Te Arai Links

Like Julien Robertson before him, fund manager Ric Kayne and managing partner Jim Rohrstaff set out to scale new golf heights on the sandy turf of New Zealand’s North Island.

Their opening salvo, the private Tara Iti, was such a success they wanted to expand their high-quality golf offerings to visiting golfers and the 36-hole Te Arai Links concept is now a reality.

The South Course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, opened in 2022. On a relatively small 90-acre site, the talented team was able to route holes 6-9 and 15-18 right on the Pacific Ocean.

The links course features fescue on all the greens, tees, and fairways. Of special note are the short par 4s – the 3^rd, 6^th, and 10^th – but there are no bad holes on the layout.

The North Course, which opened in 2023, like Tara Iti was designed by Tom Doak. Rather than along the coast, his routing takes a tree-lined journey on each nine from the coast into the forest and then back down onto the coastline. The 8^th on the front showcases the vista out to Little Barrier Island and the closing three holes on the back form a spectacular coastal finish.

The 19^th hole, Ric’s, named after the founder, is adjacent to ‘The Playground,’ which is billed as the world’s largest putting green and wonderful before or after round entertainment.

The two courses alternate being a member or visitor course on alternate days. No worries about staying over for the second round as there are luxurious Suites, Cottages, and Villas to choose from depending on your party’s size.

The complex is located next door to Tara Iti, about a 90-minute drive north of Auckland or only 25 minutes by helicopter.