THE CUT GOLF Summer 2026 by Hpub

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WELCOME

For this summer issue we have some fabulous content options - I love both cruising and golf so it has been a real joy to create our summer issues with comprehensive sections on World Cruises plus New Zealand and International golf coverage. For me the perfect holiday would combine a cruise followed by a golf experience in an exotic location. Trust me, it is possible to create such a combination.

Check out our Cruise section. Of all the ways to go on holiday, to my mind cruising beats them all. For one thing it’s stress free; once you’ve stepped aboard it’s an effortless way to enjoy your vacation. You unpack just once and your hotel-on-the-sea has everything you would expect from a luxury resort. For first time cruisers check out our ‘Ten of the Best’ cruise options, I would love to do all 10.

Golf on the other hand is far from stress free – I started playing the game at just 6 years old and have been hooked ever since.

But nowadays I have mastered stress free golf – I just love watching the world’s biggest events on TV – the Masters is my all time favourite.

Which brings me to Brendan Telfer’s in-depth interview with master caddie Steve Williams. Steve, of course, has some great Tiger and Masters tales to share. For someone a little closer to home check out the Ian Baker-Finch Q&A extract from his book To Hell and Back, a top biography with a twist on one of the best-known names in golf.

Enjoy summer

PUBLISHER

Don Hope don@hopepublishing.co.nz

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Desmond Frith d.DESIGN www.ddesigns.co.nz

EDITORIAL

Patrick Smith

Joanne Frith

Tom Hyde

Jeni Bone

Tricia Welsh

Erica Cassidy

Cherryl Browne

Don Hope

Desmond Frith

Reece Witters

Brendan Telfer

Geoff Saunders

Brian Kendall

Mark Alexander

Tom Long

Steve Williams

Clive Weston

Joe O’Sullivan

Royce Rumsey

Brett Atkinson

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A PING G440 DRIVER & HOOFER GOLF BAG WIN

FOXY’S WHEELHOUSE

COACH MARCUS WHEELHOUSE’S FINGERPRINTS WERE ALL OVER RYAN FOX’S FINEST MOMENTS IN 2025, FROM THE CLUTCH MYRTLE BEACH CHIP-IN TO THE ICONIC THREE-WOOD THAT SEALED THE CANADIAN OPEN PLAYOFF. WORDS: REECE WITTERS.

Golf may look like an individual pursuit, but behind every player is a coach who helps turn potential into performance. For Ryan Fox, that figure is Marcus Wheelhouse, a man whose quiet craft has helped steer Foxy from local promise to PGA Tour winner.

Wheelhouse, born and bred in Auckland, has been Fox’s coach since 2014. A former touring pro himself, he has stayed steady through the grind of the DP World Tour, the disruption of covid, and now the leap onto America’s biggest stages. If you trace Fox’s greatest hits, from that chip-in dagger at Myrtle Beach to the soaring three-wood that clinched the Canadian Open playoff, Wheelhouse’s coaching DNA is right there.

From short-game strike drills in Dallas to a three-wood rehearsed on the Memorial range, Marcus Wheelhouse is content to sit in the background. But whenever Foxy strikes gold, decades of work show up when it matters most. There’s more to come from this duo, but for Wheelhouse the mission remains the same: stay curious, stay sharp, and keep guiding his players on golf’s biggest stages.

started working with Jamie Gough in Europe, and I’d still check in from here. Over Christmas last year, we had a chat and decided I’d go back on the road. That kicked off in March. Since then, I was with him about every four weeks – Dallas, the Scottish Open, the Open Championship, and so on. It’s been a full-on few months, but pretty rewarding.

WHEN YOU’RE NOT PHYSICALLY THERE, HOW DO YOU KEEP CONNECTED?

Technology helps, but it’s never quite the same. He’ll send me a swing video, but that’s just one swing. You can’t hear the strike or read the ball flight properly. You’re relying on his interpretation. In person, I can see, hear and feel the difference. I can also pick up on his emotions – that’s a huge part of coaching.

HOW DO YOU PLAN WHEN TO TRAVEL? IS IT ABOUT MAJORS, OR JUST SPACING IT OUT?

We sat down with him to unpack the year that was, the craft of coaching an elite talent and the road ahead.

YOU’VE BEEN COACHING RYAN FOX SINCE 2014. HOW HAS THIS YEAR FELT DIFFERENT FOR YOU?

This year has been a new era, if you want to call it that. I’d been travelling with Foxy up until covid, then couldn’t, for obvious reasons. He kept going,

It’s a bit of both, but this year was tricky. Some majors he got into late, like the US Open. Others we knew about, like the Open Championship. Ideally, you’d do your work away from tournaments so you can really dig into things, but this year we often had to do it on the fly. Next year will be different, now that we’ve got a full schedule locked in.

PLAYERS TALK A LOT ABOUT GOALS. HOW DO YOU SET YOURS, AS A COACH?

My main goal is always to improve my own knowledge, so I can give players the best possible information. I’m constantly learning; heading to Austria and the US later this year for personal

LEFT TO RIGHT: Caddie Dean Smith, Ryan Fox and Coach Marcus Wheelhouse.

courses. On the player's side, the goal is simple: get them into a position to win. The wins are their execution, but my responsibility is making sure they’ve got the tools.

THAT CHIP-IN AT MYRTLE BEACH WAS A SEASON HIGHLIGHT, HOW MUCH OF YOUR WORK TOGETHER FED INTO THAT?

When I first got back on the road in Dallas, I thought his short game wasn’t where it needed to be. Chipping was a big focus. We’d always worked on strike and contact, but this time it really clicked. That Myrtle Beach chip was a result of that work.

HOW MUCH OF YOUR ROLE IS TECHNICAL AND HOW MUCH IS MENTAL?

It’s a blend. Ryan has a mental coach he speaks to weekly, but every swing coach has to have input mentally as well. If you don’t trust what you’re doing technically, you can’t deliver it under pressure. Ryan’s very good in that regard, he externalises in big moments, focuses on the shot and doesn’t get bogged down in mechanics. That’s one of his best traits.

FOXY’S CANADIAN OPEN THREE-WOOD IS NOW ICONIC – WHAT DID YOU SEE IN THAT SWING?

It was a cracker. He’d been driving it well, and the flag change on that hole actually helped, because it set up for his fade. Technically, it was a great swing. Funnily enough, we’d worked on that exact high fade with the three-wood the week before at Memorial. So when he pulled it off, I wasn’t surprised; I knew he had it in the bag.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT’S RYAN’S MOST UNDERRATED STRENGTH?

His approach play is excellent, particularly 100 to 175 yards. Statistically, that stacks up, but people don’t talk about it enough. And his trouble shots – I honestly don’t think anyone is better at getting out of the crap. Trees, fairway bunkers, he’s phenomenal.

HE ALSO SEEMS TO BOUNCE BACK QUICKLY FROM SETBACKS. WHERE DOES THAT COME FROM?

It’s in his mindset. He doesn’t dwell. If he hits a bad shot, it’s gone. He’s always been able to flush things and move on, which is such a strength at this level.

WHAT TYPE OF COURSE DO YOU THINK SUITS HIM BEST?

I used to think I knew the answer, but he’s proved me wrong; he’s won on tight courses and long ones. Generally, wide-open courses with firm greens play to his strengths, but he can adapt anywhere if he likes the course. He won’t go back to courses he doesn’t enjoy, though, that’s part of his process.

IT’S IN HIS MINDSET. HE DOESN’T DWELL. IF HE HITS A BAD SHOT, IT’S GONE. HE’S ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO FLUSH THINGS AND MOVE ON, WHICH IS SUCH A STRENGTH AT THIS LEVEL.”

HOW MUCH DO YOU RELY ON DATA?

Quite a lot, but I’m looking for trends rather than raw numbers. Yardages, spin rates, wedge testing – all the stuff from Trackman. I don’t overload him with data, though. Sometimes I’ll see something in the stats and work it into training without telling him directly.

HOW DOES HIS FITNESS TIE IN WITH YOUR COACHING?

It’s huge. He lost nearly 10kg last summer, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he had such a strong season. He’s got a medical team on tour that keeps him going week to week. I’ll talk with them about what I see; if he’s tight on one side, for instance. It’s a constant process of keeping his body in shape.

WHAT ACHIEVEMENTS STAND OUT MOST FOR YOU AS HIS COACH?

The two PGA Tour wins this year are massive. You can’t really go past that. The 2023 win at Wentworth was big, too. For me, it’s about consistency, knowing we’ve built something sustainable over time.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISH YOU’D DONE DIFFERENTLY?

Not really. I’ve always trusted my instincts and stuck to my guns, even when others suggested changes. Could I have done something better? Possibly. But I can sleep at night knowing I’ve always made the best decisions I could.

WHAT’S THE BENCHMARK FOR 2026?

The big goal is top 50 in the world, because that gets you into all the elevated events. For the first time, we can actually plan a schedule properly. That means he won’t turn up at majors burnt out

THE BIG GOAL IS TOP

IN THE WORLD, BECAUSE THAT GETS YOU INTO ALL THE ELEVATED EVENTS. FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE CAN ACTUALLY PLAN A SCHEDULE PROPERLY.”

after five straight weeks. The challenge now is peaking at the right times – making sure he’s fresh for majors and the biggest tournaments.

LOOKING FORWARD, HOW DOES RYAN FRAME THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND THE OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF HIM?

He’s got three years guaranteed, which gives stability for him and his family. He knows this is his time. But we’re not changing anything major. The key is to keep doing the work, keep improving, and put ourselves in position to contend on Sundays. That’s what it’s all about. ▪

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NOT YOUR AVERAGE CADDIE

ON TOUR, STEVE WILLIAMS NEVER SHIED FROM TELLING HIS BOSS WHAT HE THOUGHT ABOUT A SHOT OR A PUTT. MOST OF THE TIME, TIGER WOODS TOOK HIS ADVICE. WORDS: BRENDAN TELFER.

The Masters, 2003. Final Round, third hole.

Steve Williams to Tiger Woods: ‘’Get your shit together and stop acting like a child… don’t hit a shitty shot and tell me it’s the wrong club.”

Tiger Woods’ response: stone-cold silence.

Steve Williams at his colourful, down-to-earth Kiwi best with a brutal piece of advice to his then boss (which Tiger ignored) during that 2003 Masters.

So welcome to the Steve Williams Straight-shooting School of Caddie Advice.

There are probably few bagmen, if any, who would dare sound off as colourfully as that in the face of their employer. Sure, semi-crude language is not exactly uncommon in golf, or all sporting locker rooms. Many a caddie has been conveniently blamed for his golfer’s poor score. But bellowing at Tiger Woods because he’s not taking his caddie’s advice is, you might have thought, one sure-fired way of adding your name to the national unemployment figures.

One of the delights in Steve Williams’ latest book, Together We Roared, is the unique insight into that rigidly private world of golfer and caddie. The close personal friendship that developed between these two shines brightly through the pages of this book. Steve, for example, attended Woods’ marriage to Ellen Norgren and, in turn, Woods attended Williams’ wedding in West Auckland. Like all good friendships, this one was founded on honesty between the two.

The brotherly bond between these two is what separates this book from the endless flood of gossipriddled tomes on the life and times of Tiger Woods. Williams, who carried Tiger’s bag in 13 of his 15 Major wins, gives us a close-up view of Woods’ triumphs; a view no other person on the planet could replicate.

Williams also opens up on the life and onerous demands of being a top golfer’s caddie. He wasn’t just a bag carrier: he earned the right from Tiger to have a major say on all decisions the player made from tee to green. By his very nature, Steve was never backward in coming forward. Hence, he was never diffident about giving Tiger strong advice.

He also became an exquisitely accurate greens reader and, at times (as evidenced above), was not afraid to override Tiger’s opinions. Many a time Woods might disagree with Williams over a putt, but more often than not the world’s leading golfer would defer to his caddie. You get the impression that, over time, Woods learned to have as much, if not more, faith in Williams’ calls than his own, especially with putts.

Indicative of Woods’ appreciation were the little notes Williams would regularly receive from his boss, slipped under his hotel door after another victory, thanking Steve for the advice he gave him on some crucial hole.

Is it any wonder Williams is still in demand from the likes of Adam Scott and Ryan Fox?

Tiger, contrary to how he has been portrayed in other books, could also be very generous and deeply appreciative of his caddie’s work in more substantial ways, too.

Take the case of Tiger’s gesture after winning the 2005 Ford Championship, which saw the sponsor gift Woods a rare Ford GT – in addition to the winner’s prize money. It was a remodelled version of the historic Ford GT40 MKII that had won the Le Mans 24-hour race for four straight years from 1966. After receiving the car, Tiger tossed the keys to Williams, who was not just an outand-out petrol head but also a lifelong Ford fan and saloon car racer. To this day that precious car sits proudly in Williams’ Auckland garage, with very few miles on its clock.

Some years back Steve Williams was regarded as the highest-paid sportsman in New Zealand, but how much did he really earn carrying that bag for Tiger, which, incidentally, could weigh anything up to 20 kilos? That is one very heavy golf bag. Lugging that around a golf course five days a week demands a high level of strength and fitness, not to mention the extreme weather conditions you will encounter.

One area of a golf caddie’s life that has been largely a closed book is how much they get paid. Here again, Williams lifts the lid on this sacred cow, outlining the payment system for caddies, which apparently starts with a weekly retainer. As at 2024, the guarantee varied between US$1,500 and US$2,000 a week, which largely

Greg Norman with caddie Steve Williams, NSW Golf Open, 1988.

takes care of his travel and hotel costs. On top of that comes a percentage of a player’s prize money. Finishing in the top 10, the caddie gets about 5 per cent; 7 per cent for a top-five; and 10 per cent for a win.

Clearly, the escalating prize money in recent years has meant a big pay rise for most caddies. Williams told me recently of the case of Gary Matthews, a bagman of 20 years’ experience, who has been carrying Joaquin Niemann’s bag for the past five years. The Chilean, part of the LIV Golf troop, has won four times this year, collecting US$13 million in prize money. His caddie, therefore, has earned 10 per cent of that figure. You do the math: it seems Gary Matthews, who, incidentally, once caddied for Lydia Ko, has earned well over a million dollars this year – in less than six months.

On the physical front, Williams is adamant he’s never missed a week due to physical injury in 40 years of caddying. Fitness, he asserts, is paramount. Not only does he spend plenty of time in the gym, but he swims regularly. Even now, with his full-time caddying days behind him, he has installed a swimming pool on his West Auckland property and hits the water daily.

Woods twigged early on in his time with Williams that this caddie was different; this guy unquestionably knew his stuff. He came with a veritable well of golfing knowledge. Woods was obviously aware that Williams had served a pretty gruelling apprenticeship, caddying for a couple of the games’ then biggest names – the laid-back Ray Floyd and the cantankerously demanding Greg Norman. Williams and Norman often clashed, so it came as no surprise when they parted company. Williams, I suspect, could have been pretty tough on Norman in this book if he had so wished. When I pushed him on this, he just said, ”He was very demanding.”

Woods, however, saw the positive side to Williams’ stern exterior. He realised early on, I suspect, that this caddie had an unequalled store of knowledge, acquired through years of hard work, course study and note-taking of every hole and every green the tour traversed. So, week after week, Woods leveraged this extraordinary knowledge.

Once, when Woods three-putted a green, Williams checked his notepad and realised that was his first three-putt green in 248 holes.

The book is also a timely reminder of Tiger’s sheer greatness through that phenomenal period from around 1999 until 2003-4. Shamefully, for those of us

who lived through this period, we’ve probably forgotten the magnitude of his feats.

In case your memory is a little foggy, a few bullet points:

Of Tiger's 15 Majors, five of them were won by margins of five shots or more

He won the 1997 Masters by 12 strokes

He won the 2000 US Open by 15 (the only player in the field to break par)

He took out the 2000 Open Championship by eight strokes

He is the only golfer ever to hold all four Major titles concurrently

He went from

1998

until 2005, a total of 142 tournaments, without missing a cut

From his first 17 starts in Majors, he went on to win six of them

The book is not without its ironies. Here we have yet another publication on the life and times of Tiger Woods, and who better to spill the beans and enlighten us on all the hair-raising stuff that was going on in Tiger’s private world than his caddie and close friend, Steve Williams.

