The magnificent Mornington Peninsula will once again be on show to golfers from around Australia and overseas as the highly-anticipated Sixth Annual Mornington Peninsula Golf Classic tees off from 4-9 October.
The week-long extravaganza is regularly recognised as one of the most enjoyable and best-value events on the annual amateur golfing calendar, and will see men and women golfers play some of Australia’s top courses in a 72-hole graded tournament, while also enjoying a fun and friendly atmosphere as they meet new friends, or catch up with friends made from previous Classics. Peter H (who has played in three previous Classics) reflects the overall sentiment of this tournament with his recent comment: “The challenge and environment is why we come to play as well as catching up with people from previous years.”
This year’s Classic is sponsored by Yamaha (Premier Partner), Mornington Peninsula Shire, Flinders Hotel and Schweppes, and will rotate among some of the best courses that the Mornington Peninsula has to offer, including three of Australia’s “Top 20”.
The National Old Course, St Andrews Beach, The Dunes and Rosebud Golf Club will be at their pristine best for the main 72-hole Stableford event, which runs from Monday 5 October to Thursday 8 October. Golfers will tee off in either the morning or afternoon fields, and daily prizes will be awarded. There are also two optional days of golf on offer: Rosebud Country Club will host an Opening Day Stableford event on Sunday, 4 October, while Safety Beach Country Club will be the venue for the Closing Day Stableford event on Friday, 9 October.
There are also optional social functions available, including two optional dinners: a gala food and wine dinner on Monday 5 October and a Sports Dinner on Tuesday 6 October. For the first time, a program for non-playing partners has been arranged and will provide the opportunity to explore the other delights of the Mornington Peninsula, such as the Hot Springs, spa treatments, High Teas, art, glass and craft gallery trips and wine, food and farm gate visits.
THE COURSES:
Billed as Australia’s #1 golf destination, the scenic Mornington Peninsula is well known for the number of quality golf courses ranging from coastal links to resort style layouts. Here are the courses on offer for this year’s event:
St Andrews Beach
Golfers sing high praise for this Tom Doak-designed beauty, which is rated the number 4 Public Access course in Australia. Doak’s design philosophies and the nature of the land provide a unique golfing experience with generous fairways and spectacular greens. The course is a true challenge for experienced golfers yet it is also still extremely playable and fun for social golfers. www.standrewsbeachgolf.com.au.
The National – Old Course
“One of the great golf complexes anywhere in the world”– Robert Trent Jones Jr
Currently ranked number 19 in Australia, The Old Course is a must play for every golfer. The conditioning, layout, and location are absolutely flawless. This course is generally hilly, combining amazing coastal views, challenging ball carries and slick, undulating putting surfaces. There are a number of holes with ocean views as well as “inland holes” and all are framed by the natural tee tree and Moonah trees. www.nationalgolf.com.au
The Dunes
“I love all the Peninsula courses but The Dunes stands out. A funky layout that is so much fun to play,” — Jason Day.
The Dunes Golf Links has consistently been rated one of Australia’s best public access courses since its inception in 1995. Tony Cashmore produced what some say is his finest design in this course, which is rated number 8 of the Public Access courses. This championship course achieves the very difficult objective of being a challenge to the low marker without being an impossibility to the high handicapper. www.thedunes.com.au
Rosebud Golf
With panoramic views of Bass Straight and the Mornington Peninsula, this course features a truly entertaining layout for golfers of all abilities. The lush fairways and smooth, firm greens and aprons are rarely below impeccable standard, whilst extensive bunkering presents plenty of protection around the greens. Excellent use has been made of the hillside location, with a relatively flat front-9 and a more demanding back-9. www.rosebudpark.com.au
Rosebud Country Club
(optional Opening Day)
With 36 holes of championship golf on offer, this facility features two courses ranked in the Top 100; with each presenting different challenges. The North Course, which has hosted two national championships, is framed by large pine trees while the South Course boasts wide fairways and large greens. www.rosebudcountryclub.com.au
Safety Beach Country Club
(optional Closing Day)
This resort style course, with its lush green fairways and well maintained greens, offer all levels of golfer a round that will inspire them to return to “beat the course”. This short but challenging course manages to hold its own and is rarely conquered. www.safetybeachcountryclub.com.au
ENTRY AND INFORMATION
The entry fee incorporates golf on four days, shared carts at The National, The Dunes and St Andrews Beach, lunches on all four days (light buffet at The National and The Dunes; prepacked at St Andrews Beach and Rosebud Golf courses). Daily and overall prizes are included as are the Welcome Function at Rosebud Country Club and a three-course gourmet buffet at the Presentation Dinner at The National Golf Club. You will also get a show bag of goodies and a souvenir polo shirt. Early Bird entry (before June 30) is just $545. Entries received after June 30 are $595.
Entries close on August 31 or when fields are full. This is going to be a sell-out Tournament, so register early to ensure you secure your place. Refer the tournament to your family and friends to win prizes. See website for more details.
Phone: 0439 396 617
Website: www.golfmorningtonpeninsula.com.au
Email: info@golfmorningtonpeninsula.com.au
A four-time winner of the Australian Golf Media Awards, including Best Photojournalism, Best Opinion, Best Column and Best Photographic Presentation, Inside Golf Group Editor Richard Fellner is the quintessential Golf Tragic, having played the game for over 50 years (but has never gotten any better!) He has played and reviewed courses all over the world, and has interviewed many of the great players of the game (including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Greg Norman). Richard is a member of both the Australian Golf Media Association and the Golf Society of Australia, and has been a featured guest on many Australian "sports talk" radio shows and networks, including ABC Grandstand, SEN 1116, Melbourne Talk Radio 1377, 2GB and others.
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