The Kinloch golf resort in New Zealand is due to change hands once again, after its current owners, the Van Den Brink family, put it up for sale.

The Kinloch course, outside the North Island town of Taupo, which was designed by Jack Nicklaus's firm, has had much controversy attached to the surrounding housing development, which in turn has put the course at risk.

If a bid is accepted before the closing date of May 19, it will be the third time the resort has changed owners, in spite of only opening in 2007. 

Despite the chequered history of the resort, the golfing community has lauded the 6,734m par-72 course, with Travel and Leisure Golf including it among its top ten new courses in the world for 2007.

New Zealand golfing great, Sir Bob Charles, identified the course as the best in the country, saying: “For those unable to play the great links courses of Scotland, Kinloch compares with the best of them.”