The problem here, however, is that Steve Williams doesn’t do scandal. Whatever his private thoughts

2002.

were on Woods’ behaviour, they would remain private and not become fodder for gossip magazines. He retained his friendship with Woods throughout this troublesome time and clearly was not of a mind to betray that friendship.

Even without any of that tittle-tattle, this book is a bit of an eye-opener, because here we have Woods’ caddie of many years’ standing (remember they won 13 Majors together) giving us a close-up perspective of

WILLIAMS, HOWEVER, HAD MADE A COMMITMENT TO SCOTT, SO HE DEFIED TIGER’S WISH AND WAS PROMPTLY FIRED . ”

the Woods golfing machine at its mindboggling best, tearing up the world’s best courses and burying the world’s best golfers. Williams alongside him every inch of the way, and recording every shot from every round. If you want to know, for example, what club Tiger played on the par-4 14th at the 2001 Buick Open during the second round, well, Steve can tell you – as well as how far he hit it and how close to the pin it finished.

The Woods/Williams friendship endured its fair share of adversity as well as some extraordinary highs. In the end, perhaps predictably, the friendship fractured. During one of Tiger’s long injury spells, Woods gave permission for Steve to carry Adam Scott’s bag, only to change his mind. Williams, however, had made a commitment to Scott, so he defied Tiger’s wish and was promptly fired.

To his credit, Williams bears no ill will towards Tiger. Apparently, Tiger was concerned Williams might have inadvertently passed on tips and shots Woods would play in situations Scott may have found himself in. Was it all a bit petty on the part of Tiger and his minders? Maybe.

I did ask Steve why he didn’t at least offer a few observations about what it was like working for a man whose lifestyle was being picked over, week after week, by every newspaper in the world and on television most nights. He said quite simply he couldn’t be bothered with “all that stuff”. It was just of no interest to him.

Steve tells me the game will probably never see another Tiger. I’m now inclined to believe him. John Lister also told me recently that Tiger is clearly the best golfer of all time, with apologies to poor old Jack Nicklaus, who nonetheless, will forever have that 18-15 Majors winning record in his favour. And, Jack, in case you’re reading, I don’t think anyone will ever get near your 18. ▪

Tiger Woods caddie Steve Williams and coach Butch Harmon chat outside the cabins at the Masters,

The first and only biography of one of the best-known names in golf.

‘‘ ‘‘

A riveting read about one of the good guys in golf – he shares so many fun and memorable anecdotes along the way.

– ALAN SCHUPAK OF US GOLFWEEK AND AUTHOR. Ian Baker-Finch – To Hell and Back by Geoff Saunders. Available from Amazon, Whitcoulls, Paper Plus and all good booksellers in New Zealand. RRP$55.

GOLF FINCHY ON THE OF FUTURE

CLUBS, BALLS AND MORE! GOLF ICON IAN BAKER-FINCH SHARES HIS WISDOM WITH AUTHOR GEOFF SAUNDERS ON THE DIRECTION PROFESSIONAL GOLF NEEDS TO GO.

AN EXTRACT FROM THE BIOGRAPHY IAN BAKER-FINCH – TO HELL AND BACK BY GEOFF SAUNDERS

Ian Baker-Finch

In August of this year Ian Baker-Finch retired from a much-lauded broadcasting career that spanned three decades. His career in television was launched immediately after his tragic demise as a player at the 1997 Open Championship at Royal Troon. On the 17th of July that year he recorded a career-ending, and humiliating, round of 92.

That same afternoon he found himself in the commentary box for ABC television. As his playing career finished, a new career in television was launched.

After a lifetime in the game, his thoughts on the past and the future of golf were recorded in an appendix to his recently launched biography, Ian Baker-Finch – To Hell and Back

WHEN YOU TURNED PRO, YOU WERE A FIVE HANDICAPPER. PAUL LAWRIE AND IAN POULTER WERE SIMILAR. IS THAT PATHWAY STILL OPEN TO YOUNG PLAYERS TODAY?

At 15 I was on a five handicap. There is still a pathway today to be a PGA pro as a trainee or teaching professional, but most good golfers do it differently now. They play amateur golf and, if they’re good enough, they enter the Golf Australia program of elite training. They can compete in the Australian Open and state PGA events. Others may attend an American college and do a four-year course there – if they can make it through. No one will ever again do it the way we did.

We were not spoiled, that is for sure. Many elite American players come through great golf courses and country clubs, superbly conditioned, with great driving ranges, but I do not think they are as hard as we were. That tough, earlier generation of Trevino, Ballesteros, Norman and Faldo, who grew up on municipal courses, had to deal with everything golf threw at them.

THE BALL ROLLBACK COMING IN 2028 – IS IT TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE? YOU HAVE BEEN VOCAL ON THIS. WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS SO IMPORTANT? SECOND, DO YOU THINK THE R&A AND THE USGA HAVE MOVED QUICKLY ENOUGH?

YOU, WAYNE GRADY AND OTHERS BEFORE YOU – LEE TREVINO AND SEVE BALLESTEROS, TO NAME TWO – ALL STARTED PLAYING ON ROUGH COURSES. HOW IMPORTANT IS COURSE QUALITY TO YOUNG PLAYERS LOOKING TO PLAY PROFESSIONALLY?

Players like Wayne and Pete Senior and Greg Norman grew up on crappy Queensland courses, but we were forced to learn every shot.

The ball rollback is far too little, far too late. A 5 per cent rollback will not make an appreciable difference. By the time it happens in 2028, the ball manufacturers will figure the ball out, much like the issue of square grooves on irons. They will find a way around the rollback. So I do not think it will make much difference, and indeed, no difference to the average player. You will not see any difference unless you are swinging at over 100 miles an hour. I would have done 5 per cent immediately and then a further 5 per cent in four years.

WHAT EFFECT HAVE THE MODERN BALL AND THE OVERSIZED DRIVER HAD ON CLASSIC COURSES LIKE THE OLD COURSE AT ST ANDREWS AND MERION IN THE US?

Something must be done, because the tremendous old courses are being destroyed. For example, Merion was 6,600 yards from the tips, but has now been stretched out to 7,000 yards. When they play a major championship now on these classic old courses, they are forced to trick the courses up to keep them relevant by fertilising the rough and making it high, wet and juicy. Then they make the greens hard and fast. If they allow players to hit the ball 350 to 400 yards, 350 yards will become the

norm, and we will lose all these great old courses. How do you build the same golf course for those who want to play 5,000 yards and for those who need 8,000 yards to make it relevant?

WHAT ABOUT THE SHORT HITTERS WHO HAVE WON MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIPS, LIKE BILL ROGERS AND COREY PAVIN? WILL WE SEE THAT HAPPEN AGAIN?

That style of player has become irrelevant − gone completely. We will never see players like Corey Pavin, Jeff Sluman or Bill Rogers win a major again. You cannot survive hitting the ball 275 yards now, which used to be the longest hit 40 years ago. I agree with Geoff Ogilvy in saying that the courses should be firm, and that yardage is just one factor needed to test a player’s skill. The longest hitter now hits it 100 yards longer than the average drive – which is ridiculous.

WHAT ABOUT THE DRIVER HEAD? NOWADAYS MISHITS DO NOT SEEM TO MATTER, SO WHAT SIZE SHOULD THE HEAD BE?

The first thing I would change is the driver’s head size, which is an easy fix. Pro and elite-level amateurs should be made to use a 300cc driver, and the other 99.5 per cent of the world’s players could continue to use the big 460cc head. They also need to look at having a thicker face that does not have the trampoline effect these modern drivers have. With a smaller driver head and smaller sweet spot, the better players would be measurably better. In days gone by, driving was the most challenging part of the game; now, it is the easiest. In the 1990s the 250cc driver head looked so ridiculously big that I refused to use it for a couple of years.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THE 2016 BAN ON ANCHORING IN THE PUTTING STROKE? SHOULD IT BE ALLOWED BACK AT ALL LEVELS OF THE AMATEUR GAME?

This is a difficult one. What could work is if you made a rule that the putter had to be the shortest club in the bag for elite golfers. I certainly would not change it for regular golfers. No one wants to make the game harder than it already is − if you and I get the yips at 70 years of age, why not use the long putter? The arm-lock method that some players are using is controversial, too, and they will eventually ban it.

Do caddies cause slow play with their advice on every shot? Caddie Jim Mackay offers his opinion on Phil Mickelson's putt.

WHAT ABOUT SO-CALLED ‘RESCUE’ CLUBS OR HYBRIDS AS OPPOSED TO THE OLD-SCHOOL LONG IRONS?

Rescue clubs have taken over from long irons and changed the game. I know Freddie Couples, who’s the same age as me, has a six-hybrid in the bag and a seveniron is his longest iron. All amateurs should follow suit. Hybrids are far easier to hit in the air and to hit far and straight. You cannot do anything about that for elite golf, but in the old days you never reached the top level if you couldn’t hit a one-iron or a two-iron. When the big-headed cavity-back irons came along, many more players became competitive. We used to look at some of the guys in the 1980s who played with shovels and Pings and thought they would never have made it without them. I still retain a traditionalist’s image of wanting to hit a long iron properly. However, hybrids are good for the game because they allow everyone to hit the ball in the air.

DO CADDIES HAVE TOO MUCH TO SAY AND TOO MUCH INFLUENCE? ARE THEY SLOWING PLAY DOWN?

Indeed, in pro golf, caddies are slowing the game down. I would like to see tour pros play in a threesome, and four and a half hours should be plenty of time to finish a round. Five and a half hours is ridiculous. We see it on television all the time – the caddies monotonously drone on over a shot, taking a minute or two to decide what the shot should be. Why is the caddie allowed to talk for a minute before the shot? I am a caddie fan, and they remain an essential part of the game. I have always enjoyed my relationships with my caddies, but caddies need to get out of the way when the time to hit the shot arrives.

TELEVISION VIEWERS DON’T WANT TO WATCH FIVEAND SIX-HOUR ROUNDS OF GOLF. DO YOU HAVE A SOLUTION?

The greens are too fast. They make the greens run at 14 on the Stimpmeter. But once again, that goes back to the length of the ball. With drivers hitting it so far, they cannot leave the courses defenceless at 6,800 yards and with the greens running at 10 on the Stimpmeter. The pros would all shoot 60 under those conditions. So they trick it up by making the greens so fast that when the wind blows, the game takes an hour longer than it should. I would have greens running at 12 on the Stimpmeter as the fastest speed. The tours have tried

to fix the problem of slow play by having fewer players in the field. This approach is wrong, and players need to be fined if they are too slow or, better still, penalised two shots.

SHOULD ANNOUNCERS BE ALLOWED MORE SPACE TO TELL A STORY IN THE STYLE OF PETER ALLISS? DO VIEWERS NEED TO SEE EVERY SHOT?

It would be nice for an announcer to have more time to weave a story like the great Peter Alliss. However, golf viewers are on social media and surveys say they want to see more golf. So our producers show shot, shot, shot all the time, which gives the announcer less time to say anything. We have too many voices on the telecast. We could do it with two or three in the tower and one or two on the ground. Each person would have more time because they wouldn’t have to deal with so many voices but, yes, I personally prefer an Australian or European style of commentary, where there’s more time to tell a story, like Sam Torrance, Tony Johnstone and others.

CADDIES MONOTONOUSLY DRONE ON OVER A SHOT, TAKING A MINUTE OR TWO TO DECIDE WHAT THE SHOT SHOULD BE. WHY IS THE CADDIE ALLOWED TO TALK FOR A MINUTE BEFORE THE SHOT?”

IS GREG NORMAN’S 30-YEAR-OLD VERSION OF A WORLD TOUR REALISTIC?

The PGA Tour will never travel and will always stay America-centric. The money from Saudi Arabia and the Middle East should go to the DP World Tour, which has been the world tour for the last 30 years. This would allow the PGA Tour to become even more US-centric. The US players do not want to travel extensively and, by choice, may travel only once or twice a year. Middle Eastern money has been involved in golf in Europe for over a decade, with tournaments in Dubai and Qatar, so it seems natural that they have aligned with Europe.

Additionally, the Saudis should not have taken the PGA Tour on. The main sponsor for the PGA Tour, US television, only wants golf in US time zones.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON GREG NORMAN’S ORIGINAL CONCEPT GENERALLY?

The first point to make is that a ‘world tour’ was not Norman’s idea – it was Mark McCormack’s back in the 1960s – but it was shot down at the time by Arnold Palmer. Greg Norman had a similar concept in 1994. Someone at Fox had said, "We will fund the concept and get it off the ground. If you get your thirty best mates to play the world tour, we will cover it." Norman was a long way off signing 30 players and did not even get close to those numbers. It was not like the Saudis were there behind Greg in the 1990s with the US$1 billion they throw into LIV each year now.

DO YOU SEE THE THREE TOURS EVER COMBINING?

I do not think LIV, PGA and DP World Tour will ever merge. I believe LIV can be the Formula One, if you will, of golf. The top 50 players, say, go and play team golf for three rounds with shotgun starts and whatever; it is their tour. I am disappointed that the PGA Tour seems to have followed suit with prize money increases, no cuts and shorter fields. Initially, the Tour said how stupid and wrong it was, but now they seem to have done the same thing. They pay the best players more, have fewer players and have fewer playing opportunities for young players. It would have been better if they had just stayed with what they had and allowed those players who wanted to leave to go ahead and leave.

WHAT DRIVES GREG NORMAN? DO YOU THINK HE IS DRIVEN BY REVENGE AGAINST THE US TOUR FOR REJECTING HIS IDEAS 30 YEARS AGO?

Money, plus he wants to be back at the top of the golf world in some form. He should just be happy and proud of what he has already achieved. He was No. 1 in the world for half a dozen years and Greg was a great player. He won a couple of majors and close to 100 tournaments worldwide. But he has this revenge or anger within him, whatever it may be.

HAVING SEEN GOLF AT THE OLYMPICS UP CLOSE, DO YOU EVER SEE THE OLYMPICS BECOMING EQUAL TO THE MAJORS?

It has already happened in the women’s game. The gold medal is the most prized trophy in women’s golf. The status of Olympic gold in the men’s game will continue

to grow. Scottie Scheffler, with a gold medal and a Green Jacket in 2024, is as good as it gets. Women’s Olympic golf rates higher on television than any other golf event for women.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR GOLF? WHERE DO YOU PLAY AND WHAT IS YOUR HANDICAP NOWADAYS? DID BOB ROTELLA’S COMMENT, THAT YOU WOULD RECAPTURE YOUR GAME ONCE YOU STOPPED CARING, TURN OUT TO BE TRUE?

When I am healthy and playing regularly, I am a plustwo handicapper at Jupiter Hills Club. I fly the ball 250 yards, in the fairway every time. On a good day my clubhead speed is around 100 miles per hour. That is not long enough to play the PGA Tour Champions. I still love the game and I played about 200 games last year. Back in the mid-1990s, when I missed every cut on the

‘‘

THE GOLD MEDAL IS THE MOST PRIZED TROPHY IN WOMEN’S GOLF.”

PGA Tour, I would get home and still turn up to play with my mates on Saturdays. Bob Rotella said to me, "The only thing you need to try harder at is trying less." I understand where he was coming from. I also believe I could have solved my problems for myself with the aid of the science that is now in the game.

FINALLY, IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE DECISION IN YOUR GOLF CAREER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Very, very easy. Do not play in the 1997 Open Championship at Troon! ▪

Ian Baker-Finch – To Hell and Back by Geoff Saunders, published by Hardie Grant. Available from Amazon, Whitcoulls, Paper Plus and all good booksellers in New Zealand. RRP$55.

Lydia Ko celebrates her Olympic gold medal victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

www.ddesigns.co.nz

BIRDIES AT FLUSH GOLF CLUB

THE SAVOR RESTAURANT GROUP BRINGS TRACKMAN TO THE TABLE. WORDS: TOM HYDE.

Can we track the full flight of a golf ball? That was the question two Danish brothers, Klaus and Morten Eldrup-Jorgensen asked of an expert in radar technology named Fredrik Tuxen, in 2003. Tuxen accomplished the feat using military radar technology. Trackman, the ball flight simulator that has revolutionised golf in all manner of ways, was born.

The first commercial version of Trackman was launched a year later. Since then, Trackman technology has advanced to where it is now as essential for game improvement as a coach and as much fun as a good party.

Today, Trackman is used by almost every professional (who likely has one at home) and by virtually every teaching professional and coach worth their time.

