Luxury Vacation & Golf Tours — Best of AU Golf
Luxury Vacation & Golf Tours — Best of AU Golf
Melbourne’s Sandbelt region is home to some of the world’s most revered tournament venues—not for their length or difficulty, but for their playability and strategic brilliance. These courses offer generous width off the tee for the everyday golfer while challenging better players with bunkers and hazards perfectly placed to demand thoughtful positioning and shotmaking. When combined with firm, fast greens, the result is golf that rewards bold strategy yet allows conservative play—a masterful balance that continues to elevate the Sandbelt among the game’s global elite.
Much of the Sandbelt’s reputation can be traced to the influence of legendary architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie, who visited Australia in 1926. During his brief but impactful stay, he helped shape the vision of clubs like Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Victoria, and Metropolitan, working alongside local talent such as Alex Russell and the esteemed construction duo Mick and Vern Morcom. Together, they established a design philosophy still admired nearly a century later—one defined by bold bunkering, elegant greens, and strategic integrity.
Opened in 1941, Huntingdale Golf Club was the last of the Sandbelt courses to be built—but it followed a different path. Its layout was designed by Charles Hugh Alison, a partner of Harry Colt, and constructed under the direction of Sam Berriman, a self-taught superintendent who would later become a respected architect himself.
Berriman’s approach diverged from the MacKenzie-Russell-Morcom lineage. He introduced tree-lined fairways and tighter corridors that offered a narrower, more penal test than the width-embracing layouts of its neighbors. Over time, Huntingdale stood apart not only for its tournament pedigree but also for its distinct style.
We are pleased that the new course also goes beyond the spectacular landscape and design and has taken significant steps toward sustainability. Environmental efforts on-site include:
In 2023, OCM Golf (Ogilvy Cocking Mead) began a comprehensive redesign to better align Huntingdale with the classic Sandbelt ethos—while still honoring the course’s unique identity.
The redesign introduces:
Reimagined Bunkering
Inspired by Vern Morcom’s shaping at Kingston Heath and OCM’s recent work at Peninsula Kingswood, the bunkering now echoes the traditional Sandbelt aesthetic.
New Greens and Sand Composition
Firmer, faster surfaces promote consistent playing conditions and true roll year-round.
Wider Fairways & Open Sightlines
Playing corridors have been widened where possible, and dense vegetation has been thinned to create space between holes, improve scale, and enhance visibility across the property.
Native Heathland Aesthetic
Heathland plants and native grasses now frame the fairways and tee carries, adding texture, color, and environmental character to the course.
The result is a more visually compelling and strategically rich layout—one that reclaims the best traditions of Sandbelt golf while offering a modern, world-class experience.
The redesigned Huntingdale is scheduled to reopen for member play in December 2025, with international visitor bookings available from March 2026. Interest is already high for this revitalized classic, and we anticipate limited availability during the first open season.
At Best of New Zealand Golf, we handle far more than just tee times. Our team specializes in crafting seamless, high-end golf experiences across Australia and New Zealand—from exclusive course access and premium accommodations to private transfers, guided excursions, and signature moments not available to the general public.
Want to be one of the first to play the new Huntingdale? Looking to pair it with rounds at Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, and more?
Contact our team today and let us take care of every detail of your Sandbelt golf journey.
