The Dunes Golf Resort

Matarangi Drive, Matarangi RD2,

Whitianga, Coromandel Peninsula 3592

  • Office

    +64 (0)7 866 5394
  • Pro shop

    +64 (0)7 866 5394
  • Fax

    +64 (0)7 866 2852

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Relatively flat terrain - easy to walk.

  • Surroundings:

    Seaside and residential.

  • Designer:

    Bob Charles

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Metres
6176
5778
5341
Par
72
72
74
SSS or slope
72.8
70.9
73.8

Location

Latitude:

-36.729639

Longitude:

175.646195

How to get there:

180 km W of Auckland

From Auckland Harbour Bridge travel south on Hwy 1 for approx 50 km, then take exit 477 onto Hwy 2 direction Coromandel Peninsula. After 32 km turn left onto Hwy 25 direction Thames / Coromandel Peninsula. After 24 km turn left (and stay on Hwy 25) direction Coromandel Town. After 55 km turn right direction Whitianga (still on Hwy 25). After 21 km (of very twisting roads) turn left direction Matarangi. After 1 km enter Matarangi Resort. After 3 km golf is on your left.

The Dunes Golf Resort

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.

Est. 1988

The Dunes Golf Resort: The beachfront development of Matarangi boasts a somewhat schizophrenic championship golf course. The front-nine starts with two very good, tight tree-lined par-4s, and then transcends into something rather American in character. The more natural back-nine is what gives the course its pizzazz.

The outward holes weave their way between relatively new housing, while water hazards threaten on the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th holes. On the 4th and 5th holes there is the possibility of momentarily halting your game should light aircraft be landing or taking-off from the adjacent grass-strip runway.

The back-nine is dramatically different, and thankfully will stay that way. Located at the far-end of a sand spit, it comprises several excellent holes in a compact and natural area of tall pine trees. Here you'll enjoy wonderful views into the Matarangi inlet and Whangapoua Harbour, and onto the Pacific Ocean. The view and surroundings at the 11th tee is a real touch of paradise.

Throughout, the fairways are well maintained and the bunkering not overdone, although you may find the greens a tad on the slow side.

List of courses: NZ - North Island

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Worth booking ahead to ensure tee-time availability, especially at weekends.

Green fees

Contact club for green fee details.

Other information

Non-metal spike facility. Walking permitted at all times. Golf carts available for hire.

Practice facilities

Limited

Did you know?

A plaque at the 2nd tee reminds us that the course is dedicated to greenkeeper Peter Moore-Jones and his assistant Peter Ansin who constructed this layout, but both tragically died in a helicopter accident in 1994.

Where2Stay

  • Matarangi Beach Estates

    Matarangi Drive, Matarangi, RD2 Whitianga

    +64 (0)7 866 5395

    Visit website
    • Golf at this hotel:

      The Dunes - Matarangi

    • Golf within 10 km:

      No

    • Golf within 30 km:

      No

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Tournaments

Women’s (British) Open: the last women’s major championship of the season is hosted by Royal Porthcawl GC. It’s the first time this fabulous seaside links course has hosted the event (July 31-Aug 3).

Walker Cup: the 50th playing of this prestigious men’s amateur event sees the GB&I go head-to-head against the defending USA team at Cypress Point Club, California (Sept 6-7). After that, all eyes turn to Bethpage State Park on Long Island, NY, where the American and defending European professional teams engage in the 45th Ryder Cup (Sept 27-29).

Who's Who

Lottie Woad: 21-year-old Woad burst onto the professional scene in July, with wins in the Women’s Irish Open (as an amateur) and three weeks later in the Women’s Scottish Open (as a professional). She nearly picked-up a major championship, placing third in The Evian in the same month.

Pádraig Harrington: the ever-likeable Irishman added the (British) Senior Open Championship title to his stellar array of tournament successes. His win came on Sunningdale’s spectacular Old Course. Harrington had already bagged the U.S. Senior Open title in June this year.

The Dutch GC, The Netherlands

The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.

Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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