For example, club fitting was once a tedious specialty, not an everyday thing. You bought golf clubs off the rack and hoped for the best. That can

still be the case, but more likely, any retailer today who’s up with the state of the game will have a version of Trackman onsite to analyse your swing and determine the best fit.

Trackman iO (Indoor Optimized) is the company’s first purpose-built product for indoor use. It’s designed to create the ultimate indoor experience using radar, infrared and high-speed imaging technologies that provide precise feedback on every facet of the swing and the flight of the ball.

Now, Savor Group have set up Trackman iO in association with Auckland’s Bar Ziti, one of the 16 restaurants and bars Savor own and manage.

Trackman iO

Trackman 4

Savor Group's Bar Ziti.

Savor is one of New Zealand’s largest hospitality companies. It has quickly established a reputation for originality, quality food and service across its entire portfolio, which includes Amano, Bivacco, Azabu Ponsonby, Azabu Mission Bay, Ebisu, and Non Solo Pizza.

The latest venture: Bar Ziti and the associated Trackman-based Flush Golf Club in the Britomart precinct.

Bar Ziti, designed by Paul Izzard, of Izzard Design, is located below the Westpac Building off Takutai Square. It features fine Italian dishes compiled by executive chef Darren Johnson, who’s been with the group since 2022. .

For more on the Bar Ziti-Trackman collaboration we met up with Jack O’Shea at Ortolana, Savor’s popular café in Britomart.

O’Shea, 34, is an Irishman married to a Kiwi. He has been one of Savor’s front-of-house managers since

2023. Originally from Waterford, County Wexford, he’s a passionate golfer whose home club is Waterford Castle. He fully appreciates the value of Trackman, but how does that work with fine food?

“No one I know of has combined world-class hospitality with golf like this. Bar Ziti is a 150seat restaurant and bar and next to it is the Flush clubhouse with Trackman. Groups and individuals can play one of 400 of the best golf courses in the world. There’s a driving range and games include closest to the pin. The technology includes a launch monitor, which is vital for coaches like Marcus Wheelhouse, who’s like the club pro, to help players play better.

“The Flush Golf Club has just 75 members, who received generous benefits, but daily green fee players can still roll up and book an hour in the club. A foursome can play Four Ball at Pebble Beach, for example, then step into Bar Ziti for lunch or dinner.”

‘‘

NO ONE I KNOW OF HAS COMBINED WORLD-CLASS HOSPITALITY WITH GOLF LIKE THIS. BAR ZITI IS A 150SEAT RESTAURANT AND BAR AND NEXT TO IT IS THE FLUSH GOLF CLUB CLUBHOUSE WITH TRACKMAN.”

Bring your own clubs or use onsite sets. In any case, when next in Auckland, check it out. Trackman is compelling, which is why Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy invested their time and money in TGL (Tomorrow’s Golf League), which employs the same technology; seven teams of the top professionals in the world playing indoors. In 2003, when those two Danish brothers were wondering how to track the flight of a golf ball, who would have imagined?

www.savor.co.nz

GRAIL HOLY GOLF’S

IN THE GAME’S PANTHEON OF ACHIEVEMENTS, THE CAREER GRAND SLAM STANDS AS THE ULTIMATE PROOF OF GREATNESS: CONQUERING EACH OF THE MASTERS, THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP, THE US OPEN AND THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP AT LEAST ONCE. WORDS: TOM LONG.

The Career Grand Slam demands a mastery of the game that very few have achieved in over a century of modern major championships. In fact, only six men have ever scaled this Everest. Their journeys – forged through innovation, resilience and unique talent –reveal the razor-thin line between excellence and immortality.

Rory McIlroy celebrates his win at the 2025 Masters, securing his place in history by completing a career Grand Slam!

FOUR PILLARS OF GREATNESS

Defining traits that have united these legends across nine decades

ADAPTABILITY

From Gene Sarazen’s wedge revolution to Rory McIlroy’s swing rebuild in 2011, each evolved relentlessly.

Gary Player won on six continents; Ben Hogan recalibrated his game post-accident.

SHORT-GAME GENIUS

Sarazen’s wedge play, Player’s bunker wizardry, Woods’ flop shots: all these salvaged critical strokes when drives strayed.

MENTAL FORTITUDE

Jack Nicklaus’ icy focus and Tiger Woods’ intimidation tactics matched their swings. McIlroy’s decade-long Augusta pursuit required rare emotional resilience.

WORK ETHIC

Hogan’s dawn-todusk grind and Player’s 1,000 daily sit-ups set standards. Nicklaus mapped greens like a general.

GENE SARAZEN ‘The Squire’

Seven Majors; Career Grand Slam completed at age 33.

LEGACY Golf's first global icon. Inventor of the modern sand wedge.

Sarazen’s career bridged golf’s hickory-to-steel evolution. His 1935 Masters victory – sealed by ‘the shot heard around the world’, a 235yard 4-wood albatross on the 15th – epitomised clutch innovation. Trailing by three, he gambled over water, later stating, “I had to go for the miracle.” The shot forced a playoff win, completing a Slam 13 years after his first Major.

MENTAL EDGE Calculated risk defined him. His self-designed wedge (patented in 1931) turned bunkers from hazards into opportunities.

1953

BEN HOGAN ‘The Hawk’

Nine Majors; Career Grand Slam completed at 40.

LEGACY The gold standard of ball-striking; won three Majors in 1953 alone.

Hogan’s 1949 near-fatal car accident left doctors doubting he’d walk again. His comeback, built on obsession, peaked in 1953. Despite circulatory issues limiting him to six events, he won five, including three Majors. At Carnoustie, he conquered brutal winds through 36-hole qualifying and tournament play over five days.

MENTAL EDGE “The secret is in the dirt” embodied his ethos. He bled into his gloves perfecting a fade, crafting “the finest mechanics ever seen”.

Ben Hogan waves to crowds that turned out to greet him following his victory in the 1953 Open Championship at Carnoustie.

1965

GARY PLAYER

‘The Black Knight’

Nine Majors; Career Grand Slam completed at 29.

LEGACY First non-American Slam winner and golf’s fitness pioneer.

Player’s 1965 US Open win at Bellerive – sealed by a 25foot birdie on the 71st hole – capped a global crusade. He reputedly logged 26 million air miles, winning Majors across three decades despite his 168cm frame. His 1959 Open victory at Muirfield, clinched despite a final-hole double bogey, screamed tenacity.

MENTAL EDGE:“While others were in bars, I was in the gym.” His bunker mastery (sand was his “best friend”) and adaptability to any turf made him relentless.

1966

JACK NICKLAUS

‘The Golden Bear’

Eighteen Majors; Career Grand Slam completed at 26.

LEGACY The only player with three Career Grand Slams, with 19 major runners-up.

Nicklaus completed the Slam faster than anyone before. His strategy – “Aim away from trouble, even at another fairway” – defined cerebral golf. He was once asked about why he so often made the correct decision; he replied, “My rule was simple: if I didn't have a 70% chance of pulling it off, I played safe.”

MENTAL EDGE He visualised rounds pre-tournament and thrived in duels, telling his caddie: “The others need to back up; I won’t.”

2OOO TIGER WOODS ‘Tiger’

Fifteen Majors; Career Grand Slam completed at 24.

LEGACY Youngest Slam winner; held all four Majors simultaneously (the ‘Tiger Slam’).

Woods’ 2000-2001 rampage redefined Tour dominance. His 15-stroke US Open win at Pebble Beach and eightstroke St Andrews rout fused power (316-yard drives) with artistry. At Valhalla’s 2000 PGA, he stared down a playoff birdie putt like an assassin.

MENTAL EDGE He practiced in ‘tornado conditions’ (uneven lies, brutal winds). His glare was psychological warfare: “I knew if I stared them down, they’d blink.”

‘‘

WOODS’ 2000-2001 RAMPAGE REDEFINED TOUR DOMINANCE. HIS 15-STROKE US OPEN WIN AT PEBBLE BEACH AND EIGHTSTROKE ST ANDREWS ROUT FUSED POWER (316-YARD DRIVES) WITH ARTISTRY.”

RORY MCILROY ‘Rory’

Five Majors to date; Career Grand Slam completed at 35.

LEGACY First European Slam winner; ended an 11-year Major drought at Augusta.

McIlroy’s journey to a Career Grand Slam was agony. After winning three Majors by 25, he endured 41 starts without completing his Slam. His 2025 Masters win – a playoff birdie over Justin Rose – redeemed his 2011 collapse. This time, he erased a four-shot deficit with a pine-straw miracle on 15.

MENTAL EDGE “I used to dread Amen Corner; now I respect it.” His driver has long dazzled, but a refined short game (top-10 scrambling) sealed immortality.

WHO’S NEXT?

With McIlroy’s triumph, golf whispers, "who’s next?" As fields deepen and courses lengthen, the Career Grand Slam grows ever more elusive. Bobby Jones, architect of the original 1930 Slam (US Open, British Opens and Amateurs), once observed: “Golf is played mainly on a fiveinch course – the space between your ears.” ▪

A NEW CLASS OF DRIVERS

LUDVIG ÅBERG

Putter Balance

Introducing the New Paradox™ Putter

The Only Putter with Swing Balance Technology that will Fight to Stay Square.™

what’s possible in putting performance with the introduction of the new Paradox™ putter.

Balance Technology,™ Paradox is the only putter that will fight to stay square.

zero-torque putter—where the center of gravity aligns directly under the shaft. It achieves swing Axis alignment, which optimizes performance dynamically through the golfer’s stroke, and acts to keep it straight and smooth.

The Only Putter with Swing Balance Technology that will Fight to Stay Square.™

conventional putter designs focused on center of gravity optimization, weight distribution, and one has fully optimized how a putter behaves dynamically during the stroke.

Once again, we’re redefining what’s possible in putting performance with the introduction of the new Paradox™ putter.

Designed using Swing Balance Technology,™ Paradox is the only putter that will fight to stay square.

Principal Axis™ technology which will dynamically work through the putting stroke

Tour Shaft

Paradox is more than just a zero-torque putter—where the center of gravity aligns directly under the shaft. It achieves swing balance through Principal Axis alignment, which optimizes performance dynamically through the golfer’s stroke, and acts like alignment does on a car to keep it straight and smooth.

Other companies stick to conventional putter designs focused on center of gravity optimization, weight distribution, and face balancing. Until now, no one has fully optimized how a putter behaves dynamically during the stroke.

Features & Specifications

steel weights, milled face

Features & Specifications

•Swing balanced using Principal Axis™ technology which will dynamically work to keep the face square through the putting stroke

•Zero-torque, Stability™ Tour Shaft

•CNC aluminum frame with steel weights, milled face

•Center-shafted

•CNC aluminum frame with steel weights, milled face

•Center-shafted

•Mid-size non-taper grip

•Loft & Lie is adjustable

BAGMEN TO THE STARS

WHO ARE THE CADDIES WE SEE ALONGSIDE THE PGA TOUR’S TOP PLAYERS? WHAT DOES A CADDIE BRING TO THE PRIZE TABLE – AND WHAT ARE HIS REWARDS? WORDS: PATRICK SMITH.

As anyone who has followed master caddie Steve Williams’ columns in this magazine will know, Tour caddies play a huge role in their boss’s success or otherwise.

Their responsibilities go far beyond carrying the bag: just read Steve’s new book, Together We Roared, about his 12-year stint on Tiger Woods’ bag, to get an idea of a top-flight caddie’s contribution to his player’s performance and results.

So what does the job of an elite caddie involve?

MANAGEMENT & STRATEGY

During the tournament there’s the whole issue of course management and strategy. The caddie will be helping to read greens, suggesting the right club for the shot, clarifying yardages and assessing wind and weather, keeping clubs clean and knowing which one their player might prefer for the proposed shot and distance. He’ll need a thorough knowledge of rules and etiquette and to make sure they’re complied with. He’ll also need to keep the group moving on pace.

Then there’s the mental side of things: caddies often act as psychologists, calming the boss’s nerves, keeping him focused and confident and keeping distractions at bay.

LOCKED & LOADED

Off-course and before tournament week, meanwhile, it’s the caddie’s job to coordinate travel with the player and make sure all equipment is packed and ready, and that clubs, their grips and grooves, are in top condition. Into the bag go balls, tees, gloves, snacks and drinks, sunscreen, rangefinder… It’s not a good look to forget anything.

TOURNAMENT WEEK

During tournament week the caddie will walk the course, getting a feel for distances and yardages, hazards, slopes and bailout areas, pin positions and green contours – and add all this to the yardage book.

During the practice round he’ll work with the player on club selection and shot strategy, test carry distances, check for wind patterns and elevation changes, and see how the greens are rolling –especially for speed and grain.

As they make their way around the course, player and caddie will discuss how to approach each hole and identify risk-reward opportunities.

It’s the caddie’s job to check tee times and pairings, attend any scheduled caddie meetings (rules, local conditions, tournament-specific notes) and then to help keep the player relaxed and focused, especially before the first round.

Caddying is physically demanding – look at the size of that bag! – so the looper must also find the time to stay fit.

MAKING IT PAY

The life of a professional caddie is not for the fainthearted, but it’s all worth it if your player’s on the PGA Tour, especially if he’s a winner, or at least at the top end of the pack, on Sunday.

On average, PGA Tour caddie’s base salary is around US$1,500–$3,000 per tournament, paid by the player. A win will likely earn him 10 per cent of the boss’s purse; seven per cent is standard for a top-10 finish; and five per cent otherwise.

Elite caddies for top players can earn six figures or more a year. Ted Scott, who caddies for Scottie Scheffler, has had a particularly rewarding 2024/5. In just one month, May, Ted probably earned close to US$1 million while helping his man win the Byron Nelson, the PGA Championship and the Memorial Tournament and taking a T4 in the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial (all of which put a cool US$9.629 million into Scheffler’s account).

In fact, Scott earned more money in that one month than five of the top-10 golfers on the PGA Tour's money list, including Rory McIlroy. If Ted had been playing in May instead of looping he would have been 90th on the money list at that stage of the season. By the end of the regular season, the FedExCup playoff

DURING TOURNAMENT WEEK

THE CADDIE WILL WALK THE COURSE, GETTING A FEEL FOR DISTANCES AND YARDAGES, HAZARDS, SLOPES AND BAILOUT AREAS, PIN POSITIONS AND GREEN CONTOURS – AND ADD ALL THIS TO THE YARDAGE BOOK.”

and the Tour Championship (T4), Ted probably added another US$3-4 million to his seasonal booty.

Not all caddies, of course, can be on Scottie Scheffler’s bag. But the rewards are there for those who know their stuff and put in the hard yards. Here’s a look at some of the top caddies on the PGA Tour:

TED SCOTT SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER

A former mini-tour player and jiu-jitsu enthusiast, Scott caddied for Bubba Watson for 15 years – including during two Masters wins – before picking up Scottie’s bag in 2021. Known for his deep knowledge of the game and his faith-based, emotionally grounded presence, he’s helped Scheffler win multiple PGA Tour events, two Masters titles and this year’s PGA and Open championships.

HARRY DIAMOND RORY MCILROY

Rory’s lifelong friend from Northern Ireland, an amateur golfer on a +2 handicap, Harry took over as McIlroy’s full-time caddie in 2017. Together they’ve won multiple PGA Tour events and a Ryder Cup – not to mention the 2025 Masters. Known for his strong personal bond with Rory and subtle presence on the bag.

MICHAEL GRELLER JORDAN SPIETH

A former maths teacher who began caddying part-time for college golfers, Greller joined Spieth in 2011 after caddying for him at the US Junior Amateur. Together they’ve won three Majors (Masters, US Open and the Open Championship). Known for deep trust with Spieth, emotional intelligence and sharp green-reading skills.

JOE LACAVA PATRICK CANTLAY; FORMERLY TIGER WOODS

A caddie legend who worked for Fred Couples for over 20 years before joining Tiger Woods in 2011. Joe was on the bag for Tiger’s 2019 Masters comeback and moved to Patrick Cantlay in 2023 for a more active schedule. Known for his quiet professionalism, immense experience, and loyalty.

SCOTT VAIL KEEGAN BRADLEY

With his PGA Championship win in 2011, Keegan Bradley became just the third person to win a major in his debut year – after which the 2025 US Ryder Cup captain had a six-year winless drought. Enter caddie Scott Vail. Bradley broke the drought by winning the 2018 BMW Championship and later the 2023 Travelers Championship and the 2024 BMW. Through all Keegan’s

ups and downs, Scott Vail has maintained a reassuring presence on his bag.

