Look for excerpts from “Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis: Golfing around New Zealand” at www.wildwestcoastpublishing.com.

Thank you.

The move back to a traditional January date for the New Zealand Open has pleased New Zealand Golf organizers who believe the timing of the tournament at the end of the summer holidays will prove a boon for their flagship professional tournament.

The 2009 championship was staged in mid-March with players and fans faced with freezing conditions in the early stages of the tournament at Arrowtown. Kiwi golfing legend and Open participant, Sir Bob Charles said, “My hands are white and I have absolutely no feeling in them in these conditions so my expectations are rather low.” Thankfully the weather warmed up for the finals but the move back to mid-summer will be appreciated by both players and the gallery.

New Zealand Golf CEO, Bill MacGowan says, “It’s still in the school holiday period which will allow families to come and watch some of the best golfers in the world in action, and especially a chance for young players, who might aspire to be the next Danny Lee or David Smail, to come along and watch.”

Tickets will be on sale from August 31 via TicketDirect on 0800 4 Ticket or via their website on www.ticketdirect.co.nz. More information at www.nzopengolf.co.nz.

A mini gallery of my 2009 Open pictures follows:

Discover more about the joys and challenges of golfing New Zealand by reading my book, “Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis: Golfing Around New Zealand.” Mention my Blog and receive a discount!

Discover more about the setting in the Remarkables mountains and foothills for these Winter Games. Fletcher Living has created an amazing high-country haven at Jack’s Point on the shores of brilliant Lake Wakatipu. Twice I’ve visited and plan to return again and again to golf on the most amazing 18-hole championship course, and to be tempted into a staying longer than just a short-term holiday, in one of the beautiful, functional homes built by Fletcher Living.

Contact Kristi Howley at khowley@frl.co.nz and learn more about this outstanding residential development and about receiving the DVD that so beautifully reveals the wonderland that is Jack’s Point.

And discover more about Jack’s Point and how it got its name by reading about it my book, “Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis.”

Not only is your watch one of only 500 specially crafted for the Open but you likely had the opportunity, as I did, to meet one of the many attractive and charming salespersons at the Michael Hill Jeweller stores located around the world – Miss Prerna Shukla of Takapuna.

Now about the New Zealand Open golf tournament…

The 2009 Michael Hill New Zealand Open was held 12-15 March on New Zealand’s South Island in Arrowtown near the alpine resort town, Queenstown at The Hills – a great name that well describes the course’s hilly terrain in the shadow of The Remarkables mountain range and relates to that of the Title Sponsor: Michael Hill Watches.

The Hills

The fun began with special community activities and tours of interest for all including non-golfing folks visiting the region. The appropriately-named “Guilty Bar” was at one time the original court house in Queenstown. It was the official Michael Hill New Zealand Open bar where players, caddies, sponsors, media and visitors could mix and mingle, especially on Friday the 13th at the “Cut Party” for those players who did not make the cut. On Saturday night, the little town of Arrowtown held a Mardi Gras-style street party with the Arrowtown Festival Miners, Middle Earth and the Master Blasters bands raising the roof until, in the wee hours, Flame Fire Productions put on a spectacular fire show.

The games began, in many minds, with the announcement that Kiwi golfing legend Sir Bob Charles, the first left-hander to win a major golf tournament – the 1963 British Open, and four times the New Zealand Open champion, decided, although “retired,” to enter the game he loves rather than be a bystander.

Sir Bob Charles

Earlier in the week on the day of the Pro-Am round, the weather took a turn for the worse and although familiar with severe weather changes in New Zealand, Sir Bob said, “My hands are white and I have absolutely no feeling in them in these conditions so my expectations are rather low.”

But imagine the high on being selected as one of the amateurs to play along  with Charles and other professionals in the Pro-Am. Christchurch businessman, David Reid tells us his experience that day.

“After several weeks of anticipation, the big day arrived – the Pro-Am at The Hills! The day dawned very cloudy and very cold. Our tee time was originally 7:45 a.m. but one member of our four had flown down from Auckland on the same day so he had the tee time changed to the afternoon. A very wise move as it turned out for the morning players had far worse weather conditions than the afternoon players.

“All assembled for a team talk to be advised of the competition, to meet our Professional and find out the hole we would start the competition on. Our Pro was a wonderful guy from Florida by the name of Kevin Johnson.

