Architects Bill Coore and business partner, the 1995 US Masters winner Ben Crenshaw, are no strangers to creating ultimate links-like layouts. Last year, their Sand Hills layout in Nebraska was named by an American publication as the best new course built in the past 50 years. Barnbougle Dunes, designed by Tom Doak and opened in 2004, came in fifth.
Apart from this pedigree by association, The Lost Farm captures all the drama, nuances and appeal of a natural sand dune links landscape. And when the elements come into play – especially an often-stiff wind blowing straight off the sea – you could be excused for thinking that here in north- east Tasmania you have been spirited over 10,000 miles away to the eastern Scottish seaboard.
In one sense, it’s a quirky course because there are actually 20 holes. When owner, Richard Sattler, a one-time potato farmer, was asked by Bill Coore to choose 18 of 20 holes on the master plan, he decided to build them all. Consequently, there are two extra par 3s – 13a and 18a – which can be played during a normal round.
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