nz top 40 australian golf digest - july 16

7/25/2019 NZ Top 40 Australian Golf Digest - July 16

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40GREENACRES GOLF CLUBLocated on the outskirts of Nelson,Greenacres Golf Club is actually on Best

Island and sneaks into our inaugural Top

40 list. The course borders the tidal inlet

with water coming into play on several

holes. Built on a solid sand base, the inland

holes are tree-lined where the coastal holes

enjoy water views and a true links feel. The

area is famous for its wineries, orchards,

beaches, art galleries and beautiful river

valleys so take the time to enjoy thelocal sites.

39QUEENSTOWNGOLF CLUB

If you want to play golf in one of the most

scenic places in the world then this golf

course needs to be on your bucket list.

Queenstown is a members course that is

not long or that challenging but theres

something about playing it that takes your

breath away. A parkland-style course where

the local schist rock comes into play if

youre wayward, this is yet another course

where you will use your camera more than

your putter.

38CROMWELL GOLF CLUBNew Zealands most inland golfcourse plays like a genuine links-stylelayout. Cromwell is carved out of sand

dunes, marram grass and mature trees,

with undulating greens that can be

extremely testing. Being in the heart

of some of the best wine country New

Zealand has to offer, it can be a little dry

so expect hard and fast fairways. This is a

course suited to all levels of golfers with

some nice views and it is worth playing,

even if its an excuse to try out one of the

many nearby wineries.

37INVERCARGILLGOLF CLUB

Situated only a few minutes from

centre of Invercargill, the Otatar

is a picturesque 18-hole, tree-lin

that annually hosts one of NZ G

leading amateur events. Built on

more than 100 years ago, the cou

undulating, manicured fairway

rough and well-bunkered, quali

based greens. Like a lot of courslower half of this list, Invercargi

but it certainly demands accura

36CHISHOLM LINKSBuilt from the sand duncourse runs along a beach and

being so close to the sea you ge

links-golf experience. Despite

Chisholm Park is not a particul

NEW ZEALANDS

GOLF COURSES

KEY RED= NORTH ISLAND BLUE= SOUTH ISLAND

NTR


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golf course to play and all levels of

golfers will find it both challenging

and enjoyable to play with its

amazing views. The par-4 ninth

hole is rated as one of the best holes

in New Zealand, while the cliff-top

ocean views rival the best golf vistas

anywhere in the world.

35NELSON GOLF CLUBLocated near Nelson Airport,this links-style course is a great

little test for golfers. Nelson enjoys

sweeping views across the Tasman

Bay so visitors are warned to expect

stiff coastal breezes. While not a

long course, Nelsons strategically

placed bunkers, mounding and rough

makes the 18-hole experience quite

challenging so managing your play

is important, as it was when the

club hosted the 2014 NZ Amateur

Championship.

34RUSSLEY GOLF CLUBSitting alongside Christchurch

Airport, the Russley Golf Club is a flat,

tree-lined layout that is not overly

long in distance, however a strategic

approach and clever club selection is

crucial. Many top professionals have

walked Russleys fairways as it has

hosted numerous top championships

including multiple NZ Opens.

Consistently well manicured,

Russleys large putting surfaces run

fast and true.

33FORMOSA GOLF RESORTThe Formosa Golf Resort's courseis surrounded by lush farmland and has

stunning views over the Hauraki Gulf with

panoramic views of Waiheke Island and

Rangitoto from its clifftop and coastal

fairways. Sixteen of the course's holes have

northerly views of the Hauraki Gulf and itsmany islands. The 11th through to the 16th

hole run along a clifftop overlooking the

shoreline. Designed by NZ golfing legend,

Sir Bob Charles, the course hosted the 1998

New Zealand Open. Youll find this gem

located just over 30-minutes from both

downtown Auckland and the airport.

32WANGANUI GOLF CLUBOne of the top provincial coursesin the country, Wanganui Golf Club has

hosted many international and national

events including seven NZ Opens. The

course is a well-manicured, sand-based

gem built over undulating terrain that

tests every aspect of your game. The club

recently removed its pine trees and as a

result it now plays like more of a links-style

course and can be extremely challengingdepending on the wind.

