17 the Middlemore course, the third hole is the old Royal Auckland eighteenth, but in reverse – the fourth and fifth on Middlemore are the only two holes that stayed in the same corridor and played in the same of the entire property.” Cochran wanted to realise the property’s full potential. “There was wasted land,” he said. “The old Auckland didn’t go to the estuary, so there was probably 30 to 40 metres of dead space there, so we cleared the bamboo and other trees and moved the golf holes to the estuary. This helped to fit everything in. “Because of the estuary, there are some force carries, which add some spice and variety to the round. Like I tell an 18-handicapper, it’s my job to ensure you can make 18 bogeys. If players hit from the correct tee; it is very playable.” Middlemore and Tamaki combine for the longest eighteen-hole round, playing up to 7,200 yards. Tamaki and the Grange combine for the shortest round, which can play between 4,600 and 6,850 yards. Cochran says if the club hosted a tournament, it would play on a composite of all three nines. Since opening in 2022, member reaction to the new holes has been very positive, with tee sheets fully booked, says Cochran. The new short-game area is proving popular too. There are four greens, two that are fairly f lat and two with plenty of contour. Cochran remarks on the great leadership and communication throughout the project. “There are countless people who have been a big help on the project,” he says. “General manager Rob Selley, who was the GM at the Australian Golf Club when we renovated it several years ago was at RAGGC when we did the work – he is now at New South Wales. His experience has been very helpful. “Paul Garvie, who I have worked with all around the world since 1997, was the project manager and has done a great job putting a team together, including shapers Greg Stringer, Bob Ramos, Scotty Dansmuir, Gordy Johnstone, Cliff Hamilton and Scotty Wells; contractor Grant Puddicombe; Steve Marsden, a Kiwi superintendent, who was super helpful; and Mark Hooker, our director of agronomy.” Middlemore’s ninth green blends into the practice putting green Photos: Gary Lisbon
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