BILLY FOSTER MATT FITZPATRICK

Something of a caddie legend in Europe – Billy has worked for Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia – he helped Fitzpatrick to a long-overdue Major win at the 2022 US Open. Known for his thorough tactical knowledge, dry humour and revered status among other caddies.

AUSTIN KAISER XANDER SCHAUFFELE

Austin Kaiser has caddied for Schauffele since his former San Diego State University teammate turned pro in 2015. Their 10-year collaboration has included two Major championship wins, an Olympic gold medal, several PGA Tour wins and Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup appearances. Their enduring friendship and mutual trust has been key to their on-course achievements.

AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY AROUND THE COURSE, PLAYER AND CADDIE WILL DISCUSS HOW TO APPROACH EACH HOLE AND IDENTIFY RISK-REWARD OPPORTUNITIES.” ‘‘

SHAY KNIGHT VIKTOR HOVLAND

An Australian with years of experience on both PGA and Korn Ferry tours, Shay Knight was a key figure in Hovland’s breakout 2023 FedEx Cup win. Known for: positive, upbeat attitude and effective strategy calls.

IAN FINNIS TOMMY FLEETWOOD

Ian Finnis, who has been on Tommy’s bag since 2016, is one of the Englishman’s oldest and closest friends. His emotional resilience, loyalty, humour and on-course precision helped reignite Fleetwood’s form, leading to multiple DP World Tour wins and a 2023 Ryder Cup highlight. He also helped his boss break his long USPGA drought with this August’s US$10m Tour Championship victory – a nice little earner for both player and caddie. ▪

CADDIE HALL OF FAME

STEVE WILLIAMS

Caddied for Tiger Woods (1999-2011), then Adam Scott. Won 13 majors with Tiger, including the ‘Tiger Slam’, and one Masters with Scott. Known for loyalty and intensity.

JIM 'BONES' MACKAY

Caddied for Phil Mickelson for 25 years, winning five majors (before ‘firing’ his boss for unpaid wages). Later joined Justin Thomas. Known for strategy, calm under pressure, and his successful transition to TV course reporter.

FLUFF COWAN

Tiger Woods’ first tour caddie. Later looped for Jim Furyk (2003 US Open win). Known for his iconic moustache and enduring presence on the Tour.

BRUCE EDWARDS

Tom Watson’s long-time caddie, winning eight majors. Battled ALS disease publicly. Featured in the book Caddy For Life for his dedication.

ANGELO ARGEA

Jack Nicklaus’ main caddie post-1976. Helped the Golden Bear win more than 40 events. Early template of the modern pro caddie.

ANDY MARTINEZ

Caddied for Johnny Miller (1973 US Open win), Tom Lehman, and others. Old-school caddie respected across generations.

RYAN FOX’S ‘LIFETIME BEST’ APPROACH ON HIS WAY TO WINNING THIS YEAR’S CANADIAN OPEN INSPIRED TOM HYDE TO LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE GREATEST SHOTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME.

Locked in a playoff with five-time PGA Tour winner Sam Burns, the Canadian Open was up for grabs when Ryan Fox pulled a three wood from his bag and struck what he later described as “probably the best shot I’ve hit in my life”.

From 236 metres out, the shot was so on track Fox might have used a gun instead of a golf club. The ball successfully cleared a greenside pond and came to rest just 2m left of the hole, leaving the unwavering Kiwi with two putts his father, Grant, could have made. Fox had recorded his second US PGA Tour victory in a month.

And then came the US Open at Oakmont and a long-odds player from California named JJ Spaun. The rainy conditions could not have been worse, yet on Sunday Spaun found the 18th green and 72nd hole in regulation. He nailed a 20m putt for birdie to seal the deal. It will be remembered as one of the greatest winning putts in US Open history.

Watching those two moments of magic from Fox and Spaun inspired us to recall more of golf’s greatest shots. We watched as Aussie Craig Parry eagled the 18th to win the 2004 Ford Championship at Doral. Jonathon Bird’s hole-in-one won a playoff at the 2010 Shriners Open. Andrew Magee and Aussie Richard Green have both scored holes-inone on par-4s, though not in Major tournaments –Green during a pro-am at the 2015 Victorian Open.

Without ranking them, how about 10 more of golf’s greatest shots? You can probably guess who made some of them.

TIGER WOODS

18TH HOLE, 2000 CANADIAN OPEN

Playing in the final pairing with Kiwi Grant Waite at the Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario, Woods led by a single shot when the pair teed off at the 508-yard par-5 18th hole, the final hole of the tournament.

Waite reached the green in two and was set up for a possible eagle to win or a birdie to force a playoff after Woods sent his tee shot right into a fairway bunker 218 yards from the green – and a pin he could not see.

His caddie, Steve Williams, later said: “I certainly got the required yardage should Tiger decide to lay up, but knowing how he thinks, there was no doubt in my mind he was going to try and knock it on the green.”

Indeed, Woods had to reach the green to have any chance of avoiding a playoff or outright defeat. He struck a 6-iron perfectly. The ball bounced on the green and rolled to the back. But from there he managed two putts for a birdie to secure the win. Fellow PGA Tour pro Scott Verplank called it “the greatest shot I’ve ever seen”.

TIGER WOODS

16TH HOLE, 2005 MASTERS

Woods was leading Chris DeMarco by a single shot on Sunday when, at the 16th hole, he overshot the green with his 8-iron. The ball ended up in rough off the back.

As Evin Priest tells it in Together We Roared, coauthored with Steve Williams: “Woods hounded Williams on the walk up to the green, ‘Stevie, what’s over there? Do I have a shot?’ Williams piped back, ‘Tiger, I have no f---ing clue, mate! I’ve never been over there’.”

Woods swiped at the ball with a 60-degree wedge, popped it up onto the top tier of the green where it could at least roll back toward the hole. But it did more than that. The ball rolled so slowly towards the cup, you could have ordered pizza waiting for it to drop. Finally, it did. And that shot, the likes of which we may never see again, effectively secured Woods his fourth of five Green Jackets.

LARRY MIZE

11TH HOLE, 1987 MASTERS

After four rounds, Mize was tied with Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman at 3-under. Ballesteros bogeyed the first playoff hole, the 10th, and dropped out, leaving Mize and Norman to play the daunting 11th hole.

Both players struck solid tee shots and were in prime position to do no worse than par. Only where Norman found the edge of the green with his second shot, Mize pushed his 18m to the right. Mize might as well have been playing his third shot from Siberia. Norman looked set to win his first Green Jacket with two putts.

But in what has often been called a career-defining shot (no kidding!) Mize used a sand wedge to chip the ball onto the green and into the hole: in that situation, a shot that might have seemed as probable as a Lotto jackpot. The jig Mize did afterwards, with his putter held high in the air, has become one of golf’s iconic images. Meanwhile, Norman failed to make his putt for birdie and a tie.

FUN FACT: Mize is the only winner of the Masters born in Augusta, Georgia. His sand wedge was designed by Jack Nicklaus, who had won the year before and that year helped Mize don the Green Jacket.

JACK NICKLAUS 16TH HOLE, 1986 MASTERS

In 1986, many thought Nicklaus’ playing career was all but over. He was 46 years and 82 days old. His last win among the Majors was six years earlier when he won the US Open and the PGA Championship in the same year. It had been 11 years since his last win at Augusta National.

Now he was back as a five-time winner and seemingly a token invitee based on his past performance. But on Sunday, as if he had taken a drink from the Fountain of Youth, he found himself at the top of the leaderboard with the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman and Tom Kite.

Incredibly, he eagled the par-5 15th hole to be two shots back of Ballesteros. He stood on the tee at the par-3 16th with his son Jackie on his bag (it was

MIZE USED A SAND WEDGE TO CHIP THE BALL ONTO THE GREEN AND INTO THE HOLE: IN THAT SITUATION, A SHOT THAT MIGHT HAVE SEEMED AS PROBABLE AS A LOTTO JACKPOT.”

Father’s Day, after all). Nicklaus struck a 5-iron within a club-length of the hole and the roar of the crowd was so deafening it stopped play back at the 15th hole long enough for Ballesteros to lose his cool and put his second shot in the water.

Nicklaus made the birdie at 16 and then, remarkably, like the young hot-shot he once was, birdied the par 4 17th. The photo of him following his putt into the hole and holding his putter high has become one of the most cherished images from the Masters. While others lost their cool, Nicklaus parred the 18th hole to become the oldest player to win the Masters, a record that still stands today.

PHIL MICKELSON

13TH HOLE, 2010 MASTERS

If a player overcooks his drive at the par-5 13th at Augusta National and fails to draw the ball around the dogleg, it likely ends resting on pine straw among the trees. A golf swing on pine straw is problematic because the loose needles can cause a player to slip and make poor contact with the ball. Laying up with less than a full swing is the safest option.

But not for “Phil the Thrill” Mickelson, who doesn’t have the word ‘safe’ in his vocabulary.

His tee shot at the 13th hole on Sunday ended up on pine straw among trees that appeared to block a direct shot at the green. He had 190m to carry Rae’s Creek, which fronts the green and a bit more to the hole. Masters victories have been sunk in Rae’s Creek, but that did not stop Lefty.

His 6-iron off the pine straw cleared the trees like threading a needle. It flew high enough to clear the creek and miraculously ended up less than 2m from the hole. He missed his putt for eagle but made birdie, pulled away from the eventual runner-up, Lee Westwood, and went on to win his third Green Jacket. That shot is commonly listed among “the greatest ever” in Masters history.

GENE SARAZEN

15TH HOLE, 1935 MASTERS

It’s been called the most famous shot in Masters history, a two on a par-5: an albatross, or double eagle. There have been only three since at the Masters, none of them at the 15th hole.

In the final round, Sarazen came to the 15th one over par and three shots behind Craig Wood. ‘The Squire’, as he was known, was paired with the colourful Walter Hagen, who was in a hurry to finish the round, claiming he had a hot date that night.

WHEN HIS LONG-TIME CADDIE BRUCE EDWARDS TOLD HIM TO “GET IT CLOSE,” WATSON REPLIED:

“GET IT CLOSE? HELL, I'M GOING TO SINK IT.”

Sarazen’s tee shot at the 15th came to rest 212m from the hole; no pond in front of the green in those days, just a stream, yet still a water hazard and enough to ruin the day. Could he clear it with his second shot or not? His caddie, John Henry ‘Stovepipe’ Gordon (so named for the stovepipe hat he wore) told Sarazen to lay up.

But Sarazen had Stovepipe pull his Wilson Turf Rider 4-wood from the bag. The shot cleared the stream, bounced onto the green and rolled into the cup. That shot led to the only 36-hole playoff in Masters history. Sarazen won by five shots.

JACK NICKLAUS

17TH HOLE, 1972 US OPEN AT PEBBLE BEACH

The most difficult golf club to hit may be the 1-iron. Which may be why few if any of today’s Tour players carry one, and why club manufacturers do not include them in standard sets sold off the rack.

By 1972, Jack Nicklaus had won two US Opens and had established himself as the best player on Tour, someone who had taken on Arnold Palmer and his devoted ‘Army’, and won. So it wasn’t a great surprise that he came to the 17th hole on the final day of this US Open at Pebble Beach with a three-shot lead over Australian Bruce Crampton.

Only on this day, the 200m par-3 17th was playing into a headwind to a green notorious for its irregular shape and rough-cut bunkers, making it one of the most difficult holes on which to make par. As Nicklaus himself said later, he could have easily missed his mark and made a double bogey.

Yet he pulled a 1-iron from his bag and struck what’s been called a miracle shot. The ball struck the flagstick and came to rest inches from the cup. His tapin birdie secured his third US Open championship by three shots.

TOM WATSON

17TH HOLE CHIP-IN, 1982 US OPEN AT PEBBLE BEACH

There may be no other par-3 hole in golf more famous than that 190m 17th on Sunday with the pin at the back left. Which is why Jack Nicklaus’ 1-iron 10 years earlier remains one of golf’s greatest shots.

Now along comes Tom Watson at the same hole in

1982. After bogeying the 16th, Watson was tied with Nicklaus, who was by then in the clubhouse. The two legends appeared destined for a playoff, only Watson pulled his 2-iron left of the green. The ball bounced off the fringe into dense rough on a downslope about five metres from the pin.

Watson was in the prime of his career. He later claimed he had practised chipping on downslopes to prepare for Pebble Beach. When his long-time caddie Bruce Edwards told him to “Get it close,” Watson replied: “Get it close? Hell, I'm going to sink it.”

Using a sand wedge, he cleanly popped the ball up out of the rough. It bounced once then rolled straight at the pin before dropping into the hole. That chip shot left him with a one-shot lead. As if to be sure, he birdied the 18th to win the US Open by two shots.

BIRDIE KIM 18TH HOLE, 2005 US WOMEN'S OPEN

Not long before her historic bunker shot that won the 2005 US Women’s Open, South Korean Kim had changed her name to Birdie to reflect her profession and stand out from the crowd. Her timing could not have been better. She came to the 18th and final hole of the 2005 Women’s US Open, at Cherry Hills Country Club in Colorado, tied with amateur Morgan Pressel at +4. Pressel was one of a handful of teenage stars competing in that tournament; in fact Birdie Kim was paired that final round with a 15-year-old Michele Wie.

It was Kim’s first appearance at the US Open. She hit her approach shot on the par-4 hole into a right-hand bunker that was so deep she had to jump up to see the hole.

With Pressel playing in the group behind, Kim struck a flat, low-flying shot that cleared the lip and rolled across the green with enough steam that, had it not gone in the hole, would have left her with a challenging putt for par coming back. But the ball dropped in to give her a one-shot lead she held on to after Pressel could only manage par.

FUN FACTS: Kim was only the third player ever to win the US Open on first appearance and throughout that weekend she was only six from 27 in sand saves. One commentator called her shot “one of the greatest moments in USGA history”.

LYDIA KO

17TH HOLE, 2024

WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN AT ST ANDREWS

The tournament, on the Old Course at St Andrews, was played in wind and rain throughout the entire weekend: conditions as tough as they get for golf in Scotland. Yet Lydia remained resilient. She stood on the 17th tee on the Sunday in a three-way tie for the lead.

Despite the inclement weather, she had rebounded from an uneventful stage in her career with a gold-medal performance at the Olympics just weeks before and earlier in the year she’d broken a win-less streak by taking out the first LPGA tournament of the year in Florida. Her confidence was high.

That day, her tee shot at the famous Road Hole came to rest 182m from the green. With the wind and rain in her face, no doubt with cold hands and feet, she struck a 3-wood that hobbled onto the green – a major achievement in itself – and got up and down for par.

Ko birdied the 18th and, as others faltered in the wind and the wet, she won her first AIG Women’s British Open and her third LPGA Major by two shots. It was her 28th professional victory. In her characteristically understated way, she told the press gallery: “That was probably one of the best shots I’ve hit.” ▪

THE NATURE OF GOLF

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OMAHA BEACH GOLF CLUB CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR, WITH EYES FIXED FIRMLY ON THE ROAD AHEAD.

WORDS: GEOFF SAUNDERS. PHOTOS: BENJAMIN BROOK.

It had been nine years between visits for me to Omaha Beach Golf Club, a links-style course sitting on a sandy peninsula in Whangateau Harbour, an hour’s drive north from Auckland.

On heading to the first tee, the dramatic improvements to the course and its facilities in recent years were immediately apparent. New paths, landscaping and shortgame areas around the clubhouse have noticeably enhanced the setting. From the moment I arrived, it was clear this was a friendly club, and one that is steadily improving its facilities.

Omaha works to a clear masterplan, carefully overseen by the club’s governance committee and its small management team.

On my last visit, the course had plenty of visual appeal, but there were obvious drainage problems, particularly on the finishing holes. To my 2016 eye, the course also finished with a rather unremarkable run of closing holes.

The club will celebrate its half century in November to coincide with hosting the Freyberg Masters. The layout has had an interesting history over the past 50 years.

The course was originally laid out in the mid 1970s with nine holes (made up of the present first to third and 13th to 18th holes) – the early development helped by a great deal of voluntary labour. In 2000, John Darby designed and oversaw the addition

of nine holes to the south, which opened in 2003. Chris Pitman provided some further general design and routing advice in 2008 and, most recently, Kristine Kerr, of Kura Golf Course Design, has used her expertise to deliver a sensibly managed refinement of the course.

