Ahead of a special “Weekend with Tom” event in 2025 at New Zealand’s Cape Kidnappers, architect Tom Doak began contemplating bringing to life a second course at the world-renowned resort.
Located on the southeast coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Cape Kidnappers offers the acclaimed Rosewood Cape Kidnappers lodge as well as Doak’s original layout, which opened in 2004. That course ranks among the world’s top 50. However, Doak is now turning his thoughts to a course he didn’t get to build at Cape Kidnappers — "the project I most regret not having gotten the chance to design."
Developed by American financier Julian Robertson and still owned by the Robertson Family, Cape Kidnappers remains a massive working cattle and sheep farm. It certainly has the room to house more golf, as Doak well knows.
"The very first time I went to Cape Kidnappers was the end of 2001, and I was late," Doak said. "They picked me up in a helicopter and landed me on the point down below. At that time, Julian wanted to build a lodge down there and, in my opinion — then and now — that would have been a superb place to build a golf course. It was flat enough, to go with plenty of acreage. From the moment the helicopter touched down, I was like, ‘Why wouldn’t we build it down here in this valley?’
"It didn’t take long for Julian to make himself clear. The clifftops were his first choice and it’s hard to argue. His vision for golf on those cliffs was inspired. It’s a setting like no other. But I thought then — and I still think — a very good golf course could have gone down there in the valley."
Guests at the 2025 “Weekend with Tom” will also be treated to at least one intimate tour of The Farm, the 18 holes Doak routed next door, didn’t build, but has never forgotten.
"We would take picnic lunches down there when Cape Kidnappers Golf Club was being built," Doak said. “I think it was our second trip when we gave Julian and his wife Josie a tour of the place. We had spent a few days on site just sticking flags in the ground — to show what the golf course could be. I think I undersold it back then. Julian’s focus was always on building a top-100 golf course, whereas at The Farm, Bruce [Hepner] and I were thinking more about a course with sheep and cows all over it. Which is what they use the land for now, of course. That’s what so many ‘country courses’ do, all over New Zealand.
“I don’t honestly remember when Bruce and I went back and tried to actually route something down there. It may have been 2008. We had played around with maps from the start, but that was definitely our impetus — to get Julian more interested in a second course down below."
The architect returned to New Zealand in 2013, to design and build Tara Iti Golf Club, which opened in 2015. He followed up with nearby Te Arai Links (North), which debuted in 2023.
Early in the 21st century, Doak’s idea of building a second course at Cape Kidnappers proved a bit fanciful. Today, however, New Zealand is arguably the most desirable luxury golf destination on earth — a reality he helped create. What’s more, pushing the limits of middle age, he is more focused on the dream projects that truly matter to him.
"I’ve not discussed it with anyone there at Cape, not formally. But maybe the Robertsons would think differently about The Farm Course today — because of what’s been happening up at Te Arai. I don’t lie awake at night thinking about it, but I can tell you we’d jump at the chance to design and build a course down there. I don’t know that there is the will to do it, today, but maybe what’s happening at Te Arai has upped the ante some.
"I’ve been spending so much time in New Zealand of late. It’s hard not to think about The Farm. One thing I want to do some day is go back and build it."
A CANADIAN TOUCH ON CANADIAN CLASSIC
Ontario, Canada’s Cutten Fields reopened in spring 2024 following a renovation by Canadian architect Jeff Mingay. The Golden Age design in the city of Guelph dates to 1931 and was crafted by Stanley Thompson, assisted by legendary amateur Chick Evans, who in 1916 captured both the U.S. Open and the U.S. Amateur.
Mingay initiated his renovation plan in 2016, and teamed with club superintendent Bill Green, who had prior restoration experience at his previous post, Toronto Golf Club, a Harry Colt design.
"Instinctually, I was inspired by Thompson’s connection to Cutten Fields," Mingay told GolfCourseArchitecture.net. "For a time during the late 1940s, he was part-owner of the club and lived adjacent to the course. So I initially drafted a plan that I thought looked like something Thompson would do. When Bill [Green] saw it for the first time, he half-jokingly said, 'This is all wrong. You’re showing small greens and big bunkers. We need big greens and small bunkers.'"
Green and Mingay tinkered with the original plans, and prioritized rebuilding and expanding the putting surfaces, as well as converting them from poa annua to bentgrass.
"Architecturally, Bill really pushed me to think differently about some things that I might otherwise not have," Mingay said. "It’s been a remarkable collaboration and a great example of how golf architects and course superintendents should work together on the architecture of the course, specifically related to turf health, future maintenance and overall sustainability."
Amid COVID-related postponements, Cutten Fields finally began moving dirt in 2021, with the help of builder/shaper Mark Hughes. Eventually, the construction team rebuilt tees, bunkers and greens. The greens were expanded to an average of 7,500 square feet, a 50 percent increase from their previous dimensions. Additionally, holes 13 and 16 were relocated to alleviate safety issues.
"This project definitely wasn’t restorative," Mingay said. "It really couldn’t be, as too many things have changed over the years. It was certainly historically sensitive, though. Cutten Fields has a remarkably valuable history and design pedigree. We were inspired by Thompson’s tried-and-true architectural philosophy and style.
“At the same time, we’ve also restored elements of the original design that are seemingly attributed to Evans’ admiration for the Chicago Golf Club. Some geometrically shaped greens and bunkers, for example, that you definitely won’t find on Stanley Thompson-designed courses. At other holes we were forced to address design issues in a more contemporary fashion.”
ERNIE ELS LENDS HAND TO ZIMBALI LAKES
Ernie Els has inked a deal with IFA Hotels & Resorts to design a golf course and learning center at the Zimbali Lakes development on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast of South Africa.
Located north of Durban, Zimbali Lakes will feature an Ernie Els Signature Golf Course, the Els Performance Golf Academy, and the Ernie Els Suites, an apartment development linked to the golf academy.
"We are excited to partner with Zimbali Lakes and IFA Hotels & Resorts as we share like-minded ambitions and values," Els said. "What we’re creating here is going to be very special indeed. This is a perfect opportunity for us due to Zimbali Lakes’ location, close to the King Shaka International Airport, and also with some of the best schools in South Africa in close proximity."
Speaking of the wider virtues of this area, Els went on to say, "Ballito has more gated communities per square meter than any other area in South Africa, which boasts many high-end properties that others around the world would love to call home. Club Med choosing to develop just north of Ballito indicates that this will now become an international destination, and with that comes huge international investment opportunities and exposure."
Els also stated that he will set up a home at Zimbali Lakes.
"Many people will know that my primary home is in Florida, however my family will always call South Africa home," he said. "Being able to spend time in a quality location such as this, where security, privacy and lifestyle come first, is not too hard a decision. Also, the mild weather conditions on the north coast during the winter months will be perfect to spend time with my family and friends here."
Wayne Krambeck, senior vice-president of operations at Zimbali Lakes, said: "Ernie building at the estate is one of the most exciting aspects of our relationship with him. He knows this is one of the hottest property markets in South Africa at the moment."
Werner Burger, CEO of IFA Hotels & Resorts South Africa, believes the deal marks a turning point for the golf tourism industry in the country and the continent.
“We believe this will be a great fit that will benefit everyone,” said Els. “Around 20 years ago, I had initial discussions with Mr. Burger about doing a project together, so I was pleased when he approached me about the opportunity at Zimbali Lakes. We believe this will probably be one of the last golf course residential developments to be constructed in South Africa.”