Our starting hole was the 18th so we all loaded into our golf carts and off we went. I was lucky enough to share the cart with our Pro. It had snowed on The Remarkables the night before so it didn’t take very long before we were absolutely freezing.

“The 18th – what a hole! – a 450-metre par 4 split dogleg right from an elevated tee block looking down to the green and the Clubhouse. Unfortunately we didn’t start all that well. We bogied the hole. But fortunately our round improved. We carried on over the next few holes level with the card and were lucky enough to have a couple of birdies thanks to our Pro.

“The most memorable holes for me are the 18th (our first hole); the 4th – a very long par 3 (rewarding a good shot and severely penalizing a bad one); the 10th – a great little 149-metre par 3 (again a hole that is laid out so well it’s all risk and reward); and the 15th. This hole has a great elevated tee block from where you get a wonderful view of a large part of the course. A very short, 301-metre par 4. A number of the Pros drove the green and one Pro holed in one!

“My overall impression of The Hills golf course: It’s magnificent with extremely well laid out hole locations throughout this undulating hill country. I’d love to play it again, knowing what I now know, and I’m sure the more you play this course, the more one would enjoy it. Our Pro, Kevin Johnson made the cut and finished with a creditable score of -9 overall.”

And what a great finishing round Kevin had: a 66!

The sun shone brightly on the final day, the gallery had a fine time (especially on #15, the Party Hole) while the players intently focused on making the most of their last round. We followed a crowd-pleasing Aussie favourite, Craig Parry – knick-named “Popeye” for his exceptionally well-developed forearms!

Craig Parry on the 17th

As the crowds gathered around the 18th green, the Leader Board confirmed the winners: Alex Prugh with a -19; Martin Piller with -16; and Jim Herman with -14.  Six players, including Craig Parry, tied for 4th place.

We’d heard it would be quite a finale and so it was. All heads turned as the stirring sounds of a Scottish pipe band filled the air. As they marched up the 18th fairway, the excitement began to build. Then with a tremendous, thundering roar, three black helicopters zoomed down over the 18th flying low over the crowds with one landing to bring the Guest of Honour, Sir Bob Charles. Like a youngster, he hopped down and strode up to the podium joining the group gathered for the award presentations. At the appropriate time he placed upon the shoulders of the Open Winner, Alex Prugh of the United States, the meaningful and intricately-woven Mauri feathered cape in recognition of Prugh’s great achievement.

Alex Prugh - USA

After heart-warming speeches that honoured the community and the many volunteers, the 2009 Michael Hill New Zealand Open concluded with fireworks and the thunder of canon shot from the roof of the Clubhouse. I guess we all had a good time. Not really… I’m sure we all had a terrific time!

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My thanks to the New Zealand Open Golf for the photographs of Sir Bob Charles and Alex Prugh.

Special thanks to David Reid for sharing his experience playing in the Michael Hill New Zealand Open Pro-Am. Dave is Manager of Copyland Digital Print, Christchurch and with his great production and design team, printed the updated issue of my book:  “Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis: Golfing Around New Zealand” – now available locally by emailing either lizclark@rockisland.com or info@wildwestcoastpublishing.com.

Maungatautari

Of all the mountains in the world, New Zealand’s Maungatautari is unique. At one time its forested slopes and pristine bush streams nurtured a wide variety of invertebrates and indigenous birds, many flightless, like the iconic and vulnerable kiwi bird, but today, a 47-kilometre-long fence encloses what remains of a once-wonderous living and breathing ecosystem. Why a fence? What’s it all about?

During a recent trip to New Zealand’s North Island, my husband and I visited the extinct volcanic mountain: Maungatautari. Located two hours southeast of Auckland or a short drive south of Cambridge, we asked our hosts at the “Out in the Styx” B&B that very question. ”Why a fence around a mountain top?” Hosts Lance and Mary Hodgson provided some background.

Over time it became clear that the ravages of introduced mammals: rabbits, rats, stoats, possums, goats, deer, pig, domestic dogs, cats and even farm livestock, had threatened, to near extinction, Maungatautari’s wildlife by severely damaging its ecosystem and killing the offspring of many vulnerable species.

Dr. Tim Day, General Manager of Xcluder Pest Proof Fencing, shared this amazing story that led to the establishment of the Mangatautari Ecological Island Trust. Could a fence work wonders by protecting some 3,400 hectares of convoluted terrain?

