In mid-June, Golf SA Development Coach Allan Telford flew out to the famous Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Course in the Outback of South Australia, 846km north of Adelaide, to deliver Community Golf Instructor practical sessions to a group of six local club members.
The training was to arm the members with the appropriate education to be able to then deliver development programs themselves to their local community.
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L-R Chevahn, Steve, Lynn, Mark & Donna
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Why is the Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Course famous you might ask?
Well…..Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Course, is the only Golf Club in the world with reciprocal playing rights with the 'home of golf', St. Andrews in Scotland.
Back in 2002, the Coober Pedy Golf Course clubhouse was destroyed by fire. After the new clubhouse was built, the Club President sent St Andrew’s a photo of the course and told them it was about time they got their course in good shape and asked if they would like reciprocal membership.
Much to the his surprise a letter arrived from St. Andrew’s Links Trust granting reciprocal rights on the provision they grant St. Andrew’s an opal mine. The opal mine and reciprocal rights were given making Cooper Pedy Golf Course the only course in the world with reciprocal rights with St.Andrew’s.
The reciprocal rights was granted to the Balgove Course which is the only 9-hole course at the Home of Golf and primarily caters for families, children and beginners. Featuring bunkers and a double green, the Balgove is the perfect practice ground for Links golf and consolidates St Andrews Links’ reputation as a destination that caters for all ages and abilities.
The Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Course is a par 72, 18 hole sand greens course, with a men’s slope rating of 104 and women’s rating of 108. Each shot is hit from a piece of artificial grass carried by the player, which cannot be smaller than 6 inches square.