Royal Hobart Golf Club has a long history that stretches back to 1901 when golfers first teed off on what is now the University of Tasmania grounds. While golf had already taken root in the region with the establishment of Newlands Golf Club five years prior, Royal Hobart quickly rose to prominence. By 1925, it was granted the prestigious royal title, making it one of the few clubs in Australia with this honour.   The club’s early days saw its founding members playing at Sandy Bay on a unique course with a par of 89, featuring four par-six holes and even a par-seven hole. James Hunter, Tasmania’s first professional golfer, oversaw play on this memorable course. The club relocated to Rosny in 1915, where it remained for over four decades until 1963, when it settled at its current site at Seven Mile Beach. Here, golf course architect Vern Morcom designed the current 18-hole layout, situated on a stunning 175-acre sand-based property adjacent to Hobart Airport. The course was officially opened by Sir Charles Gairdner, then Governor of Tasmania.   Royal Hobart’s course offers no gentle start; the opening hole is a 440-yard par four, rated the most challenging on the scorecard. The layout continues to test players with back-to-back par fives and standout holes like the 14th, a 432-yard left-dogleg par four with water lurking along the left side of the fairway.   Over the years, Royal Hobart has become known for its exceptional bunkering and has hosted many prestigious events, including Tasmanian Opens and national Amateur Championships. The club’s moment of fame came in 1971 when Jack Nicklaus won the Australian Open here.   In recent years, golf architect Richard Chamberlain created a new master plan for the club, leading to updates like the new 7th hole and enhanced practice facilities introduced in 2020. With a blend of historical significance and challenging design, Royal Hobart Golf Club continues to offer an exceptional experience for golf enthusiasts.