Golf on the Mornington Peninsula or Gippsland area

[JohnK]

I have a dilemma on which golf tour to choose for my upcoming trip to Victoria in March. I am leaning towards the Gippsland area but the Mornington Peninsula also appeals although I visited there back in the 90's. The choice is

Mornington Peninsula golf package including 6 nights motel accommodation, including cooked breakfast, and 5 rounds of golf, not including cost of cart, at Devil Bend, Dunes, Eagle Ridge (I can play in open day), Mornington and Moonah Links

or

Gippsland Golf which is a bits and pieces package I have put together including 1 night accommodation in Melbourne, 2 nights in Moe, 2 nights in Morwell, 1 night in Moe and 5 rounds of golf, not including cost of carts, at Morwell (open day), Traralgon (open day), Yallourn (open day), Moe or Leongatha (both open days) and Trafalgar (open day).

I favour the second option simply because I can play in the open competition each day, which reduces the green fees, I earn QFF points at Comfort Inn and the thrill of playing country golf course with local members appeals a little more than playing resort courses on my own. The cost should also be a little cheaper with the second option.

I have browsed the internet and all the courses mentioned have good reviews. Any useful first hand information on Gippsland golf courses?

 

[serfty]

I play one or two games at Trafalgar every year; a very nice course with true firm greens. It serves one well there to be straight on most holes (you could say that for most courses but this one more than most).

I last played Yallourn and Leongatha but back in 1999 so can't really comment.

The peninsular courses I have all played, with Devilbend and Mornington (great views of the bay) being somewhat similar to the Gippsland courses, the others are more resort/links style.

If similar cost, I would go MP ...

 

[straitman]

JohnK,

I can't help with the golf part but Traralgon is just 50km from where we live so that will probably send you the other way.

 

[JohnK]

The peninsular courses I have all played, with Devilbend and Mornington (great views of the bay) being somewhat similar to the Gippsland courses, the others are more resort/links style.

I have had more than enough of resort courses in Thailand. I really like the idea of country courses.

If similar cost, I would go MP ...

I would get a significant saving with the Gippsland courses plus playing in the open competition each day appeals.

I can't help with the golf part but Traralgon is just 50km from where we live so that will probably send you the other way.

We can meet half way. I was researching the Sale area but I am struggling to fit it into the current itinerary. I think Sale and Lakes Entrance would be nice week away next time.

 

[Happy Dude]

Tough choice JohnK.

The Mornington Peninsula courses are not really like Thai/resort types. Think undulations rather than sculptured. They're all fantastic, especially the Dunes and Eagle Ridge. Moonah was just tough and windy. I'm yet to play Devils Bend. Cape Shanck or the National (if you're connected) would be happy additions/substitutions to your list too.

Like you (and misery - which accurately sums up my game these days), I'd prefer company so the country courses would get my nod. Also, I've played only one on your Gippsland list so it'd be good to remedy that. Note that the accommodation and dining options will be far more limited than the MP, and Moe/Morwell are regularly overlooked any "Centre of Culture" gongs so bring dvds to watch in the motel room (a-la ex-wild thing John Daly).

Put on your bucket list a golf tour of the Bellarine Peninsula. Barwon Heads and 13th Beach (both tracks) are sensational.

Fairways and greens....

 

[JohnK]

They're all fantastic, especially the Dunes and Eagle Ridge. Moonah was just tough and windy. I'm yet to play Devils Bend. Cape Shanck or the National (if you're connected) would be happy additions/substitutions to your list too.

The Mornington Peninsula is a golf package from Rosebud Motel. I can get the National for a $130 surcharge on top of the $770 quote already. I forget the exact year but I was there in 1994? (around 12 months after Eagle Ridge opened) and I played Rosebud East and West, Rosebud Public, Portsea, Sorrento, Flinders, Cape Shanck, Eagle Ridge in 5 days using a golf package from the same motel.

Note that the accommodation and dining options will be far more limited than the MP, and Moe/Morwell are regularly overlooked any "Centre of Culture" gongs so bring dvds to watch in the motel room (a-la ex-wild thing John Daly).

I am not too fussed on accommodation and I don't mind the look of the Comfort Inn in Moe/Morwell. I also think they have a free video library plus Foxtel. I could also bring my laptop as I think I bought 15 DVD's in Thailand recently. The accommodation in the Mornington Peninsula would be similar quality.

Put on your bucket list a golf tour of the Bellarine Peninsula. Barwon Heads and 13th Beach (both tracks) are sensational.

