The Te Awamutu Golf Club is seeking to acquire adjacent property to eliminate and rebuild two holes that run alongside Golf Road and State Highway 3. This expansion will enlarge the club’s overall land area through strategic property transactions.
According to Te Awamutu News, the redevelopment initiative stems from multiple close calls and instances where golf balls have struck passing vehicles from the eighth and 18th holes. Such road boundary challenges are frequently encountered by golf facilities throughout New Zealand.
Currently spanning 37 hectares, the Te Awamutu course falls short of the 40-hectare minimum typically required for golf clubs and lacks sufficient space to relocate the problematic holes. The management committee’s strategy involves acquiring additional property to offset the loss of the roadside holes while enabling comprehensive course improvements.
With three of its four perimeters bordered by roads, the club has identified only one viable expansion area. The landowners have consented to sell this property to the club under an agreement that includes a due diligence clause valid until July 2027.
Financing for the land acquisition and course redevelopment will come from selling portions of both the club’s existing property and the newly acquired neighboring land, which would be reclassified for residential development.
The redevelopment committee stated that the golf club is enthusiastic about this proposal, as success would address current safety concerns while creating an enhanced facility for both members and the general public.
The plan envisions that proceeds from the designated land sales will fund the adjacent property purchase, complete course redevelopment, and construct a new clubhouse with supporting facilities. The club has already engaged Phil Tataurangi, who previously worked on the former Lochiel course now known as Tīeke, to develop preliminary concepts for the redesigned course.
Implementation requires the club to petition Waipā District Council for residential rezoning of the land intended for sale. Following rezoning approval, the property would be subdivided into substantial residential parcels for sale to developers.
The club has obtained member funding for the rezoning application and has engaged CKL Surveys Ltd for this work. While the process is not expected to generate significant commercial profit, organizers anticipate having reserve funds upon project completion.
According to the committee, the final outcome would provide advantages for both club members and the broader Te Awamutu community.
