Chamberlain Park Golf Course’s has always had the risk of golf balls flying off the course and endangering traffic on the adjoining Northwestern Motorway.
However, New Zealand’s most popular public golf course will now undergo a $1.1m makeover to reduce that risk.
Several options to redesign the course were considered by council before approving the board signed off on the future work. Three new greens will be created to improve safety by directing play away from the adjoining motorway. This while also create space for a new neighbourhood reserve to be developed on the western side of the course, retaining the course’s 18 holes. Work will commence in 2024 with a total funding of $1.1m budgeted across four years for the renewal of assets at Chamberlain Park.
Chamberlain Park Golf Course’s hosts more than 1,000 rounds per week and is one of just two public courses in the Auckland region.
The NZ Herald reported online that Albert-Eden Local Board chair Margi Watson said: “Quality open space for everyone in our community is critical, particularly in our newer neighbourhoods where access to private open space is limited.
“We want to future-proof the area so that it continues to be more attractive and liveable, where everyone can enjoy and share the social, physical and mental health benefits.”
Golf NZ spokesperson Scott Cordes said “It is heartening to see Auckland Council openly supporting the long-term future of Chamberlain Park Public Golf Course as a golf amenity by investing in its future.
“Making the Chamberlain Park layout safer for all as well as opening up peripheral areas for use as public walking amenities is a real investment in the environmental infrastructure of Auckland,” said Cordes.
“It is also great to hear that council will be improving part of the course as an environmental wetland space – thereby increasing the ‘green’ value of this golfing facility within the community.”
