One of my favourite golf courses is Jack’s Point in the alpine wonderland near Queenstown on the South Island. “Tremendous course,” agrees Steve Williams, Tiger Wood’s long term caddy in an interview with the Southland Press. Having walked some of the greatest courses in the world, this is awesome praise from Williams. And what an awesome setting!

In a recent review of the Jack’s Point website I couldn’t believe the prices…

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Excerpts from Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis: Golfing around New Zealand

Driving the high country Crown Range Road in Central Otago we soon find ourselves on what was once a Maori trail that later seemed to be paved in gold…Along the way we pass what, at first, looks like Tibetan prayer flags strung out on a wire fence alongside the road. A second look defies belief. Continue Reading »

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Harwarden Club Captain Tim Elms describes golfing at one of the South Island’s best and charming rural courses:

“I’ve been asked to give you a bit of information on our golf club – Hawarden Golf Club here in Hawarden, North Canterbury, New Zealand. We have a very nice and challenging 9-hole course in the sheep farming area of Canterbury.

“The club has a part-time green keeper and he only does about 20 hours a week.* The remainder of the work is done by club members. Continue Reading »

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New Zealand Women’s Open Golf Tournament at Clearwater Resort winner French golfer Gwladys Nocera takes home the NZ$150,000 purse. Focused and capable of coping with high winds that bombarded the course midway through the final round, she plans on returning next year to defend her title. Her 54-hole total score was 208.

The purse will be upped to $175,000 at the second annual Women’s New Zealand  Open. Decision to play again at Clearwater Resort is uncertain at this time.

Read all about it at www.press.co.nz – www.nzherald.co.nz and www.thecanadianpress.com – click on sports and dig a bit –  pictures, too.

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circa 1908

Long sought after, at last New Zealand Golf succeeds in staging the inaugural New Zealand Women’s Open Championship to be held on January 30th to February 1st at the beautiful Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch. The purse of $150,000 is made possible by the Women’s Golf New Zealand Fund which was established in 2005 during the Continue Reading »

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View from the 16th

The Terrace Downs Resort and Golf Club has developed a superb 18-hole, par 72 championship course on the banks of the Rakaia River Gorge at the foot of the Mount Hutt ski-field. It’s a member of Best of New Zealand Golf  Resorts where only the best in hospitality, luxurious accommodation and a finely manicured golf course qualifies for membership.

Terrace Downs pushes the limits of believability with a 6,440-metre-long course that incorporates 11 lakes and Continue Reading »

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Russley Golf Club has hosted many major tournaments over the years. Proudly several members have held their own against some of the world’s best golfers — Australia’s Peter Thomson and Ken Nagle, Kiwi Sir Bob Charles and Americans, Tom Watson and Corey Pavin to name just a few who’ve received a good challenge from the locals. General Manager, Rod Gordon shares some information about Russley’s early days from their anniversary book, Russley Golf Club, The First 75 years, 1928-2003. Continue Reading »

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