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Zeal as in Zealand
Golfers finding New Zealand to be world's hottest new destination
By Josh Kerns, PNGA Media
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| Kauri Cliffs |
We had come halfway around the world to play Kauri Cliffs, New Zealand's
most famous golf course, and we were dead set on playing 36 holes.
"You better plan for a five-hour round," replied the assistant pro
behind the counter.
He didn't seem to understand. We were golf writers, single-digit
handicappers on a mission. And there was no one else in sight. But that
didn't seem to sway him. "Trust me," he smiled. "Once you get out there,
you'll understand."
He was right. All it took was one look at the rolling hills, seaside
cliffs and sweeping islands shimmering in the pristine ocean below to
understand New Zealand is truly unlike anywhere else in the world.
But it isn't just the spectacular scenery that makes Kauri Cliffs
(www.kauricliffs.com) special. Relatively unknown architect David Harman
created a masterpiece that matches the surroundings of the dramatic Bay of
Islands region in New Zealand's far north, taking full advantage of the
dramatic elevation changes, sweeping hillsides and surrounding streams and
other natural features to create an exceptional golf experience.
And after staring in awe and taking dozens of pictures on nearly every
hole for nearly five hours, we understood why the 4-year-old course debut at
No. 49 in Golf Digest's most recent world rankings.
From Kauri Cliffs to "The Lord of the Rings," New Zealand has been
getting a lot of attention lately, and for good reason. An easy 12-hour
flight from San Francisco or Los Angeles on Air New Zealand (www.airnz.com),
whose comfort, service and quality rival any luxury airline, it's the new
vacation hot spot. It boasts some of the best golf, along with spectacular
scenery popularized by the movie, exceptional cuisine, a burgeoning wine
industry, unique "boutique" lodging and plenty of outdoor activities.
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| Cape Kidnappers |
New Zealand's west coast features seaside cliffs, not to mention
architect Tom Doak's latest design masterpiece. Cape Kidnappers
(www.capekidnappers.com) is as dramatic as its name. It's a former
5,000-acre sheep ranch perched precariously several hundred feet high on
fingers of land surrounded by jagged cliffs and crevasses leading to the
Pacific.
On possibly the most amazing piece of land on earth, the Pacific Dunes
creator has crafted a new classic that feels as if it evolved naturally over
hundreds of years. Cape Kidnappers flows out along outstretched cliffs,
moving teasingly farther into the ocean. It builds to a crescendo at the
par-5 16th hole, its tee box perched on a ledge where one false step (or
slice) separates you from the end of the earth.
Opened earlier this year, Cape Kidnappers has yet to be ranked by any
U.S. magazines. But it is undoubtedly a strong contender for best new golf
course in the world. Even better, its relative anonymity guarantees you'll
have the golf course seemingly to yourself. In a few years, it'll likely be
as busy as Bandon Dunes.
New Zealand has less than 4 million people (and ten times as many
sheep), but plenty of passion for golf, with more courses per capita than
anywhere in the world. Among the best is Wairakei International
(www.WairakeiInternational.nzgolf.net), a brilliant and beautiful parkland
layout carved through high mountain forests reminiscent of the Canadian
Rockies.
Just up the road from the geothermal and fly-fishing mountain mecca Lake
Taupo, Wairakei's classic layout was voted among the world's best.
Golf resorts are a relatively new concept in New Zealand, but the Kiwis
clearly know what they're doing. The pioneer is Millbrook Resort
(www.millbrook.co.nz), a magnificent four-star golf and spa resort built
around a 100-year-old flour mill near Queenstown. Designed by British Open
winner and New Zealand native Bob Charles, Millbrook's golf course is a
rollicking test of golf with numerous memorable holes and water features set
amidst the splendor of a high-mountain amphitheater.
Other exceptional resorts whose offerings and service rival any
worldwide include Terrace Downs (www.terracedowns.co.nz), a high-mountain
golf and ski development at the base of the Southern Alps outside
Christchurch, the charming Victorian city considered more English than
England, and the ultra-contemporary Clearwater Resort
(www.clearwater.net.nz) with its private harbor along the water in
Christchurch.
One mistake many first-time New Zealand visitors make is underestimating
the size of the country. It's is too big for a typical vacation trip.
"It's comparable to the U.S. West Coast," said Jillian Barrow of Down
Under Answers (www.duatravel.com), a Bellevue, Wash.-based South Pacific
travel specialist, "It's best to limit your itinerary to several regions."
Barrow recommends Hawke's Bay, Queenstown, Northland, Christchurch and
Auckland.
With its location south of the equator, the seasons in New Zealand are
exactly opposite those in the U.S. Although mild year round (with a climate
similar to Washington State), you'll get the best weather and longest days
from December through April.
But given all that New Zealand has to offer, any time is a great time to
discover the world's next great golf destination.
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