Moonah Links Golf Resort - The Open Course

Moonah Links' Open Course stands alone as Australia's only golf course ever designed and built specifically to host the Australian Open championship. Crafted by five-time British Open Champion Peter Thomson alongside Mike Wolveridge and Ross Perrett, this 6,783-metre colossus weaves through undulating sand dunes and ancient Moonah trees along Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. It's pure links golf with championship teeth—a course that demands strategy, precision, and respect. The dramatic landscape features hidden bunkers, firm greens, and the ever-present coastal wind that can turn friendly holes into formidable tests. Thomson himself called it a 'Leviathan,' and with five of the par-4s exceeding 400 metres and a closing 580-metre par-5 that can demand three woods into the prevailing wind, even elite professionals find humility here. Yet beneath the intimidation lies thoughtful design; multiple tee placements ensure the course remains playable for golfers of varying abilities. This is where handicap golfers should expect to need eight additional strokes to match par—a thrilling reminder that great courses make you better. The resort also features practice facilities designed to Australian Institute of Sport standards, including a 250-metre driving range, practice bunkers, and the Moonah Links Golf Academy, one of Australia's foremost elite training venues. A magnificent clubhouse with a comprehensive pro shop, the Spike Bar overlooking the 18th, and on-site fine dining at Pebbles Restaurant complete the championship experience. The Legends Course sits alongside the Open layout, offering a more player-friendly but still formidable alternative.