Pictured left to right Kim Baldwin PGA, Cassie Koma, Vagi James
To have the handicaps of PNG golfers recognised around the world requires the country’s courses (where those handicaps are based) to be “slope rated”.
As a background to this exercise. A course’s Slope Rating is a number that signifies the difficulty of the course for a “bogey” golfer compared to a scratch player. The higher the number the greater the difficulty. To determine a slope rating numerous measurements are required and factored into the result. These include, the length of the holes, the width of the fairways, is the player forced to lay up because of an obstruction, over-hanging trees that decrease the width of the fairways, the size and depth of bunkers both near the landing zone and around the greens, the size of the greens and the length of the shots being played to the green. Also taken into consideration id the distance from the middle of the fairway to penalty areas and out of bound and the length/height of the rough. In addition to the size of the greens the speed and contours are also considered as well as the area surrounding the greens, is it contoured severely making recovery shots more difficult.
Arriving in Port Moresby at the end of February a team of national players were drafted in to assist me, namely Cassie Koma, Vagi James and Gideon Tikili. Their assistance with the gathering of data and their knowledge of the courses was invaluable. Measuring of the course of a weekend is not workable without disturbing play so we therefore planned accordingly. Having completed the back nine of Royal Port Moresby on the afternoon of my arrival we headed to Bulolo Country Club on the following Monday. Passengers on TropicAir first commercial flight, it was quite an experience.
Bulolo is a striking course with some dramatic changes in elevation, the first green is 20 metres below the level of the teeing ground and the second green is a similar distance above the teeing ground. The small greens also test the players accuracy. It provides quite a challenge physically and from a golf perspective. Situated at over 2,000 feet above sea level and with the changes in elevation from tee to green also factor in determining the slope rating. We also managed to conduct a clinic for around twelve juniors in the late afternoon before we headed off the next morning, thanks to the efforts of club captain Justin Watson
From Bulolo we were driven to Lae by an old acquaintance, Adam Parker who was the Team PNG logistics manager at the 2023 Pacific Games. Another unforgettable experience down a unique highway.
At Lae GC we were joined by Club Captain Francis Sabeniano in measuring the course, again the assistance and insights were invaluable. Since I hadn’t been to Lae GC for almost twenty years there were noticeable changes, the raising of areas around the greens to insert bunkers looked excellent, and the trees, their impact particularly on the closing nine had become a much more significant. It is certainly a good test of a player’s accuracy off the tee.
We headed out of Lae by road, destination Ramu GC in the Markham Valley. Currently some several of the greens are under renovation, but this is another impressive course, lovingly maintained by the staff. The trees are certainly a feature of this relatively flat site, with several holes featuring approach shots that are limited by trees either in front of or over hanging the green. A short but challenging par 4 across a ravine and the following par 3 in the opposite direction will certainly test a player’s nerves. We also enjoyed having Club Captain Dr. Kambue walk the second nine with us. The mountain range to the east of the course provide a beautiful backdrop to several holes.
Having returned from Ramu we set off once again, this time to New Britain to rate firstly Mosa GC before heading to Ralum GC. Course Superintendent Dixon accompanied us as we surveyed Mosa. He and his staff have the course in excellent condition considering the rainfall. The course is wonderfully maintained and is presented at a very high standard, in my own terminology, it is “loved”. On completing our tasks at Mosa we headed to Hoskins Airport for our Air PNG flight to Rabaul only to find no AirPNG staff in attendance. Later that evening we were informed that the flight would leave the following day (only 22 hours behind schedule). We are grateful to Mosa GC Captain Lillian for providing us with an additional night’s accommodation and hospitality.
At Rabaul we headed to Ralum GC. A unique and challenging nine holes set on the water’s edge. Small greens are narrow fairways are a feature. Holes number 6 and 7 have fairways measuring less than 20 metres in width (less when you consider the overhanging tree branches) with a penalty area down the entire left side of hole 6 and OB down the entire left side of hole 7. Definitely not tee shots for the feint hearted. As with Mosa the course is well presented and cared for by all involved.
We again returned to Port Moresby where we completed the measurements of RPMGC before heading off the Madang. Like Ralum GC the course at Madang is in a beautiful setting along the coastline. There are a number of challenging holes with penalty areas (used to be called lateral hazards until 2019) close to the greens. Neighbouring holes 2 and 11 feature a tee shot across water with a road and the Bismarck Sea behind the green. For maintenance reasons the club has removed sand from the bunkers but have maintained the grassy hollows, a number of which are quite deep. Once again club officials walked with us during the measuring and rating process seeking ideas on how to improve their course.
Our destination was Mt. Hagen GC. An excellent lay out with a lot of variety. The enormous trees are quite a feature and provide some serious obstacles for the golfer who has strayed off-line. Players are presented with a number of challenges of carrying water shots over water to safety. From the back of the men’s tee on hole 18 it is a testing 170 metres to reach the opposite side of the penalty area. For the less bold it is still over 90 metres to find the fairway in the direction of the ladies’ tees. Once again it was pleasing that the club’s officials walked with us to better understand the process and ask questions regarding the presentation of the course.
The hospitality we encountered at each and every club was incredible and I wish to acknowledge and thank all involved for making this exercise a memorable experience.
Kim Baldwin
April 4th 2025
