15 The first (foreground) and third green complexes on the Middlemore nine Photo: Gary Lisbon Nicklaus Design’s Chris Cochran has completed a new 27-hole layout for the Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club in Auckland, New Zealand. In 2017 the adjacent Royal Auckland and The Grange clubs merged, each of which had an 18-hole course and limited practice facilities. Cochran had first visited the Royal Auckland course in 2014 and submitted renovation plans. Before leaving, he visited the neighbouring Grange club, where some members were talking about the possibility of a merger. “They were both shortish golf courses, but had great bones,” said Cochran. “The Grange had some nice land with Middlemore [Royal Auckland] having some very nice trees. I strongly recommended that the clubs join.” Following the merger, Cochran developed a new plan to transform the 36 holes into a 27-hole layout with a new clubhouse, short-game area and a state-of-the-art practice facility. Around 20 hectares of land was sold to finance the project. “There was talk of having a fulllength eighteen-hole course and a short nine, or maybe a par-three layout,” said Cochran. “However, I felt they had enough land to have three equal nines. Although the Grange nine is the shortest, it still has some great golf holes. The Tamaki nine goes around the estuary, so you play across and alongside
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