Great Escapes

OUT AND ABOUT

Some of the greatest golf courses in the country are to be found far from the maddening crowds of the main centres – and Air Chathams will get you there. From Ōhope Beach and Whakatāne, to Paraparaumu and Whanganui, we look at four fantastic golfing great escapes.

We don’t know how lucky we are. Sun-drenched links courses nestled between ocean and harbour, or meandering through coastal dunes, with fresh sea air and blue skies and bird song the only distraction. These are the kinds of golfing experiences that only New Zealand can offer and that visitors to our shores wax lyrical about. And yet many Kiwis hardly know they exist. Outside of the main centres, far from the traffic and congestion, there are some world-class courses in fantastic settings that provide not only great golf, but the perfect excuse to get out of the city for a long weekend. And so, in no particular order, here are some great golfing escapes to be found right on your doorstep.

Ōhope International Golf Club

This course is uniquely situated on a long finger of land straddled by the ocean on one side and the Ōhiwa harbour on the other. This makes for stunning views and the great links course makes for great golf.

Ōhope International Golf Club

James Stanbridge Courtesy of: Whakātane District Council

The course began as a labour of love by 30-40 members back in the 1970s; this dedicated band cleared the dunes of scrub by hand or with whatever machinery they could beg, steal or borrow. It officially opened in 1975 with nine very rough holes and a membership of just 68 people, but it has now grown into a world-class course of 18 holes that has hosted the New Zealand Seniors tournament. Great clubrooms with decks looking out over the course complete the picture, and of course there is always a relaxing walk on Ōhope Beach to soothe your nerves if your game doesn’t go according to plan.

Whakatāne Golf Club

Like its sister over the hill in Ōhope, Whakatāne Golf Club has some spectacular fairways and you can really stretch your legs on this par 70, 6009 metre course.

The greens are beautifully prepared, with some testing sand bunkers to keep you on your toes, and the mature trees throughout the course give it a great timeless feel with not a high-rise apartment or ugly pylon in site.

There are practice nets and a large putting green for fine tuning your game in private, a lounge bar and restaurant with great food prepared in the onsite kitchens, and this course is just up the road from the airport so it really is a great choice for a flying visit. The club has hosted national tournaments, and has a busy social schedule, so check their website to see what’s on the horizon.

Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club

Locals have long known that this course is a winner, and now the world seems to be catching on, with many considering it to be one of the best in the southern hemisphere. Far from an exclusive rural retreat, this course is in the heart of its community and has a warm welcoming feel that has hosted some of the game’s greats, including Bob Charles, Michael Campbell and Tiger Woods.

Being designed in 1949 by Alex Russell, an ex-Open Champion of Australia, probably has something to do with its popularity. Russell designed some of Melbourne’s most famous courses and the result in Paraparaumu is a traditional links course that proves a course doesn’t have to be overly long to be a challenge. It’s played host to 12 New Zealand Opens, but you don’t have to be a top-ranked player to appreciate the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club - or to enjoy a ‘sundowner’ beer or wine on the verandah of the clubhouse that overlooks the 18th green.

Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club

Wanganui Golf Club

Also known as the Belmont Links, this course has hosted many national and international events including seven New Zealand Opens. At 125 years young this year it is one of New Zealand’s oldest courses and features two distinctly differing nine holes of undulating fairways and a flatter, almost links-like back nine. Belmont is renowned for the quality of its greens, as well as the great views it offers of the Tasman Sea, but golfers are warned to bring their whole game with them if the westerly starts to blow.

The clubhouse has been completely rebuilt after a devastating fire several years ago and now offers great views and facilities, and there are practice putting greens, a practice fairway and even a practice chipping green complete with bunker, so in addition to full games you can get in some detail training on the side.