Most noticeable to me were changes to the bunkering on the 14th hole and extensive remodelling to the 15th (2021) and 17th holes (2022). Three greens (15th, 17th and 18th) have also been sown in Bent grass, starting a project that should see all the greens converted to Bent over the next five years. Kerr’s alterations culminated in an excellent 2023 revamp of the formerly unremarkable 18th hole. The delivery of the redesign work has been entrusted to the highly experienced team of Adam and Trent Jones, of GRASS, working in tandem with club superintendent Corey Wilcox and his staff.

The drainage issues on the finishing holes have been dealt with by reshaping bunkers and greens, elevating fairways and extending lakes in two areas. One of the principal objectives achieved by the work has been to raise the level of fairways above inundation levels and to install a fairway drainage system.

I was fortunate to be guided around the course by club treasurer Mark Douglas and we were joined

THE CLUB WILL CELEBRATE ITS HALF CENTURY IN NOVEMBER TO COINCIDE WITH HOSTING THE FREYBERG MASTERS.

over the last few holes by the affable general manager Frazer Bond, a member of the NZPGA who moved to Omaha after escaping the developer-inspired trainwreck that Gulf Harbour Golf and Country Club has become.

Douglas explained how the club has funded its continual improvements .

‘‘

THE 16TH HOLE IS BEING REDEVELOPED TO COMPLETE THE ESTUARY

NINE AS ENVISIONED BY PITMAN AND KERR.”

“We worked with Friends of Omaha Beach Golf Club from 2018 and we raised almost $750,000 over three years. This provided the core funds for improvements and we completed the work, sometimes with a compromise or two, but always carried out to meet the budget. We have continued to receive funds from the Friends over the last three years to invest in course improvements.”

The Friends charitable trust has been used as the fund-raising entity for many of the improvements to the course; the group has sufficient vision to value the importance of the club’s activities and facilities to the surrounding community. One of the impressive features of Omaha’s strategy is the way the club manages the improvements within a budget, but at the same time continually prioritises future projects.

The club’s major project for 2025 has been the $500,000 construction of a new greenkeeping shed, which was well underway at the time of my visit.

An impressive array of well-maintained course equipment is housed in the new shed, highlighting a club and greenkeeping staff that takes pride in its equipment. Perhaps not the most glamourous of projects, but one that exhibits a focused and cohesive master plan.

Omaha Golf Cub is not resting on its laurels; further modifications are planned for the redevelopment of hole 3A with its conversion to a par-5 (taking the course up to a par of 71). The 16th hole is being redeveloped to complete the Estuary nine as envisioned by Pitman and Kerr. Also on the list of future work is laying a large turf nursery.

The construction and ownership of the clubhouse is a model that many clubs will no doubt look upon with envy. The original clubhouse construction was funded by the Omaha Beach Community and gifted to the Rodney District Council with the objective of it being used as a community facility. The golf club has no ‘dead’ capital tied up in owning the buildings, which are sub-leased from the Omaha Beach Community. The club’s membership is healthy and at capacity, with almost 1,100 members. Subscriptions are affordable, pitched at around $2,000 per full-playing member.

Omaha Beach Golf Club has a clear strategy for continued improvement, and the manner of implementation of the changes made so far, funded and strategically planned, highlights a club that seems to know exactly where it’s heading. ▪

OMAHA BEACH GOLF CLUB

1 North West Anchorage, Omaha Beach Phone: 09 422 7551 www.omahagolf.co.nz

SICILIAN GOLF AND GRANDEUR

SPRAWLING MAGNIFICENTLY ACROSS TWO KILOMETRES OF PRIVATE, SUN-DRENCHED COASTLINE IN SOUTHWESTERN SICILY, VERDURA RESORT IS A TOP DESTINATION FOR DISCERNING TRAVELLERS AND GOLF ENTHUSIASTS ALIKE. WORDS: TRICIA WELSH.

Verdura Resort overlooking the Sicilian Coast.

Spanning 230 hectares of a pristine Mediterranean landscape, this luxurious retreat offers an unparalleled blend of world-class golf, refined accommodations, exceptional dining and wide-ranging leisure facilities, all set against the backdrop of an azure sea and rolling hills.

When the Rocco Forte hotel group first thought to buy the original coastal strip of land, it comprised 72 small holdings. “We had to negotiate with them all,” recalls thirdgeneration hotelier Sir Rocco, himself a passionate and life-long golfer.

Today, Verdura Resort is renowned for its exceptional golfing facilities, featuring two 18-hole championship courses and a ninehole par-3 course, all masterfully designed by acclaimed architect Kyle Phillips. These courses seamlessly blend into the natural terrain, offering players a challenging yet rewarding experience amidst olive groves and coastal vistas.

VERDURA RESORT IS RENOWNED FOR ITS EXCEPTIONAL GOLFING FACILITIES, FEATURING TWO 18HOLE CHAMPIONSHIP COURSES AND A NINE-HOLE PAR-3 COURSE, ALL MASTERFULLY DESIGNED BY ACCLAIMED ARCHITECT KYLE PHILLIPS.”

Golf World magazine has named it No. 1 Best Golf Resort in Italy and among the Top 20 Best Golf Resorts in the World. Notably, the resort has hosted the European Tour’s Rocco Forte Sicilian Open, cementing its status in the international golfing community.

Golfers can take advantage of unlimited play packages, complete with complimentary buggies, ensuring a leisurely and immersive experience on Italy’s top-ranked golf courses. The resort's commitment to golfing excellence is evident in its meticulously maintained fairways and greens, providing an idyllic setting for both seasoned players and novices.

Private lessons are available with on-site PGAqualified professionals and the Verdura Junior Golf Academy is designed to introduce the game to youngsters between six and 16, or to hone the skills they already have.

The resort offers a variety of accommodations, including 203 elegant rooms and suites and 20 private villas, each designed for comfort and tranquillity. The villas, in particular, are masterpieces of modern architecture, blending seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Built with sustainable materials and decorated in hues reflecting the Sicilian environment, these three- and four-bedroom villas offer expansive living spaces, private pools and panoramic sea views.

Guests staying in the villas enjoy exclusive amenities such as daily housekeeping, dedicated golf buggies, e-bikes, and access to all resort facilities, including the Verdura Spa, the beach, tennis courts and dining venues: a combination of privacy and luxury ensuring a memorable stay.

Verdura Resort's three courses offer a backdrop of azure sea and rolling hills.

Verdura has been named Best Golf Resort in Italy and among the top 20 in the World.

COURSES SEAMLESSLY BLEND INTO THE NATURAL TERRAIN, OFFERING PLAYERS A CHALLENGING YET REWARDING EXPERIENCE AMIDST OLIVE GROVES AND COASTAL VISTAS.”

Beyond golf, Verdura Resort boasts an array of facilities. The 60-metre infinity pool is a serene spot for relaxation, while the six tennis courts provide opportunities for both casual play and professional coaching. The resort's expansive Irene Forte Spa is a sanctuary of wellness, featuring a range of treatments, a yoga centre and state-ofthe-art fitness equipment.

Families are welcomed with a dedicated Kid’s Club, and tailor-made programmes for babies (0-3 years), kids (4-12 years) and teens (13-16 years) –each receiving a family passport to check in, which they can fill with their fun and creative adventures.

The resort's commitment to sustainability and environmental harmony is evident throughout its operations, from the architecture to its curated experiences.

DINING AT VERDURA IS A GASTRONOMIC JOURNEY THROUGH SICILIAN FLAVOURS AND INTERNATIONAL CUISINE. THE RESORT FEATURES EIGHT DISTINCT RESTAURANTS, EACH OFFERING A UNIQUE AMBIANCE AND MENU.” ‘‘

Dining at Verdura is a gastronomic journey through Sicilian flavours and international cuisine. The resort features eight distinct restaurants, each offering a unique ambiance and menu. From fresh seafood delicacies at the beachfront eatery to artisanal dishes served on a rooftop terrace, guests are treated to culinary excellence. Much of the fruit, vegetables and herbs used comes from the resort’s own expansive kitchen gardens.

Complementing the dining experiences are four sophisticated bars. The Granita Bar is renowned for its expertly crafted cocktails: a chic setting for evening relaxation. Alternatively, the pool bar offers a more laid-back atmosphere, perfect for enjoying refreshments under the Sicilian sun.

Situated near the historic fishing town of Sciacca, Verdura Resort offers guests a tranquil escape with easy access to Sicily's rich cultural heritage. The resort’s almost 2km of private Mediterranean coastline provides a secluded haven for beachgoers, while the surrounding countryside invites exploration and adventure.

The strategic location makes excursions to nearby attractions easy, including ancient ruins, vineyards and charming villages. The resort is just 60km from the magnificent Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, one of the most important and bestpreserved historical sites in the Mediterranean and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Named after the eminent Verdura family that once owned the property, it’s interesting to note the last Duke of Verdura was a cousin of renowned Italian writer Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, a copy of whose masterpiece, The Leopard (Il Gattopardi), can be found in each bedroom. ▪

www.roccofortehotels.com

OPPOSITE PAGE: The resort's Ondina Restaurant & Bar is the perfect spot to unwind over a laid-back lunch, with sweeping views towards the Mediterranean.

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THE NEW

RUSH TO THE HEAD

ROYAL PORTRUSH WAS THE STUNNING VENUE FOR THIS YEAR’S OPEN. IT’S NOT THE ONLY LINKS GEM IN NORTHERN IRELAND.

MARK ALEXANDER PICKS HIS TOP FIVE AND NOTES THE CHANGES TRANSFORMING THE PROVINCE.

f anticipation for this year’s Open wasn’t already fevered, Rory McIlroy’s extraordinary win at the Masters had stoked excitement in Northern Ireland to stratospheric levels.

“I can’t wait to go back to Portrush in July,” admitted Rory just after donning the Green Jacket. He was not alone. Some 278,000 people attended the championship – with around half of them coming from outside Northern Ireland.

When they arrived, they found a picture-perfect province with a rich haul of golf courses.

Royal County Down

ROYAL COUNTY DOWN

Tom Watson accurately described Royal County Down as “pure links”, and standing on the first tee you can see what he means. Ahead of you, spray from the surf forms a fine mist over the tall dunes and the weaving fairway. Take it from me; Royal County Down will easily become one of your most cherished golfing memories.

After all, the Old Tom Morris design will leave you breathless, not only because of its beauty but also because of its challenges. It may have been around for 120 years, but this beast measures over 7,000 yards (6,400 metres), with a slope rating of 145. And yet, according to Kevan Whitson, the long-serving head professional and director of golf operations at Royal County Down, it’s a keeper.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK ALONG THE COAST TOWARDS THE FIRST GREEN, WHICH IS ENCASED IN CLIFFS, THERE IS AN ABRUPT REALISATION THAT THIS IS FAR FROM YOUR STANDARD COASTAL COURSE.” ‘‘

Last year, Kevan retired from his post after 33 years. In response, the club inducted him as a full member – a fine accolade for a career of dedication. Elsewhere, the Slieve Donard – the redbrick hotel that provides an iconic backdrop to the course –emerged from an audacious transformation under the guidance of the Marine & Lawn brand.

Whereas before, the hotel’s interior was bland, it now shines with an exuberant style that embraces the extravagance of a bygone era. More importantly, it now matches the unmistakable aura of Royal County Down.

ARDGLASS GOLF CLUB COUNTY DOWN

Just up the coast from Royal County Down, on the edge of a small fishing port, lies a golf course that successfully combines history with downright quirkiness.

The welcome sign at Ardglass Golf Club proudly claims it to be home to the world’s oldest clubhouse and, right enough, the building does have an imposing castle-like appearance, especially since it’s flanked by a fleet of canons.

But when you look along the coast towards the first green, which is encased in cliffs, there is an abrupt realisation that this is far from your standard coastal course. The first hole is undoubtedly challenging, but the subsequent holes are just as perilous, often flirting with the rocky coastline. Ardglass is golf on the edge.

“When you’re dealing with such a masterpiece of a golf course, it’s difficult to make major changes and take on that responsibility,” he says.

While changes have been minimal, how the course looks has been a work in progress. “Presentation has been a long journey for the club,” admits Kevan, “to maintain the balance between the beauty and the beast.”

And yet, change here is also palpable. A multiphase development led by the architect Ken Kearney has resulted in a series of modifications, the latest of which has seen the 10th, 16th and 17th holes reimagined and a series of bunkers and tees remodelled.

Ardglass may sound like a location from the TV series Game of Thrones (filmed in Northern Ireland), but it has its own set of cliffhangers, including the infinity green at the new 17th and a theatrical downhill closing hole that sweeps down to the ancient clubhouse. If you’re looking for thrills, Ardglass has it in spades.

Royal County Down

Ardglass Golf Club

Royal Portrush

ROYAL PORTRUSH GC COUNTY ANTRIM

If I were asked to distil my golfing memories into a shortlist, I wouldn’t hesitate to include my first round at Royal Portrush. The significance of the round struck me as I stood on the sixth tee. My fourball had just completed one of golf’s great holes, a sweeping left-to-right dogleg that concluded at an infinity green overlooking the North Atlantic Ocean. It was glorious.

Since then, Royal Portrush has undergone a series of changes leading up to the 2019 Open Championship, as well as some tweaks prior to this year’s event. Masterminded by Mackenzie & Ebert, the changes addressed some shortcomings.

“The old 17th and 18th holes were slightly weak after such an amazing tour of the dunes,” noted Martin Ebert at the time. “That has been addressed by creating two new holes that continue to improve [Harry] Colt’s best links.”

The two new holes (7th and 8th) were obviously to the liking of Shane Lowry, whose bogey-free round of 63 on ‘moving day’ in 2019 resulted in a new course record and led the way for him to lift the Claret Jug. An impressive mural of the 148th Champion Golfer was dutifully unveiled in Portrush in 2024.

‘‘

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ROUND STRUCK ME AS I STOOD ON THE SIXTH TEE. MY FOURBALL HAD JUST COMPLETED ONE OF GOLF’S GREAT HOLES.”

The course upgrades and fresco aren’t the only changes Lowry would have noticed on his proud return. Alongside the fourth fairway of the famed Dunluce course, the recently opened £16.5 million Dunluce Lodge will offer 35 luxury suites, while next door Royal Portrush Golf Club has acquired an eight-bedroom property it will run as a holiday let.

In the town itself, the Atlantic and Adelphi hotels have been transformed under the ever-expanding Marine and Lawn brand. For a town once known for its limited accommodation options, Portrush is blooming.

Royal Portrush

PORTSTEWART GC

COUNTY LONDONDERRY

A mere jaunt from Portrush is one of Ireland’s bestkept secrets. Portstewart Golf Club sits proudly above the smooth sands of Portstewart Strand, with a modern clubhouse overlooking the first tee. Ahead lies golf on an epic scale.

The magnitude of the course becomes clear as you’re eyeing up your second shot. The gradients of the steep slopes that bank each fairway create huge amphitheatres that either shelter you from the prevailing wind or funnel it towards you. You’re walking in the land of giants.

When you reach the 5th on the Strand Course (Rifle Range), the River Bann comes into view, providing the westerly boundary of the property. The best of Portstewart’s second course (the Riverside) hugs the banks of Northern Ireland’s longest river, marking a distinct transition from the immense dunes of it neighbour. But change is on the way.

The club has appointed European Golf Design to develop a master plan for its three courses, with the architects noting: “The Strand course is the highlight of the project, with improvements focused on its back nine holes. Additionally, significant enhancements are planned for the Riverside Course.”

David MacLaren, Portstewart’s general manager, who is presiding over the upgrades, said: “There aren’t many golf clubs that have three 18-hole courses, 1,600 members and, in the Strand Course, one of the great links courses in the world.”

OFF-COURSE: EAT & STAY

Must-eat for the mouthwatering seafood: Harry’s Shack, Portstewart (harrysshack.app); and for opulence, The Merchant Hotel, Belfast. www.themerchanthotel.com

Must-try for the thrill of catching your own breakfast: Causeway Boats. www.causewayboats.com

Must-drink for the craic: Blakes of the Hollow, Enniskillen. www.blakesofthehollow.com

Must-stay for the harbour views: Harbour Rock House, Portrush. www.blackrockbandbportrush.com

Must-stay for the friendly staff: The Ebrington Hotel, Derry. www.theebringtonhotel.com

For more information visit www.ireland.com

LOUGH ERNE RESORT COUNTY FERMANAGH

Fermanagh, is a magical county of rustic beauty and glorious heart-stopping sunsets. There is much to do on and around the lakes of Fermanagh, including a cohort of welcoming hostelries. Lough Erne Resort is the best of these.

