MIKE’S SPACE: My New Zealand Golf Industry Adventure

(Te Arai Links)

What an amazing week I had in Auckland!

After my very full week in Sydney, I was off to Auckland. It all started with a flight over from Sydney, after a week of assisting in running the Golf Management Australia Clubhouse, Land and Development Planning Summit.

It was a real honour to be invited back to the NZGIC Whole of Golf Conference.

Thanks to the legend Des Topp EO for GMANZ, it felt like a homecoming, as I’ve been attending the GMANZ events since 2010, but it was the first time I’d been back since before the COVID times, and I haven’t had many opportunities to catch up with industry people there.

This year’s conference was particularly special because I was part of a panel discussion with my old friends, Chris Davies and Warren Collett. We had a great chat about the differences and similarities in the golf industry between New Zealand and Australia. It’s always fascinating to share insights and learn from each other.

Despite the geographical distance, we face many of the same challenges and opportunities, and it was great to be able to talk through things with people who “get it.” Times are a-changing in both countries.

Celebrating NZ Legends of the Industry

The conference itself was full of great moments, but two really stood out. The first was at the Conference dinner and the announcement of the Club Manager of the Year Award. It was presented to Dylan Lindstrom from Royal Wellington Golf Club. His win was a fitting recognition of his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to the industry. You could feel the pride in the room as he accepted the honor. It’s always inspiring to see a fellow PGA professional get the recognition they deserve for their hard work and dedication.

The second moment was a more personal note. They honoured the Life Membership of CMANZ to Chris Davies. This was a truly fitting acknowledgment of his many years of dedication and service to the golf community. What made the moment even more special was seeing Chris’s son there on the night to watch him receive this honour at the table I was at. It was a genuinely moving experience, and you could feel the respect and admiration everyone in the room had for Chris. It’s moments like these that remind you that golf is more than just a game; it’s a community built on relationships and mutual respect.

The rest was a blur of many conversations, presentations, catch-ups and golf!

A Golfer’s Paradise in the City

Beyond the conference, I had a chance to explore some of the creative golf setups around Auckland. My first stop was Pakuranga Golf Club, where I got to see their new short-range and technology setup firsthand. The general manager, Sam Abela, had given a great presentation on it the week before in Sydney, and it was even more impressive in person. It was a cold, fresh morning, but the conversation was great, and it’s clear they have some excellent plans happening there.

Next, I visited a place that I can only describe as Disneyland for golfers: Golf Warehouse & Driving Range – Ellerslie. This facility is a masterclass in creative land use. It features 42 fully automated driving range bays, all powered by the latest TopTracer Range technology by Topgolf. The place was absolutely packed, even on a chilly, rainy day! The energy was incredible, with people having a blast. The facility also includes a massive retail shop with two indoor, air-conditioned golf club fitting bays that use cutting-edge technologies.

But it doesn’t stop there. Golf Warehouse Ellerslie also has a 9-hole, pitch and putt, par-3 golf course with holes ranging from 80m to 125m. It’s perfect for a quick game or for people who are just starting out. And for the more serious players, there’s an exclusive, one-of-a-kind short game members’ practice facility with five greens, three bunkers, and a 90m grass range. With ten PGA professional coaches on site, your game is bound to improve. It’s a fantastic, all-in-one facility that proves you can build a vibrant, engaging golf experience in an urban setting.

Farm, City, Ocean: A Tour of New Zealand’s Best

My journey through New Zealand’s top golf courses was the highlight of my trip. Brad Revill from BRT Agronomy, based in Bangkok Thailand, was over to present on master planning, and we spent a few days together visiting courses and playing some golf after the conference.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who made it such a memorable experience. The hospitality we received at Windross Farm Golf Course, Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club, and Te Arai Links was outstanding. They all truly understand what it takes to create a welcoming and unforgettable atmosphere.

I’d like to give a special mention to the incredible teams behind the scenes:

• Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club: Thank you to General Manager Ed Chapman, Superintendent Mark Hooker, and Director of Golf James Betts.
• Te Arai Links: My gratitude to General Manager Brian Spicer and Director of Courses Brian Palmer, who also oversees Tara Iti.

Their dedication and passion are what make these courses so special, and the focus on people and culture was very apparent everywhere we visited. It’s part of their DNA.

Windross Farm is a modern links-style course built on rolling farmland south of Auckland. It was designed by Brett Thompson, with input from former PGA Tour winner Phil Tataurangi. The course was created from essentially flat land, with architects importing soil to build dramatic, rugged dunes. The design is known for its strategic bunkering and undulating fescue fairways. Despite its relatively young age—it opened in 2016—it has already hosted the LPGA New Zealand Women’s Open and earned a strong reputation for its playable yet demanding layout and immaculate turf. Thanks to its extensive drainage and sand-based construction, it’s a great option for all-weather play. It was good to see a well-attended junior golf class when we arrived on Sunday morning.

Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club is a truly premier metropolitan club. It was formed in 2017 through a merger of the historic Royal Auckland Golf Club and The Grange Golf Club. This merger led to a significant redevelopment that resulted in a new 27-hole championship course designed by Nicklaus Design. The course features sand-capped fairways and advanced SubAir technology in the greens, which ensures superb playing conditions year-round. It’s a challenging layout with a focus on strategic play and offers state-of-the-art facilities, including a contemporary clubhouse, a fully-fledged driving range, and excellent short-game practice areas.

While all the courses were amazing, Te Arai Links was on another level. It was as good as anywhere I have ever played. This world-class destination on New Zealand’s North Island offers two spectacular, pure-links courses. The South Course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, opened in 2022 and quickly joined the ranks of the world’s best. It uses the natural, wind-sculpted dunes, with sixteen holes offering ocean views and eight running directly along the coast. The firm, fast fescue turf and exposed sand create a traditional links challenge. The North Course, designed by Tom Doak (the same architect behind Tara Iti), opened a year later and offers a different, more inland-focused experience. The facility also boasts “The Playground,” the world’s largest putting green.

The Playground

The Playground is the world’s largest putting green and is located onsite at Te Arai, two acres in size and perfectly located next to Ric’s Restaurant. This expansive putting green has a 12–18-hole course arranged daily for practice, competitive rivalry, or family-friendly putting competitions.

My journey also included a course tour of Tara Iti Golf Club with the Director of Courses, Brian Palmer. We walked the back nine as they were setting it up for play. The course, designed by Tom Doak, is built on a stunning seaside landscape of towering sand dunes. It’s known for its minimalistic and natural design, with sandy waste areas instead of traditional bunkers. The views of the Hauraki Gulf are simply uninterrupted and breathtaking.

A Heartfelt Kia ora rawa atu

The trip was a whirlwind of two days of conference sessions, catching up with countless industry colleagues, and getting to be a part of a great discussion panel. From the stunning courses to the friendly faces, thank you, New Zealand, for your incredible hospitality on all fronts. I can’t wait to visit again. PS always looking for a reason to come over again😉

A Good Walk Not Spoiled – My Visit To The New Royal Sydney Golf Course