One of Auckland’s newest golf courses is a 25-minute drive north from the city’s harbour bridge to rolling farmland near Silverdale. Wainui Golf Club has been the new home of Peninsula Golf Club since it relocated there from Red Beach in 2016 following a land swap deal that added $10 million to the club’s balance sheet.
Designed by Puddicombe Golf, Wainui has a resort course feel on a number of holes that feature wide fairways and generous greens. Yet there are also some tightly tree-lined holes where the emphasis is on precision play. The course flows gently over the sloping terrain, which makes playing by cart the best way to enjoy the course for the first time.
Sand-capped playing surfaces provide all-weather golf. And, a variable tee system – 6,500, 5,900, 5,500, 5,000 and 4,500 metres – allows golfers of all abilities to enjoy the par-72 layout and tackle the risk/reward holes the course has to offer.
Another attraction is the Orchard 9, a nine-hole layout comprising par 3s that range in length from 80-130 metres. Routed through a feijoa orchard, this short course also plays host to Footgolf tournaments.
With a spacious clubhouse featuring a large balcony overlooking the course, Wainui is a smart choice to stage this month’s New Zealand Masters, supported by the owner of the Pacific Retail group – Rebel Sport & Briscoes.
THE DETAILS
Wainui Golf Club
35 Windmill Drive, Wainui, Auckland 0992
Green fees: $69 (member’s guest), $119 (visitor), $175 (international visitor)
(09) 444 3437
www.wainui.online
Wainui Golf Club will host the inaugural REBEL Sport Masters from 11-14 January when amateurs join professionals at the season opener on the 2018 PGA Tour of Australasia. Following the traditional second-round cut, 50 amateurs will join the remaining 50 pros – who will continue to compete for the New Zealand Masters title as well as a separate team competition with their amateur partners.