31WAIPUWaipu Golf Club is an easy two-hourdrive via SH1 on the east coast, north of

Auckland. The course is an all-weather,

sand-based links set on the edge of

beautiful Bream Bay with spectacular

ocean views from every hole. Its greens

have been likened to the famed sandbelt

surfaces around Melbourne.

30GULF HARBOURGOLF CLUB

The Robert Trent Jones Jr-designed GulfHarbour is located on the Whangaparaoa

Peninsula less than an hours drive from

Aucklands CBD or a short ferry ride across

the harbour. The front nine plays inland

around the houses with some nice views

where upon reaching the 12th tee you are

afforded spectacular views back towards

the city skyline. Gulf Harbour boasts some

spectacular finishing holes that will have

you reaching for your camera. Ocean views

and rolling terrain combine to make it one

of the most exciting golfing experiences in

Auckland.

29HASTINGS GOLF CLUBThe Hastings Golf Club is oneof New Zealands more established

courses and widely regarded as the best-

conditioned club course in Hawkes Bay.

Featuring mature native trees that line itsand gentle, the course is very walkable with

a great mix of long and short holes.

28NEW PLYMOUTHGOLF CLUB

Known by the locals as Ngamotu, New

Plymouth was designed so that both nines

sweep out from the clubhouse in two giant

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thehills.co.nzQUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND


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loops. Ngamotu's four par-3 holes range

widely in length, but they all point in different

directions on the compass. The course is aregular favourite on the Charles Tour pro

circuit and is a great test of golf where the

better putters usually reap the rewards. With

the course built over a coastal slope, there are

expansive views from the iconic Mt Taranaki

out across the Tasman Sea.

27TERRACE DOWNSThis championship resort courseis located approximately one hour from

Christchurch and is nestled in the foothills

of the Southern Alps and across the valley

from the Mount Hutt Ski Field. The course

has an enjoyable layout with breathtaking

views, especially from the 10th tee and

16th green as you absorb the local Rakaia

Gorge and mountain vistas. Most golfers

will find it very playable with its mixture

of parkland and links styles integrated intothe natural environment.

26OTAGO GOLF CLUBThe Otago Golf Club is NewZealands oldest club and sits on a great

site overlooking the city and harbour. Built

on a rolling hillside, the course is always

well manicured and weaves nicely across

the land with some great native foliage. As

the Otago Golf Club is steeped in history,

you will want to take your time to check

out the golfing memorabilia around theclubhouse.

25OMAHA BEACHGOLF CLUB

Less than an hour from Auckland, Omaha

Beach is a links-style resort course crafted

by its designers to make the most of its

stunning seaside location. Bordered by the

sea on one side and a natural estuary on

the other, this layout offers some unique

and pleasant surprises as you travel around

it. The native trees, boardwalks and a flow

of challenging holes make this an enjoyable

day out for anyone.

24HAREWOOD GOLF CLUBNeighbouring Christchurch Airport,

the Woodlands Course at Harewood

Golf Club is unlike some of the other

traditional courses around the region.

Redesigned in 2012 by the design team

of Turner MacPherson, the course has 18

new greens and tee boxes. Despite being

a flat, medium-length parkland course,

challenging greens are what its all about

here and require a sharp short game if you

are to play to your handicap.

23MANGAWHAI GOLF CLUBLocated only five minutes fromNew Zealands new No.1 course Tara Iti

and little more than a one-hour drive from

Auckland, Mangawhai is an enjoyable golf

course that will test every club in your bag.

There is a great mix of holes here that willtest both your long and short game and

its sandy base ensures great all-weather

playing conditions.

22ORETI SANDSThe southernmost 18-hole course inNew Zealand, this layout is a true links, full

of humpy fairways, native grasses, greens

tucked into tussock and shrub-covered

dunes, with a myriad of playing options. It

will challenge even the most experienced

golfer if played from the championship

tees. The course is known for its windy

conditions with stunning views of Stewart

Island towering over Foveaux Strait.