Opened in 2007 on a 240-hectare peninsula, Lough Erne Resort brought with it refinement and international levels of service. The real draw, however, is the 18 holes designed by Sir Nick Faldo, with water coming into play on 11 of them.

Barry McCauley has been at Lough Erne since the beginning and recently became its director of golf. Discussing the latest phase of a multi-millionpound project to upgrade its 53 guest bedrooms, six suites and 25 luxury lodges, Barry says the resort’s US-based operator, TRU Hotels and Resorts, has been keen to raise standards even higher since taking over in 2015.

“They’ve been constantly investing in the place,” he explains. “With a resort of this standard and calibre, you have to work on it and invest in it. It gets people to come back again.” ▪

Portstewart GC

Lough Erne Resort

BUILT FOR SPEED. Drivers come in all shapes and sizes with claims of more of everything, but unless it’s optimized to your game, your expectations and drives will come up short (and in the rough). In the new G440 drivers, multiple technologies, including a lighter overall system weight and longer shaft, help bring you more ball speed for more distance, more forgiveness and more fun.

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Mass savings from the Free Hosel help optimize the CG, aligning it with the force line for more distance and fairway-finding forgiveness.

Composite crown contributes to lighter overall system, delivering faster speeds for more distance and a pleasing sound.

Shallow, thin face increases flexing to ensure high-launching results for consistent ball speed on off-center hits.

GOLF, GRAPES & GRAND DESIGNS

GOLF COURSES HAVE SPROUTED LIKE GRAPES ON A VINE THROUGHOUT THE ROLLING HILLS THAT OVERLOOK KELOWNA, THE GOLF HUB AND HEART OF CANADA’S OKANAGAN VALLEY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. WORDS: BRIAN KENDALL.

Tower Ranch, The Rise, The Ridge course at Predator Ridge Resort and several other high-profile designs have all enjoyed ballyhooed openings.

“Mountain views, rolling grasslands and desert plains make Kelowna and the entire Okanagan Valley a spectacular canvas for golf course design,” says Tom McBroom, the architect of Tower Ranch. “Then add in award-winning vineyards and the city’s vibrant waterfront. It’s no surprise that Kelowna has become so popular.”

Located 400 kilometres east of Vancouver in the province of British Columbia, Kelowna sits on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake, a 109km-long waterway linking the city of 165,000 with the smaller communities of Penticton to the south and Vernon to the north. The entire valley, but especially Kelowna, exudes a chill California-style vibe. Hotels and restaurant patios hug the almost 2km-long downtown boardwalk that edges the lake. Rent a paddle board, kayak or a small boat (or maybe a yacht?) and set out from popular beaches like Tugboat Bay and Rotary Beach. Or sign on for a tour of some of the more than 40 wineries found just minutes from the city centre.

Best of all, especially for golfers who fret about rainouts, Kelowna basks in an average of more than 2,000 hours of sunshine a year. The city sits at the northern tip of the Sonoran Desert, which snakes from Mexico through the United States and finally into southern British Columbia. The average

daytime high temperature in both July and August is a Speedo-friendly 29 degrees Celsius.

Despite the Okanagan Valley’s other attractions, tourism officials agree it’s the irresistibly modern mix of fairways and fine wines that has propelled Kelowna into the spotlight. In Canada, only the Niagara Peninsula, in the province of Ontario, is able to offer visitors a similarly attractive mix of grapes and greens.

A logical starting point is Okanagan Golf Club, just across from Kelowna’s international airport. The headliner of the two 18-hole layouts is The Bear, a Jack Nicklaus design carved through a forest of ponderosa pines. Other top courses in Kelowna or within an easy drive from the city include Gallagher’s Canyon Golf & Country Club (a Bill Robinson-Les Furber design that plays around a gaping canyon), Black Mountain Golf Club (featuring 27 holes across three distinct nines), Tower Ranch Golf Club (McBroom’s challenging design offers stunning views of Okanagan Lake and downtown Kelowna), and The Rise (a wildly dramatic, if at times eccentric, Fred Couples-Gene Bates collaboration).

Perhaps the quintessential Okanagan golf experience is found at Harvest Golf Club. The Graham Cooke design is routed through working orchards and vineyards overlooking the city. In season, golfers are invited to help themselves to five varieties of apples and four types of grapes.

Okanagan Golf Club

Tower

Okanagan Golf Club

Though Kelowna has long been the region’s golf hub, it was the 1991 opening of Predator Ridge Resort, 45km to the north, that put the Okanagan Valley on the North American golf map. The 486-hectare resort and real estate development features a gorgeous landscape of clear lakes, fast-rushing mountain streams and wheatgrass meadows. There’s a central lodge, two- and three-bedroom cottages, and two excellent golf courses. The older course, Predator, is a marvellously picturesque Les Furber design that received a multi-million-dollar refresh by Doug Carrick in 2018.

But the even bigger star is The Ridge, a Carrick design that seamlessly blends eight completely rebuilt holes of Predator Ridge’s old Peregrine course with 10 new holes carved through rugged mountain terrain overlooking Okanagan Lake far below.

Particularly striking at The Ridge are the dozens of mountain rock formations that have been scraped clean and power-washed to make their colours and striations more vivid. It’s a robust and uniquely Canadian design technique that Carrick perfected at his award-winning Muskoka Bay Club in Ontario. Just as impressive is the careful attention Carrick paid to his forward tees. Golfers

playing from up front enjoy many of the same thrilling elevated lift-offs and stunning mountain vistas as their longer-hitting partners at the tips.

And a glamorous twin attraction to Predator Ridge Resort glitters high on a cliff overlooking both the golf course and Okanagan Lake. Opened in 2010, Sparkling Hill Resort is a NZ$135m European-style wellness hotel financed by the Swarovski family that has been decorated with more than 3 million of their namesake crystals.

THE 486-HECTARE RESORT AND REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT FEATURES A GORGEOUS LANDSCAPE OF CLEAR LAKES, FAST-RUSHING

MOUNTAIN STREAMS AND WHEATGRASS MEADOWS.”

The Lodge at Predator Ridge.

‘‘

THE RIDGE, A CARRICK DESIGN THAT SEAMLESSLY BLENDS EIGHT COMPLETELY REBUILT HOLES OF PREDATOR RIDGE’S OLD PEREGRINE COURSE WITH 10 NEW HOLES CARVED THROUGH RUGGED MOUNTAIN TERRAIN OVERLOOKING OKANAGAN LAKE FAR BELOW.”

The local wine industry marked its own coming of age with the 2001 opening of Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, a NZ$44m hilltop showpiece just outside Kelowna. The Mediterranean-influenced complex designed by renowned Seattle-based architect Tom Kundig includes a 12-storey bell tower, a performingarts amphitheatre, dramatically lit cellars and the outdoor Terrace restaurant, featuring views of Okanagan Lake and hillsides covered in rows of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines.

Fine wine paired with outstanding golf: the magic tourism mix that has made Kelowna a Canadian must-play.

And, coming soon: Cabot Revelstoke. Rod Whitman’s Cabot Pacific course at Cabot Revelstoke, scheduled for launch in 2027, is touted by those who have toured it – including this writer – as possibly the greatest mountain golf course design since legendary Canadian architect Stanley Thompson unveiled his Jasper Park Lodge and Banff Springs layouts in the 1920s.

Designed by Whitman, best known for his acclaimed work on the Cabot Links course at Cabot Cape Breton, Cabot Pacific is 197km northwest of Kelowna in the popular tourist town of Revelstoke. Whitman’s layout is yet another link in the rapidly growing Cabot Collection of golf resorts that now includes, among other high-

profile properties, Cabot Saint Lucia in the Caribbean, Cabot Citrus Farms in Central West Florida, and Cabot Castle Stuart in Scotland.

Whitman’s course occupies a magnificent bench of land high above the Columbia River. Holes frame long views of the surrounding Selkirk and Monashee Mountain ranges, as well as a vast emerald-green wetland seen in the distance. The starting and finishing holes, both par fours, are sure to astonish. The opener jump-starts the fun by launching from a wildly elevated tee, while the closer twists through a gorgeous alpine amphitheatre directly below the clifftop clubhouse. The par-3 eighth, meanwhile, is lauded as a potential Canadian signature hole. It’s a testing brute that demands a carry of over 229 metres across a yawning gorge from the back tees.

Happily for golfers, Revelstoke is already home to an outstanding alpine valley course. Opened in 1924, Revelstoke Golf Club is a locally cherished jewel that snakes alongside a heavily timbered bank of the surging Columbia River. ▪

ABOVE: Mission Hill Family Estate Winery. OPPOSITE PAGE: Rod Whitman’s designed Cabot Pacific course at Cabot Revelstoke scheduled to open for play in 2027.

MIXED

& MATCHED

STEP INTO A WORLD OF UNPARALLELED STYLE AND PERFORMANCE WITH G/FORE - MAKING A POWERFUL AND COLOURFUL IMPACT ON YOUR FAVOURITE GAME.

/FORE is where modern design, youthful energy and golf's rich traditions intersect. The styles have an expansive colour palette with an emphasis on performance and comfort. They’re made to be mixed and matched for a transitional lifestyle, both on the course and beyond.

Pretty in Snow: Pointelle stitch long-sleeve sweater matched with the Knockout A-line skort and Gallivan2r Kiltie golf shoe.

LEFT: Silky tech nylon zip polo with Knockout A-line skort (both in twilight).

RIGHT: Silky tech nylon zip polo with Blur FloralTech jersey skort (both in onyx).

Spring swing: Silky tech nylon zip polo in blush, Knockout A-Line skort in twilight, Daytona stand bag in snow.

LEFT: Multi-stripe tech pique polo in twilight.

BOTTOM LEFT: Iris tech stretch jersey polo in snow.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Icon camo tech stretch jersey polo in snow.

Daytona stand bags, available in snow, twilight, blush and

www.golfhq.co.nz

baja.

“CUTTING-EDGE INNOVATION MEETS UNMATCHED FUNCTIONALITY, DELIVERING OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE!”

SPEEED IS A BEAUTIFUL THING

FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER – THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2026

Colosseum, Rome

Golfing Italy & Greece

FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER – THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2026

Villa d’Este

Florence

Costa Navarino

Buongiorno

Hot off the press – the PaR nz Hosted 2026 Golf Tour to Italy & Greece.

Imagine yourself on tour in Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome and then in Athens, sightseeing before four nights at the highly rated Costa Navarino Golf Resort, Messenia on the southwest coast of the Greek Peloponnese Peninsula.

Travelling through five historic cities, staying in 5-star luxury, playing 5-star golf and enjoying an array of inclusions and culinary delights.

Our tour starts in the fashion capital of Europe – Milan. We have four nights at the 5-star Westin Palace in the city centre with golf at Villa d’Este and Golf Bogogno. Then a free day in Milan reserved for shopping and sightseeing.

Then on to Venice where our next three nights at the Sina Centurion Palace await. This 5-star luxury hotel is perfectly located, facing the Grand Canal, in the Dorsoduro District next to the Guggenheim Museum. We play golf on Lido Island at Circolo Golf Venezia, after a thrilling arrival by private vaporetto (water taxi). Take time out for a day of sightseeing and enjoy a gondola ride to see this simply breathtaking city of 118 islands.

Off to the birthplace of the Renaissance Movement, Florence, in the Tuscany region. Florence is renowned for its art, architecture, food and wine, history and great golf challenges: Poggio dei Medici and Golf Ugolino. Enjoy four nights, staying at the Hotel Savor Florence in the city centre near the River Arno. Brush up your culinary skills at a Florence Cooking School and enjoy the fruits of your labour with dinner.

The seat of the Roman Empire for 600 years, Rome, is up next with three nights staying at the Hotel De La Ville Rome. The old imperial city will delight you along with two golf challenges – Acquasanta and Marco Simone – host of the 2023 Ryder Cup.

We leave Italy and fly to Greece. We enjoy a two night stay in Athens with a sightseeing tour of the Acropolis and a Greek lunch included at the well-known Kuzina restaurant. Our hotel of choice is the 5-star Hotel Grande Bretagne by Marriott.

Then we're off to the Costa Navarino where we check in to the 5-star Westin Hotel for four nights. Golf at Bernard Langer’s Dune Course, and the Bay Course by Robert Trent Jones II are our final two golf challenges. Enjoy a farewell dinner on the 23rd September before we transfer back to Athens.

This tour is a beauty! Are you excited like us?

Golfer numbers are restricted to 28 so book your place now! The tour will be fully hosted by the PaR nz team, Denise & Kim with luxury coach transfers and many inclusions – read on!

Ciao and Antío

Denise & Kim

Denise Langdon Email: denise@parnz.co.nz

Kim Buckley Email: kim@parnz.co.nz

PaR nz Golfing Holidays www.parnz.co.nz

Kim Buckley Email: kim@parnz.co.nz PaR nz Golfing Holidays www.parnz.co.nz

www.parnz.co.nz

Italy & Greece Golf Tour 2026

Itinerary and inclusions

Day 1 – 4 September

Arrival Milan – airport meet & greet, hotel transfers

Check into The Westin Palace Hotel for four nights, classic and contemporary rooms, Breakfast daily

Welcome dinner and drinks

Day 2 – 5 September

Golf @ Villa d’Este in golf carts

Day 3 – 6 September

Free day to explore and shop

Evening drinks hour hosted by PaR nz

Day 4 – 7 September

Golf @ Golf Bogogno in golf carts

Day 5 – 8 September

Travel by PaR nz coach to Venice, with water taxi to our hotel on the final stages of our journey

Check into the Sina Centurion Palace Venice for three nights

Breakfast daily

Day 6 – 9 September

Golf @ Circolo Golf Venezia in golf carts

Private water taxi

Day 7 – 10 September

Free day to explore and shop

Evening gondola ride with ‘bubbles’ hosted by PaR nz

Day 8 – 11 September

Travel by PaR nz coach to Florence

Check into the Hotel Savoy Florence for four nights

Deluxe double rooms, Breakfast daily

Day 9 – 12 September

Golf @ Poggio dei Medici in golf carts

Day 10 – 13 September

Golf @ Golf Ugolino in golf carts

Day 11 – 14 September

Free day

Evening Florence Cooking School & Dinner

Day 12 – 15 September

PaR nz Coach from Florence to Rome

Check into the Hotel De La Ville Rome for three nights

Standard double rooms, Breakfast daily

Welcome drinks hour hosted by PaR nz

Day 13 – 16 September

Golf @ Acquasanta in golf carts

Day 14 – 17 September

Golf @ Marco Simone in golf carts

Special feature by the Club Director – presentation on the 2023 Ryder Cup

Final Italy dinner night

Day 15 – 18 September

Depart Rome and fly to Athens – flight included

Check into the Hotel Grande Bretagne by Marriott

Classic courtyard rooms, Breakfast daily

Day 16 – 19 September

City tour included with local guide and lunch at Kuzina Greek restaurant

Day 17 – 20 September

Transfer to Costa Navarino

Check into The Westin Hotel for four nights

Deluxe Garden-view rooms, Breakfast daily

Day 18 – 21 September

Golf @ Costa Navarino – Dunes Course in golf carts – on site

Day 19 – 22 September

Free time – pool time – or book an extra round on the International Olympic Academy Course

Day 20 – 23 September

Golf @ Costa Navarino – Bay Course in golf carts – on site

Farewell Greek Banquet Dinner

Day 21 – 24 September

Group transfer back to Athens International Airport

Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, Athens

Friday 4 September – Thursday 24 September 2026

Westin Hotel, Costa Navarino

Milan

Italy & Greece Golf Tour 2026

The Golf Courses

d'Este

Lake Como, Lombardia

Est 1926 – Designer Peter Gannon

Tree lined parkland, undulating, with several slopes to climb.

Special Point of Interest: The stunning clubhouse, beautiful fir tree-lined fairways, always presented in top condition. Host of the Italian Open Championship most recently in 1972.

Ranked Italy’s no 2 (Golf World 2022), Continental Europe’s 55th (Golf World 2025).

