Nine months into his tenure as General Manager at Windross Farm Golf Club, Andrew Laird has found himself pleasantly surprised by the warmth of his welcome to New Zealand. Since taking the helm in October 2024, Laird has been working to elevate the member experience while preparing to unveil an exciting new facility that promises to transform the club’s offering.
Coming from his previous role as Director of Golf at Sheshan Golf Estate in China, Laird brought with him a wealth of international experience spanning Spain, Dubai, and other global golf destinations. Yet nothing quite prepared him for the genuine hospitality he encountered at Windross Farm.
“To be honest, it’s been really fun and welcoming, from the members to the staff and all the people around Windross Farm went out of their way to welcome me and my family,” Laird reflects. “Can’t really ask for more.”
The cultural shift from his previous roles has been particularly refreshing. While the fundamentals of golf management remain consistent across countries – providing the best possible experience for golfers – Laird has discovered a unique dynamic at Windross Farm that sets it apart from the high-service environments he’s accustomed to.
“At my previous club it was very much ‘they don’t lift a finger, ever,’ whereas here I’ve found a refreshing change where the members want to get involved and help where they can,” he explains. “Be it volunteering with the greenkeeping team or giving the trees a trim! Very different indeed.”
Bridging Continents, Building Community
Perhaps most surprising to Laird was how familiar New Zealand felt despite being thousands of miles from his UK homeland. “I was genuinely shocked by how similar it feels to back home, probably somewhat naively I guess. To be this far away and it feel that similar was strange at first.”
This familiarity has helped him navigate the universal challenges that face golf clubs worldwide, though he’s been impressed by what the New Zealand golf industry achieves with leaner resources. “The biggest difference is definitely the amount of staff we have at courses here in NZ compared to those hubs. More a testament to what staff achieve here, day in day out, with less resource.”
Laird’s primary focus has been on enhancing every aspect of the member and guest experience. Drawing from his background at high-end international facilities, he’s determined to bring that same level of excellence to Windross Farm without losing the club’s welcoming community spirit.
“For me personally it’s elevating the member and guest experience,” he states. “From the clubs I’ve come from it’s anything but hum drum and I want to bring that to Windross Farm. Whether that be in facilities, service, events, club culture and member pride from being at a relatively new facility in Auckland.”
A Game-Changing New Facility
The centerpiece of Laird’s vision is set to open on June 14th with the launch of Windross Farm’s completely revamped driving range – a project that proved far more ambitious than initially anticipated.
“Initially with conversations with my Head Superintendent we thought a little bit of shaping and a lick of paint and off we go! But it’s been anything but,” Laird admits with a laugh.
The transformation has been comprehensive, involving original course designer Phil Tataurangi’s input on target greens and grass tees positioned at various yardages. The facility will feature 10 Toptracer bays for an enhanced high-tech experience, complemented by new mats, balls, dispensers, and food and beverage facilities.
“It really is night and day compared to what it was,” Laird says proudly. The facility will open exclusively to members on June 14th before welcoming the public around June 28th – a decision that has generated considerable excitement among the membership.
“We did a pre-sale member offer for range balls and it’s been very busy, let’s put it that way. It’s actually the number one talking point right now, and the main header on most emails and enquiries.”
Sustainability at the Forefront
Environmental stewardship remains a cornerstone of Windross Farm’s operations under Laird’s leadership. The club has implemented several eco-conscious initiatives, including educational programs that bring local schools to the course for plant identification and native bird spotting exercises.
The club has also made significant strides in reducing chemical usage by adopting more sustainable natural maintenance techniques. Water conservation has been particularly successful, aided by the Head Superintendent’s preference for firm, fast playing surfaces that require less irrigation during Auckland’s summer months.
Looking beyond facilities, Laird has revamped the club’s events calendar to foster stronger community bonds among members. The new program focuses on family-friendly, entertaining events designed to create a genuine sense of belonging within the membership.
“I’ve seen this work incredibly well at other clubs and feel it’s the path we need to be on over the coming couple of years,” he explains. The calendar will include both member-exclusive gatherings and open events accessible to the broader golf community.
As Laird approaches his first anniversary at Windross Farm, his enthusiasm for the club’s potential remains undiminished. “From the 1st week of coming I really saw a tremendous opportunity in almost all facets of Windross Farm, there really is lots to do, and with our current board and members so supportive of it, we should achieve some big milestones relatively quickly.”
With the new driving range set to open and a renewed focus on community building and sustainability, Windross Farm Golf Club appears well-positioned to establish itself as one of Auckland’s premier golf destinations under Laird’s experienced guidance. The combination of international expertise and local community spirit may prove to be exactly the formula needed to elevate this relatively new facility to new heights.
