CLUB Mandalay Golf Course is still young in the context of golf courses around the world, but this course just keeps getting better as it matures.
Located in Beveridge, Victoria – only a 45-minute drive from the heart of Melbourne’s CBD – Mandalay Golf Course is nestled in the rolling hills and fields of country Victoria.
The course opened in 2014 and serves as the centre of the Mandalay Estate in Beveridge. The 18-hole par-72 layout was designed by Peter Thomson and the renowned golf course design firm Thomson Perrett. The club’s directior of golf John Thalassinos describes the course design as “classic and absolutely unique”.
The course is known for its wide and generous fairways, slick greens, deep bunkers, and changeable weather conditions that provide an equal challenge for golfers of all skill levels.
The golf members affectionately use the term ‘the Mandalay wind’ to describe the strong and ever-changing wind conditions that offer them a true challenge when playing the course. And, if you’re lucky, you might just spot one of the kangaroos that love to hang out and enjoy the course in the morning and evening.
The course has a Golf Australia slope rating of 131 and is ranked 49th among Australia’s public courses. With a solid variety of par-3s, 4s and 5s, you need to bring your best game to experience what Mandalay has to offer.
Each hole is equipped with three sets of tees to allow golfers of any level to take on the course. The forward tees measure 5225 metres, while the back tees stretch to 6285 metres.
The deep, striking bunkers, typical of a Thomson Perrett course, stand out against the bright green colouring of the fairways. Course superintendent, Rhett Pinder, takes pride in how the bunkers were placed and are maintained today by his team.
“Our large-faced sand hazards were masterfully placed by Thomson Perrett to create a golf course which requires strategy from each tee shot,” He said.
“These bunkers provide perhaps the biggest challenge when playing a round of golf here as they can be your worst enemy if an errant gust of wind carries your ball into the bunker.
With the bunkers being so deep, it’s all up to you to guess where you need to lay that perfect chip and escape the hazard.”
Thalassinos has a couple of holes he sees as signature parts of our course.
The first of these is the second hole, which “boasts the widest fairway on the course, and slopes from right to left which makes a solid, long drive important”.
“Once you have navigated the long drive, you come up to one of the narrowest approach shots of the course,” he said. “From here, you’re able to get to the green and admire the City of Melbourne from the highest point on course.”
The second hole represents everything there is to love about golf at Mandalay – a fair challenge, coupled with beautiful views all around.
There is one other hole that stands out as a signature part of the Mandalay Golf Course – the 15th.
“This is perhaps the most beautiful hole on the course, but also one of the most treacherous,” Thalassinos added.
“While only a par-3, the 15th will test your ability to get to the green and stay there. With the severely exposed and elevated green playing into the prevailing winds, it is best to lay short to avoid the deep bunkers.
“Walking off with a par is always rewarding leading into the closing holes.”
The 15th hole truly exhibits the unique design that Thomson Perrett bring to their work.
Naturally, course superintendent Rhett Pinder is immensely proud of the course and the work his team does to maintain it day in, and day out.
The course maintenance team are crucial when it comes to keeping the golf course at its best and it remains open all-year round regardless of hot or cold weather, rain or shine.
Pinder’s team of eleven ground staff maintain the golf course that spreads over 50 hectares of undulating land. They manage a variety of systems, machines and equipment that are used every day to keep up the mammoth effort they put into maintaining the golf course and its surrounds.
On-site, the course maintenance team store large amounts of water to use during summer to maintain the lush green appearance of the course.
And in the winter they are on course mowing and spraying frequently to keep the winter grasses at bay … and keep the course in excellent condition.
The course at Club Mandalay hosts a range of events throughout the year, including board events such as the Ned Kelly Shootout (more on that later), club championships and more.
The members are spoilt for choice as the club hosts many Golf Australia events throughout the year including Junior, Open and Senior amateur events.
This suite of events offers an experience for every golfer to come and soak up the competitive atmosphere at Mandalay Golf Course.
But back to the Ned Kelly Shootout!
Beveridge has a special piece of history in the form of a well-known bushranger named Ned Kelly. He was born in Beveridge not far from the golf course.
“This area has always been synonymous with the notorious Ned Kelly as his birthplace,” said Club Mandalay marketing coordinator Brock Caddaye. “And that’s why we have a little bit of the history that comes with the outlaw’s name in our clubhouse.
“You’ll notice as you wander through the Café and Restaurant that we have a painting and several statues of Ned Kelly that represent the heritage of this area. And from this piece of history came the Ned Kelly Shootout, a 20-round shootout that results in some of the biggest prizes handed out all year to our members.”
The pro shop comes equipped with a range of products and services to ensure golfers can make the most of a membership offering or casual day on the golf course.
Director of golf is a PGA certified professional John Thalassinos works with major brands including Titleist, Cobra and TaylorMade to bring members and customers the best in golf equipment and apparel.
Thanks to these partnerships, the pro shop can specially order in items specifically made to fit players of all levels and abilities.
The friendly staff are always ready and willing to help organise golf lessons, order new equipment, or help to repair your favourite club.
The centre-piece of Mandalay Golf Course is the clubhouse.
It’s a hub for the community of residents, loyal members and many others who visit throughout the year.
“We host events, accommodate functions, and provide a one-stop place for every one of our members and customers to enjoy themselves,” added Caddaye.
The clubhouse has beautiful views of the golf course, the estate and the stunning surrounds of Beveridge.
It has its own Restaurant, Bar and Café to suit every golfer’s needs – pre-, mid-, and post-round. No matter what you feel like – the clubhouse will leave you satisfied and wanting more.
Club Mandalay’s general manager Peter Mitchell takes pride in all levels of the club and golf course experience.
“Club Mandalay is in its seventh year of operation and as the Mandalay community grows our golf course continues to evolve with beautiful natural vistas from every hole. The fairways are generous with a challenging and complex bunker network and high-quality greens all of which is fast creating a reputation for us as the premier golf course in Melbourne’s north,” he said.
“The atmosphere of the clubhouse, members and staff is warm and friendly … and creates a welcoming environment for golfers to come into.
“If you have not yet played Club Mandalay, then we invite you to grab your playing partners and challenge yourself on one of Australia’s highest-ranked public courses.
“The beauty of Club Mandalay is you can play a round of golf on our amazing, premier golf course and then relax and round out your day with a drink and a bite to eat in our sophisticated and comfortable clubhouse.
“If you’ve played our course before then we invite you back to reacquaint yourself with this high- quality course that is sure to challenge all levels of golfers.
“Our team of professionals will make your Club Mandalay experience a memorable one.”
Club Mandalay
430 – 450 Mandalay Court, Beveridge VIC 3753
Phone: (03) 9037-3700
www.clubmandalay.com.au
Editorial supplied by Club Mandalay and edited by Inside Golf.
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