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Gibbston Valley Golf Club opened its doors March 2, and for executive managing director Cristina Griffith, it marked the end of a long wait.
“It’s incredibly special,” she says. “I grew up watching my dad dream about what Gibbston Valley could become – not just as a winery, but as a destination people feel genuinely connected to. The golf course was always part of that long-term vision.”
The course was designed by Kiwi golfing legend Greg Turner, who shares Cristina’s enthusiasm. He sees the nine-hole, par 32 format as a statement about where the game is heading.
“I think this shorter form golf has a real future where you have all of the quality and fun of the long form of the game but in a format that doesn’t take up so much time,” he says.
For Cristina, the opening was personal. Phil Griffith, her father, spent years quietly backing the vision alongside Greg “To now stand here and help bring it to life feels very full circle,” she says. “What makes it meaningful is that it hadn’t been rushed or built for the sake of expansion. It’s been carefully considered over many years, with a real focus on how golf could complement the landscape, the wine, the hospitality, and the pace of the valley itself. There’s also a real sense of pride in seeing our family continue to evolve the business in a way that still feels authentic to who we are.”
That pride runs through every design decision. The clubhouse- built by Lakeside Design & Build, designed by Condon Scott Architects and fitted out by Space Studios sits along the course as its own destination housing a restaurant, gymnasium, heated pool, jacuzzi and pro shop.
“The Clubhouse is stunning, and we’re delighted this is now open to the public,” Cristina says. “We’ve focused on creating a vibrant hospitality experience, best enjoyed after a round of the great game.”
An avid golfer herself, Cristina played in the New Zealand Open Pro-Am at Millbrook earlier this year- one of around ten to twelve women competing, including sponsors and ambassadors.
“Being a golfer absolutely changes the way I experience and think about the club,” she says. “I understand the rhythm of a great golf day – the anticipation before a round, the atmosphere afterwards, and how much the experience around the golf matters. That’s probably why we approached Gibbston Valley Golf Club differently. It’s not designed to feel intimidating or exclusive. It’s designed to feel welcoming, social, and connected to the wider destination.”
“The nine-hole format is a really intentional part of that,” Cristina says. “It allows people to enjoy a high-quality golf experience while still having time to explore the region, have lunch, enjoy a wine tasting, or settle into the clubhouse afterwards. That balance feels very reflective of modern luxury travel. People want memorable experiences, but they also want them to feel relaxed and enjoyable. As a female golfer, I also care deeply about creating spaces where more people feel comfortable entering the game, whether they’re experienced players or picking up a club for the first time.”
Cristina says the perfect day here starts slowly.
“Coffee on the clubhouse deck overlooking the practice green, maybe a late morning tee time with friends, then a relaxed round where you’re just as engaged by the scenery as the golf itself. Afterwards, it’s settling into the clubhouse for a lunch and a glass of Pinot Noir, maybe spending time by the pool or heading into the winery for a tasting in the Wine Cave.”
It sounds less like a round of golf and more like an experience well spent, which Cristina says is exactly the point.
“What makes it special is that the golf becomes part of a much bigger experience,” she says. “You’re not rushing in and out you’re spending the day properly. That’s really what we wanted to create at Gibbston Valley: a place people can fully immerse themselves in and enjoy at their own pace.”
