Boulcott’s Farm Heritage Golf Club Undergoes Continued Major Remodel
LOWER HUTT, NZ — Boulcott’s Farm Heritage Golf Club is currently undergoing a significant redesign of six holes to unify the course’s aesthetic and improve playability. The project is led by Kristine Kerr of Kura Golf Course Design, an architect with experience on over 50 international projects.
Background and Development Drivers
The club was formed in 2010 through the merger of the 9-hole Boulcott Golf Club (est. 1938) and the 18-hole Hutt Golf Club (est. 1909). The current remodel was prompted by the 2026 sale of land to the Summerset Retirement Village, which required the relocation of the ninth fairway. While the ninth green and tees remain in their original positions, the realignment necessitated extensive earthworks.
Strategic Redesign of the “Hutt” Holes
The project focuses on holes 5, 7, and 10 through 13, which were originally part of the flatter Hutt course. Kerr noted that these holes previously lacked the undulation and contouring found on the other 12 holes of the property.
Key design changes include:
- Elevated Landforms: New bunkers are being set into created landforms to increase visibility and provide a modern challenge.
- Contouring: The flat terrain is being remodeled with significant movement and undulating greens of varying sizes.
- Visual Cues: On the ninth hole, new bunkers on the left have been designed to mirror the distant mountain horizon, strategically guiding players away from the boundary.
The New 10th Hole
A highlight of the project is the transformation of the 10th hole from a long par 5 into a 275-metre par 4. Alastair Sidford, Head Professional and Golf Operations Manager, identified the hole as a potential new signature for the course. The design features an elevated green that falls off on both sides, protected by front-left and front-right bunkers.
Technical Execution and Agronomy
The technical aspects of the remodel involve high-level coordination between design and maintenance teams:
- Contractors: The shaping and earthworks are being executed by Tom Paterson of Turfshapes, with hydroseeding provided by Trents Tracks.
- Fairway Construction: The 9th fairway was raised to integrate with the elevation of a nearby flood-mitigation stopbank.
- Agronomic Consistency: Grow-in Superintendent Jordan Burgess is tasked with blending maintenance the older soil-and-poa greens with the newer 2014 sand-rootzone bentgrass surfaces to ensure uniform putting across the course.
Professional Endorsement and Timeline
The quality of the facility has already earned international praise. Prior to his victory at the 2026 Quinovic NZ PGA Championship, American golfer Austen Truslow utilized the club for practice. Truslow specifically complimented the Kerr-designed putting green, describing it as the finest practice surface he had encountered.
Holes 9 and 10 are expected to open in September 2026. The masterplan anticipates the next two holes will be addressed in 2027, with the final two completed by 2029. Further holes will follow, with the timing yet to be finalised.
