come ashore and head to the shuttle bus for transport to the cafe/provedore. They will then head for a day’s picnicking and exploring Arm End’s massive coastline and beaches.

In Mary Ann Bay, a seaplane lands, pulls alongside the floating pontoon mid-bay and a covered dinghy/zodiac heads out to the pontoon. Four golfers disembark, having flown from Launceston airport after a week playing on courses in the North.

A posse of 20 American tourists from the cruise ship docked at Macquarie Wharf No. 2 disembark as a happy, talkative group — some to play golf, some to walk the peninsula, some to sit in the cafe and drink coffee then browse and shop for fine Tasmanian-only produce and wine displayed and available.

The retail centre, although small, has a range of food and Tasmanian tourist products for sale. Also onboard the ferry is a Hobart high school group of 12 students and their teacher, who join another shuttle, led by an Aboriginal heritage guide, who transports the passengers around the peninsula, to explain, interpret and celebrate indigenous heritage of Arm End.

In the carpark, shielded by native trees, Tasmanian, interstate and international visitors in hire cars park and make their way to the various points of interest — some to walk, some to birdwatch, some to meet friends at the cafe.

The hourly ferry service began at 7am, first transporting locals from South Arm and Opossum Bay to Hobart and Bellerive to Salamanca Market.

The ferry also began at 6.30am from the Mona Brooke St ferry terminal, as golf tourists staying at Henry Jones Art Hotel, Grand Chancellor, Salamanca Inn and other Hobart hotels slept.

The fully automated sprinkler system has completed the 6am watering of greens and fairways — as the usual starter for the day on any world-class golf course. On course, two of the 20 greenkeeping staff are returning from finalising pin placements before the first tee-off at 7am.

Native vegetation now dominates close to 80 per cent of this once weed-infested site. Birdlife is flourishing.

The Arm End golf layout is one of the most unique and striking courses in the world because every hole has a dramatic view of the Derwent.

The final ferry returns at 5.30pm and last travellers heading back to the lights of Hobart and their hotels as the light dims. As visitors explore and golfers enjoy the course, they quickly realise that the site is spectacular. It is a place to remember, to talk about, a Tasmanian experience.

The low-impact, strong sustainable environmental themes and considerations in the designs of built structures by Tasmanian architects complement the design by national golf-course architects and site master planners.

We, being the group of Tasmanian investors granted a 50-year lease by the Parks and Wildlife Service, believe Arm End will be the southern bookend to what has been created by the establishment of Barnbougle Dunes/Lost Farm in Northern Tasmania.

The next decade looks extremely strong for Tasmanian golf tourism, with several courses near completion, in construction or finalising planning.

The Arm End golf layout is one of the most unique and striking courses in the world because every hole has a dramatic view of the Derwent.

Tasmania has become a “go-to” golf destination, with the new courses on King Island and the continued success of Barnbougle and Lost Farm in the North.

However, Arm End will also stand out on the world stage. We are capital city based. At present, Hobart is the only Australian capital city that does not have a public 18-hole golf course.

We have worked extremely hard to include the local community, the overwhelming and vast majority of whom want the project under way. The community assisted in the new development application, passed by Clarence City Council 9-1 and confirmed by Resource Management Planning Appeal Tribunal.

We will continue to provide information and gain feedback from locals as the project progresses through to opening, planned for 18-20 months from site construction start. We are committed to delivering a world-class asset to the local, Tasmanian and Australian communities, as well as delivering a stunning environmental outcome.

The 10-year rehabilitation program will return the 116-hectare site to a native, coastal habitat for plants and animals.

Arm End is something that we, and I hope the rest of Tasmania, will be extremely proud of when it opens in 2018.

Craig Ferguson is Arm End project director.