21MOUNT MAUNGANUIGOLF CLUBThe Mount Maunganui Golf Club is atraditional tree-lined layout with one of

the best beaches in New Zealand just a

seven iron away. The championship

course has a strong reputation for its great

putting surfaces. Less than five minutes

away from the Tauranga cruise ship port

and Tauranga airport, The Mount is very

popular with all levels of golfers.

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(06) 879 7206 [email protected]

www.hastingsgolfclub.co.nz

Hastings Golf Club is ranked amongst the top 10 club coursesin New Zealand offering the best club experience in Hawkes Bay.

With impeccable championship course conditions, set amidpicturesque surroundings, we look forward to seeing you here soon.

EXPERIENCEWO

RLDCLASSGOLFINGINSUNNYHAWKES

Home of New Zealands longest running Pro Am. The Omaha course, built on sand dunes, is considered by m

a must play treasure. Arguably the number one stop on the NZ PGA circuit. Phil Leishman 2013. Some say

quality of the course, some say its the relaxing setting, we say come and find out for yourself.

Located within an easy 45min drive from Auckland City, Omaha Beach is the perfect day trip and weeke

destination. In between rounds enjoy the areas wineries, farmers market, wild life sanctuaries and much m

Call 09 4227551 or go to www.omahagolf.co.nz to find out more about golf at Omaha B

Omaha Beach

Golf Club NZ

Quote promo

HAPPY GOLF to

off your round. (T


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20WHITFORD PARKWhitford Park is situated in ruralcountry surrounds close to Auckland. A par-71

championship layout set amongst 254 acres

of beautiful indigenous trees and streams, the

greens here are consistently among the best

on offer in New Zealand, while the Couchgrass fairways provide a delightful playing

surface throughout the year.

19MANAWATU GOLF CLUBThe Manawatu Golf Club issituated in the Palmerston North suburb

of Hokowhitu, bordering the banks

of the Manawatu River and the city's

Centennial Lagoon.

The course is regarded as Manawatu's

premier 18-hole layout, and provides a

challenging yet fair test for golfers of all

abilities. Beautifully manicured, tree-lined

fairways, fast rolling greens and more than

50 white-sand bunkers highlight a most

enjoyable playing experience.

18ROYAL AUCKLANDGOLF CLUBThe Royal Auckland Golf Club is a private

club located just 10 minutes from the

airport. A traditional tree-lined parkland

layout, Royal Auckland is set for an

extensive renovation as the course mergers

with neighbouring The Grange in a bid

to become one of the top club layouts in

the country.

17CLEARWATERThis resort course is locatedapproximately 10 minutes from the airport

and has enjoyed great success hosting the

NZPGA Championship and more recently

the ISPS Handa NZ Womens Open won

by Lydia Ko. Combining elements of greatScottish links courses with parkland golf,

more reminiscent of Florida, Clearwater is

playable year-round and meanders around

a succession of spring-fed lakes and trout-

filled streams, with uninterrupted views of

the spectacular Southern Alps.

16MURIWAISituated on New Zealands wild andwonderful West Coast around 40 minutes

from Auckland, Muriwai Golf Links

provides a great links golfing experience.

The black-sand based layout allows

all-weather golf and the championship

layout provides a thrill and challenge

for all golfers. The course is easy walking

on tightly-mown Kikuyu fairways. It has

lots of well-designed greens with smart

bunkering and the challenging Bentcross/Poa greens roll beautifully despite the

many testing contours.

15CHRISTCHURCHGOLF CLUB

A golf course with more than 140 years

of history, you will enjoy the classic feel

this layout possesses. Remodelled in

recent years by the great Peter Thomson,

Christchurch has a focus on precise driving

and challenging iron play. The fairways

are excellent to play off, with strategically

placed bunkers and waste areas. The

course is well manicured with greens our

judges enjoyed putting on. Christchurch is

a championship layout that is enjoyed by

the membership and has challenged the

top professionals in the many events it hashosted over the years.