Since I have postponed overseas travel indefinitely I am seriously thinking about this area in September/October. Plus even further around to Warrnambool and Hamilton. I would need to plan it so I have an open competition on different courses to play each day of the week.

I am also thinking about the Sunshine Coast in June/July....

 

[Happy Dude]

I played Rosebud East and West, Rosebud Public, Portsea, Sorrento, Flinders, Cape Shanck, Eagle Ridge in 5 days using a golf package from the same motel.

Throw in the Dunes and you've done the best of the MP, IME. You'll get a real kick out of how beautifully Eagle Ridge has matured.

I am also thinking about the Sunshine Coast in June/July....

Ah well this is my backyard (just pretending to be a Mexican for work reasons). Happy to dispense wisdom if required.

 

[JohnK]

Throw in the Dunes and you've done the best of the MP, IME. You'll get a real kick out of how beautifully Eagle Ridge has matured.

It was a nice course back then so I can only imagine how it has matured. Dunes may have to wait for another trip as I am leaning towards Gippsland area as time goes on.

Ah well this is my backyard (just pretending to be a Mexican for work reasons). Happy to dispense wisdom if required.

I think there are 7 courses nearby and the criteria will be how many open days I can schedule during the week. I have researched the area before many years ago but do not remember the details.

Thanks for the useful information.

 

[straitman]

JohnK,

You have a PM.

 

[JohnK]

I played golf in the Latrobe-Gippsland areas last week. I managed to play 5 games and I must say it was a pleasure to play those courses. Overall I paid $40 for the week of golf and $15 to hire pull carts.

I played Morwell ($8) on Monday, Traralgon ($9) on Tuesday, Yallourn ($8) on Wednesday, Moe ($7) on Thursday and Trafalgar ($8) on Friday. The first four days I played with members in open competition and on Friday I had a game on my own as I waited over 1/2 hour for someone to turn up and I was in hurry to get back to Melbourne airport. On Wednesday I played with a Moe member at Yallourn and he also had a game with me at Moe on Thursday with 2 others. Very friendly people.

A big thank you to straitman, mrs straitman and family for your kind hospitality on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. It was good to also meet up again with mwenenzi at dinner on Wednesday night. It was a real eye opener, and very sad, to drive through the bushfire area and also hear first hand accounts of the tragedy. I think most people have been affected in one way or another and hopefully do not have to go through anything like it again. Also thanks straitman for the tour of your workplace including the helicopters.

I stayed at Best Western Mahoney's Motor Inn, Best Western Strezlecki Motor Lodge Traralgon, Comfort Inn Morwell and Comfort Inn Moe. I can highly recommend each of these motels and they are excellent value for money with decent sized rooms. The Comfort Inns provide free wireless internet access.

On Friday afternoon I had a nice long drive when I got into Melbourne and drove all around the outskirts of Melbourne to get to the airport. I got on Springvale Road through to Doncaster and then Reynolds Road, Foote Street, Templestowe Road, Manningham Road, Bell Street, High Street and Epping Road up to Epping and then Cooper Street and Somerset Road to Melbourne airport. I am sure there are much quicker ways to get there but I was in a hurry and I was improvising with the street directory and the little I know of Melbourne. Fun trip but I cut it a little fine and got back to Melbourne airport with 15 minutes to spare to return the hire car.

 

[hi5]

Perhaps for a future reference... As per Golf Australia magazine - January 2009 issue "Australia's 60 best public access courses" ...

All top public courses are in Mornington Peninsula
Moonah Links #3
The Dunes #4
Portsea GC #13

 

[JohnK]

All top public courses are in Mornington Peninsula
Moonah Links #3
The Dunes #4
Portsea GC #13

Yes I am aware but those courses are also very expensive to play. Apparently Moonah Links and The Dunes are way over done, bunkers in middle of fairways etc, and not for the average golfer and I have played Portsea many years ago.

Believe me when I say the 5 courses I played are all worthy and for $40 for 5 days of golf it cannot be beaten....

 

[hi5]

Fair enough.

 

[Tortuga]

Hope you had a good trip JohnK. My family has a place down in Rye and I have played a lot at the Dunes, Moonah and the National. As far as public courses go Moonah is really nice, just try and pick a nice day and play in the morning before the wind picks up. I am not a great golfer, but I prefer to be challenged on the course, even if I do end up in a few bunkers. If you ever decide to come back down to play a round or two you should definitely give it a shot.