It has been a remarkable and quick transformation for the Windross Farm golf course that will play host to the world’s best women golfers this year in the McKayson New Zealand Women’s Open.
Four years ago Windross Farm was 60ha of land producing potatoes and corn.
In little more than three months time, on August 28, the first LPGA event in this country will tee off on that very same piece of land, now transformed into the Windross Farm golf course, near Ardmore, south of Auckland.
For golf course designer Brett Thomson of RBT Design and his good friend Phil Tataurangi as consultant, it had been a whirlwind few years, and a very busy few months ahead.
Said Tataurangi: “This course is quite different to most of them in Auckland.
“It’s kind of rustic farmland. Four years ago it had potatoes and corn growing all over it.
“To think that in a few months time the world’s best women golfers will be here playing on it with television showing it around the world is quite a cool story.”
Those close to the golf industry well know the outstanding capability of Thomson, who has worked for high profile golf course developer John Darby for 15 years with his projects including Clearwater Resort in Christchurch before he moved south to Queenstown to manage the course build of The Hills and Jack’s Point.
Thomson said the $30 million development of Windross Farm had been a massive piece of work.
“It was a hugely daunting undertaking, given the site was essentially flat,’’ Thomson said.
“We had to build and shape every square metre of the property.”
The development included moving an eye-watering 500,000 tonnes of material to the site, but Thomson said both he and Tataurangi were very pleased with the result.
The design-brief was to create a stunning inland links-styled course that was user-friendly for the average club golfer.
“Courses are getting too long,’’ Thomson said.
“If it is too difficult, it is not good for the game and it’s not good for participation.”
While Tataurangi agreed they had stuck firmly to the design-brief, he also thought it would throw up an interesting test, while golf fans should be treated to plenty of hot scoring.
“It’s not designed to be incredibly difficult but we hope it will be something a little different for the LPGA Tour girls,’’ Tautaurangi said.
“They play on a lot of resort and country club golf courses. This is going to be different.”
Golf fans wanting to treat themselves can still take advantage of a very small number of tournament season passes which are $99, including admission for the four days, access to general public grandstands and amenities throughout the course.
Single day passes are $39 for each of Thursday and Friday and $49 for each of Saturday and Sunday.
Full details of the tournament and how you can purchase your tickets are available at www.nzwomensopen.com.