14PEGASUS GOLF CLUBThe Pegasus Golf and Sports Clubhosted the New Zealand Women's Open

in 2010, 1 1 and 12. The course itself boasts

a majestic layout with varying degrees of

difficulty aimed at providing an excellent

golfing experience. The front nine is quite

open while the back nine loops around the

property with water coming into play on

seven of the nine holes. Just 30 minutes north

of Christchurch, put Pegasus on your to-do list.

13ARROWTOWN GOLF CLUBArrowtown is one of the mostpopular club courses in the country. Thefront nine is very tight, weaving through

the canyons and schist rock, making it a

lot of fun for golfers of all abilities. Game

management is a key and there can be

some extremely challenging shots if you

stray off line. The back nine is more open

and built over rolling terrain where you can

really take in the beautiful surrounding

mountains. Playing the course in March

or April is highly recommended as the

autumn foliage is simply breathtaking.

12TITIRANGI GOLF CLUBTitirangi is the only golf coursein New Zealand designed by Dr Alister

MacKenzie and is just 30 minutes from

Aucklands Sky Tower. MacKenzies genius

designs are renowned for their sensitivity

to the nature of the original site and risk-

reward holes and Titirangi is no different.

The way the golf course weaves through

neighbouring bush testifies to MacKenzies

philosophy and from here he went on to

design some of the worlds greatest courses

including Augusta National, Cypress Point

and Royal Melbourne. Titirangis par-70

course features elevated tees and greens,

challenging bunkers and slick greens with

pronounced undulations.

11CARRINGTONFive hours north of Auckland sits theCarrington Golf Resort. Although it boasts

an ocean-side location, Carrington looks and

plays like an inland golf course, complete

with rolling hills, vales, and natural water

hazards. The unique 100-acre seaside layout

meanders around the central resort complex

and its oversized layout allows for extensive

natural conservation areas. At 6,417 metres,

this par-72 championship course can be brutal

at its worst, but its resort-style lends itself to

all levels of golfers. The course is surrounded

on two sides by Carrington Farms 300-head

Black Angus Stud and also sits next to the 101-

acre Karikari Estate Vineyard and Winery.

10ROYAL WELLINGTONA recent renovation has transformedRoyal Wellington into New Zealands finest

private members parkland course. Built

on an ancient riverbed, it weaves its way

over crumpled ground through cultivated

parkland thats home to thousa

mature native and exotic trees

With the addition of several cr

lake and undulating greens, th

2017 Asia Pacific Amateur Cha

blends a walk in the park with

good golf course.

HOW THE COURSES ARE RANKED

Our panellists play and score New Zealand courses on seven criteria

1. SHOT VALUE

How well do the holes pose a variety of risks and rewards and equallength, accuracy and finesse?

2. RESISTANCE TO SCORING

How difficult, while still being fair, is the course for a scratch player back tees?

3. DESIGN VARIETY

How varied are the holes in differing lengths, configurations, hazardplacements, green shapes and green contours?

4. MEMORABILITY

How well do the design features provide individuality to each hole y

collective continuity to the entire 18?5. AESTHETICS

How well do the scenic values of the course add to the pleasure of a

6. CONDITIONING

How firm, fast and rolling were the fairways, and how firm yet recepthe greens on the day you played the course?

7. AMBIENCE

How well does the overall feel and atmosphere of the course reflect the traditional values of the game?

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9WAIRAKEIThe Wairakei Golf Course is locatedonly a couple of minutes from Taupo and is

New Zealands original resort golf course.

Built in 1970, more than 30,000 native and

exotic trees have recently been planted,

along with the introduction of 200 mixed-colour pheasants, Kiwis and a small herd of

deer. Golfers love the feeling at Wairakei of

owning the fairways; it is relaxing to play

and very playable for all levels of golfers

thanks to its large greens and very true roll.

