About ST Andrews Beach
The Architect
St Andrews Beach Golf Course created the opportunity for world renowned golf course architect Tom Doak to ply his skills for the first time on Australian soil. With a passion for the true ‘links’ style courses of Scotland and Ireland, Doak spent 12 months studying almost 200 courses in Britain and describes golf course architecture as an artistic pursuit and believes it is crucial to give each course a character of its own whilst fiercely retaining the natural ambience of the site.
Doak places a strong emphasis on golfing strategy and short game interest. First and foremost, he believes that real golf is about interesting and exciting holes. At St Andrews Beach he has achieved and delivered holes that offer a combination of strategic interest and shots the avid golfer will relish hitting. The combination of Doak’s design philosophies and the nature of the land itself, provide a golfing experience that is comparable to the best in Australia whilst his promise is that each hole will present a challenge, variety and fun - not just the first time you play it, but time after time.
New Owners
The St Andrews Beach Golf Course has new owners.
The venue continues to be operated by Golf Services Management with the newly appointed Turnpoint Pty Ltd responsible for the golf course preparation. Immediate implementation of maintenance programs that will reinstate the course condition to match its Australian top 10 ranking is the priority.
The new owners are committed to developing St Andrews Beach Golf Course into one of Australia’s premier golf facilities. Plans are already underway for a new maintenance facility and clubhouse and with permits for a hotel, day spa and condominiums as well as plans drawn up for another great golf course, it’s a very exciting time.
About the Clubhouse
The rustic clubhouse has had a recent facelift with landscaping of the surrounds, sealing of the top car park and bag drop area and the opening of a new practice putting green. In the near future a practice range will be available for players to warm up whilst the pro shop offers all your golfing accessories and hire equipment including 40 motorised golf carts.
The clubhouse is fully licensed and a food and beverage cart is used on the course of a weekend and midweek where playing numbers allow.
A new dedicated BBQ area has been built which adds to the appeal of the St Andrews Golf Course, especially for larger groups who might wish to have a meal following their round. We have built in two large undercover 4 burner gas BBQ’s alongside the club house. Those wanting to make use of the facility are just asked to bring their own food and to cook it up themselves. We do not charge a fee, but it is important that you book the BBQ when making your golf booking. Usage will be on a first in basis.
About the Golf Course
Located in ‘The Cups’ region of the Mornington Peninsula and metres from the thundering surf of Gunnamatta Beach, St Andrews Beach Golf Course originally opened as an exclusive members course and debuted as the 9th best course in Australia in 2006. It is built on a stunning piece of land that lends itself perfectly to the tradition of the famous links courses of Britain and Ireland and can be compared favourably with the courses in Melbourne’s famous sandbelt region. Internationally renowned golf course architect, Tom Doak is the designer of this classic 18 hole links style course and his aim was to create one of the best golf courses in the world.
As was the case with his other Australian masterpiece – Barnbougle Dunes, Doak’s design philosophies and the nature of the land itself provide a unique golfing experience with generous fairways and truly spectacular greens. Whilst most links style courses conjure up thoughts of strong winds, the natural valleys and trees that make up the landscape of St Andrews Beach offer protection from the elements on many holes, and combined with the soil type of the area you have a great course that can be enjoyed by all players alike 12 months of the year.
St Andrews Beach now hosts regular competition play every Saturday through the Gunnamatta Club, plus additional competitions during peak periods subject to field sizes. Gunnamatta Members and visitors are welcome to enter for a small competition entry fee.
St Andrews Beach also hosts the Tom Doak Back Tee Challenge throughout the year giving handicap players the opportunity to play the course in its entirety from the back tees. The major prize of a set of Titleist golf clubs is awarded to the best nett score of the year, and a Titleist Staff Bag is awarded to the best gross score of the year. Daily prizes are also awarded to the best scores on the day.
The Tom Doak Back Tee Challenge is held on the second Saturday of the month (February - December). Further information is available by contacting the Pro Shop on (03) 5988 6000.
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ST ANDREWS BEACH PROUDLY RANKED TOP 10 IN AUSTRALIA - View Top 50 rankings (pdf, 117kb's).
