Neangar Park. Course of the month October 2022

October 2022

Neangar Park, Australia

Eaglehawk is a former gold-mining town in Victoria, Australia and a suburb within the City of Greater Bendigo (Australia's 19th largest city).

Situated just minutes from Eaglehawk and a mere short drive form downtown Bendigo lies Australia's latest Pitch and Putt gem.

Located close to the geographical centre of the state of Victoria and some 100 miles north west of Melbourne, Neangar Park Pitch and Putt opened in 2022.

Each of the Neangar's nine holes range between forty to seventy or so metres. The topography of the site and relatively large and undulating greens (averaging 250 sq. m.) call for a variety of shot making and will present a challenging test, when Neangar play hosts to the 2022 Australian Open in November.

There's plenty of water at Neangar Park Pitch and the 2nd (at 71 metres) and 5th (55 metres) holes play over watery hazards (although there are shorter secondary tees for the faint of heart!). Sand bunkers pose some problems on the on 2nd and 8th holes.

The 3rd green features a nice bank to roll (a well struck 58 metre pitch) off on the right hand side and a little swale on the left. The pitch on the 57 metre 4th must be flighted over a small copse of trees and may use a slope on the left hand side of the green to get the ball close to the pin.The 7th calls for straighforward 65 metre teeshot to a bunker-less green.

The 5th hole has a green that is set diagonally with the right-hand side of the green requiring a longer carry. The front of the green slopes sharply down to the water’s edge, however the rough is left long enough to stop (most) balls from finding a watery grave!

The local Kangaroo Flat Bowls Club kindly donated the grass from one of their greens (being renovated) for use on the 8th green on the Pitch and Putt course! Given the undulating design of that green, rolling out sods has worked really well.

The Pitch and Putt layout adjoins a pristine Par 71 golf course.

On Opening Day last May the course record of 25 was set by Phil DeAraugo and the first hole in one on the course was made by Ian Brewer. Phil DeAraugo has recently become President of the Australian Pitch and Putt Association (APPA).

A wedge and a putter can be hired for free with any Pitch and Putt green fee. Members play for free. Non-member pricing is $5 for Kids, $15 for Adults and $30 for a Family.

The grass used for the greens is a type of Bermuda grass (TifDwarf) that is more commonly used in the sub-tropics (around 2,000km. further north in Queensland). Bendigo has relatively cold and wet winters, which will see the greens will go dormant during winter and not be as ‘green’ as they will be in warmer seasons. This trade-off was made to ensure that the course is as low maintenance as possible, while providing a tough and robust grass that can handle the wear and tear of new players and recovering from unrepaired pitch marks quickly. The grass still provides a great putting surface and it is likely to be used more often for Pitch & Putt courses in the future.

The complex also offers a driving range and Pro shop. The driving range features 10 bays, suitable for both right- and left-handed players. It's perfect for sharpening up your short game as well as practicing those long drives.

Well placed football posts and practice holes allow players and visitirs to practice their aim both close up and further away. Additionally, there's a very nice shaded sitting area behind the bays, perfect for a small group to rotate while the others rest up.

Course address is 7 Averys Rd, Eaglehawk VIC 3556, Australia. Telephone the course at +61354468223.

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