8MILLBROOKMillbrook is an internationallyacclaimed golf resort and this is reflected

in the quality of the 27-hole course and

facilities on offer. Located just outside of

Arrowtown and a 20-minute drive from

Queenstown, the resort is set in a natural

alpine amphitheatre against the backdrop

of The Remarkables mountain range. The

Remarkable and Coronet nines make up

the championship 18-hole layout while

the Arrow nine is also an enjoyable test of

golf. The course weaves around the resort,lakes and schist rock encompassing some

magnificent views. Millbrook will again

be on the world stage in 2017 after being

announced as the home of the NZ Open.

7PARAPARAUMU BEACHGOLF CLUB

One of the great and often underrated

links courses of the Southern Hemisphere

is the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Course,

which has hosted 12 New Zealand Opens.

Located an hours drive north of Wellington

on the Kapiti Coast, where the climate

is golf-friendly, sits a challenging layout

that threads its way through magnificent

links land with a handful of holes that are

regarded as some of the finest in the country.Paraparaumu is undulating which

makes bounce and roll a key character of

its identity. Some of the biggest names in

the sport have graced these fairways with

five-time British Open champion Peter

Thomson saying, "I loved it instantly. We

had nothing like it in Australia.

6THE HILLSLocated in Arrowtown, only 20 minutesfrom Queenstown, The Hills has been the

home of the past three New Zealand Opens

for good reason. The course was laid out

across a glacial valley and this is showcased

by the dramatic elevation changes and rocky

schist outcrops that are a feature of the area.

Elevated tees make for exciting shots but also

allow the golfer to take in the panoramic viewsaround them some of the most colourful

anywhere in the world. Incorporating clever

waste areas planted with native tussocks, the

greens here are relatively accommodating to

incoming shots. The Hills is a truly memorable

experience with its state-of-the-art clubhouse

even winning the Supreme Award for

Architecture. If youre lucky enough to get a

game, keep an eye out for the many artistic

sculptures that occupy the layout, including

The Wolves on the 18th.

THE JUDGING PANEL

For their part, we thank the

following judges for the

2016 rankings:

Phil Aicken

Leo Barber

Barry Brown

Susan Farron

Simon Forshaw

Michael Goldstein

Doug Holloway

Denise Langdon

Murray Macklin

Dave Mangan

Nigel Merrett

Grant Moorhead

Craig Palmer

Alan Rose

Dominic SainsburyJohn Sanders

Duncan Simpson

Geoff Smart

John Spraggs

Fraser Wilkin

Evin Priest

Brad Clifton

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KEY RED= NORTH ISLAND BLUE= SOUTH ISLANDPhotograph by Gary Lisbon

Walk in the footsteps of major champions Lydia Ko,Jason Day and Bubba Watson.

Enjoy our award winning course and hospitality as a daymember or an overnight guest at Peppers Clearwater Resort

Just 12 minutes from Christchurch International Airportwith direct connections to Australia.

We can also arrange preferential bookings at otherlocal courses!

Overnight Packages including golf and share twinresort accommodation from NZ$200 per person.Free Airport transfers available.

G O L F C L U B

Contact: Clearwater Member Services Team on +64 3 360 2146or Australian toll free 1800 460 832 or email [email protected].

www.clearwatergolf.co.nz

Oceanias

Best Golf Course


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5KINLOCHJack Nicklaus much-anticipated

signature Kinloch course opened in 2007

and has been a big hit with golfers ever

since. Located just 20 minutes from Taupo,

it is a very testing inland links course that

flows over rolling countryside with fescue

and heather grasses. To really enjoy this

championship course you must select the

right tees to play from and drive well. Having

a good short game will help you navigate

the sloping greens, too. The front nine offers

a good mix of short and long holes but its

standing on the par-4 10th where reality hits

you are presented with an amazing vista

overlooking the back nine and Lake Taupo.

The risk/reward nature of the golf course

and the character of the land left a huge

impression on our judges, a couple of whom

rate it New Zealands best.

4 KAURI CLIFFSEverything about Kauri Cliffs 30minutes north of Kerikeri is simply

outstanding. The course is rated in the

worlds Top 100 and deservedly so. With

only a maximum of 24 golfers gracing its

fairways on any given day its easy to believe

youre the only person enjoying the privilege.

