A redesigned ninth hole and a new short par-four tenth will reopen in October 2026
By Alex Smith |
Kristine Kerr of Kura Golf Course Design is continuing to oversee a remodel of the golf course at Boulcott's Farm Heritage Golf Club, near Wellington, New Zealand.
In 2010, the nine-hole Boulcott Golf Club (1938) merged with the 18-hole Hutt Golf Club (1909), following the sale of land to retirement village provider Summerset and to the Greater Wellington Regional Council for flood protection of the Lower Hutt Area. As part of the flood protection work, an embankment that runs through the course was expanded.
The merged club was named Boulcott’s Farm, with an 18-hole layout, six-hole short course, chipping green and driving range. Six holes of the former Hutt course, which now play as the fifth to seventh and tenth to twelfth were left untouched during the merger and are therefore quite different from the other 12.
In 2024, Kerr developed a masterplan for the remodel of six holes following the sale of more land to Summerset, this time in the vicinity of holes nine and ten.
The first half of the previous tenth was lost to the development, leading to Kerr to create a new hole to replace it. The tees for the new tenth have been built around 250 metres (273 yards) down the fairway in a new location, while the green has been rebuilt around 20 metres beyond the old complex.
“The new tenth is a 275-metre (300 yards) par four, where the wind plays a significant role – particularly for those attempting to reach the green in one,” said Kerr. “The elevated green falls away on both sides and is well protected by bunkers to the front left and right. Players also have the option to lay up short and play in with a controlled approach, but positioning is key, with distinct green sections offering better birdie opportunities than others.
“The green has three main sections and balls need to be on the right portion of the putting surface for the best chance to sink a putt. The massive bunker set into an existing landform guides play away from the eleventh tee. The drive for most is friendly, with another bunker at 240 metres off the tee, higher handicappers can have a drive and a short approach, avoiding the left and right greenside bunkers. There is the option to run the ball onto the green, advantageous if the pin is at the front.”
The redesign also includes the realignment of the ninth fairway. “Work on this hole has involved some tree removal and earthworks to raise the new fairway to tie in elevations to an existing flood-mitigation stop bank,” said Kerr. “Foreboding bunkers on the left reflect the horizon line of the mountain range in the distance and aim to guide play right.
“The redesigned ninth rises gradually to a peak at around 250 metres from the tee before descending beyond, making the landing area blind for longer hitters. However, the shaping rewards bold play.”
Construction work is underway on the redesign of the ninth hole (Photo: Trent Jones)
Construction began in February 2026, with seeding completed in April. The project is being delivered by Turfshapes, led by contractor and shaper Tom Paterson, with Trent Jones assisting in shaping and hydroseeding. An irrigation system from Rain Bird has been installed. Bunkers will be completed with a concrete liner, overseen by grow-in superintendent Jordan Burgess and Kerr.
The ninth and tenth holes are scheduled to reopen in October 2026.
Kerr is set to oversee more changes at Boulcott’s Farm. “Along with redevelopment planned for another four holes, a safety issue has recently arisen with a new road turnaround bay adjacent to hole two and we are currently looking at redesign solutions there and additionally to improve safety and possibly add some length within the course at the same time,” she said.