“People were becoming increasingly disheartened with the never-ending task of trying to control or remove pest animals with traps or baits. A longer term solution was required…Originally designed for just one landowner, the Wallaces, it soon became clear there was a far-reaching desire amongst others to give effective fencing a go. It’s been fantastic, for me as an animal behaviour scientist, to see a project aimed at understanding the behaviour of pest animals turn into a practical tool that works in the real world and is making a difference. Now a few years on from those initial research beginnings, many of the more than twenty fences we’ve built are safe havens for threatened birds, plants, lizards and fish. It’s rewarding stuff!…”

No ordinary fence to install, the one around Maungatautari was a mammoth job. Covering a distance of 47 kilometres, the fence crossed 42 waterways, used 50,000 batons, 8,500 posts, 240 km of wire and 100,000 square metres of stainless steel mesh. Not one gap in it is larger than 6 mm for anything larger would allow juvenile mice to get through. The electronic surveillance system quickly notifies staff if there are any problems like a tree falling on the fence, and the entire enclosure is inspected regularly by a group of trained and enthusiastic volunteers.

As Dr. Day said, “The Maungatautari Ecological Island is by far the largest and most ambitious of pest-proof fenced sanctuaries around the country and one can’t help but admire the tireless efforts of the countless volunteers who make the project tick. The Xcluder Pest Proof Fencing company has given Maungatautari a tool to assist them, but it is the passion and commitment of those involved that are ensuring the biological gains!”

On the day of our visit to Maungatautari we were fortunate to meet docent, Marilyn Mackinder. My husband entered the Reserve though a security gate and walked up the well-maintained path to the join other visitors at an aviary. As I rode with Marilyn on her ATV alongside this impressive fence, she pointed out unique design elements that would deter small mammals.

“We’re very much aware of the damage that could be done if one small mouse gained entry or was dropped into the Reserve from, say, the talons of an owl. Fortunately though, over the past several months we’ve not spotted signs of a single mouse.”

At the large aviary, we were introduced to her special charges on loan from the Auckland Zoo: a breeding pair of endangered kaka (kakapo parrots). Occasionally their two fledglings would flop about in valiant attempts to strengthen their wings. Soon they’d be strong enough to fly in freedom throughout the forest with their older siblings.

Upon hearing Marilyn’s approach, the extended family of kaka birds began to make their presence known by chattering in a typical parrot-like manner. As they flew closer, four beautiful kakas peeked at us through the trees. Advancing cautiously, they waited for Marilyn to place a few peanut treats and a bit of watered-down honey in the feeding station — a grand opportunity for us to observe their behaviour before they flew off again into the forest.

To enjoy the Reserve from a bird’s perspective, we climbed the nearby 16-metre-high viewing tower. Within seconds we’re treated to the bell-like tone of a bird’s song. Through filtered sunlight we caught a glimpse of a small bird, a bellbird’s fledgling, wobbling uncertainly on a branch while being fed a berry from a native bush. Too soon, a  breeze through the canopy hides this intimate experience.

Restoration, maintenance and re-introduction of threatened species like the kiwi bird and many others is well underway. Important too, is the opportunity to provide a meaningful educational facility for school groups, visitors and researchers.

Just over ten years ago a grassroots impetus began with individual contributions and committed volunteers. Then, with international Corporations, Trusts and several New Zealand government departments actively supporting the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust, their conservation objectives began to flourish.

As visitors we wondered how to contribute to this special endeavour. All our questions were answered on the Trust’s website: www.maungatrust.org. As their motto states: SHARE THE DREAM. We did!

N.B.–The Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust is registered as a Charitable Organization in the U.S.A. under Section 501(c)(3).

Our thanks to Dr. Tim Day, John Scott, Marilyn Mackinder, our hosts at the “Out in the Styx” B&B, and to Mark and Gaylene Eyre: view “Golfing with a Waikato Girl” on my Blog for more information on Maungatautari and other treasures in the Waikato area.

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Photo credits: kiwi chick contributed by Nature Photographer, Phil Brown; kaka photo by Geoff Lemon; mountain-top map courtesy the Maungatautari Trust; Maungatautari in morning mist and the fence view by the Blog’s author, Liz Clark.