Now, the Herald understands that it’s being sold to a prominent Canterbury-based property group, with a deal set to be finalised tomorrow.
The company has not responded to requests this week from the Herald for comment.
Pegasus Golf Resort.
Many residents and golfers fear the 18-hole course could now be carved up for housing.
Much of the property will require rezoning to be fully developed, but the Herald understands the course’s first two holes, as well as the clubhouse and driving range, had already been rezoned by previous owners who had planned to build a resort and hotel.
Locals fear assurances they say were made by the local Waimakariri District Council about the course remaining could be trumped by fast-track legislation.
Pegasus Golf Club on Thursday afternoon. A group of local residents have paid for the course to remain playable since maintenance ceased in March. Photo / Kurt Bayer
The Minister for Infrastructure’s office told NZME this week: “We are not aware of any progress on the golf site through Fast-track or a plan change process. You should contact the relevant councils for more information on any rezoning or plan change that may effect [sic] this project.”
A spokesperson for Waimakariri District Council said there had been “no information requests and/or approaches to our planning team about any rezoning” at Pegasus.
A group known as the “Pegasus Guardians” has been keeping the course playable since the operation closed its doors in March.
The group, comprising local golfers, had been paying as much as $150 each per month to employ a greenkeeper.
One member of the Pegasus Guardians said many people will be “gutted” about the sale.
“It’s such a shame it’s come to this,” they said.
“It’s a mint golf course – people must have taken it for granted.”
The Pegasus Golf Club clubhouse has been shut for weeks. Photo / Kurt Bayer
Other locals spoken to by the Herald have been anxiously awaiting news of what will happen to the ailing golf course, especially in light of how it will affect property prices in the township. Multimillion-dollar homes are still being built within the subdivision.
It’s understood multiple unsuccessful offers were made to buy the course – including proposals that had vowed to keep the course open.
One resident the Herald spoke to said they and their family had moved to Pegasus specifically for the golf course and that they were devastated by the move.
“For us and many others, the course isn’t just a piece of land, it’s part of the identity of Pegasus and a huge reason families chose to live here and invest in the area,” they said.
They say that many residents feel the golf course has never truly been given the long-term opportunity or backing to succeed alongside the growth of Pegasus township.
“People aren’t against progress, but there’s concern about what losing the course would mean for the character of Pegasus, local green space, recreation, tourism, and the wider community vision that so many people bought into.
“At the end of the day, this is about more than housing numbers; it’s about protecting the identity and future of a community that people genuinely care deeply about,” they said.
The Pegasus town development was the brainchild of South Island entrepreneur Bob Robertson and his Infinity Investment Group. Robertson died in 2014 after a brief illness.
Bob Robertson shows former Prime Minister Helen Clark a scale model of Pegasus Town.
The Pegasus Golf and Sports Club was put on the market in 2015 – billed as “an excellent opportunity to invest in a thriving community”.
Auckland businessman Xiangming (Sam) Huo and his company Sports and Education Corporation Ltd purchased the course in 2018, but by 2024 it was in financial strife and a short time later, it was on the market. It went unsold at the time.
Lydia Ko plays an approach shot in front of a large gallery of spectators and media during the third round of the 2012 ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Golf Open at Pegasus Golf Course. Photo / Photosport
Pegasus held the NZ Women’s Golf Open in 2010, 2011 and 2012, with former Kiwi world number one Lydia Ko appearing as an amateur at just 12 years of age.