Moonah Links - Peter Thomson’s “magnum opus” and Home of Australian Golf
Moonah Links Resort
Location: 55 Peter Thomson Drive, Fingal, Victoria 3939 Region: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria Claim to Fame: Only course in Australia designed specifically for the Australian Open
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Holes | 36 (Open Course + Legends Course) |
| Par | 72 |
| Opened | 2002 (Open), 2003 (Legends) |
| Style | Links/Sandbelt |
| Major Event | 2003 Australian Open |
| Designer | Peter Thomson, Mike Wolveridge & Ross Perrett |
History & Background
The Designer: Peter Thomson
Peter Thomson was a five-time Open Champion (1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1965) and one of Australia’s greatest golfers. After his playing career, he became a prolific course designer with close to 100 courses worldwide. Thomson regarded Moonah Links as his finest work.
In 1970, Thomson joined with John Harris and Michael Wolveridge to form South Pacific Golf, later known as Thomson, Wolveridge & Perrett. His design philosophy drew inspiration from the Old Course at St Andrews - smaller bunkers set as “minefields to be avoided” throughout, requiring golfers to think carefully about their approach to each hole.
The Home of Australian Golf
About 25 years ago, Thomson stood on a sand dune overlooking vast grazing land on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Golf Australia (then the Australian Golf Union) commissioned him to create something unprecedented: Australia’s first purpose-built championship course, designed specifically to host the Australian Open.
By the time the Open Course was finished in 2001, Moonah Links was quickly named “The Home of Australian Golf.” Thomson always called it his “magnum opus”:
“It is my magnum opus.”
The 2003 Australian Open
Peter Lonard shot 9 under par to win the first Australian Open held on the Moonah Links Open Course in December 2003. The event was hailed an enormous success and cemented Moonah Links’ place in Australian golf history.
A bronze sculpture of Thomson now stands a short pitch from the 1st tee, perfectly positioned to observe every golfer as they begin their round.
Timeline
- 2001 - Open Course completed
- 2002 - Resort opens
- 2003 - Legends Course opens; hosts Australian Open (won by Peter Lonard)
- 2005 - Hosts second Australian Open
Course Overview
Moonah Links is a world-class 36-hole golf resort featuring two distinct courses. The Open Course was designed specifically to host the Australian Open - the only course in Australia with this distinction - and did so in 2003.
One of the longest courses in Australia, Moonah Links offers a challenging but fair test with its sandbelt-style layout featuring native moonah trees and dramatic bunkering.
Course Ratings
| Tees | Distance | Par | Course Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black (Championship) | 7,466 yds | 72 | 77.4 | 143 |
Scorecard (Open Course)
Front 9 (OUT)
| Hole | Par | Black (yds) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 464 | SIGNATURE OPENER - Thomson pot bunkers |
| 2 | 4 | 449 | Long par 4 |
| 3 | 4 | 421 | Dogleg right |
| 4 | 3 | 221 | Long par 3 |
| 5 | 4 | 409 | Par 4 |
| 6 | 5 | 537 | Birdie chance |
| 7 | 4 | 388 | Par 4 |
| 8 | 4 | 371 | SIGNATURE HOLE - Punishing bunkers both sides |
| 9 | 3 | 190 | Par 3 |
| OUT | 35 | 3,650 |
Back 9 (IN)
| Hole | Par | Black (yds) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 4 | 491 | MONSTER PAR 4 - 468+ yards |
| 11 | 5 | 609 | Long par 5 |
| 12 | 5 | 565 | Par 5 |
| 13 | 4 | 413 | Par 4 |
| 14 | 3 | 183 | Short par 3 |
| 15 | 4 | 468 | Long par 4 |
| 16 | 4 | 449 | Par 4 |
| 17 | 3 | 202 | Longest par 3 |
| 18 | 5 | 636 | EPIC FINISH - 11 pot bunkers, 640 yards |
| IN | 37 | 3,816 | |
| TOTAL | 72 | 7,466 | One of longest in Australia |
Signature Holes
Hole 1 - Par 4
The opening hole sets the tone with one of Thomson’s trademark pot bunkers guarding the approach. Welcome to championship golf - think before you swing.
Hole 8 - Par 4, 468 metres
The signature hole of the Open Course. Punishing bunkers line both sides of a long fairway, and the elevated green requires a strong approach shot. Championship-level difficulty - par is a good score here.
Hole 18 - Par 5, 580-640 metres
A brutal finishing hole, usually into the prevailing wind. Even with wind behind, you’ll need three woods to get home. The fairway is a minefield of 11-12 cavernous pot bunkers, and the fairway contours are designed to feed balls INTO them. The vast green complex sits in a former vineyard hollow, two-tiered with significant elevation change. Epic, exhausting, unforgettable.
The Courses
Open Course
- Designed specifically for the Australian Open
- Hosted 2003 Australian Open
- One of the longest courses in Australia
- Ranked Top 50 in Australia
- True championship test
Legends Course
- Opened 2003
- Ranked #33 in Australia
- Five tee placements per hole
- More forgiving than the Open Course
- Great option for higher handicappers
Facilities
Pro Shop
- Open 7 days from 7am
- Full range of equipment and apparel
Practice
- Driving range
- Short game area
- Practice greens
Accommodation
- On-site resort accommodation available
Contact & Booking
| Reception | (03) 5988 2000 |
| Pro Shop | (03) 5988 2047 |
| Events | (03) 5988 2022 |
| proshop@moonahlinks.com.au | |
| Website | moonahlinks.com.au |
| Maps | Google Maps | Apple Maps |
Course Strategy Tips
General
- Length is the main challenge on the Open Course
- Choose the right tees for your game
- Legends Course is a great warm-up if playing both
Open Course
- Don’t be a hero from the back tees
- Course management is key on this long layout
- Bunkers are deep and well-placed
Legends Course
- More forgiving but still requires accuracy
- Five tee options - be honest about your game
- Great practice for the Open Course style
Getting There
From Melbourne CBD: ~90 minutes
From The Dunes: ~10 minutes
From St Andrews Beach: ~5 minutes (neighbouring course)
Our Rounds
October 13, 2025 - Mornington Tour Day 5
- Tee Time: 11:00am
- Players: Simon, Russel, Jonas, Colm (Declan departed for Munich)
- Course: Open Course
- Trip: Mornington 2025
Sources
Last Updated: 2025-12-10