Apr 27 2010
Posted by lizclark under Uncategorized
Please visit me now at www.peopleandplacesblog.com for New Zealand golf and touring news.
Look for excerpts from “Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis: Golfing around New Zealand” at www.wildwestcoastpublishing.com.
Thank you.
Dec 07 2009
Posted by lizclark under North Island Golf Courses, Northland
Having brought to fruition several award-winning wines from New Zealand’s northernmost vineyard and winery, Vintner Ben Dugdale shares some hilarious insights into preparing for the big holiday rush and I quote: Continue Reading »
Nov 07 2009
Posted by lizclark under Golfing News, The First Tee of New Zealand
With beginnings in the United States and in New Zealand since 2006, the First Tee New Zealand mandate is: “To impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and education programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.” – Exciting and worthwhile objectives. Continue Reading »
Oct 16 2009
Posted by lizclark under Jack's Point Golf Club, South Island, South Island Golf Courses
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…
Oct 05 2009
Posted by lizclark under South Island
Extract from Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis: Golfing Around New Zealand
Only ninety minutes north of Christchurch…the Hanmer Springs alpine spa village is almost totally encircled by forest, foothills and mountains of the Southern Alps. Although the nearby Waiau Gorge is a great place to bungy-jump, a visit to the Hanmer Springs Golf Club is a better bet for our longevity… Continue Reading »
Sep 30 2009
Posted by lizclark under North Island
Extracts from Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis: Golfing Around New Zealand
…North from Wellington off Highway 1 is Paraparaumu Beach
The Paraparaumu Golf Club course…though rather short…has punishing roughs, fast greens and fearsome bunkers…Just pray for a calm day as forceful coastal winds off the Tasman Sea give Paraparaumu “big teeth” to gobble up any hope of a good score.
The history of its development is unique… Continue Reading »
Sep 20 2009
Posted by lizclark under South Island
Excerpts from Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis: Golfing around New Zealand
New Zealand’s South Island is noted for a superb eco-tourism area — the Catlins. A 60,000 hectare place of awesome natural beauty, ranging from deserted beaches, dense forests, deep valleys, spectacular waterfalls and great walking tracks. There’s always a chance to view myriad native birds, sea elephants, leopard seals, sealions, New Zealand fur seals, Hector’s dolphins and our favourite – penguins… Continue Reading »
Sep 12 2009
Posted by lizclark under South Island
Extracts from Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis: Golfing Around New Zealand
As often happens during an unplanned road trip, we stop at the first accommodation sign we see when we’re ready to call it quits. At Murchison we lay claim to the last available cottage…closely beating out another couple caught in the competition for limited accommodation but perhaps they were the lucky ones… Continue Reading »
Sep 12 2009
Posted by lizclark under Bay of Plenty, North Island Golf Courses
Excerpts from Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis: Golfing around New Zealand
…Play a different course almost every day of a two-week vacation on the Coromandel Peninsula and still have plenty of time to swim, stroll long stretches of soft sand beach and visit the many small towns that dot the 72-kilometre coastal circuit then head south to Rotorua’s really, really hot spots! Continue Reading »
Sep 11 2009
Posted by lizclark under North Island Golf Courses, Northland
Extracts from Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis: Golfing Around New Zealand
What could possibly go wrong? It’s a perfect mid-October spring morning in New Zealand with the sun beaming down from a cloudless sky. Heading north from the Auckland airport with golf clubs safely stowed in “Silver,” our Toyota hatchback rental, Geoff and I are all set to play a round of golf before day’s end. No problem. Continue Reading »
Aug 06 2009
Posted by lizclark under Uncategorized
January 28th to the 31st are the 2010 dates for the 92nd New Zealand Open. What a superb location on the South Island near Queenstown with the Remarkables mountain range forming a backdrop, and played on The Hills, Jeweller Michael Hill’s private course. Offering US$600,000 in prize money, Continue Reading »
Jul 02 2009
Posted by lizclark under Uncategorized
Does anyone else have a commemorative watch celebrating the 2009 Michael Hill New Zealand Open?
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…
Feb 03 2009
Posted by lizclark under Harwarden Golf Club, South Island Golf Courses
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 »
Feb 01 2009
Posted by lizclark under Clearwater Golf Club, Golfing News, New Zealand Women's Open Golf Championship, South Island Golf Courses
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.
Dec 27 2008
Posted by lizclark under Christchurch, Clearwater Golf Club, Golfing News, New Zealand Women's Open Golf Championship, South Island Golf Courses
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 »
Dec 22 2008
Posted by lizclark under South Island Golf Courses
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 »
Dec 03 2008
Posted by lizclark under Christchurch, Russley Golf Club, South Island Golf Courses
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 »
Nov 05 2008
Posted by lizclark under Bay of Plenty, North Island Golf Courses
The Rogue
Wairakei International Golf Course is the favourite of many golfers around the world. I asked New Zealand Golf Guide Publisher, Richard Frankland why Wairakei is special to him: ”I confess I’m not sure I can tell you why. I’ve only managed to play there a few times, and not very well, but the overall experience seemed very special. Although the weather wasn’t great the first time I played, my overseas client really enjoyed the experience. The next time I played with my wife, Terri. We shared our round with so few other people Continue Reading »
Sep 08 2008
Posted by lizclark under Cambridge Golf Club, Matamata Golf Club, Ngahinepouri Golf Club, North Island Golf Courses, Pirongia Golf Club, Raglan Golf Club, Waikato Courses, Walton Golf Club
Gaylene Eyre
By Gaylene Eyre – Kiwi High Performance Sports Trainer and Partner in Golfing Boot Camps, www.marniemcguiregolf.com
Cambridge is well known in New Zealand as being the Town of Trees and Champions. We boast a “star-studded” street full of champions. Duke Street in the central business district plays host to a Walk Of Fame featuring 25 athletes who have Continue Reading »
Aug 27 2008
Posted by lizclark under North Island Golf Courses, Northland
by Liz Clark, Author of “Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis: Golfing Around New Zealand”
Fairway view - Great Exhibition Bay to North Cape
Meandering through a magnificent 100-acre seaside layout in sub-tropical Northland, Carrington Club New Zealand’s most-northerly Golf Club Resort is proud to be a member of “The New Zealand Golf Tourism Cluster” – one of the country’s premier golf course resorts. Continue Reading »
