50 Years of Omaha Beach Golf Club

In November 2025, Omaha Beach Golf Club proudly celebrated its 50th Jubilee.

It was a fantastic evening, with more than 170 members and guests coming together to mark a very special milestone in the club’s history. The weather played its part, the clubhouse was full, and the night was filled with stories, laughter and memories from across the generations.

The evening included reflections from long-standing club members and speakers, including Mike Dowd and Club President Rob Begg, who helped celebrate the people, progress and community spirit that have shaped Omaha Beach Golf Club over the past 50 years.

The Jubilee was a reminder that Omaha Beach Golf Club is more than a golf course. It is a club built by its members, volunteers, greenkeepers, committees, staff and supporters — all with a shared love of the game and the place we call home.
 

The Beginning

Omaha Beach Golf Club was established in 1976 and has grown from a coastal community golf club into one of New Zealand’s most recognised seaside golfing destinations.

The early years of the club were built on hard work, passion and commitment. Greenkeepers, members and volunteers all played their part through countless working bees and long days helping shape the course and club into what it is today.

That spirit of contribution and pride remains part of Omaha Beach Golf Club today.

Course Growth and Development

The original course began as a nine-hole layout on the northern side of the property. Built on a low-lying sandy peninsula, the course had its own unique coastal character, along with the challenges that come with drainage, winter conditions and a high water table.

In 2003, the club took a major step forward with the addition of a second nine holes at the southern end of the beach. This expansion was designed by renowned New Zealand golf course designers Darby and Associates, who have been involved with some of the country’s best-known courses, including Millbrook, Clearwater and Jack’s Point.

The addition of the second nine transformed Omaha into a full 18-hole golf course and helped establish the club as a championship venue.

Course Renovation and the Kura Design Master Plan

A major chapter in the club’s more recent history has been the renovation and improvement work led by Kura Design and golf course architect Kristine Kerr.

Discussions around the future of the course began in 2017, with a master plan created in 2018. The focus was to update and improve the original northern nine holes so they better matched the more modern southern nine.

This work has included bunker upgrades, improved shaping, new turf, wetland development, drainage improvements and the remodelling of key holes including the 15th, 17th and 18th.

The renovated holes were designed to create more definition, better year-round playability and a stronger connection to the club’s natural coastal and estuary setting.

Much of this improvement work was supported by Friends of Omaha Beach Golf Club, led by Tony Kortegast and Geoff Smith, alongside the club, course staff and contractors.

Course Manager Corey Wilcox and his team have played a key role in implementing the improvement work and maintaining the course through periods of change, growth and development.

Life Members

Omaha Beach Golf Club is proud to recognise the people who have given exceptional service to the club over many years.

Life Membership is one of the highest honours the club can award. It reflects outstanding contribution, commitment and dedication to Omaha Beach Golf Club, both on and off the course.

Our Life Members have helped shape the club through leadership, voluntary service, committee involvement, working bees, club culture, course development and support for future generations of members.

Life Members

• Peter Turner 
• Lorna Kjestrup 
• Bill Devenie
• Mike Dowd 
• Bill Abraham 
• Ron McMahon 
• Richard Brabant
• Alex Devenie

Club Timeline

1971
The first Omaha sections went on sale, marking the beginning of Omaha’s growth as a coastal holiday and residential community.

1975
Golf began at Omaha as a modest nine-hole links-style course, built by locals on the Whangateau Harbour side of the peninsula.

1976
Omaha Beach Golf Club was officially established, beginning its journey as a coastal community golf club built through working bees, greenkeepers, volunteers and a shared love of the game.

1979
A tree planting programme began in Omaha, helping shape the coastal environment and natural character that surrounds the club today.

Early years
The original course developed through the commitment of members, greenkeepers and volunteers. Countless working bees helped shape both the course and the club culture that still carries through today.

Early 2000s
As Omaha continued to grow, plans developed for the southern end of the area and the future expansion of the golf course to 18 holes.

2003
A second nine holes was added at the southern end of the beach, designed by Darby and Associates. This transformed Omaha Beach Golf Club into a full 18-hole course and helped establish it as a championship venue.

2017
Discussions began around a major course renovation programme, with the aim of improving the original northern nine and bringing the two nines closer together in quality, style and playability.

2018
A course master plan was created with Kura Design and golf course architect Kristine Kerr. The plan focused on drainage, shaping, bunkering, playability and creating stronger harmony between the original and newer parts of the course.

2021
The 15th hole renovation was completed as part of the ongoing course improvement programme.

2022
The 17th hole renovation was completed, adding a large new green and a stronger par-three playing experience.

2024
The remodelled 18th hole reopened as part of the continued renovation work led by Kristine Kerr, with support from Friends of Omaha Beach Golf Club, Course Manager Corey Wilcox and the course team.

2025
Omaha Beach Golf Club hosted the Freyberg Masters, a Golf New Zealand sanctioned teams event that has been running for more than 40 years.

November 2025
Omaha Beach Golf Club celebrated its 50th Jubilee, with more than 170 members and guests coming together to mark five decades of golf, community, stories and shared achievement.

2026
 

The Course Today

Today, Omaha Beach Golf Club blends its original coastal character with modern design improvements, stronger playing surfaces, improved drainage, better bunkering and a layout that can be enjoyed by a wide range of golfers.

The club has sustained strong growth in membership and visitor numbers, while continuing to invest in the course, clubhouse and overall experience for members, guests and the wider community.

Omaha Beach Golf Club remains proud of its history, grateful for the people who built it, and excited about the future still ahead.

Looking Ahead

The next stage of Omaha Beach Golf Club’s story is already underway.

With ongoing course improvements, clubhouse development, strong member support and a growing reputation as a coastal golf destination, the club is well placed for the next 50 years.

The foundations have been built by generations of members, volunteers, staff and supporters. The future will be shaped by the same spirit that has carried the club from its early days to where it stands today.

A place of golf.
A place of community.
A place of pleasure.
Omaha Beach Golf Club.