The merging of New Zealand’s neighbouring Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club's was formalised in 2015, when members of the two clubs voted to join forces and consolidate their courses into one new 27-hole Nicklaus Design facility. 

Royal Auckland's history dates back as far as 1894, and The Grange to 1924. The value of their surplus land enabled the new club to pursue what from the outside seemed a rather ambitious project, that is to use a modern Nicklaus Design as a means of establishing this new entity as Auckland’s premier private club facility. At a cost exceeding $60 million, the newly merged club was able to build a contemporary Andrew Patterson designed clubhouse and to stage the opening of its three nines between 2019 and 2021.

The 27 holes at Royal Auckland and Grange are spread almost equally across the two founding club properties, with the nines known as Grange, Tamaki and Middlemore. The Middlemore holes include the area closest to the former Royal Auckland clubhouse, and feature several holes that essentially occupy the same land as that club’s original layout. The par three 2nd at the old clubhouse is an early standout, as are the longer back-and-forth 4th and 5th holes.

The first holes completed on the redevelopment were those on the Grange side of a river that previously separated the two clubs. The most notable are those closest to the river, which tend to occupy tight playing corridors with sharply contoured greens, or a series of longer holes nearer the old Grange clubhouse zone. Both Grange 7 and Grange 8 are strong holes that have interesting design features, while short fours and awkward fives are prominent elsewhere at the likes of Grange 2 and Tamaki 1, 2 and 3.

Perhaps the most memorable holes on the Grange property, however, are Grange 6, which has a little Pasatiempo 11 for the manner in which the uphill approach crosses a diagonal hazard into a leaning green, and the adjacent Grange 9 and Tamaki 5 holes, which share a central lake and seem to lean toward each others greens. The par three Tamaki 6 is also notable for the attractive bunkering and cross river tee shot.

Chris Cochran from Nicklaus Design was the chief architect here of the golf transformation, and also the man responsible for the excellent putting course built immediately in front of the clubhouse.

While there isn’t necessarily anything new or daring in terms of design, some of the ground movement through the Middlemore nine is well used and there are enough solid green concepts to keep most members satisfied. The Pure Distinction putting surfaces are also likely to please members, particularly while they remain firm and smooth to putt on.

As with other merged or relocated golf clubs in Australasia, Royal Auckland and the Grange spent big on their redevelopment and have created an impressive facility in many ways. Though the golf holes are certainly now more expensive to maintain than before, the club clearly hopes that attracting new members and strong renewal numbers will keep the club financial and the business running smoothly.

Note: The previous Royal Auckland golf course was designed and redesigned by the likes of Dan Soutar,  Peter Thomson and Mike Wolveridge.