Mornington Peninsula
The National
The National Golf Club is located at Cape Schanck on Victoria’s spectacular Mornington Peninsula, a short drive to the south of Melbourne. It is described as Australia’s leading golf club.
The National Golf Club is a 54 hole private members’ golf club, providing three unique golfing experiences:
- The Old Course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr.,
- The Moonah Course designed by Greg Norman, and
- The Ocean Course designed by Thomson, Wolveridge & Perrett.
Play is available Monday to Thursday (not available Fri, Sat, Sun and Public Holidays) from 8am onwards. Course access is restricted to the course rotation which is posted on The National Golf Club website one month in advance.
The Dunes
Set amidst more than 150 hectares of rolling coastal sand hills in ‘The Cups’ region of the Mornington Peninsula, The Dunes 18 hole championship course has been designed to exploit the natural beauty of the terrain, while providing a true test of skill and judgment for golfers of every level.
The abundant charm of the par 72 layout is dramatically enhanced by the technical merit of the course. At 6,409 meters in length, the sloping fairways meander through undulating knolls and ridges, leading to expansive greens that are typically sheltered in a natural amphitheatre or exposed on elevated promontories to the full force of the elements.
Cape Schanck
The RACV Cape Schanck Resort’s 18-hole par-70 championship golf course was designed by American Robert Trent Jones Jr. in the late 1980’s, created among rolling sand dunes and surrounded by national park.
Located on Victoria’s spectacular Mornington Peninsula, a leisurely 90 minute drive from Melbourne, RACV Cape Schanck Resort offers all the ingredients for a great value holiday within a spectacular coastal environment.
Perched high on one of Australia’s most spectacular coastal headlands, the course boasts stunning cliff-top views over the majestic Southern Ocean and Port Phillip bay. The challenging design and breath-taking scenery combines with the course’s brilliantly manicured greens and fairways to provide a fantastic backdrop for an enjoyable day’s golfing.
Moonah Links — Open and Legends Courses
The Open Course at Moonah Links is the first ever 18 holes built and prepared for a national championship, with exceptional viewing platforms for spectators. It is one of the longest courses in Australia, and probably in the world in this category.
It measures 6,783 metres, so it offers more than a casual stroll in the outdoors. It is a mighty and ferocious test of golfing ability, the likes of which even the top pros only occasionally experience. In terms of difficulty, I estimate a club-handicapped player would merit an extra eight strokes assistance to return a net par score, yet the course has great flexibility. It can be played at many different lengths depending on tees selected.
The Legends Course stands as a tribute to past champions who have contributed to the rich history of Australian golf.
In contrast to the Open Course, which was purpose built to challenge the modern champion, the Legends Course will be a more friendly golfing experience for players of all ages and abilities.
The course is a loop of 18 holes that generally follow the valleys through a variety of landscapes ranging from ancient Moonah woodlands to open links land. The fairways are generous and the putting surfaces gentle, but the bunkering style is bold and wild in appearance.
Eagle Ridge
The spectacular Par 72, 18 hole, 6,116 metre layout at Eagle Ridge has just been voted in the Top 25 public access golf courses in Australia. Designed to appeal to experienced golfers and beginners alike, the course offers a challenging round with exceptional surrounds.
Located a leisurely one hour drive from Melbourne, the course is open to both green fee players and the corporate market for limited memberships and Corporate Golf Events.
Ranfurlie at Amstel
Ranfurlie is rated 50 in Australia and provides a tough challenge — however golfers of all abilities will enjoy the experience. The all new majestic clubhouse that overlooks the entire course is the perfect place to enjoy a cool refreshment and meal at the conclusion of your round.
Rosebud Country Club
“Rosebud Country Club is the Mornington Peninsula’s secret. It is an outstanding course.” — Dean Jones, former Australian cricketer
“Rosebud Country Club was presented in magnificent condition, 10 out of 10, for their 2006 Pro Am yesterday,” — Tim from the PGA
“Rosebud Country Club is an absolute cracker of a course. When people turn left at the end of the freeway, they are going past one of the best courses on the peninsula.” — Mark from Radio SEN.
Portsea
Portsea golf club ranks in the top 25 couses in Australia and in the very best golf courses on the Mornington Peninsula. Today members and visitors enjoy playing on a course set amongst sand dunes and which consistently rates as one of Australia’s finest. Recent design improvements in bunkering, teeing grounds and greens have further enhanced the course. The natural drainage qualities of soils found in the Portsea area also ensures that golfers enjoy a firm footing all year round.
Sorrento
Sorrento Golf Club is located about 1 hour 20 minutes drive south of Melbourne.
The course is a well groomed, hilly course with all year playability set on a sand and limestone base. Its generous fairways and roughs are surrounded by densely wooded plantations, and bent grass greens are moderately to heavily bunkered. When Melbourne’s early stalwarts travelled to the Mornington Peninsula for their holidays, they took their golf along with them.
The Sorrento Golf Club became the “Royal Melbourne of the South”, a course built on classic lines, borrowed from the original, for the joy and pleasure of golfers good and bad — 18 holes, each with a character all its own, challenging you to a rematch, over and over again. The Club invites you to share its treasure, enjoy its beauty and record a score you can boast about.
After your golf, enjoy superb dining with fine wines in the old Australian charm of the original Club House.
“Days of golf at Sorrento are high on the list of sporting pleasures. I would rather be there than at Carnoustie, Gleneagles, Pebble Beach or Pinehurst.” — Peter Thomson (5-time winner of The Open Championship)