It's been more than a decade in the making, but Hobart's new 7 Mile Beach golf course has finally welcomed its first paying customers. On Thursday, course officials allowed about 30 eager golfers on as part of a three-day 'preview', which saw 11 holes open for play ahead of a full launch in December. Long-time subscribers to 7 Mile's email list were given an exclusive opportunity to play the course. Amongst them was local player Ian Hamilton, who was quick to form a group upon learning his expression of interest had been successful. He described the experience as "like being a kid on Christmas". Mr Hamilton, who is a member of the nearby Royal Hobart golf club, said 7 Mile was "outstanding". "It was breathtaking" he said. "I'd imagine that when we play [at Royal Hobart] on Saturday, everybody will be asking us what it was like and seeing if they can grab a tee-time" Interstaters, like Sydney's Mick Graham, were quick to take up the offer to test drive the new course. "I've travelled to play Barnbougle and down to Melbourne to play and for a public golf course, this is as good as anywhere you can get in the world." Players paid $250 to play as many loops of the 11 holes as they liked. Ten-year journey for new course 7 Mile general manager Will Kay said the soft opening marked a significant day in the history of the course, following an almost 15-year-long journey. Despite just 11 holes being open for play, the course was earning early rave reviews. "I haven't seen an unhappy golfer yet," Mr Kay said. "We weren't here for the first arrivals. Someone was at the gate at 6:30am and nobody was allowed on the course until 8:30am so we had to give them a couple of extra coffees to get to the start line," he said. Lead proponent, Tasmanian pro Mat Goggin, first lodged a development application for a course and accommodation development on the Seven Mile spit, south-east of Hobart, more than 10 years ago. That was knocked back by the Clarence City Council, and later the Tasmanian Planning Commission over planning, environmental and zoning concerns. But revised plans were later approved, with construction starting on the Clayton and DeVries-designed course in 2021, leading to about 80 hectares of radiata pine trees being cleared to make way for the links course. Hot weather and high winds damaged the fairway turf last year, leading to further delays. But Mr Kay said the wait was worth it. "And he hasn't messed it up." Hopes for Australian Open one day It is hoped word will quickly travel from the select few who have been granted access across the next two days. The course, which is the brainchild of Goggin, and backed by local and Melbourne-based private investors, is expected to settle amongst the best courses in the world. A push for prestigious tournaments is also on, with hopes the Australian Open could be played in Hobart for the first time since 1971, when the tournament was played at Royal Hobart and won by the legendary Jack Nicklaus. "Mat, the owner, his fantasy is that it does come down here and it's a course that can certainly hold those types of players," Mr Kay said. Golfers from across the globe are expected to flock to the new course, which is about 5 kilometres from Hobart Airport. A sister course at nearby Five Mile Beach, which has also gained planning approval by the Clarence City Council, and is expected to be open in 2028, will form part of a new mini-sandbelt in Tasmania. Tourists set to provide boost to state Tourism chiefs believe the two courses will perfectly complement existing world-class courses in the state's north. "They'll be coming soon through Hobart International Airport from Singapore and potentially Hong Kong, " chief executive of Destination Southern Tasmania, Alex Heroys, said. He said golf tourists were "good spenders" and that interest in playing 7 Mile would be global. "We know that 7 Mile Beach is aiming high, it's aiming to be a top 10 course in the world, so it's going to get global recognition when they get there and I'm sure they will," he said. Local business owners are also bracing for impact. The Seven Mile Beach general store is busy during the summer months, but battles through the winter. It's now expecting an uptick thanks to fly-in, fly-out golfers. "If the international golf course is starting, there will be a lot more people coming and living in the [nearby] hotel," said store owner Mujib. "So, we're expecting a lot more tourists here. It could be a positive impact for us," he said. Golf balls, tees and towels may be included in future stock orders at the store too. "If tourists are coming here and expecting some kind of items, then definitely," he said.