Architect
John Darby and Sir Bob Charles
Established
2002
Par / Length
72 / 6526y
Access
Private
Green Fee
N/A
Overview: Clearwater plays 18 holes to par 72 north of Christchurch, built around spring-fed lakes, trout streams and a residential resort setting. John Darby developed the course in consultation with Sir Bob Charles, combining the broad playing corridors of parkland golf with a links influence in the ground and shaping. Water appears throughout the property, but the main interest is strategic: fairway width, green angles and the choice of line into the large putting surfaces.
History: The land was farmland until local investors, including Lady Isaac and course designer John Darby, began developing Clearwater in 1998. The golf course was completed for its first international professional tournament in March 2002. It has since hosted New Zealand Opens, PGA Championships and the New Zealand Women’s Open, making the course a significant part of Christchurch’s golf-tourism story.
Did You Know? Lydia Ko’s course record is 61, set as a 17-year-old during the 2015 New Zealand Women’s Open. Clearwater’s tournament history is closely tied to her: she won three of the four Women’s Opens held there and helped make the course familiar to an international audience.
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40A Clearwater Avenue
