Champion Sam says that sand must stay

Charleville Golf Club champion Sam Wade (right) with vice captain, Chris Pezet

Charleville Golf Club champion Sam Wade hopes that visitors to his club will play the authentic course for the Queensland Outback Masters in June, not one that is more fun & # 39; nicer & # 39; has been.

The par 72 course – 6049 meters – has nine sand greens and nine grass greens. And with nine holes played only on June 22 and nine holes only the next day, Sam wants the golf challenge to be a real one.

"It would be really disappointing if only the grass greens were played both days," said the 23-year-old boy who started playing golf under the guidance of the Greg Norman Foundation when he was six years old.

"The real test of our course is to control the change between a grass green in one hole and a sand green in the next. The different greens are mixed back and forth through the 18 holes and I think visitors could really take that challenge enjoy.

"Playing only one type or the other – sand or grass – for the two nines during the Outback Challenge would not be a real test of our course."

Although the course is currently very dry after a prolonged drought, Sam is sure that visitors will enjoy what most of them will be a very different golf experience.

"It's not easy. We beat the whole course and that requires some adjustments, especially when chipping," he said.

"And of course, because it is dry, there is enough running. So those who do not know the course may find that they have run out of fairway if they have done too well or have become adventurous. Judging the distance can be a problem."

For Sam, who has won the club championship in the last three years, the par three 12th hole is probably the most thought-provoking for visitors.

"It is 180 meters long, with two large overhanging trees about 30 meters from the green," he revealed

"Everyone who played Pars 12 played well, or usually had a windfall."

Sam & # 39; s best score on his home course was a seven-under par 65, a few weeks before the 2017 club championships.

More information about the Outback Queensland Masters: outbackqldmasters.com