Melbourne and the Jewels of the Sandbelt

Day 1: Arrive

Take the time to explore the city and settle in to your hotel.

Day 2: Commonwealth Golf Club

AM – 18 holes of golf at Commonwealth Golf Club

Located on the Melbourne Sandbelt, just 25 minutes from the central business district, Commonwealth Golf Club is revered for its challenging driving holes and subtle sloping greens which call for accurate shot making when playing from the fairway. Designed by club professional Sam Bennett, the first 12 holes opened early in 1921 and the full 18 were in play by 1924. In 1926, Charles Lane, the Club Captain, travelled abroad to study golf architecture and met British designer Harry Colt, a former partner of Alister.

  • Length 6380m
  • Par73

Day 3: Royal Melbourne Golf Club & Yarra Yarra Golf Club

AM – 18 holes of golf at Royal Melbourne Golf Club

Royal Melbourne’s two courses, the East Course and the West Course, are each ranked amongst the best in the world. Royal Melbourne has hosted numerous national and international events, most famously the 1959 Canada Cup, and the 1970 World Cup. It was selected by the PGA Tour to hold the Presidents Cup for the first time outside the United States in December 1998 and again in 2011.

A combination of holes (12 holes from West and 6 holes from East) is called the Composite Course and in 2007 Golf Digest magazine ranked the Composite Course as the sixth best course in the world outside the United States.

  • Designer: Alister Mackenzie (1931)
  • Length: 6061/Par 72
  • West Course Ranked: #3 in Australia and #12 in World

PM – Golf at Yarra Yarra

The primary architect of this renowned Sandbelt course was Alex Russell who, in 1926, had formed a partnership with the famed Dr Alister MacKenzie during his brief visit to Australia. Today, Yarra Yarra remains substantially the same as the original layout and, like all great golf courses, has stood the test of time.

Many of the world’s greatest golfers have competed in tournaments here. This includes, Greg Norman, Ian Baker-Finch, Karrie Webb, Anika Sorensten, Jan Stephenson and Rachel Teske. What’s more, Robert Allenby and Stuart Appleby both launched their professional careers from their membership as amateurs at Yarra Yarra.

  • Length: 6155/ Par 72

Day 4: Metropolitan Golf Club & Huntingdale Golf Club

AM– Golf at Metropolitan Golf Club

Tucked away quietly in Melbourne’s south-east, just twenty five  minutes from the CBD, The Metropolitan Golf Club enjoys a reputation as one of the best-conditioned and most beautiful courses in the country. Pure couch grass fairways with large, fast bent-grass greens that are hand-mown to the edges of the greenside bunkers add greatly to the challenge of the course.

Throughout its rich history Metropolitan has challenged the best players in the world. In total the Club has hosted seven Australian Opens, five Australian PGAs, ten other professional tournaments and in 2001 hosted the Australian Amateur Championship for the fifth time.

Designers: J B MacKenzie (original), Dr Alister MacKenzie, Peter Thomson (previous modifications), Ogilvy Clayton Golf Design (current).

PM- Golf at Huntingdale Golf Club

Rising to fame in 1979 with the inaugural hosting of the Australian Masters, Huntingdale has emerged as one of the most recognisable golf courses in Australia. Since 1979, Huntingdale has played host to some of the most famous names in golf, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.

  • Designer: C.H. Alison
  • Length: 6363/Par 72

Day 5: Victoria Golf Club

AM – Golf at Victoria Golf Club

Victoria Golf Club is situated in the heart of Melbourne’s rolling sandbelt country, close to Metropolitan and Kingston Heath, in the beachside suburb of Cheltenham. It offers a sporting experience on par with the worlds best.

Host club for the 2002 Australian Open Championship and the 2010 and 2011 Australian Masters

  • Designer: Oscar Damman, William Meader & Alister Mackenzie (1927)
  • Length: 6278/ Par 72

PM – Experience the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in all it’s glory with an Australian Rules Football Game at the ‘G.

Day 6: Kingston Heath Golf Club & Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club

AM – Golf at Kingston Health Golf Club 

Kingston Heath Golf Club is one of Australia’s best golf courses. Ranked #19 in the world by US golf Digest, Kingston Heath enjoys an enviable reputation for its superb conditioning all year round. Kingston Heath has hosted many major national and international tournaments including the 2009 and 2012 Australian Masters and the 2016 World Cup of Golf.

  • Designers: Dan Soutar (1925)/Alister Mackenzie (1926)
  • Length: 6436/ Par 72

PM – Golf at Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club (North or South Course)

Located 40 minutes from Melbourne toward the Mornington Peninsula, Peninsula Kingswood underwent some radical redevelopment of its two courses (North and South) and on-site facilities. Australian Architects Ogilvy Clayton Mead (OCM) were tasked with redeveloping the courses and the results are nothing short of spectacular. With wide open fairways lined by natural shrubbery and quite possibly the best greens in the land, Peninsula Kingswood is a must play for any avid golfer.

Enjoy dinner in the modern Clubhouse restaurant and stay overnight at Peninsula Kingswood’s onsite accommodation.

Day 7: Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club and Depart

Enjoy a second round of golf followed by lunch in the clubhouse or outdoor terrace before travelling back to Melbourne.