Auto Club Golf Championship - Mornington Golf Club

The 2014-5 Auto Club Golf Championship had us heading down the Mornington Peninsula late in January. 

The Mornington Golf Club is one of the oldest clubs on the Mornington Peninsula with spectacular views over Port Philip Bay from the high points of the course.

Clubhouse

 A light misty rain cleared before a 8am shotgun start.  We started on the 18th hole, a uphill par 5.  On to the first a short par 4, but it was quickly evident that there were not too many holes where you did not need to consider the slope of the fairway that often had the ball heading for the rough with a sideways bounce.

Par 4 1st Tee

Par 4 1st hole

 

The 3rd hole is a medium length par 4 that requires a drive kept left on the fairway that slopes towards a lake on the right.

3rd green

The par 4 4th hole is rated 1 on the card and is uphill all the way.  The fantastic views of the bay start from here as you reach the green.

4th green

The 5th is the first of the par 3 holes and time for more views.

Par 3 5th tee

Par 3 5th hole

View from 5th tee down 17th hole

The scores were not anything to write home about today, but the weather had turned out kind, good company and great course made the day enjoyable.

The 6th is another medium length par 4, and that brings us to another par 3, the 205m 7th.  Watch out for golfers crossing from the 16th green!

Par 3 7th hole

View from 7th tee

The front nine finishes with another uphill par 4 to the clubhouse.  A short walk to the par 3 10th that plays shorter than its 164m due to the downhill change in elevation.

Par 3 10th

Par 3  10th hole

After the turn I started to hit irons a little better and built up to a more respectable 16 points on the back nine (including a wipe on our starting hole the 18th).

13 tee

13 hole

13th green

The 14th is a long par 5 with a double dog leg right and then left, with the approach aiming straight at the Melbourne skyline.

The 15th has a blind tee shot over a sloping fairway that requires a accurate second to a well protected green.

15th tee

View from 15th tee

15th green

The 16th is the last of the par 3's with possibly the best views of the bay.  A short hole but again demands an accurate shot to the green.

Par 3 16th hole

View back from 16th tee