The opening three holes warm you up nicely

before the real challenge begins. The back

nine showcases four inland holes that wind

through marsh, forest and farmland before

you hit the homeward stretch across the

top of the bay and back up to the clubhouse.

The 17th, a par-4 dogleg-left, is regarded as

one of the best holes in New Zealand. And

the view from the clubhouse balcony is

arguably the most majestic in world golf.

3CAPE KIDNAPPERSCape Kidnappers is perched highabove the cliffs at the southern tip of the

Hawkes Bay, looking out across the Pacific

Ocean. Like Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers

is spread out over 6,000 acres of rolling

farmland and native bush and has drawn

international fanfare since it opened in

2004. Designed by Tom Doak, it also ranks

in the worlds Top 100 golf courses and is

an absolute showstopper to play. The layout

itself is a stern challenge and flows nicely,

leaving you in awe of the surroundings

while offering two distinct nines. The

closing nine is a big hit with visitors and

plays along a ridge and valley out towards

Cape Kidnappers. The par-5 15th is the

hero, rated by Aussie star Adam Scott as his

favourite hole anywhere in the world. In

truth, its one of 18 holes that will have you

coming back for more, too.

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All visitors weEmail: golf@jacks

Queenstown is New Zealands #1 golf des

and home of the NZ open and Jacks Point Ch


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2JACKS POINTJacks Point is located on theeastern side of Lake Wakitapu, a

20-minute drive from Queenstown and

just five minutes from Queenstown

airport. The golf course is located

between the lake and The Remarkables

mountain range, so everywhere you

look youll see amazing scenery. The

course, laid out on land that needed

minimal modifications, boasts

dramatic rocky outcrops, tussock areas,

wetlands and native vegetation that

blend effortlessly throughout all 18

holes. The heritage stone walls herald

back to the last century when the

land was a majestic high country farm.

Breathtaking tee shots and challenging

approaches are the norm here and the

stretch of holes along the lake (5-8)

provide stunning photo opportunities.

Still a favourite with our judges and

unlucky not to take top spot this year.


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1TARA ITIThink of the great courses around the world and what makes t

special. This course will tick all those boxes and more! Locate

over an hour north of Auckland on the east coast, this ultra-pr

layout opened its full 18 holes in October 2015 and for most g

purists it went straight to No.1 in New Zealand. Designed by T

Doak, the visionary behind Cape Kidnappers, Tara Iti was bu

what had been a pine-covered Sahara by the sea. After remov

of trees Doaks team spent more than two years gently contou

the sandy soil, forming hummocks, punchbowls and sand du

look like they were formed by wind and vegetated by nature. W

fescue fairways, no rough but waste areas, and the fact that th

no formed bunkers on the entire course, it can be a challenge

With no golf carts or cart paths every golfer must take a cadd

to everything they says and youll see why this could be the be

course to open on the planet this decade.

Photograph by Joann Dost


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POVERTY BAY GOLF CLUBThe links-style Poverty Bay Golf Golf

Course, Gisborne, is highly regarded by

golfers throughout New Zealand and has

hosted many top amateur competitions

over its 123 years. The course features

undulating fairways and large, cleverlybunkered greens that are a pleasurable

challenge for golfers of all levels. The

course drains well through its sandy soils,

making it very playable all year.

WANAKA GOLF COURSEThe most striking aspect of this course is

the scenery. From its position high on the

hill, the views across the town and lake to

the majesty of the Mount Aspiring National

Park are some of the best on any golf

course anywhere in the world. But thats

not to downplay the course itself. The two

nines are very different; the front is full of

undulations with greens artfully perched

and nestled amongst the rolling terrain.

The back is flatter and considerably longer,

falling under the shadow of Mount Iron.

THE LAKES RESORTLocated on the Coromandel Peninsula,

the Lakes Resort Golf Course is nestled in

a unique valley setting and meanders its

way through picturesque natural native

wetlands and lakes. This unique course

blends wonderfully with the surrounding

ecology providing a truly remarkable

golfing experience. The resort design

allows golfers of all abilities to enjoy it but

there are some challenging water hazards.