Villa

Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, Athens

Friday 4 September – Thursday 24 September 2026

Milan, Piemonte

Est 2000 – Designer Robert von Hagge

Tree- lined open parkland style, located in the rural countryside of greater Milan area. Special Point of Interest: Variety of hazards and scenery matched with expansive bunkering. Water in play 13 out of 18 holes. Ranked Italy’s 7th best (Golf World 2022) and Continental Europe’s 148th (Golf World 2025).

Golf Bogogno – Bonora Course

Venetian Lagoon, Lido

Est 1928 – Designed by Cruikshank 1928, Ken Cotton redesigned 1951 with 1974 enhancements by Marco Croze.

Gentle undulating fairways, tree-lined, tight lies and holes full of character.

Special Point of Interest: Undeniably the whole experience of the day. From travelling by private water taxi from our hotel to the island (a 20km long sandbar on Venice’s Lido), the course challenge to dinner in the intimate clubhouse after play. Mussolini and Hitler supposedly played here on a number of occasions?

Circolo Golf Venezia

Mugello Hills, Florence

Est 1995 – Designers Baldovino Dassu & Alvise Rossi Fioravanti

Undulating countryside with more dramatic elevation changes on the back nine, wide fairways, streams weaving in and out of the course.

Special Point of Interest: Is the nearby village of Mugello and the testing ground for Ferrari – hear the cars checking out their paces all day! Don’t miss the views from the back nine of Scarperia and its 14th century castle. Named after the powerful Medici family that ruled Florence in the 13th – 17th centuries and produced three popes.

Poggio dei Medici

Chianti Hills, Florence

Est 1889 – Designed by Cecil Blandford & Peter Gannon, with extensions to many holes in 1960 by Puero Mancinelli. Undulating woodland course – immensely scenic Chianti hillside – fairways weaving their way through Cypress, Pine and Olive trees.

Special Point of Interest: Oldest club in Italy and featured in Chris Santella’s Fifty Places To Golf Before You Die. Ugolino hosted the European Tour’s Florence Open from 1990 to 1992 and the 1983 Italian Open. Here Bernard Langer triumphed over Seve Ballesteros and Ken Brown in a thrilling play off.

Ranked: Italy’s 26th best (Golf World 2022).

Golf dell'Ugolino Firenze (Golf Ugolino)

Circolo del Golf Roma Acquasanta (Golf Acquasanta)

Rome, Lazio

Est 1903 – Designerd by Vanni, Arthur Flach, Hector De Castro, and R. C. Young..

Undulating countryside with views back over the city – on a good day take in the Dome of St Peter’s Basilica.

Special Points of Interest: Arguments reign that Aquasanta is the oldest club – not the oldest course but the oldest club with the establishment of a club dating back to 1885 – four years pre Ugolino. The Club’s name is in reference to the network of aqueducts that supplied Ancient Rome between 312 BC and AD 226. One remains on the par 5, 7th hole.

Ranked Italy’s 12th best (Golf World 2022) and 177th for Continental Europe (Golf World 2025).

Rome, Lazio

Est 1991 – Designer Jim Fazio & David Mezzacane 1991, with a full redesign in 2020 by Tom Fazio II (Jim’s son).

Known as a ‘handsome’ big-dimension course that challenges – with undulating fairways – hilly parkland. Stylish, large bunkers that have ‘substantial stadium like moulding’ are a feature. Ponds and waterways add to the flavour.

Special Point of Interest: Owned by Laura Biagiotti (one of Italy’s greatest fashion designers) – the ‘Queen of Cashmere’. Now survived by her daughter Lavinia Biagiotti who lives on the course in the 11th century castle that has been dramatically renovated.

Marco Simone hosted the 2023 Ryder Cup.

Ranked Italy’s 6th best (Golf World 2022) and 89th in Continental Europe (Golf World 2025).

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Messinia, Greece

Est. 2011

Designers: Bay Course - Robert Trent Jones II, Dunes Course - Bernard Langer, Hills & Olympic Courses – Jose Maria Olazabal

Now ranked as Greece’s top rated golf course destination –this relatively new golf resort is getting worldwide attention. All ranked as championship courses, the varying views are picturesque, the holes challenging and course maintenance is excellent. Troon Golf, a world leader in golf facility management is administering these four courses. The fairways are lined with olive and citrus trees, of course!

We have included in our line up the Dunes and the Bay courses. The Dunes Course, is the first signature-designed golf course in Greece, designed by two-time US Masters Champion and former Ryder Cup Captain Bernhard Langer in association with European Golf Design. This championship course, set in a diverse natural landscape, offers spectacular sea and river views. The par-71 course has generously wide fairways and large greens making good targets that will be appreciated by golfers. Much of the course has been crafted to reflect the

rugged outlines of the distant mountains. As you move further inland, the course unfolds, its character softening to fit with the surroundings of olive and citrus groves. In season, players are welcome to sample the ripe fruit from the trees around the course at their leisure.

The 18-hole, 71 par seaside Bay Course at Navarino Bay, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, provides both a fun experience and a challenging test for golfers of all levels. Just a few minutes from Navarino Dunes, the Bay Course offers sublime sea views from every tee and with two holes playing along the historic Bay of Navarino. The Bay Course plays a little shorter than The Dunes Course from the back tees as it meanders through three distinct natural landscapes. The Seaside, Canyon, and Grove holes provide striking contrasts that create a dramatic and memorable golf round.

SPECIAL FEATURE – PaR nz TRAVEL APP

When you register for this 2026 Italy & Greece Golf Tour, you will receive a link to our special PaR nz Travel App.

A detailed electronic itinerary can be downloaded on your laptop, iPad or smartphone, enabling you to review tour highlights and access daily updates while on tour.

Italy & Greece Golf Tour

Trevi Fountain, Rome

Athens Florence

MORE SPEED MORE CONTROL

RELAX. PLAY. CELEBRATE. FIJI.

EXPERIENCE FUN AND COMPETITIVE GOLF WITH PAR NZ GOLFING HOLIDAYS, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SHERATON FIJI GOLF & BEACH RESORT.

2026 marks the 22nd anniversary of the Denarau Women’s Golf Classic, bringing women together for over two decades, celebrating our golfing journeys and our commitment to having fun in the sun!

Back in 2003 Denise Langdon and Kim Buckley of PaR nz Golfing Holidays started this event with only 11 entries – this grew to 36, then 100 plus in subsequent years. The Denarau Women’s Golf Classic

PAR NZ GOLFING HOLIDAYS,

welcome you and your best golfing buddy to come away to Fiji and help us celebrate our 22nd Party.

Stay on for the second week, and join up with your husband, partner or other golfing mates and play in the ‘Best Teams Event in the Pacific’! This will be the 26th annual staging of the tournament which started in 2000. The teams event is for four players - organise your own team or Denise and Kim can help you with joining a team.

FIJI GOLF

& BEACH

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SHERATON

RESORT HOST BOTH TOURNAMENTS OVER

SIX DAYS OF FUN AND COMPETITIVE GOLF.” ‘‘

is now a regular sell out and has a return rate of over 65 per cent. With 21 years of wonderful memories, friendships, thousands of souvenir photos and countless wild stories to tell in our later years!

The team at PaR nz Golfing Holidays invite back all past players, past champions and, if you are a ‘‘newbie’,

PaR nz Golfing Holidays, in partnership with the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort host both tournaments over six days of fun and competitive golf, playing four rounds in carts (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday). Wednesday is a rest day when you can relax by the pool or enjoy playing more golf on the Natadola Bay course.

The extensive social programme is packed with activities including welcome, midway and farewell functions, all with drinks. There is a two-course lunch at the golf clubhouse Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with a ‘hearty lunch on the go’ on Friday, respectively at each tournament. All the while staying by the beach for seven nights in five-star luxury in your choice of the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort or Sheraton Fiji Villas. ▪

2026 SHERATON FIJI DENARAU WOMEN‘S GOLF CLASSIC

28 JUNE – 4 JULY

Cocktails, deck chairs by the pool, warm ocean swims – a great tonic to beat the winter golf blues by bringing your best mates to play in the 22nd annual Denarau Women’s Golf Classic. Packages include six nights at the five-star Sheraton Fiji, playing four rounds of golf, a dazzling social programme and a whole lot more.

Email: kim@parnz.co.nz or denise@parnz.co.nz

www.parnz.co.nz

2026 SHERATON FIJI VILLA TEAMS CHALLENGE

5 – 11 JULY

Play in one of the best teams events in the Pacific – The Villa Teams Challenge. Enter as a team of four players of any combination and enjoy four fun rounds playing the Denarau course, staying six nights at the five-star Sheraton Fiji. Cocktail functions, lunches, Prize Giving Dinners included plus many more package features.

Email: kim@parnz.co.nz or denise@parnz.co.nz

www.parnz.co.nz

2026 SPAIN, PORTUGAL AND MOROCCO

27 SEPTEMBER – 18 OCTOBER

Back by overwhelming demand, our tour is an exciting 22 day, fully hosted, five-star luxury journey through Spain, Portugal and Morocco. The tour takes in the best championship golf and local highlights on our journey through Madrid, Cordoba, Marbella on the Costa del Sol, the colourful Seville before heading to Portugal and then Lisbon, and finally on to the mystique scents of Marrakech.

Email: kim@parnz.co.nz or denise@parnz.co.nz

www.parnz.co.nz

2026 THE DANANG SIXES, VIETNAM

21 – 30 MARCH

This tour combines magnificent golf courses against a backdrop of dramatic history and spectacular scenery. Featuring six championship courses designed by some of the greatest names in golf: Ba Na Hills, BRG Danang by Greg Norman, BRG Danang by Jack Nicklaus, Laguna Lang Co. by Sir Nick Faldo, Vinpearl Nam Hoi An by IMG and Hoiana Shores by Robert Trent Jones II.

Email: kim@parnz.co.nz or denise@parnz.co.nz

www.parnz.co.nz

MAJOR EVENTS

NEW ZEALAND

NEW ZEALAND OPEN 26 FEB – 1 MAR

Millbrook Resort, Queenstown DC: Ryan Peake

MEN’S MAJORS

THE MASTERS

9 -12 APR

Augusta National GC, Augusta, Georgia DC: Rory Mcllroy

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

14 – 17 MAY

Aronimink GC, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania DC: Scottie Scheffler

US OPEN

18 – 21 JUN

Shinnecock Hills GC, Southampton, New York DC: JJ Spaun

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

16 – 19 JUL

Royal Birkdale, Southport, England DC: Scottie Sheffler

WOMEN’S MAJORS CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP

23 -26 APR

Club at Carlton Woods, The Woodlands, Texas DC: Mao Saigo

US WOMEN’S OPEN 4 – 7 JUN

Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, California DC: Maja Stark

KPMG PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

25 – 28 JUN

Hazeltine National GC, Chaska, Minnesota DC: Minjee Lee

AMUNDI EVIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

9 – 12 JUL

Evian Resort GC Evian-les-Bains, France DC: Grace Kim

AIG WOMEN’S OPEN 30 JUL – 2 AUG

Royal Lytham & St. Annes Lancashire, England DC: Miyu Yamashita

NEW ZEALAND’S

MARQUEE COURSES

FROM NORTHLAND TO CENTRAL OTAGO, TOM HYDE TAKES US ON A TOUR OF OUR FINEST GOLF COURSES AND RESORTS TO PLAY THIS SUMMER.

Kauri Cliffs

KAURI CLIFFS

Designed and built by David Harman, of Golf Course Consultants in Orlando, Florida, Kauri Cliffs, a short drive north of the Bay of Islands, is one of the most spectacular settings for golf anywhere in the world. Fifteen holes have panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Cavalli Islands.

The course winds through marsh, forest and bucolic farmland to a closing set of clifftop holes that take your breath away. Going out, the par-3 7th hole plays along a cliff edge and is one of the most spectacular short holes in New Zealand. Coming in, the cliff-edge par-5 15th and the par-4 16th are similarly breathtaking.

The golf complex includes a world-class practice range, putting and chipping greens and a classy pro shop where you can hire clubs. Set away from the main lodge, where meals are served, the 22 guest suites, with interiors designed by Virgina Fisher, are accompanied by a spa, gymnasium, tennis courts and swimming pools. All meals are included in the tariff.

Day guests for golf – and breakfast, lunch, or dinner – are welcome.

www.robertsonlodges.com

Phone (09) 407 0010

TE ARAI LINKS – NORTH COURSE

Driving north from Auckland and before crossing the causeway over the Mangawhai Harbour, turn right onto Black Swamp Road and follow your nose. Out there along the coast, on land once governmentowned pine forest, American Ric Kayne, in partnership with Jim Rohrstaff, has created a stay-and-play development to rival the famed Bandon Dunes in Oregon.

And that’s not a stretch, given that the creator of the North Course at Te Arai Links, Tom Doak, also built Pacific Dunes, the original course at Bandon Dunes. Look at photos of each to appreciate the similarities.

In his own words, Tom Doak writes: “The North Course [at Te Arai Links] starts and finishes on the ocean. But, for me, the unique character of the course will be found inland. [For example] the green of the par-4 5th hole and the next tee, sit high on a ridge adjacent to an ancient Māori Pa.”

‘‘

THE NORTH COURSE [AT TE ARAI LINKS] STARTS AND FINISHES ON THE OCEAN. BUT, FOR ME, THE UNIQUE CHARACTER OF THE COURSE WILL BE FOUND INLAND.”

The course is open for green-fee players – but why rush away? Accommodation ranges from the 48 one-bedroom suites that overlook the South Course and the ocean, through gorgeous two-bedroom Ocean Cottages that sleep four people to fabulous new four-bedroom villas, each with extraordinary views and island views, set out along the 18th fairway of the North Course.

www.tearai.com

Phone (09) 883 4600

THE SOUTH COURSE – TE ARAI LINKS

Ranked by international golf magazines as the No. 2 “best golf course in New Zealand” (after the exclusive Tara Iti), the South Course at Te Arai Links captures the essence of this heaving landscape marked by dunes and ridges, meandering valleys and contours that recall oldworld links.

So much so, once you’re here it’s easy to forget where in the world you are. But then the Hen and Chicken Islands, Little Barrier and Great Barrier Islands sitting out there give it away.

Designed by the wise and talented Bill Coore, with input from his partner, PGA Tour legend Ben Crenshaw, this golf course is a wonderfully adventurous mix of short par-4s, long, strategic par-5s and par-3s that altogether must be among the most scenic and challenging golf holes in the land.

Coore and Crenshaw are course architects who respect the natural lay of the land. And, with respect to this

golf course, Bill Coore has said: “I have sought sandbased sites where random contours shaped by the wind provide the foundation for interesting golf; sites where the land more than the designers determine the character of the course.”

Sixteen holes have ocean views and eight of them play along the sea: you feel it, you smell it. Green-fee players are welcome and the options for accommodation are as noted for Te Arai’s North Course.

TIEKE GOLF ESTATE

Built along the sand banks of the iconic Waikato River close to Hamilton Airport, Tieke Golf Estate is a tribute to good golf club management and the best of course design. When the NZ Transport Agency dictated a new road through the district, wiping out much of the former Narrows Golf Club and some of Lochiel GC, two venerable Waikato clubs, their respective committees put their heads together and, with money from compensation, created Tieke Estate – a testament to the notion that sometimes one great golf course is better than two good ones.

Designed by Brett Thompson of RBT Design with input from former PGA Tour winner and New Zealand golf celebrity Phil Tataurangi over the original sand-andgravel beds of the Waikato River, Tieke Estate has all the character of an inland links, like fescue fairways and bent grass greens.

Basically, Brett Thompson rolled the dice and removed trees and shrubs and bushes to expose the original

river bed and in effect created a blank sheet on which to build a new course that, as it turns out, is like no other in the country.

According to its website, Tieke Estate is built on sandy soils that have sat dormant for over 25,000 years. Add a new, attractive clubhouse and fine-food café and the Waikato is now a must-stop destination for the discerning golfer. www.tiekegolf.co.nz

THE KINLOCH CLUB

This is the only Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course in New Zealand. Which means he designed it and he turned up to cut the ribbon. Located on the rustic backblocks off SH1 overlooking Lake Taupo, the extraordinary character of this golf course, the dedication of its long-time resident professional, Tom Long, and the opening of first-class accommodation with Kinloch Manor, have seen The Kinloch Club persevere to become one of the country’s must-stay-and-play sites.

