Anne Van Dam swung in to Coffs Harbour for the first time this week to play in the Pacific Bay Resort Australian Ladies Classic – Bonville and the three-time Ladies European Tour winner took time out from her preparations to see another side of the town, whilst zip lining from the trees.
The Netherlands’ sole representative, who won twice in Spain late last year and finished tied for third in the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open, is fairly fond of heights as she comes from a family of pilots.
She was joined by fellow LET members Olivia Cowan (above left), Julia Engstrom (below), Sarah Schober and Manon De Roey and twice completed the most difficult course, which included scaling ladders, swinging on monkey bars and zip lining through the flooded gum trees.
She said afterwards: “It was a lot of fun and good to do it with a group of girls. It’s always nice to get away from golf and do a fun activity. I love it here in Australia. There are a lot of things to do, great beaches, the food is good and the coffee’s good. It’s the first time I’ve played at Bonville. I won’t hit a lot of drivers, but I like the course.”
Cowan, one of her best friends on tour, said: “I really loved it because I’ve never done anything like that before but I was really scared at the start. You have to remember so many things, but once you got going it was easier. The black course was really tough.”
The 2018 LET Rookie of the Year Julia Engstrom from Sweden was the only one who managed to perfect the technique of traversing the hardest section of the course, across a series of suspended wooden disks, requiring excellent strength, skill and balance.
She said: “The black course was tough but it was fun. It’s a beautiful place and golf venue. I’ve been playing solid so I’m looking forward to getting going. I’ll just play my best and hope it’s my week.”
Sarah Schober (below), from Austria also displayed outstanding athletic ability and said afterwards: “It was my first time on a zip line and trickier than I thought. I think it was great that they had different tracks, starting with the easiest and leading up to the most difficult. I’m really enjoying Australia, meeting new people and playing on amazing golf courses.”
Manon De Roey, from Belgium, also completed the most difficult and physically demanding course. She said: “It was great fun and a good workout. I’ll be a bit tired tomorrow, I think you had to think a lot as well. This was fun for a change, but I’ll stick to golf.”
The Pacific Bay Resort Australian Ladies Classic – Bonville gets under way at Bonville Golf Resort in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, at 6.50am on Thursday, with live television over the weekend.