WAITANGI GOLF CLUBLocated a short five-minute drive from

Paihia in the Bay of Islands, Waitangi Golf

Club provides an exciting, ever-changing

challenge to the golfer, but also offers the

most panoramic sea and island views.

Incredible views are complementedby well-groomed greens and fairways

surrounded by areas of flowering native

trees, which provide sanctuary for many

varieties of native birds.

RANGATIRA GOLF CLUBA unique country course that is

located just north of Hunterville on

State Highway One, halfway between

Wellington and Taupo. This course is on

three levels with outstanding views of

the Rangitikei River. Interestingly, there

are no bunkers here but the course is

still challenging, with the first six holes

at road level, the second six on a plateau

halfway down and the bottom six at river

level. On completing your round you

take the cable car ride back up to the

clubhouse. Now thats a truly memorable

country golf experience.

ST CLAIR GOLF CLUBSt Clair Golf Club in Dunedin is a

parkland golf course that sits 200 metres

above sea level overlooking the ocean,

beaches and South Dunedin. Large pine

trees grace the lush, green fairways that

give you defined golf holes. Back in the

1970s, St Clair hosted a series of golf

tournaments that featured some of the

games greats including Seve Ballesteros

and Johnny Miller.

TAUPO GOLF CLUB(CENTENNIAL)Most locals play at the Taupo Golf Club

located five minutes from town and

why not given its 36-hole set-up with

the Centennial and Tauhara courses.

Centennial is a parkland course featuring

more than 40 bunkers but as it sits on

volcano ground it plays hard and fast like

an inland links course with fescue rough.

It has some challenging holes but none

better than the long par-3 18th over a

gully to finish.

TE PUKE GOLF CLUBThe town of Te Puke is located just

15 minutes down the road from Mt

Maunganui and is known as the kiwifruit

capital of the world. The golf course itself

is located five minutes outside of town

just past Kiwi 360. Nearly all of the fruitis grown in this part of the country. The

golf course is undulated but an easy walk

and boasts a unique quirk in that the first,

ninth, 10th and 18th holes are all par 5s.

ROTORUA GOLF CLUBRotorua is known for its boiling mud p ools

and thermal activity and just five minutes

from the centre of town l ays Rotorua Golf

Club. This is not only a great members golf

course but it also allows you to get close to

some of the thermal activity while you enjoy

your round. There are a number of bubbling

mud pools and steam vents to the left of the

ninth green and a strange sulphur mound

to the right of the green. Look out for

geothermal craters that make this one of the

most unique courses you will eve r play.

PLAY THE TOP 40 IN STYLELittle things matter when it comes to

travelling, and dealing with a ground-based

tour agent means you get local information

first hand. Somebody on the other end of

the phone that you can trust to get things

done when youre trying to organise a party

of people and ensure you get to see the best

of what NZ has to offer, whether its golf

courses, restaurants or sightseeing.

Remarkable Golf Tours was established

in Queenstown in 2007 to provide a range

of golf services for visitors to New Zealand

and have arranged tours for thousands

of golfers from all corners of the globe.

Starting with one vehicle for running

daily transfers between local hotels and

golf courses, RGT have expanded their

vehicle fleet to cater to a range of group

sizes, from couples to large touring parties.

Regardless of party size, the service

remains focussed on the finer details of

planning that ensure a seamless golf trip.

However large or small your group

is, take the opportunity to contact

Remarkable Golf Tours to see what they

can offer you.

Web: remarkablegolftours.co.nz/

Phone (toll free): 1300 528 165

OTHER COURSES

Includes joining feeand yearly subs until 31 Mar

Further incentives may applycouples and groups of four pla

joining together on reque2016/17 Membership Special

Spectacular links style co

with ocean vistas from 18

Only 20 minutes from Sydne

$80 for two players includingMonday to Thursday

until 30 September 20

The Coast Golf and Recreation C1 Coast Hospital Road, Little Bay N

PH 02 9311 7422 FX 02 9311 4

www.coastgolf.com.a

or simply visit us for a socia

nz top 40 australian golf digest - july 16

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