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Channel 10 popped out to our little corner of the world to have a chat with the King of the Potato himself.
With one of the most spectacular settings for a golf course anywhere in the world Richard Sattler sits back and reflects on his journey.
As a natural entrepreneur Richard started off straight out of year 10 at a large agricultural property wool classing.
“The owner came in and he was in a tweed jacket and he looked a million dollars and had a beautiful big old bluestone homestead. I thought, now, jeez, I could be jealous, or I could just aim to do that and one day I can stand at the end of the board in my tweed jacket and throw orders around.” Richard reflected.
Moving on from wool classing via a country petroleum distribution business Richard entered the hospitality business. This progressed from a small Hotel/Motel complex in Hobart to building and purchasing a number of Tasmanian hospitality properties. After some ups and downs (18% interest rates & the recession we had to have!), the hospitality industry was eventually kind to Richard and Sally, helping them fund the 1989 acquisition of their spectacular property at Barnbougle.
The property sits along Tasmania’s North East coastline with spectacular rolling sand dunes. It has traditionally been used for cattle farming with around 5,000 head, and is also one of the largest producers of potatoes in the State. The hilly sand dunes mean much of the land is unsuitable for farming, however being coastal and dry the sandy soil is ideal for cows calving in the winter.
In 2004 Richard took a huge decision to invest $4 million in the first stage of Barnbougle Dunes which has now become the first of two world class golf courses at Barnbougle. The Dunes was designed to mirror the rugged Links courses of Scotland, and was successful beyond Richard’s wildest dreams.
Later in December 2010 he built the second course, Lost Farm, which includes a day spa, restaurant and accommodation with spectacular views up and down the coastline.
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