Sorrento Golf Club

In 2012 Crafter + Mogford were engaged as the Club’s consulting golf course architects, our first commission on Victoria’s famed Mornington Peninsula.

The Sorrento Golf Club was formed on March 30 in 1907 then known as ‘The Sorrento and Portsea Golf Club’. In 1909, the Club decided to drop the ‘Portsea’ part and adopted the name ‘Sorrento Golf Club’. In 1929 the course was laid out by J.D. Scott.  A number of changes to the course followed none more significant than in 1965 with some 800 yards added to the course length. In the early 1970’s Sorrento was to be one of the first Australian projects for the fledgling firm of Harris, Thomson and Wolveridge.  Peter and Michael prepared a new master plan for the course which saw large scale changes to several holes addressing a number of difficult ‘walks’. Peter and Michael’s good work continued through the ensuing decades, and, with Paul having worked for Thomson, Wolveridge and Perrett in the 90’s - it is an honor to follow in their footsteps.

Our commission commenced in 2012 with the remodelling the 9th hole bunkering to enhance the strategic and aesthetic values of the hole. This was to occur in three stages with the second shot and green side bunkering reconstruction in 2016, drive bunkering and fairway levelling and remodelling of the tee complex in 2016.

In 2013, works were completed in siting a new 10th green adding some 30 metres to the length of the hole. 2015 saw the preparation and adoption of a Concept Master Plan for the course. While the scope’s primary objective was to set about unifying course bunkering select holes were to received more attention – such as the 4th, 6th, 9th and 10th holes. 

Perhaps our most significant contribution to the fabric of Sorrento came with the request to design a new 19th hole. A site was chosen behind the 11th green in a turf nursery area, however given its footprint still necessitated the removal of some indigenous vegetation triggering a rigorous planning approval process with the local Council, adeptly handled by Club Superintendent Shane Greenhill.

The 19th hole was opened for play on the second weekend in March 2019.

Sorrento Golf Club - 1st Hole Strategic Description

The short opening hole rates as the easiest hole on the course – however for the shorter hitter negotiating the sloping ground before and at the beginning of the fairway is quite a challenge. The works to this area will go a long way toward improving the enjoyment of these players. For the more accomplished player a measured drive of around 220-230m to the middle or left side of the fairway opens up the best angle to the green. For those playing a tighter line toward the green the existing fairway bunkers are well removed from the fairway - largely a function of there being a broad band of rough between the bunkers and the fairway to catch balls before they run into the bunker. The redevelopment of the bunkers has two goals. Firstly, by raising the base to assist in building up the fairway level to reduce the adjacent fairway slope as well as removing the first 25m of the bunker so shorter hitters can recover from a less challenging lie. Secondly, the bunkers are being repositioned slightly closer the green to increase the carry and challenge for the longer hitter. At the green, the green side bunker is to be shortened and moved closer the green. This will provide more usable fairway short of the bunker and tighten the approach to the green. Importantly the associated bold mound here is to be removed and reshaped into a swale which will no longer shed balls away from the green and fairway – the goal here is to entice long hitters to attack the green from the tee. Removing this mound will also improve the view to the green making for a much more appealing approach shot. To further encourage bold play from the tee, as well as provide a more fair conditions, the left margin of the green is to be raised and the mound at the front of the green softened. Newly formed hollows to the left side of the green will aid balls from running too far down the slope and improve enjoyment of the hole. Overall a far more enjoyable and playable hole for high to middle handicappers and slightly more enticing and challenging for low handicappers. I am of the firm view that these changes will result in a much better golf hole – much needed for the opening hole at Sorrento.