PRESS: Days on the Green

This post was originally published on http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3110766/days-on-the-greens/

A FAMILY of floppy kangaroos bounce across Sunningdale Circuit and towards the 12th hole at Pacific Dunes.

The championship golf course in Medowie boasts two challenging sets of nine holes – the opening nine winding through a native woodland setting, the back nine through the wetland.

It’s the lifestyle, homeowners Bob and Lynda Stuart say, that brought them to the golfing and residential estate 2½ years ago.

“It’s a great lifestyle – the restaurant is open on Friday and Saturday evenings, there’s a new clubhouse on the way, as well as tennis courts, an olympic-sized pool and even yoga. And we play golf whenever we want to.

“You do as much or as little as you’d like.”

Lynda has been golfing for 11 years, while Bob has spent the past 40 years refining his technique.

“If I wasn’t going to learn I was going to be left at home!” Lynda laughs.

“Golf is great for our retirement, the walking, getting fresh air and thinking.”

The couple moved from an acreage in Medowie to their contemporary home in The Fairways, a Rawson home altered for the Stuart’s own taste.

Although much of the front of the three-bedroom home remained as the sleeping quarters, the couple changed the living area completely.

“We changed the whole back area to suit us because we wanted to take advantage of the view,” Bob says, looking over the greens of the 11th and 12th holes.

The back of the home is the Stuart’s undercover entertaining area, tiled and complete with a small outdoor kitchen with bar fridge, and a comfortable suite of cane armchairs and ottomans surrounding an ornate concrete candle centrepiece.

A vertical garden sits to the side of this area, with a layering of violets, bromelias, little purples and a colourful variety of variegated grasses.

A plunge pool also sits in the back area complete with serene fountain, perfect for cooling down in after a big day of golf.

Although the couple were forced to leave much of their furniture behind, many ornate timber pieces came with them, working well with the brushbox select timber floorboards underfoot.

“We both love timber, we find timber doesn’t date and it’s so warm,” Lynda says.

As is the gas fireplace in the living area, surrounded by four identical wing armchairs in grey from Oz Design Furniture that look cozy and stylish.

On the other side of the large living area is a custom-made bar, constructed using Tasmanian Blackbutt by local cabinet maker Aaron Bassett.

Lynda also sourced local artwork for the hallway that runs through the sleeping quarters, which is dotted with oil paintings by artist Wendie Patch.

Patch runs The Other Side Gallery Teahouse, a converted church in Ghinni Ghinni located five minutes north of Taree.

Her generous brushstrokes combine to create quietly captured portraits of pensiveness that feel robust and Australian.

The master bedroom is located at the front of the home, with pure beige wool carpeting underfoot, as well as a generous walk in wardrobe and large ensuite bathroom.

Semi-porcelain charcoal tiling travel the length of the en suite, which also includes his and her sinks and a relaxing rain shower.

A deep-set white bath is situated under a shuttered window, with a view of bustling bamboo providing serenity and privacy.

Lynda and Bob’s retirement maintains a ideal balance between comfort and style, with the bonus of enjoying the Australian golfing lifestyle outside their door.

But there is still the occasional surprise for the couple.

“Sometimes we see a little family of kangaroos peering up over the gate, then they just lay around, relaxing,” Lynda says, smiling.