Epic new bucket-list links to be built

It might be located on the other side of the world, but we will take any good news in these golf-less times. And, to fans of links golf and classic architecture, that’s exactly what the overnight announcement from the Clayton, DeVries & Pont firm is.

CDP is to start work designing an 18-hole course at Seven Mile Beach in Hobart, Tasmania. Just the name of the location sets the pulse racing, doesn’t it…

Then you add in the fact Mike Clayton, former Tour pro turned feted architect, and one of his design associates, Mike DeVries, will be creating the new links.

You see, they have history in this part of the world.

Clayton designed Barnbougle Dunes with Tom Doak further north on the Australian island. And DeVries laid out Cape Wickham on nearby King Island. 

You might have noticed the names of these courses a couple of months back when we released our World Top 100: Barnbougle was No.19 and Cape Wickham No.10.

We told you it was good news…

A look at the pictures of the site we’ve got adds to the excitement.

Site preparation will continue during the first half of 2021 with construction scheduled to commence in the second half of the year. 

“Almost 30 years ago, I was playing in a tournament in Sydney with Mat Goggin when he told me about a perfect piece of land in Hobart,” says Clayton.

“‘You won’t believe how good it is and one day I’m going to build a golf course on it’,”he said. “He was right. The first time I walked the land at Seven Mile Beach with Mat I could not believe it. Here was a beautiful tract of sandy dune land on the edge of the beach, ideal for making a course to match the standards set by the very best in Australia. 

“We’re excited for what this course can offer the game, not just in Tasmania but also further afield.” 

Tasmanian Goggin, the former Tour player who is now director of The Golf Preserve who have engaged CDP to build the course, added: “For years, I had been espousing the potential for golf at Seven Mile Beach to Mike Clayton. 

“I convinced Clayts to come to Hobart for a site visit. As we walked around on that day nearly ten years ago, using blunt language for which he is somewhat renowned, he swiftly concurred that the site is indeed as incredible as I suspected.”

“Holes will tumble across the bigger dunes, have quieter links terrain in the lowlands, and hug tight along the shore, all the while highlighting the vistas of the ocean and nearby Hobart,” says DeVries.

“The climate is ideal for the growth of fescue and that turf will provide for a running game and creative shots that are found with true links golf.” 

Edward Cartwright, chairman of CDP, says the associates were a natural choice for the commission.

“CDP’s ability to deliver a collaboration between Mike Clayton and Mike DeVries, who were axiomatic in the delivery of Barnbougle Dunes and Cape Wickham Links respectively – two Tasmanian courses which consistently rank in Australia’s top three and the world’s top seventy-five – means that we are very well suited to deliver this assignment.”

Formed in 2019, Clayton, DeVries & Pont is the partnership of Mike Clayton Golf, Mike DeVries Designs and Frank Pont of Infinite Variety Golf Design.