Over the years golf courses around the world have extended their grounds to counter the improvements of technology, and golfers like Tiger Woods and John Daly. It’s something that has become commonplace, and by now almost everyone has already made their changes. Except for one course in Australia, where the concept of big eludes even the Texas definition.
Australia? Yes, the country down under. Known for kangaroos, Paul Hogan, and extreme bias against the aboriginal people that were the original owners of the country, the country now hosts a golf course that is so unique that I doubt another like it will ever be built.
This par 71 golf course, Nullarbor Links, is roughly 848 miles long. Yes, that is miles and not a typo. Not even Daly can drive that. In fact, it is so long a course that it takes 3 days to play one round. Some of the holes are 60+ miles from each other. It is actually longer than England.
Now before you bewilder your mind with thoughts of greens that roll forever, I’ll tell you the gimmick. There is just 1 hole each in towns stretching across Southern Australia. The goal is to spike tourism as golfers travel across the nation, hitting some of the lesser known spots and landmarks along the way.
Will this idea work in the global recession? Would anyone spend 3 days playing the same round of golf? Is the idea of driving an hour or more to reach the next tee worth the time to get to Australia? Well the answers will come in October when the course opens up.
Oh, as an added bonus you do get a certificate if you finish the course. No word yet on the cost though. Which I really can’t imagine. Guaranteed it won’t be cheap. But I’d consider it if any of the proceeds actually went to charities for the Aborigines.
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