Rosewood Kauri Cliffs

The golf world stood up and paid attention when the late hedge fund billionaire, Julien Robertson, opened the David Harman-designed course in 2004, on his working sheep ranch in New Zealand.

While New Zealand had long enjoyed the title of having the most golf courses per capita it wasn’t really until Kauri Cliffs, closely followed by Cape Kidnappers, that it became a coveted long-haul golf destination.

It immediately rocketed up the world rankings (currently #37 on Golf Digest Top 100 International) and proved the Field of Dreams motto – “If you build it, they will come.”

Harmon was instructed by Robertson to elongate the routing to take every advantage of the stunning sea views. The final routing has perhaps the farthest distance between the 7^th tee to the 14^th green of any non-links course, completing the vision.

Harmon dedicated two years to making sure that the layout at Kauri Cliffs would achieve ‘overnight’ fame. If you want to score well it is imperative to play the right tees as with the multiple carries across gorges you can easily lose your weight in golf balls.

The course is situated closer to the ocean than its sister course at Cape Kidnappers, 500 miles to the south at Hawkes Bay. The vistas across the Pacific Ocean, Cape Brett, and the Cavalli islands are closest at the 6^th, 7^th, and 14^th – 17^th holes as they are located closest to the coast in the routing.

Just as the course made headlines in the golf world the on-site Robinson Lodges were acclaimed for their luxurious amenities, spa, and appointments. 

The fall of 2023 ushered in a new era as it was announced that the iconic, luxury hospitality brand, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, would take over management of their properties at Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, and Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown, further elevating the experience for visitors.