This week, the new North Course of Te Arai Links, designed by Tom Doak, opened.
Doak spent several months at the seaside about 90 minutes north-east of Auckland to create a new course that would complement the resort’s South Course, which was designed and opened by Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw in 2022. Doak’s routing includes seven holes that run along the Pacific Ocean. The others flow into what was once a pine tree forest high above the beach.
Doak, who is known for his layouts like Pacific Dunes in Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Oregon, and Ballyneal, Colorado, among others, built the ultra private Tara Iti Golf Club, just up the street. Te Arai Links, on the other hand, offers both public access and private memberships. Private and public play alternate days at each course.
Doak worked hands-on on this project. He climbed onto the equipment and shaped many of the greens during his two-month visit during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2022. Doak worked alongside Angela Moser Clyde Johnson, and Brian Slawnik.
Doak stated in a press release announcing the opening that he was “still not very good on the dozer but I love it.” “Some of the results were pretty wild. For example, the greens on 7 and 4 are a bit outlandish. Perhaps too severe on first glance. They looked great in the end and everyone agreed: Keep that.
“We felt that we needed to do more to improve the golf on this course in order for it to be compared to the South Course. It’s a great inland terrain, pure sand dunesy with large undulations. We couldn’t rely solely on this. We decided that we would be more edgy if we were going to do something different. “I think the overall shaping of greens and fairways speaks to that.”
No. The North Course of Te Arai Links, New Zealand. (Courtesy Te Arai Links/Rick Robinson).
In a media release, Doak was credited with creating several half-pars on the 6,931 yard layout.
Doak stated that at one time, there were five or six possible par 5s. The course will be a par 71 but the routing can make it more difficult. This golf course has some excellent par 4s. There are some very strong par 4s on this golf course. In reality, the North Course is very close to ocean. Each of the 18 holes could play differently on any given day depending on the wind direction. “Golf by the Sea is about golfing on the beach.”
Doak and his construction team discovered and preserved a former Maori defensive fortification, known as a Pa between the 5th tee green and 6th green. All of this is part of a larger effort to give the property a New Zealand-like feel.
The resort is also planning to expand. By October 2024, the members-only Bunker Bar and Ocean Restaurant will be complete. The North Clubhouse, remaining luxury accommodations, as well as the North Clubhouse, are also on schedule. Ocean Restaurant will also open on the South Course. Ric’s Pizza Barn, The Playground and The South Course have all been open since last year. The resort’s two-bedroom suites and cottages are located in the dunes.
The resort’s site lists green fees for international golfers ranging from $400 to $650, depending on the season. The fee for the second round played the same day is reduced by half. New Zealanders are eligible for a discount.
In a media release, Jim Rohrstaff, managing partner of Te Arai Links said: “It is a true dream for our team to be able to play all 36 holes.” “Bill Coore, Tom Doak and Ben Crenshaw each did such an incredible job designing these two courses. They have exceeded our expectations. We’re also proud of the relaxed, inclusive atmosphere that is prevalent here. We wanted Te Arai Links feel different, to welcome and engage not only golfers traveling but also spouses and children. It’s really true, and it is rare.”
Below are some photos taken by Ricky Robinson of the North Course.
