Golf – Mornington Peninsula
Dotted with a fine collection of golf courses that combine to create a world-class destination. Experience a mixture of challenges at the highly rated Moonah Links, The National, St Andrews Beach, The Dunes, Sorrento and Portsea. All are located within earshot of the thundering surf of Bass Strait. An environmental feature of the peninsula are stunning centuries old Moonah trees. These gnarled trees with trunks and branches that look like twisted rope are easy to spot. They are a hardy low shelter tree and ideally suited to sandy soils and exposed coastal environments. And, Moonah trees break out in a creamy, bottlebrush type of flower during the summer to autumn period.
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Browns Road, Rye
Course length: 6409 metres, par: 72
The Dunes has earned a well-deserved reputation as a quality golf experience. Designed to exploit the rolling terrain, sloping fairways meander through undulating knolls and ridges. As the round unfolds golfers face some awe-inspiring shots if taking on several dramatic carries. The spectacular par-five 12th hole is a double dogleg created by sandy wasteland that threatens both the drive and second shot. Greens are positioned either in sheltered amphitheatres or on exposed elevations.
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Relph Avenue, Portsea
Course length: 5935 metres, par: 72
Incredible elevation challenges and terrific bunkering are highlights throughout the entire round. Set near the heads of the bay on prime real estate. A 'rough at the edges' look on some holes blends into this magnificently routed layout. Natural 'blind' shots over hills create quite a thrill. Hosts an annual pro-am on 2 January attracting many leading politicians, businessmen, sport identities, entertainers and golf professionals.
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Boneo Road, Cape Schanck
Course length: 5640 metres, par: 70
Abutting the National and built on a similar landscape, with many terrific holes that dogleg among the myriad of fairway ridges and valleys. Grabbing plenty of attention are the spectacular downhill tee-shots, rolling green complexes and sand hazards. Accommodation is in ocean view rooms or villas nestled in the golf course grounds. Other onsite facilities include tennis courts, table tennis tables, a heated outdoor swimming pool and a 4km jogging track.
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Bass Street, Flinders
Course length: 5259 metres, par: 69
A unique coastal course built along a stunning stretch of cliff-top land overlooking Bass Strait and Westernport Bay. Short in overall distance but quite tricky in spots. Across the road from the sixth green is a regular spot for hang-gliders to demonstrate their skills. Early in the round watch out for the famous 'coffin' hole, a driveable short par four defended by two ravines one in the lay-up area and the other in front of the green.
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Browns Road, Rosebud
Course length: 6116 metres, par: 72
A close neighbour of the Dunes and built on similar undulating and sandy land common to the Mornington Peninsula. However the two layouts are quite different, with Eagle Ridge's fairways more tree-lined and flanked by the odd water hazard. Course designer Kevin Hartley produced some nice bunkering particularly on the short sixth that features a chasm of sand to the right of the green.
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Tallis Drive, Mornington
More than just a great golf club! Heres a rare opportunity to combine sight seeing, shopping, wonderful food, wine tasting in some of Australias premier wine estates, sea-side fresh air... all with your game of golf.
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Elizabeth Drive, Rosebud
This is a truly beautiful public golf course with views that stretch from Port Phillip Bay to Bass Strait.
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Moonah Links
Peter Thomson Drive, Fingal
Open course length: 6783 metres, par: 72
Legends course length: 6315 metres, par: 72
Moonah Links hosted the Australian Open in 2003 and 2005. Five times British Open champion Peter Thomson created what he described as the culmination of his life's work among the magnificent dunes land. All golfers need to plot their way around his masterpiece, taking care to avoid the penal bunkering set strategically into this rolling layout. The companion course is The Legends. Designer Ross Perrett did a superb job fitting the golf holes in among the natural landforms varying from ancient Moonah forests to dune-scapes typical of the landscape.
The National Golf Club
The Cups Drive, Cape Schanck
03 5988 6666
Moonah course length: 6576 metres, par: 72
Ocean course length: 6552 metres, par: 72
Old course length: 6313 metres, par: 72
As a 54-hole collective, The National is arguably the best package in the country. The brief for designer Robert Trent Jones Jr back in the mid-'80s was to build something that would test the best in the business. Trent Jones obliged and the result gives golfers of all levels the challenge of a lifetime. Magnificent views of the Bass Strait coastline compliment a site that oozes wow factor. Everything about the National is impressive. The fairways and greens are near perfect all the time, and the bunkering is superb. Two more layouts masterminded by Greg Norman and Peter Thomson were added later to make this place something very special.
St Andrews Beach
209 Sandy Road, St Andrews Beach
03 5988 6000
Course length: 6074 metres, par: 70
Famed course architect Tom Doak describes this site as 'simply perfect for the game'. Sand blowouts, subtle slopes, bumps, hollows and craggy bunkering require correct angles of attack in order to score well. Greens are boldly contoured. Wide fairways accommodate those with lesser ability.
Sorrento Golf Club
Langford Road, Sorrento
Course length: 5644 metres, par: 70
The opening hole is one of the most interesting anywhere. Its reachable with a downhill drive over a vast diagonal sand hazard but the shot must be perfect. This tee shot sets the tone for some memorable golf on an undulating course built on a sand and limestone base. The layout is renowned for its many doglegs surrounded by densely wooded plantations, awkward stances and lies. Several large dams have recently been added to drought-proof the entire property.
Rosebud Country Club
Boneo Road, Rosebud
North course length: 6025 metres, par: 71
South course length: 5862 metres, par: 72
Well patronised by locals and holidaymakers. The facility includes two 18s of contrasting design, a lawn bowls rink and on-site motel accommodation. The North course features graceful routing through longleaf pines and wetlands. The 13th hole is a classic par three set into an amphitheatre of pines that frame the wide, cleverly bunkered green. The more open and flatter South course is essentially lined with native trees including melaleucas and flowering gums with the Drum Drum Creek influencing play.
Devilbend Golf Club
Loders Road, Moorooduc
18 hole; 6,250 metres
Devilbend Golf Club is a challenging course set amidst a flora and fauna reserve. The clubhouse is renowned for its friendly atmosphere. Bar and restaurants on site, well equipped golf shop and practice facilities available.
