By Michael Davis
WHEN you’ve been kicking around golf circles as long as some of us at Inside Golf, you know when somebody at a golf club is spinning you a line or has a genuine love of the place.
Devilbend’s general manager, Tim O’Sullivan, has been back at the club for six years in his second stint and wears his heart on his sleeve when quizzed about the club which is proudly celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
“It’s got soul,” he says. “It’s pretty much ‘blue collar’ but above that there is always a really good feeling around the place. It is very community based.”
He points to the fact that although Devilbend has six full-time ground staff many members put their shoulder to the wheel on a regular basis, picking up balls on the practice fairway, jumping behind a mower or ‘line-weeding’ fairways.
“In many ways it’s the club’s version of our own ‘men’s shed’,” O’Sullivan said. “They get out there, have a laugh and a chat, and do a great job.”
O’Sullivan has been here for 14 of the 50 years Devilbend has been in existence. But he suspects it has always had the same ‘community vibe’ about it.
Over the journey, there have been many alterations, improvements and refinements made to the golf course and clubhouse and O’Sullivan says Devilbend stands proudly as a memorial to the founders and to all those people who through their diligence, foresight and application have helped to build the club.
It may not have the views or facilities of some of its highly vaunted neighbours on the Mornington Peninsula, but O’Sullivan reckons the golf course certainly holds its own next to most of them.
And he’s very excited about a planned upgrade to the clubhouse within the next 12 to 18 months which will further enhance the offering at Devilbend.
Not forgetting either, the comparatively modest $1600-a-year subscription for seven-day membership, which compares very favourably to other clubs in the area.
Devilbend membership grew to a respectable 550 during Covid.
“We spiked during Covid as many clubs did,” O’Sullivan said.
Devilbend Golf Club is home to a beautiful 18-hole course located in the middle of a nature reserve. An undiscovered jewel to many, the layout features wonderful fairways and excellent greens and promises a golfing experience to savour.
The best holes are considered to be the third, 12th and 14th.
The third is often said to be the club’s signature hole. It is a 135-metre, downhill par-3 where it may pay to take one club less than it seems. Three bunkers, a water hazard and OOB left and long, make it an extremely popular hole with members and visitors alike.
The 12th hole is a 401 metres par-4 for men and a par-5 for women. It has strong claims to be the best hole on the course with water all the way down the left-hand side of your tee shot. The second is just as daunting to a raised green surrounded by bunkers. The second shot plays longer than you think. This hole takes two great shots to make the green in regulation.
The 14th – a 333-metre par-4 – is another strong test of the golfer’s skill. It is a dogleg right and the line for your tee shot is down the right edge.
This is a must because the fairway slopes from right-to-left. It also usually takes an extra club for your second shot which is slightly uphill to the green.
It also pays to leave the ball below the hole on the green as downhill putts will have your knees knocking.
But we digress. Better you get there yourself and not take our word for what great fun Devilbend is to play.
It is located in Moorooduc, in the heart of the Mornington Peninsula. The club is
easily reached in around an hour from the CBD.
The on-site pro shop can take care of all your golfing needs and stocks a wide range of the latest equipment and accessories.
A dedicated PGA-qualified professional provides high-quality coaching to players of all levels, privately or in group sessions.
This allows golfers to realise their full potential and is complemented by excellent practice facilities, including a very popular new driving range.
As well, Devilbend welcomes beginners, with popular Get into Golf programs running throughout the year. It is also a family friendly club and has a MyGolf centre with a thriving junior membership.
Members can enjoy an extensive golfing program featuring interclub pennant play, numerous club competitions and frequent social golf.
But there is more to Devilbend than just being a top golf destination. You can enjoy a refreshing drink and a snack or a lazy lunch seven days a week in the clubhouse lounge where visitors are always welcome.
Devilbend’s excellent facilities also make it the perfect choice to host functions of all kinds – from birthday celebrations and retirement parties to wedding receptions and presentation evenings, meetings and conferences.
The club is also an outstanding choice for professionally-organised golf days and welcomes the corporate community.
A true community club, Devilbend Golf Club is run as a not-for-profit organisation with all revenue ploughed back into improving the golf course and its facilities.
It may frequently get overlooked when the annual accolades are handed out in the top Australian golf course ratings. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a great test.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the only true way to find out whether you rate the course at Devilbend is to come and try if for yourself. Chances are, you will not be disappointed.
SOCIAL EVENTS: There are a number of social events held at club throughout the year providing a great opportunity to meet fellow members and make new friends.
The club caters for golfers of all ages, with a successful junior program and a thriving and welcoming Veterans’ Group for senior golfers who enjoy weekly play and pennant golf.
TOURNAMENT HOST: Devilbend Golf Club hosts its Annual Tournament, which features three days of thrilling golf action in October each year.
This prestigious event is one of the key dates on the club calendar and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2022.
The fun starts on Friday with a nine-hole stableford event featuring a shotgun start and a 100-metre nearest the pin shootout on the ninth hole at the completion of the round. A two-course dinner is included in the entry fee.
SPECIAL GOLF EVENTS: The tournament is the showpiece event for the club but there are many others for individual male and female amateur players, and mixed teams which take place on the Saturday.
These events, aimed at low to mid-range handicap golfers of all ages, count towards the Victorian Order of Merit and attract some of the best amateur male and female golfers in the state.
Order of Merit events are staged by many of the leading clubs in Victoria and the prestigious competition understandably attracts some very good golfers.
So, for the spectator with a few hours to spare it offers the opportunity to see play of the highest standard.
All three events feature shotgun starts.
The men’s event (Ivo Whitton) is over 36 holes of stroke play. The women’s (Susie Tolhurst) is an 18-hole stroke play event and the mixed team event (Jim Alexander) is played over 18 holes with stableford scoring.
On Sunday, the action concludes with an American Foursomes Medley (any combination of genders), again with a shotgun start.
Details of all the club’s invitation and open events are always publicised well in advance on the club’s website, www.devilbendgolf.com.au
JUNIOR TALENT: While the club’s coaching team ensures all juniors harness their natural talent and develop to their full potential, the program’s primary aim is to engender a lifelong love of golf in the younger generation.
Some juniors may go on to play golf seriously and at an elite level; others may play socially or casually.
But all are equally welcome at Devilbend and receive the same level of encouragement to reach their goals, whatever they may be.
Each child is taught the basics, so they have the foundations in place to be able to go on and enjoy a lifetime’s good golf. Coaching is designed to provide children with the opportunity to have fun but at the same time improve their game and technique.
DIRECTIONS: From East Link at Carrum Downs, pick up the Peninsula Link and leave at exit 18 for the C782 towards Mornington/Tyabb. MELWAY MAP: 153 Ref A1.
Devilbend Golf Club
48 Loders Rd, Moorooduc VIC 3933
Pro shop/bookings: (03) 5978 8470
Clubhouse: (03) 5978 8405
manager@devilbendgolf.com.au
www.devilbendgolf.com.au
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