With the mild euphoria that goes with watching The Open in the early rounds, knowing that soon the feeling will be more akin to sheer exhilaration for the last two rounds, the shocking news came regarding Gulf Harbour Country Club had ceased operations with immediate effect.
The site of the 1998 World Cup and former site of the NZ Open, Gulf Harbour has been a bit of a mainstay in NZ’s top courses.
This, from Director Wayne Bailey:
Members
After two years of unsuccessfully looking for ways to make the running of the club financially viable the Gulf Harbour Country Club will close with immediate effect.
Unfortunately the club continues to lose money. It is appreciated that many of you have absorbed higher fees in recent times, however notwithstanding this costs continue to outrun revenue.
In addition to this the club requires significant capital investment. As many of you will be aware the club has had very little investment in it since it was built 25 years ago. The lack of investment is directly linked to the lack of return.
In the case of the clubhouse, which is failing, this would most likely result in a complete rebuild and while a new building would be somewhat smaller, the cost is prohibitive.
As stated above we have looked and many ways to make the club even modestly viable.
The course is generous in land area and the most likely route to success was to sell off surplus land in order to be able to reinvest in the course. The nature of the course layout meant that this was only possible with the acquisition of other neighbouring land as well. Negotiations to date have meant that this is not only unviable but ultimately a worse outcome than the status quo. Thus we have no option but to cease operations.
Yours faithfully
Wayne Bailey
Director
*Source: https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/07/20/gulf-harbour-former-nz-open-host-closes-with-immediate-effect/
What the fuck happened? Lack of investment? Sources of cashflow not forthcoming? Formosa had similar issues but I gather, is back on track.
It would be easy to point a few fingers at high paid executives and lack of bootstrapping but I’m not convinced that these would be the reasons for the shut down. For clarity, I have no idea whether there are high paid executives or the like.
The idea of Formosa and now Gulf Harbour was great. World Class courses capable of holding big events that had a cool clubhouse and limited memberships is a great plan. But, in New Zealand I think Gulf Harbour got caught somewhere between Titirangi and Tara Iti. There are just too many great courses in New Zealand and more specifically, Auckland. You don’t have to go far to play golf at facilities that offer world class golf. Starting at Pukekohe Golf Club, over to Clarks Beach, up to Windross Farm and Whitford Park. Howick Golf Club and Remuera, Akarana and Chamberlain Park, Takapuna, Pupuke, North Shore, and Next door to Gulf Harbour, Whangaparoa Golf Club. All have excellent facilities and offer competitive green fees. There will always be the likes of Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, Tara Iti and Jack’s Point. I think Gulf Harbour sort of sat somewhere in between that and a ‘regular course’ and has been chewed up.
It’s funny isn’t it. Little courses in the regions can bootstrap their way to making ends meet but a spectacular site like Gulf Harbour probably has to deal with a rates bill that would make your eyes water. They probably needed twice the members and half the budget. The land area is massive, so unfortunately, the cost to maintain would be astronomical. Smaller regional clubs don’t have to deal with that to a large extent. It’s not as if Gulf Harbour could have survived with one greenkeeper and some volunteers. The scale of the property prohibits it.
It’s really unfortunate. The course was cool with great views and was very playable. There are some great people that work there who will be a bit shell shocked. This post is pure speculation of course and I hope the course can rebound with some funding.
Thank you to Mikey B for the email this morning 🙂
Leave a Reply