National Golf Club Long Island – Top 100 Golf Courses of Australia

The sandy undulations at Long Island have been home to all manner of activities even before the golf club came along. Chief amongst these has been growing peanuts, breeding ostriches and then being home to the Frankston Racecourse.

The first moves to start Long Island Country Club began in 1929, but the Great Depression put pay to those ideas. However Alex Russell was approached by the club in 1933 and enthusiastically endorsed the land as being suitable for a good golf course. Unfortunately due to his workload he was unable to assist any further with the project.

Instead Gordon Oliver was appointed and he oversaw construction of the golf course in 1934. While it is clear that Oliver got the course started and completed at least the first nine, it is not clear what his contribution is thereafter. Mr George Lowe was appointed greenkeeper in 1935 and it is thought he may have completed the 18 holes.

The course has stayed relatively unchanged to this day other than changes to holes 7-9 in 1946.

In 2014 The National Golf Club and Long Island Country Club merged to become a 72 hole facility with over 3000 members

The Melbourne Sandbelt is renowned the world over as one of THE great golfing destinations- with a cluster of world class course in close proximity to each other: Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Victoria, Metropolitan, Commonwealth, Yarra Yarra, Woodlands & Hunitingdale are all wonderful courses.

The sandbelt region extends further south and both Peninsula Kingswood & Long Island are blessed with that same sandy base, perfect for golf. And typical of sandbelt golf Long Island is defined by deep impressive bunkering, and firm, slick greens.

Long Island is a championship course. It is not overly long but is carved out of ti tree and gum trees and requires careful ball placement and accuracy rather than brute strength.

Since the National Golf Club merger the club has the wherewithal to maintain the course in pristine conditions- and it is a pleasure to play!

Long Island is a quality golf course in lovely Australian sand based terrain, not unlike some of the famous Melbourne Sandbelt courses. It is a good test of golf. Members of The National GC are blessed!

Peter Wood is the founder of The Travelling Golfer – click the link to read his full review.

May 08, 2020