Mt Nessing Uncovered...............

Ever since learning of the small country course of Mt Nessing in the McKenzie Country at the Norton Francis Cup I have had a hankering to seek it out and have a hit. Having finished my morning mediation in Timaru expeditiously it seemed that there would be no better opportunity than Wednesday afternoon.

Located inland from Albury, on the way to Fairlie, I turned left from the main highway as indicated by the Golf Club sign and followed a road that subsequently became shingle then past as sign labelled "No Exit" (reminiscent of the VoP) and just when I was about to give up I saw several flags fluttering (read bent double) in the Nor'west. Immediately the clubhouse sprung into view surrounded by what seemed to be an inordinate number of vehicles. I subsequently discovered I had arrived on the day of the PGG Wrightson Annual Ambrose Tournament.

Undeterred I unpacked my clubs and headed to the first tee after paying the $10 green fee. As I waited the group playing through invited me to join them as they only had 3 holes to play. From their surprised expressions it was apparent they do not get too many green fee players at the course. Having effected introductions and explaining the nature of my visit they invited me to tee off wherein I immediately sliced the ball out of bounds and across the road - so much for the Christchurch Golf Club Club Captain with the city clothing and the shiney Callaway Clubs!!!

Mt Nessing is literally hewn from the sheep paddocks, boasts a membership of 35 with 26 full playing men, operates from mid February to mid September (when the sheep are put back in) and relies entirely on voluntary labour. The first four holes are all relatively straight forward although potentially the shearing shed on the second, a par 5, is in play. Holes 5,6, & 7 all make clever use of the river terraces and dog legs providing an interesting challenge. The 8th a par 4, is stroke hole 1, named Snake Gully with Gum Trees down the left and sloping river terraces and out of bounds on the right providing a tight driving hole - ok so I hit the trees with my drive and 2nd.

While only 9 holes the course provides 18 tee blocks so you get a different perspective on the second time around. The greens are "sporting" to say the least and contain a wee bit (a lot) of moss and putting is dependant on if you are up or down hill and with or against the wind allowing for considerable variation. It is also a course where the presence of out of bounds means you can not afford to be playing with a slice. However it is probably its spectacular location at the foot of the mountains that is it's best feature. The locals apologised profusely that I was unable to see Mt Cook its peak being covered in cloud.

I played the last six holes by myself, lost 2 golf balls decided that was me and adjourned to the Clubhouse. Inside I was warmly welcomed and with considerable relief that the "Man in the Department of Labour car" had simply come to play golf and not carry out any inspections. The small clubhouse was packed with 40 players having partaken in the Tournament, beer was being served in big bottles from crates and the women/wives were in the kitchen cooking up a storm. Having shared a beer and some conversation and purchased raffle tickets (I didn't win) I returned to Timaru satisfied that another golfing ambition having been crossed off.