Waipu

Occupying a beautiful 130-acre coastal site between the small towns of Waipu and Ruakaka, the Uretiti Links course at Waipu Golf Club overlooks the islands of Taranga and Little Alice in Bream Bay and fairways have been set out over a landscape of sand dunes, wattles, gorse and mature pines, with the odd bony ridge of sandstone thrown in for good measure.

Scottish settlers laid down roots in the area back in the 1850s so, with the sporting influence of descendants from the Home of Golf, it’s no real surprise to find out that the game has survived in Waipu for over 150 years. The club itself was founded in 1934 but members had only a number of elementary farmland courses in play until their first, formal 9-hole layout was opened in June of 1966.

Within twenty years, the course was expanded to a full 18 holes, a new clubhouse was built and irrigation to the greens installed. The last of these developments was a major step forward, allowing Waipu to remain open during the long, hot summer months.

Further course improvements are being made on an ongoing basis, with a new par three introduced at the 17th by Alex Glasgow of NZ Sports Turf Institute during 2012. Holes were also re-sequenced with the signature par four 1st (where big hitters are tempted to go for the green) becoming the new 10th.

Thanks to Julie Gordon for supplying information for this article.