Farewell to fairways: Pegasus locals play emotional final round, but vow to fight on
Monday, 1 June 2026
For 10 years Dale and Sharon Stewart have been living the dream at their Pegasus home in North Canterbury.
The self-confessed golf nuts moved back to New Zealand from Canada to build their dream home on the edge of Pegasus Golf Club.
It was their idea of the perfect retirement lifestyle.
But they say their future in Pegasus is now uncertain, after it emerged last month that Christchurch property developer Wolfbrook had bought the 18-hole, 77 hectare course, for what the The Press understands was about $6 million.
The course’s owner, Pegasus Golf Ltd, went into voluntary liquidation in March with debts of about $9 million.
Wolfbrook has confirmed it plans to seek rezoning so it can develop new homes on the land, but said it would take a thoughtful approach while addressing the demand for housing.
A public meeting is being held at the Pegasus Bay School hall on Tuesday at 7pm.
Residents who had expected the land to remain a golf course, were shocked at the news and have vowed to fight any rezoning attempt.
The course closed on Monday, and a number of people took the opportunity to have what they hoped would not be their last ever round at the course.
The Stewarts had intended to play a full round, but could only manage five holes.
Dale Stewart said he just felt so sad that he did not want to keep playing on Monday.
“I’m so gutted. It’s just too sad.”
He said he was contemplating moving back to Canada if the course was developed for housing.
“I just don’t know where else I’d want to live in Christchurch.”
The couple own one of about 100 homes built within the golf course.
Sharon Stewart said they did their due diligence before buying the property and were comforted by the fact it was zoned as a golf course, and never thought it would be developed for housing.
“It’s just unbelievable that someone could do that in this day and age.”
Another resident and golfer Brent Esler, who was also having one last round on Monday, said Wolfbrook had a huge battle on its hands.
He said the district already had land available to cater for almost three decades of residential growth.
“Residential development must never be allowed on this land.”
A golf course was the only use for the land that could be self-sustaining, while also providing a valuable asset for North Canterbury, Esler said.
The property had only ever been owned by property developers and needed a dedicated operator that understood golf, he said.
Palmerston North-based Vining Group, a golf equipment distributor, said last week it unsuccessfully bid for the property and could have had course back up and running “within weeks”.
Peter Lund, who also had his last round at Pegasus on Monday, said the course had been a great place for his son Harrison, 15, to develop his skills. He was now in the Canterbury golf talent development programme.
Lund, who has lived at Pegasus since 2013, said Harrison would go out after school and practice shots.
“That is what we will miss.”
Community leaders have weighed in to support the residents, including Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon who has pledged to “stand up” for Pegasus.
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey said he would not support Wolfbrook’s redevelopment proposal as the course had “economic significance” for the whole region.