A View With Every Swing
Clarks Beach is a pristine small coastal town within the Auckland region nestled on the shores of the Manukau Harbour. Clarks Beach sits on a peninsular bordered by the harbour on one side and the mouth of the Waiuku River on the other. Clarks Beach offers calm tidal beaches, mangroves and mudflats as well as a range of water birds and is one of the few beaches scallops can be collected by hand at low tide.
Clarks Beach Golf Club an 18-hole, Pohutakawa lined course situated on the shore of the Manukau Harbour showcasing spectacular views from many of its fairways.
The Golf Club has a close relationship with the local Iwi through its membership. The local Iwi have set up the Clarks Beach Maori Golf group. Each year they host a large tournament at the Club.
Clarks Beach is a destination, so make a day of it!
Visitors welcome, what we offer!
- Golf cart & club hire available
- Fully stocked Pro shop, open 7am - 4.30pm, 7 days a week
- Bar open from 11am, 7 days a week
- Cafe open from 8am, 7 days a week
- From downtown Auckland: 50-60 minutes
- From Auckland Airport: 30-40 minutes
To book, go to our Tee Bookings
Non-golfers are welcome too, pop in for a bite to eat or a drink. See what is on offer at our Clubhouse Cafe.
Club Substainability & Environment
In partnership with Auckland Golf, our Club has been invited to be part of the Ecological Enhancement Report that is being carried out by Auckland Council.
The Club has a proud history in keeping the course pest free with a group of willing volunteers to keep an eye on it.
We have been working on information for this report, aside from the community and social benefits we have mentioned earlier in this document, the Club has an important role to play such as;
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Running fundraising events for not for profit groups i.e. Prostate Cancer, Breast Cancer, I Am Hope.
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Local Supplier Initiative focusses on identifying and using local suppliers therefore reducing suppliers carbon footprints and supporting our local community and businesses.
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Providing a buffer between the Waste Water Treatment plant and houses.
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Playing an important part of the marine and coastal ecosystem which is home to a wide variety of sea birds including the endangered Dotterel.
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Pest eradication plan in place which includes partnering with Crest in achieving “Pest Free by 2050” for Clarks Beach
The History of Clarks Beach Golf Club
A Legacy of Community, Passion, and Perseverance
The Vision Takes Root (1983)
On Sunday, June 19, 1983, the seeds of Clarks Beach Golf Club were planted at a public meeting held in the pavilion of the Waiau Pa Bowling Club. The meeting, chaired by Mr. K. Hosking, drew forty enthusiastic locals who shared a common dream: to establish a golf course that would serve not only as a sporting venue but also as a vibrant community hub.
The Franklin County Council supported this vision by offering 27.73 hectares of reserve land. A motion to officially form the “Clarks Beach Golf Club” was carried, and a foundational committee was elected to guide the journey ahead. Among these early pioneers were three instrumental figures — Dick Talijancich, Con Flinkenberg, and Noel Hayden — whose dedication and hands-on efforts would shape the club’s identity from the ground up.
Building from the Ground Up (1983–1985)
In those early years, resources were scarce, but the will to build was strong. Fairways were cleared with borrowed tractors, greens were hand-mowed with domestic lawnmowers, and fencing materials were scavenged from wherever possible. Sheep grazed the early fairways, and a Skyline garage served as both equipment shed and meeting place.
Noel Hayden, drawing on his experience in golf course architecture from projects in Rotorua and Auckland, became the club’s resident professional and course architect. With his guidance, the design of the initial nine holes began to take shape. Meanwhile, Dick and Con emerged as tireless leaders, organizing working bees, rallying members, and leading by example with hands-on work through every stage of development.
By January 20, 1985, the club held its first Annual General Meeting, declaring a profit of $21,738 — all of which was reinvested into the course. That same year, the club moved out of the garage and into a purpose-built clubhouse, supported by grants and loans from the council.
Development of the First Nine (1985–1988)
As summer months passed and membership grew, the once-neglected farmland began to resemble a real golf course. Volunteers drained boggy areas, felled unwanted trees, and reshaped greens. With picks, shovels, and perseverance, the first nine holes were fully completed by 1988, covering 19.406 hectares. Alternate tees were added to each hole to simulate a full 18-hole course.
Dick, Con, and Noel remained central figures in this period. Their leadership ensured both the physical construction and the camaraderie that bonded members together. Whether managing greens, recruiting volunteers, or developing the irrigation system, their influence was felt across every blade of grass.
The club also expanded its vision during this time by leasing an additional 14.705 hectares to begin work on the “back nine,” setting the stage for a full 18-hole layout in the years ahead.
Ingenuity and Infrastructure (1986–1990)
With more holes came new challenges — particularly irrigation and maintenance. An irrigation pond was formed from a natural spring, and a second-hand pump was installed through members' voluntary labour. To fund the project, the club sold advertising rights on each hole for $1,000, gaining nine supportive sponsors.
New equipment was also acquired, including second-hand gang mowers from other clubs. In 1986, the club purchased a 2,500 sq. ft. implement shed from NZ Rail, which included a kitchen and shower and served as an overflow area during tournaments. Retired members brought valuable trade skills, maintaining the equipment and establishing a mowing roster.
By October 31, 1990, the club had grown to:
Challenges and Perseverance (1987–1992)
The economic downturn in 1987 slowed development and made membership retention more difficult, especially for retired residents. The club responded by deliberately holding subscriptions low, ensuring affordability and community access.
Despite financial constraints, work on the “back nine” progressed. The terrain was exposed and rugged, but the views were breathtaking — offering water vistas from every hole. With steady effort, the club remained on track to complete the full 18-hole course by 1993.
More Than a Golf Course
As the greens grew lush and the fairways smoothed, Clarks Beach Golf Club became more than a place to play golf — it became a defining feature of the community. The presence of the course contributed to an influx of permanent residents, drove up property values, and inspired the construction of quality homes, replacing the once-dominant beachside baches.
The club also offered something intangible but deeply meaningful — a place for retired locals to connect, contribute, and stay active. Whether it was engineering a pump system or manning a mower, members found joy in building something lasting.
In 1992, a New Zealand Herald article estimated the cost of building a similar golf course at $3.5 million. The Clarks Beach project had cost only a fraction of that, thanks to an enormous amount of volunteer labour, ingenuity, and goodwill.
Legacy and Future
Few community projects leave a legacy as enduring as Clarks Beach Golf Club. The foresight and grit of early leaders — especially Dick, Con, and Noel — transformed rough farmland into a cherished recreational asset. They built more than fairways and greens; they built a sense of belonging, purpose, and pride.
Today, the course continues to grow, welcome new members, and host competitions — but it still holds true to its roots. Every swing, every step on its grounds echoes the labour and love of those who came before.
Clarks Beach Golf Club is not just a place — it's a story of community, craftsmanship, and character. A story that will keep unfolding for generations to come.