Te Arai Links, New Zealand, has opened its South Course. It was designed by Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw and is located on a long stretch overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Some have called the resort “a 17-Mile Drive in the southern hemisphere”, referring to the famous courses of California’s Monterey Peninsula, which include Cypress Point and Pebble Beach Golf Links. This is a big hurdle to cross, but the photos are definitely eye-catching. Any serious golf travel enthusiast should go to the resort to see the results.
In October, the resort will open its second course, North by Tom Doak. Te Arai Links follows the private Tara Iti Golf Club. Another Doak design is just down the road. It is located less than two hours north of Auckland, on the eastern shores New Zealand.
Te Arai Links is also a resort. Resort guests have access to both the South and North on alternate days. Members play one course while resort guests play the other. The South was opened in October for limited preview play, but it is now open for resort play.
Jim Rohrstaff, Te Arai Links’ partner and managing director, stated in a media release that the opening was being announced. Mike Keiser, founder of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Oregon), believes that the South Course has the most oceanfrontage of any golf course anywhere in the world. It is this connection with the sea that sets the South Course apart from other links experiences, such as the Monterey golf experience or Tara Iti’s just up the coast. The beach is close to the South Course. The visual sensation of the waves breaking is something that you can experience. Golfers can also hear them crash — on more holes than half of the holes.
Te Arai Links has 48 suites on-site, including 19 cottages for two and six villas for four. Construction is expected to begin in the next few months. The resort will also have a 2.5-acre green called The Playground, which wraps around a pizza bar near the South’s range and clubhouse. It will be the resort’s central gathering place.
