Gulf Harbour Country Club

Gulf Harbour Country Club occupies a dramatic coastal site on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, roughly 40 kilometers north of central Auckland. Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Robert Trent Jones Jr. collaborated on the design, which opened in the mid-1990s and quickly established itself as one of New Zealand's premier championship layouts. The course takes full advantage of its elevated terrain and proximity to the Hauraki Gulf, with several holes offering expansive views across the water toward Rangitoto Island and the wider Auckland harbor approaches. The routing moves through rolling, windswept terrain that combines links-like exposure on higher ground with more sheltered, parkland corridors in the valleys. The design features the Jones family's characteristic strategic bunkering, large undulating greens, and water hazards that come into play on several holes. The back nine in particular presents a demanding test as it climbs toward the clifftop sections where wind becomes a significant factor in club selection and shot execution. Gulf Harbour gained international attention when it hosted the World Cup of Golf in 1998, bringing players like Tiger Woods and Mark O'Meara to compete on New Zealand soil. The course has since remained a fixture on the country's tournament calendar and serves as the centerpiece of a residential community. The club provides a full range of amenities typical of a resort-style facility, and the course remains accessible to visitors alongside member play.