Manawatu Golf Club

Overview: Manawatu Golf Club is in the Palmerston North suburb of Hokowhitu, bordered by the Manawatu River and the Centennial Lagoon. The flat parkland course measures about 6,620 yards to a par of 72, with mature trees lining the fairways and bunkering updated in recent years. Its riverside setting and stop-banks give it a distinct shape among New Zealand's older courses. The Centennial Lagoon and Manawatu River define the landscape, while mature trees break the flat ground into distinct holes. Work around the stop-bank has required adjustments to the routing, so the club’s history of adaptation remains visible during a round.

History: The club was founded in April 1895 and began with nine holes before expanding to eighteen at Hokowhitu, taking in neighbouring land including an old polo ground. C. H. Redhead redesigned the course in 1928, H. G. Babbage made alterations in 1955, and Tommy Cushnahan has since reworked holes such as the 16th around changes to the river stop-bank.

Did You Know? Manawatu describes itself as the oldest golf club in New Zealand still playing on its original site, having never left Hokowhitu since 1895.