By Michael Davis
YOU’LL get yourself a long and spirited 19th hole debate as to which is the best golf course of the 20-plus on the Mornington Peninsula.
This is especially the case around this time of the year as people return to their offices and other workplaces after the peak holiday period.
It is a discussion we are not about to enter here other than to say the area is absolutely blessed by the number of world-class layouts sitting cheek by jowl in some of the most natural golf terrain in the country.
And we must say that in any discussion about which course is the best, The Dunes always figures prominently. In part this may be because of its genuine accessibility to the public although it is not alone in this regard.
The golf courses at The Dunes are always in brilliant condition and very popular and very playable for all levels of golfer. So much so that The Dunes has limited player numbers to maximise player enjoyment. In comparison to much of the rest of Australia, the courses are also bone dry, being built in sand dunes.
Never content, however, the owner of The Dunes has been making a number of small but significant changes to the course. A number of bunkers have been removed but the most important change is to the first tee and fairway.
Progress is continuing apace with a course improvement program, advised by Darius Oliver.
Owner Cam Andrews said he has never been really happy with the first drive of the day and with the help of Oliver (who built Australia’s second ranked course, Cape Wickham Links, for Andrews) he now thinks they have got that all-important first drive perfect.
“It is now very welcoming, the fairway is much wider and the ambience from the tee has been improved 100 per cent,” Andrews said.
To meet the demand, The Dunes is experiencing, owners are also planning to double the size of the on course luxury golfer accommodation.
The Dunes opened 23 bedrooms in November 2021.
The accommodation has proved so popular with golfers and regional tourists that Andrews has decided to build 12 more single bedrooms. It is planned that 35 bedrooms, in total, will be the limit for accommodation at the famous course.
Andrews said the expansion was due to The Dunes proving to be a “perfect venue for the travelling golfer”.
“In addition to the well-recognised golf assets at The Dunes, our accommodation is of the highest standard. Every room has a balcony with great views of the course and there is a private luxury lounge for guests. Of course, we are also centrally located on the Mornington Peninsula. So our guests can easily access other courses and wineries in the region.”
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