Whitford Park - North Island - New Zealand

Developed on the site of a former ostrich farm, the Jack Eccles-designed course at Whitford Park Golf Club lies in an area of rolling farmland within the beautiful confines of Whitford Valley, half an hour’s drive from the centre of Auckland. The property was purchased in 1967, with 144 of the 254 acres used in developing the course.

A stream runs through the layout, coming into play at several holes, with tree-lined fairways (converted in recent years to Windsor Green couch grass) leading to lightly-bunkered greens in a very pleasant parkland setting. Highlight holes include par threes on the front nine at the 3rd and 9th and back-to-back par fives at the 12th and 13th.

Rex Gould, in the book Top New Zealand Golf Courses had this to say about Whitford Park: “There are eighteen very good holes, none of which are truly great; but within the overall picture, one great hole does not make an excellent golf course, whereas eighteen good ones do. The 17th and 18th are excellent finishing holes and are often the undoing of many a fine scorecard.”