Guests Comments

I have been reading about Murray river golf, since the El Sierra advertised there deal at $35 a day quad share, well 2008 and retired two year’s I finally booked my trip, at $69 a day twin share, March 1^st we were off.

We had two players, and two non players, deduct $20 a day for them, included breakfast, accommodation, golf and dinner vouchers each day, Great stuff, what a trip, got on the net, scored airfares for $137 each way, from WA, booked a group C Elantra off Avis, got upgraded to a SV6 Commodore, more good stuff.

Played five different courses, in five days, a drink and a sandwich thrown in with the deal at some courses, all courses were top notch, considering the drought Victoria was in.

A bus picked us up each night to go out for dinner, and returned us back to our lodgings, after golf each day, (we could have played 36 holes a day if wanted) but you have to do the righty when you take the wives,   took the girls out to lunch and sightseeing, shopping etc, (Michael & Lorraine, El Sierra recommended some greats places) back for happy hour with other golfers at the motel, met some wonderful people, had a wonderful time.

So much so I have 14 names ( All guys) ready to book in for March next year, at $65 a day, quad share, breakfast, dinner, accommodation, unlimited golf, and a FREE BUS ex Melbourne, for our own use whilst there, ya just can’t beat that

I just have to sit on the Net, waiting for those cheap airfares to pop up, I would recommend this trip to all golfers, can’t wait for March 2009

Kind regards

Wally Phenna

Highwycombe WA

On behalf of all the members of the Gerroa Boat Fisherman's club I would like to take the opportunity of thanking you and your family for the input you had to our week's holiday. We felt very relaxed in your clean and tidy rooms as well as the surrounding environment. Everything went smoothly and we all returned with happy memories.

The prizes and wine were well received by all. In all we had 130 fines issued to our group so you can see they certainly enjoyed themselves.

We look forward to returning.

Peter Hennessy 

About 10 years ago my wife and I together with a friend and his wife spent a week on holiday in Yarrawonga.

We travelled there basically because I was able to swap a 7day time share allocation that I owned in NSW with one in Yarrawonga. We went there for no other reason than it was available and at a place that we had never heard of before which is a good enough reason in itself. Besides,it was a case of use it or lose it.

We flew into Melbourne from Auckland, hired a rental car, bought a road map and set off, making our first mistake by not finding the new highway that circled the old Sydney road. This road must hold the world's record for the number of traffic lights!

Once we reached the highway however, the trip up to Yarrawonga was very pleasant reaching our timeshare resort late in the afternoon.

After settling in to our unit, it was time to select some brochures etc as you do and I was surprised to see the number of golf courses in the district. My mate and I being keen golfers straight away had thoughts of getting a little golf in while we were in the area, but our wives had other plans for us which certainly didn't include any golf!

However, during our stay in the area, we visited a number of the golf courses and were totally blown away with standard of the courses, the marvellous club house facilities, and of course the weather. We had arrived ther in early October, so it wasn't too hot, no flies to worry us etc - just perfect.

At about that time I had started organising regular escorted golf tours to Queensland, visiting there in July each year. July is a cold , wet and miserable time in NZ.

The thought of running tours to Victoria crossed my mind but I knew this would not work in July, probably April, or maybe October. The whole idea went a little cold as I still had a business to run in NZ, and hardly had time to look at more golf tours.

However early last year I came across an advert in The Pacific Golfer magazine which caught my eye. It was advertising golf packages for groups to visit and play the courses along the Murray River and stay at the El Sierra Motel in Barooga. I promptly rang the number of the El Sierra and spoke with the owner, Michael.

He very quickly convinced me that I should organise a golfing group and that he would make all the necessary golf bookings etc.

So I did just that and organised a group of 24 players from among my regular NZ customers and we spent 9 days with Michael at the El Sierra, and played golf at Cobram Barooga, Tocumwal, Yarrawonga and Albury. We all had a fantastic time, even fitting in a day excursion to Echuca, the old river port.

I was slightly apprehensive about taking a group to stay in a motel that I hadn't seen up close, only photos on the website, plus a description from Michael.However I was relieved to find everything was as promised, large well appointed units, very clean and tidy, with all conveniences such as fridge, TV, phone etc.The common breakfast bar provided a comprenhesive continental breakfast each morning, plus cooked breakfast if required provided it was ordered the night before.

Michael & Lorraine made us feel quite at home, nothing being too much trouble for them. For evening meals, Michael had arrangements with the local golf and sports clubs. He provided all of our party with meal vouchers redeemable at those venues. And I must add that the meals were excellent.

This last April (2009) I escorted a party of 42 players to the same area also staying at the El Sierra, again having a wonderful time, so much so that I have already booked for a party of 40 players for next year as well.

For our first trip with a party of 24, we hired two 12 seater self drive mini buses which was very good. But for the recent trip with 42 in the party I chartered a 46 seater coach with driver for the duration of the tour.

I must mention that not only did Michael arrange our golf bookings, but he also arranged the charter coach. The coach was very comfortable and the owner/driver Trace was absolutely terrific. Nothing was too much trouble for her, and as she was familiar with the area and all of the local points of interest she was able to entertain us all while we travelled back and forth to the various golf venues. This year to reduce the amount of travelling, we cut out the trip to Albury and played six courses close to home, the longest coach ride was forty minutes.

Bill Barker