Champion’s swing: Golf legend Peter Thomson shows the style that took him to five British Open wins as he tees off on the picturesque Champions Course that he designed at Sandhurst Club.By John Gavegan
THE haunting sounds of the bagpipes drifted across the fairways and greens of Sandhurst Club last month.
The ancient Scottish tradition was part of the official opening of the picturesque and challenging Champions Course by its designer and golf legend Peter Thomson.
The piper led the field to the tee for the opening of the course, dedicated to past Australian golf champions.
Each of the 18 holes on the par-72 layout is named in honour of a past champion and includes Peter Thomson, Craig Parry, Kel Nagel, Greg Norman, Ian Baker-Finch and David Graham.
Present at the opening were other legends whose names appear on golf holes – Graham Marsh, Frank Phillips, Bill Dunk and Wayne Grady.
Also present was PGA chairman Peter Senior.
In officially opening the course Peter Thomson said he hoped golfers would get great enjoyment out of playing it, both now and in the future.
He said he had attempted to design a course that was not only attractive, but one that was a true test of golf.
Following a round of golf, an official dinner was hosted by television personality James Brayshaw.
He also hosted a special forum with the five legends, where they discussed and answered questions about golf and highlights of their careers.
The new track now gives Sandhurst Club a 36-hole facility, combining the North and Champions courses.
Part of the new Sandhurst suburb, the courses are surrounded by top-quality housing developments, with the estate fully serviced with recycled water.
Works on beautifying the courses will continue, with the planting of more than 12,000 trees.
Sandhurst Club is also the national base of the PGA.
