16 TEE BOX it. Then the Middlemore nine is more of the old rural Auckland property, kind of a big domey hill but with stately trees that you play in and out of.” Construction started in October 2018, with the Grange and Tamaki nines completed in 2019, with the Middlemore nine completed in early 2022. “There’s a lot more elevation change on the Grange in comparison to Tamaki,” said Cochran. “There’s fewer trees and it’s a little bit hillier and open. Architecturally, the holes on both nines are quite similar. Middlemore is a bit different.” Middlemore was the last nine to be worked on, with the Covid-19 pandemic impacting Cochran’s ability to visit the site. “A couple of local guys did the bunkers and so the bunker style on the third nine is a little bit different,” said Cochran. “It’s a little bit more distressed, but it’s beautiful. “The 27 holes are a really good test of golf. There’s a huge amount of variety in terms of green contours, sizes and shapes, as well as bunker depths and placement. “On the Grange, the second hole is a favourite of mine. It’s a short par four with plenty of interest and strategy. The seventh and ninth on Tamaki are very interesting and different golf holes. The par-four seventh has a double fairway. Naturally the holes that go along the estuary – six, seven and eighth – are great.” On Middlemore, the second hole is a mid-length par three. “It is very interesting,” said Cochran. “It’s kind of like a punchbowl. If you miss the green, you have a pitch or chip over these mounds that are inside the green. Middlemore’s ninth is a driveable par four that goes back to the clubhouse and ties into the practice putting green. “It has been a total transformation. We pretty much stayed within existing corridors – for example, on The seventh on the Tamaki nine is one of three successive holes that play along the estuary “ The 27 holes are a really good test of golf. There’s a huge amount of variety”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=