Kauri Cliffs Embarks on Major Fairway Regrassing Project Ahead of 25th Anniversary

Kauri Cliffs Golf Course will undergo its first major turf upgrade in 25 years this spring, with all fairways being regrassed in a drought-tolerant Bermuda variety. The project, led by Golf Course Manager Andy Wood, begins October 6 and will see the acclaimed course reopen on December 10, 2025, just in time for New Zealand’s peak summer golf season.

Since opening in 1999, Kauri Cliffs has been a pioneering force in New Zealand’s rise as a global golf destination. Designed by David Harman, a protégé of Jack Nicklaus, the cliff-top course and its adjoining luxury lodge helped establish the modern “stay-and-play” model that now defines the country’s golf tourism. Ranked #55 in Golf Digest’s World Top 100, Kauri Cliffs has long been admired for its scenery and hospitality.

But the original turf—wall-to-wall bentgrass—has struggled to keep pace with both time and climate.

Climate Pressures Drive Change

Over the past two decades, New Zealand’s subtropical north has experienced hotter summers and increasing pressure on water resources. According to Wood, these conditions have made bentgrass a poor match for the property.

“Truth is, while Kauri is among the most beautiful courses on Earth, our bentgrass fairways never looked or played their best in high season, our summer months of November through March,” Wood explained. “With those months getting warmer and warmer, the move to Bermuda grass is something of a no-brainer, especially with the introduction of modern, drought-tolerant, high-performing strains like Transcontinental. It’s the responsible choice for the environment, and it will deliver a better playing experience when our international guests are here.”

This isn’t Wood’s first regrassing initiative. During the Covid period, he oversaw the replacement of the greens with Pure Distinction bentgrass, a more resilient and sustainable surface. The results have drawn rave reviews. “Our regular guests tell us Kauri has the best greens in the country,” Wood noted, “though our sister course at Cape Kidnappers might be a close second.”

A Family of World-Class Courses

Kauri Cliffs’ sibling property, Cape Kidnappers Golf Course in Hawkes Bay, undertook its own regrassing project in 2022. Managed by Brad Sim, the course worked with original architect Tom Doak and shaper Angela Moser to rebuild greens and address turf challenges unique to its cooler, drier climate. Cape Kidnappers, which debuted in 2004, is today ranked #15 in the world by Golf Digest.

“Regrassing the greens at Cape addressed our thatch problem, but it also restored the bounce and roll that Doak had in mind when he first built this place,” Sim said. The course sits on a dramatic peninsula that extends 10 kilometres into the Pacific and doubles as part of Cape Sanctuary, the country’s largest privately funded wildlife restoration project.

Both Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers balance world-class golf with environmental protection. Strategic tree clearing, water conservation, and ecological stewardship remain central to their operations.

Legacy and Vision Continue

The vision for Kauri Cliffs was first realised by the late American financier Julian Robertson and his wife Josie, who transformed a 5,000-acre working sheep and cattle farm into one of the world’s most distinctive golf destinations. The Robertsons recognised that golf experiences could be elevated by a strong “sense of place” — integrating landscape, ecology, and hospitality.

That philosophy continues today. Guests can still explore walking trails, beaches, and picnic spots across the property, often losing themselves for hours. “Sometimes they go off the first tee like any other group — only, we never see them again!” laughed Head Professional Mitch McMurtry. “Eventually, everyone turns up safe — usually with a big smile.”

The Robertson family remains actively involved in the properties, though since late 2023, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has managed hospitality operations at Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, and Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown.

According to Chief Executive Jay Robertson, the partnership is a natural fit. “Rosewood is the ideal steward for the hospitality experience our parents built. Their philosophy of preserving a unique sense of place aligns perfectly with what makes Kauri and Cape so special. The regrassing projects, alongside water conservation initiatives, are part of that ongoing commitment.”

Looking Ahead

For international golfers planning trips to New Zealand, the regrassing project is both a milestone and a promise. Kauri Cliffs will return in December greener, more sustainable, and better suited to its climate — ready to welcome the next generation of travelling golfers seeking summer sunshine at the edge of the South Pacific.

As McMurtry put it, “The magic of New Zealand golf is timing. When it’s winter in New York or London, it’s summer here, and the days are long. With these upgrades, Kauri will be at its very best during the months when the world wants to play it.”