When Cyclone Alfred started its march south towards northern NSW, the people of Coffs Harbour prepared for the worst. With the wetter southern flank of the cyclone aimed directly at Coffs Harbour, it appeared eight long months of hard work for the Australian Women’s Classic was going down the drain.
Coffs Harbour Golf Club General Manager Paul McAra said it took a lot of coffees and fist bumps to keep pushing his teams to get the course ready despite the deluges.
Here, he talks to Golf NSW about the week leading up to the Australian Women’s Classic and what it took to get the course into a playable condition.
Q: You’ve had a big job this last week trying to get the golf course ready after Cyclone Alfred. Can you talk about that?
A: Yeah, it was disappointing with all the rain that came—over half a metre. Last week, we were in despair thinking we wouldn’t have the tournament, but today we have bright sunshine, and everything is looking great for Friday.
Q: You must have been watching the cyclone closely. What was that like for the club?
A: The course was in such great condition, so it was disappointing when we realised we were in the path of the southern flank of the storm. But looking at places like Dorrigo, which had 1.2 metres of rain, or the Gold Coast, which was under flood, we counted ourselves lucky. We were wet, but not flooded, and we’re playing golf.
Q: What sort of preparations did you have to make? How was the course a week ago?
A: Initially, the course was quite dry and held up well. But then we started getting 80mm, 40mm, and 20mm of rain on consecutive days. One-off bursts are manageable, but constant rainfall led to water pooling on the fairways and rough. The team focused on clearing drains and waiting for the weather to improve. We applied fungicide to the greens to keep them healthy despite the lack of sunlight. Now, we’re just waiting for it to dry out so we can get back to mowing.
Q: As General Manager, how has this affected you and your staff?
A: It’s been a rollercoaster, but the team has stayed positive. We’ve supported each other—when one person is down, someone else picks them up. We’ve kept morale up by organising lunches, providing coffees, and ensuring the team stays motivated leading up to the tournament.
Q: How were your own stress levels, knowing the cyclone was coming and all the work that had gone into the event?
A: It’s tough. We’ve been preparing for this for seven to eight months. Ticket sales were strong—we had 1,200 sold before the rain hit—so we were expecting huge crowds and great conditions. Then suddenly, we were questioning if we could even host the event or if it would be shortened to 36 holes. It was a lot to process.
Q: Have any concessions or local rules been put in place for the next three days?
A: Yesterday some fairways were dicey, but today they’ve improved significantly. The course will play as it should, though some hazard lines were adjusted to account for wetter areas. With the current forecast, I’m confident the conditions will be great by Saturday and Sunday.
Q: Are you expecting good run on the fairways and decent speed on the greens by the weekend?
A: The greens are fantastic—healthy and rolling well. The big factor will be getting enough run on the fairways so players are rewarded for good shots while ensuring the rough isn’t causing too many lost balls. We’ve got spotters out there to help with that.
Q: What does hosting an event like this mean for the Coffs Harbour Golf Club and the town?
A: In 2018, we hosted the NSW Open, a $150,000 event, but the calibre of play wasn’t as high as it is now. The feedback from members and the town back then was outstanding. Now, with players like Grace Kim and Sarah Kemp, this is another level. The golfing community in Coffs is incredibly proud to be hosting an event of this magnitude.
Q: How do events like this support the club and its future plans?
A: Since COVID, golf has experienced a surge in popularity. Memberships are strong, and golf clubs’ balance sheets are in good shape. We didn’t host this event for financial reasons—it’s about marketing and positioning Coffs Harbour as a premier golfing destination. With Bonville up the road and Coffs Harbour Golf Club offering top-quality play, we’re establishing ourselves as a must-visit golf location.
Q: Why should golfers from other parts of Australia, like Melbourne, visit and play at Coffs Harbour?
A: Bonville has long been seen as the “Augusta of Australia,” but Coffs Harbour Golf Club has made significant improvements. We’re a 27-hole course with three distinct 9-hole layouts. Our fairways and greens rival those of regional and capital city courses. Most visitors are surprised by just how good the course is. If you’re coming to play Bonville, you should definitely play two rounds at Coffs as well. We have tree-lined fairways, lakes, and some stunning par threes like the 19th with its water features. It’s simply a beautiful course.
Q: Thanks so much for your time!
A: My pleasure!
