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 13 2009
Posted by lizclark under South Island
Excerpts from Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis: Golfing around New Zealand
Hopeful of a pleasant afternoon, we purchase tickets in Christchurch to ride the Tranz-Alpine Express through the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps for an afternoon at Greymouth on the West Coast. A local old-timer at the station tells us the train is a bit of a bone-rattler and he’s not far from wrong. After some jolts and bumps, the train sets out across those pastoral Plains and gradually climbs up into the majestic mountains.
Suddenly the train violently lurches… Continue Reading »
Sep 13 2009
Posted by lizclark under South Island, South Island Golf Courses
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 »
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 »
Aug 06 2009
Posted by lizclark under Uncategorized
A FREE EVENT – August 22 – 30, 2009
The biggest winter sports event outside the Winter Olympics, will feature over 800 of the world’s top athletes competing in 26 snow sports including: ski racing, curling, snowboarding and skating. Plenty of off-snow activities in Queenstown and nearby Wanaka. Check out the website: www.wintergamesnz.com
Discover more 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…
Apr 12 2009
Posted by lizclark under Uncategorized
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? Continue Reading »
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 »
