I had corresponded with Chris a number of times on a golf architecture forum, GCA but we had not met.  He is qualified as a lawyer but works as a lobbyist and is a member at Commonwealth, another of the Melbourne Sandbelt clubs.  We had arranged to meet just before 5pm and would play as many holes as we had time for.  Fortunately, as it turned out, the course was empty (though a handful of serious players were on the practice ground when we set off and a couple still at it when we finished) and we flew round, so managed to get all 18 in as the shadows lengthened.

Chris explained that, perhaps 30 years ago, Commonwealth had been seen as being on the same level as Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath but had slipped from that level, partly because those courses had improved conditioning and presentation and made small improvements, whilst Commonwealth had made some major changes, designing new holes and replacing old ones.  Tellingly, as we played I started to be able to spot the new holes and the old ones just from playing them, without any clues from Chris.  The old ones made strategic sense and, as I said on the 14th: “this must be an old hole, the bunkers are all in the right places”.

Some recent work had been done to start bringing Commonwealth back to the level its best holes deserve by Mike Clayton’s firm again.  Clayton’s style at Healesville and Bonny Doon is dramatic and not at all like the relatively flat subtlety of the Sandbelt.  Impressively, the work he has done here is very sympathetic, to the point that there was nowhere that it was obvious where new work had been done (except for the construction of new tees in places, which are still growing in).  It is clear that Clayton’s work has improved the course, which makes it all the sadder that the improvements have been cancelled because of opposition from some members, who like the over-treed, bland nature of some of the newer holes.

The best holes at Commonwealth (8 is a lovely uphill par 4, 9 a great short to mid length par 3 with a wicked green and the last half dozen have a great flow to them) are very good indeed.  Such a shame that in the arms race to be the top Sandbelt club changes were made here to the detriment of the course.

The 3rd and 16th share a water hazard (apparently American architect Tom Doak described the 16th as the greatest inland par 4 with a water hazard in golf, that may be too much but it is bloody good, the closer to the water you drive, the easier a second shot you leave) and this chap and his family were out enjoying the evening sun:

We played quickly but found time to chat about the state of Australian cricket (for an Englishman can there ever have been a better time to be in Australia), which is the subject of national handwringing, Donald Trump and Brexit.  A great way to spend an evening and I look forward to catching up with Chris again for dinner tonight.

The 14th green as sun sets and just before I hole my birdie putt

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