Sir Bob Charles summed it up nicely when he said, “For those unable to play the great links of Scotland, Kinloch compares with the best of them.”

Warning: spend time on the driving range and practice putting green before heading out. Here, undulating fairways and rolling greens take no prisoners. The par-3 15th is among the most challenging short holes you’ll ever play and the par-5 18th is the best closing hole in the country.

Kinloch Manor and Villas lists among the finest accommodation in the region and locally sourced ingredients are the secret to its award-winning cuisine. The Manor Residence and Den, with its oak floors, open fireplace, full kitchen and private terrace, is first class. Kinloch’s helicopter is available for sightseeing over Lake Taupo and Tongariro National Park.

www.kinlochgolf.co.nz

Phone (07) 377 8482

‘‘

FOR THOSE UNABLE TO PLAY THE GREAT LINKS OF SCOTLAND, KINLOCH COMPARES WITH THE BEST OF THEM.”

–SIRBOBCHARLES

WAIRAKEI GOLF + SANCTUARY

Play this heritage golf course at Lake Taupo today and you’d never guess it opened 53 years ago, or that it was built by the government! Allowing, of course, for the expertise of the English architect, Commander John Harris, and later the prolific partnership of Michael Wolveridge and five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson.

The sheer natural beauty of this course has sustained it over decades, more so since it was bought by Kiwi Gary Lane, who has recreated the property as a golf and wildlife sanctuary. It is more beautiful than ever.

Lane built a 5.5km, 2m-high boundary fence around the 180-hectare property that has successfully kept out

nasty predators. Native trees and exotics were planted to encourage animal and birdlife, leaving pheasants, guinea fowl, pekin ducks and fallow deer, among other species, to roam free without fear – except perhaps from a stray golf ball. A crèche for kiwi chicks was established and today its kiwi egg incubation facility hatches more than 100 chicks a season.

Of course, the golf course poses no real threat to the sanctuary, so guests can freely tee it up on what remains one of the finest courses in the country; one still getting plenty of international recognition when it comes to those ‘best of New Zealand’ lists.

The 470m par-5 14th hole, famously known as

THE SHEER NATURAL BEAUTY OF THIS COURSE HAS SUSTAINED IT OVER DECADES, MORE SO SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT BY KIWI GARY LANE, WHO HAS RECREATED THE PROPERTY AS A GOLF AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY. IT IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN EVER.”

‘The Rogue’ and the number-one stroke hole, is one of the great golf holes of New Zealand. Noted for the pine trees in the middle of the fairway and the extremely elevated horseshoe-shaped green, with deep bunkers in front, we think it’s the best par-5 in the land.

www.wairakeigolfcourse.co.nz

Phone (07) 374 8152

CAPE KIDNAPPERS

Golf is an option here, of course – and it ought to be. Designed – and renovated last year – by Tom Doak, one of the world’s most notable course architects, Cape Kidnappers continues to attract worldwide attention for its dramatic coastal setting.

Built over a no-nonsense ridge-and-valley landscape with elevated views of Hawke’s Bay and the Pacific Ocean, the front nine weaves around a working farm while the back nine sweeps out to the edge of the world; or so it feels for the sheer drops down to the sea.

After putting out on the par-5 15th hole, for example, where the green is built on the cliff edge, take a selfie with Hawke’s Bay and the deep blue sea for a backdrop. But watch your step. And keep the golf cart on the path!

Golf, though, is not the only story here, because guests who do not play our game have so much else to do while enjoying five-star accommodation and gourmet cuisine. Things like an ATV tour of the farm, walking trails, clay pigeon shooting, or a visit to the Cape Kidnappers gannet colony. Maybe a session at the Farm’s other-worldly spa?

THE BACK NINE SWEEPS OUT TO THE EDGE OF THE WORLD; OR SO IT FEELS FOR THE SHEER DROPS DOWN TO THE SEA.” ‘‘

Guests have four options for an overnight stay: one-bedroom Ridge and Hilltop suites are perfect for couples; Lodge suites are conveniently located next to the Lodge (nice if it’s raining); and the exquisite four-bedroom Owner’s Cottage, with open fireplaces, spacious bathrooms and private balconies, is as good as it gets for families or groups of up to eight people.

www.robertsonlodges.com

Phone (06) 875 1900

PARAPARAUMU BEACH

Built over rolling dunes on the Kapiti Coast, about 45 minutes north of Wellington, Paraparaumu Beach GC remains among the best links courses you could ever hope to play. Like a Scottish Links, it has aged to perfection. The fact that 12 NZ Opens have been played here – one including Tiger Woods, in 2002 – is testament to the quality of this historic venue.

Paraparaumu Beach was laid out by Australian Open winner Alex Ross in 1949. Ross was a protégé of Dr Alister MacKenzie and this golf course has ‘MacKenzie’ written all over it. That’s why it was a favourite of the late Peter Thomson, winner of five British Opens and nine NZ Opens. Sir Bob Charles, Greg Turner, Michael Campbell and Gary Player have all heaped praise on the work the club’s greenkeepers have done over the years to maintain its status as a great links.

Our favourite hole here? All of them. Sloping greens, blind tee shots, classic pot bunkers, mounds, ridges, and valleys – this one has it all. This is not an especially long golf course, 6,000m from the black tees, but the nuances noted above demand good shot-making.

To stay and play, try the attractive Greenmantle Estate that’s just five minutes from the golf course. This sprawling two-storey lodge and gardens with private suites and fine dining is where Tiger Woods stayed when he played in the NZ Open. Alternatively, for groups, the club can set you up in a fully furnished, threebedroom apartment by Paraparaumu Beach.

www.paraparaumubeachgolfclub.co.nz

Phone (04) 902 8200

FABLE TERRACE DOWNS RESORT

This spectacular high-country retreat overlooking the Rakaia River gorge and set at the foothills of the Southern Alps, an hour’s drive from Christchurch on SH 77, is as popular with skiers in winter as it is golfers in summer – the latter here to take on the challenge of its pristine 18-hole course that combines parkland and links styles with alpine peaks for a backdrop. Sensational.

No matter what time of year, however, the highcountry air is fresh and healthy, so whether guests play golf or not, a long weekend here sipping wine and enjoying great food in your nicely appointed villa with mountain views is like – well – one almost expects to see Hobbits making their way along the course below.

Terrace Downs sits right on the edge of the eyepopping Rakaia Gorge. And so does the short par-3 16th hole, which is quite literally on the edge. That’s what makes it, in our view, the most difficult short hole in the country, because it’s truly hard to focus

on the pin when such a unique and dazzling vista draws all the attention.

Edwin Tilley, a veteran of World War II, won the property in a ballot and named it Terrace Downs after the terraces that run down to the Rakaia River. It was bought by Japanese professional golfer Shinnosuke Saito, who hired Sid Puddicombe to build it.

Now, 26 years after it opened, the golf course has settled nicely, while Fable Resorts have injected new life into its grounds and facilities, which do justice to its special location. And, yes, the food is very good.

www.terracedowns.co.nz

Phone (03) 318 6943

CLEARWATER

Host to more than a dozen professional tournaments, foremost the HSBC NZ PGA Championship, Clearwater was a welcome addition to Canterbury’s rich golfing landscape when it opened in 2002.

Located a short drive from the airport, the course was designed by John Darby with input from Sir Bob Charles. It features elements of both links and parkland-style holes, with small lakes, doglegs and strategically placed bunkers that demand sensible course management. Which is to say, position off the tee is more important than distance.

The course is 6,500m from the championship tees; not

especially long, but not a single hole is straightforward tee to green, except for the par-3s.

The par-4 opening hole, for example, is a sharp dogleg left. The par-5 15th (our favourite) plays over two streams to an elevated green. The par-4 18th plays downhill to a green jutting out into a small lake.

Clearwater is not called a ‘thinking person’s golf course’ for nothing. Tip: if you’re playing here for the first time, pick up a course guide at the pro shop – although the best way of appreciating the course is to stay a few nights and play it more than once.

Options for overnight accommodation include elegant Lakefront and Garden View villas that overlook the golf course and lakes and, in the distance, the peaks of the Southern Alps. The resort’s restaurant is among the best in the region.

JACK’S POINT

Imagine this: your Central Otago golf holiday naturally includes wine tasting and fine food, but the highlight is the Jack’s Point Heli Pickup Experience. That includes a two-night stay for two at the very comfy Rees Hotel in Queenstown, bunking down in one of the hotel’s plush one-bedroom lakeview apartments, enjoying a three-course dinner at the hotel’s superb True South Dining Room and playing the extraordinary Jack’s Point golf course.

Add transfers to and from the golf course, located 20 minutes south on SH6, where your Heli Pickup Experience comes into play. After your round of regular golf at Jack’s Point, you are flown up to Over The Top Golf and what might be the highest par-3 tee box in the world. Play the hole, putt out, enjoy a complimentary drink and be flown back down to Jack’s Point for your return transfer to the hotel. You’ll be talking about it for the rest of your life.

As for this magnificent golf course, framed as it is by the Remarkables range and Lake Wakatipu, it’s a true alpine golf experience like no other in the country. Five tees on each hole allow players of all handicaps to enjoy the ride.

John Darby (Clearwater and The Hills) built the course, keeping its natural contours in place. Accordingly, it weaves through native grasslands, rocky outcrops, over bluffs and through native bush to the edge of Lake Wakatipu.

The signature par-3 7th hole plays down to an infinity green with the lake as a backdrop. Jack’s Point is serious fun and full-tilt exhilaration.

www.jackspoint.com Phone (03) 450 2050

MILLBROOK RESORT

Nothing in Central Otago beats Millbrook for the combination of two 18 hole golf courses, accommodation and first-class hospitality all at one location.

CORONET 18

Created by Greg Turner and Scott Macpherson, the Coronet 18 beautifully exploits the natural lay of the land at the back of Millbrook Resort. The course offers a distinctive alternative to the older and more established Remarkables 18 out front and is arguably more challenging for its irregular fairways, strategically placed bunkers, water hazards and changes in elevation.

Because of its elevation changes, in places the Coronet 18 is better played by cart. Taking on this golf course for the first time means keeping a course guide handy, because this wonderful layout – among the best in New Zealand – has hidden nuances that require some thoughtful course management.

Take, for example, the 570m par-5 15th – a signature hole, if you will – which features converging streams effectively shaping a unique island fairway that offers players the option on their second shot of laying up to the left or the right of the water. Altogether, the Coronet 18 is a first-class experience.

REMARKABLES 18

Sir Bob Charles designed this Millbrook original, and Greg Turner and Scott MacPherson tweaked it somewhat in the process of building the Coronet 18. The entire landscape here, with the resort accommodation, restaurants and other amenities in the middle of it all, is breathtaking. Such is the nature of Central Otago.

For golfers, one way to appreciate this is from a series of elevated tees, a notable feature of the Remarkables 18, foremost the ‘observation deck’ of a tee box at the par-5 5th hole. It drops dramatically to a banana-shaped fairway that bends to the right, framing a rustic pond before playing up to a slightly elevated green. The 153m par-3 18th, meanwhile, has a peninsula-shaped green that slopes from back to front and, with two inconvenient bunkers just off the fringe, makes this short gem one of the finest closing holes in New Zealand golf.

www.millbrook.co.nz

Phone 0800 645 527

CRUISE THE WORLD

WORDS: ERICA CASSIDY.

SEABOURN

ULTRA-LUXURY SAFARI AT SEA

What does it mean to safari with Seabourn?

Although traditionally undertaken as a land activity, moving among wildlife in its natural habitat is even more astounding at sea, especially when it comes to the Antarctic and Arctic poles. Wake up to the sun rising behind majestic icebergs and towering glaciers as rare whales breach beside the ship, seabirds call to their chicks and marine creatures glide through the inky depths below. Beluga whales and polar bears in the north, or penguins and leopard seals in the south, the wildlife at either end of the earth is always abundant.

Instead of a tent, your base camp is an oceanfront suite aboard one of two new Polar Class 6 ships. Carefully fitted from bow to stern for yacht-like ultra-

THE LANDSCAPES ARE AWE-INSPIRING AND THE UNEXPECTED IS ALWAYS EXPECTED.”

luxury, with over 10,000 square metres of open deck for optimal wildlife viewing, each vessel in the fleet combines advanced purpose-built technology with the romance of ocean exploration.

Your 4 x 4 is a Zodiac, kayak, or custom-built sixguest submarine that gets you even closer to the wonders of the deep. Your guides are an elite Expedition Team, offering all-inclusive experiences such as nature hikes, snorkeling or curated cultural excursions. On select expeditions, photography

enthusiasts can enroll in Image Masters, a strictly limited masterclass with a world-class nature photographer, for in-the-field guidance on capturing that perfect wildlife shot. For a truly rare opportunity that is only possible aboard Seabourn’s purpose-built ships, guests can step straight from the ship’s side door onto the frozen ocean.

Whether you are chasing the celestial beauty of the High Arctic northern lights, or the mirror-like tranquility of Lemaire Channel, the landscapes are awe-inspiring and the unexpected is always expected. Whatever the season, life on board is unwavering, first-class luxury. Heaven for intrepid explorers seeking absolute comfort and adventure at sea. ▪

From POLE TO POLE with SEABOURN

Seabourn’s First-Ever Grand Expedition is the ultimate in bucket-list journeys, filled with unique destinations, rare wildlife, and expedition experiences, that await you at the ends of the Earth. Sail south from Greenland through the icy north of the High Arctic, explore the temperate waters of the Caribbean and South America, before exploring South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and Antarctica. A unforgettable journey from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to Ushuaia, Argentina for the full 94-day voyage, or choose one of the select shorter sectors.

Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to Ushuaia, Argentina

Seabourn Venture, 18 August to 19 November 2027

Discover all this and more...

High Arctic Exploration: Otherworldly landscapes and remote cultures of Greenland and Canada

New Northwest Passage: Fascinating history, famed expeditions and explorers that came before you

Bucket-list Wildlife: From polar bears, beluga whales to penguins and leopard seals, bird and marine life

South Georgia, Falklands & Antarctic Pennisula: Abundant wildlife, remote, awe-inspiring scenery

Exclusive Grand Expedition Inclusions

• Shipboard Credit – Your Journey, Your Way with up to US$10,000 per suite

• Stream Wi-fi – Stay Connected, Even at the Edge of the Earth

• Business Class Airfare – Comfort Starts in the Skies

• Unlimited Laundry – Fresh Threads, No Matter the Latitude

• 1-Night Hotel Stay Pre-cruise – Ease Into Adventure

• One Submarine Dive – Explore Underwater Frontiers

• Two Kayak Tours – One in Each Hemisphere | Paddle the Planet

• Customized Polar Jacket – Tailored for Extremes and for you

• Expert Expedition Team – Zodiac® tours and guided hikes

• Premium spirits and fine wines – onboard complimentary beverages

• Dining – Onboard restaurants all complimentary

• Tipping is neither required, nor expected

For more information contact your cruise specialist or Cruise World on 0800 500 732 or visit www.cruiseworld.co.nz

CRYSTAL

A TASTE OF LUXURY

When you step aboard your lavish Crystal Cruise ship, luggage taken care of, and chilled Champagne in hand as you set sail for tomorrow’s destination, your next thought will likely be of food. As custodians of culinary excellence on the ocean, Crystal Cruises offer high-end dining experiences that cannot be found anywhere else at sea. Crystal Cruises has a high past-passenger rate, and a key reason discerning travellers return, time and again, is the exceptional onboard dining.

Nobu signatures such as black cod miso, octopus carpaccio and grilled Chilean sea bass at Umi Uma, the only restaurant at sea by legendary chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. Exquisite prime cuts and modern steakhouse cuisine at BeefBar, a collaboration with visionary Monte Carlo restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi. The exclusive menu at Osteria d’Ovidio, masterfully crafted by famed Italian restaurateur Raffaele Alajmo and his brother Massimiliano, the youngest chef to be awarded three Michelin stars. On select itineraries, Crystal guests

AS CUSTODIANS OF CULINARY EXCELLENCE ON THE OCEAN, CRYSTAL CRUISES OFFER HIGH-END DINING EXPERIENCES

THAT CANNOT BE FOUND ANYWHERE ELSE AT SEA.”

can also dine at Alajmo's renowned restaurants in Padua, Venice and the Venetian countryside. The latest onboard artisan is Badiani, with a curated selection of slow-churned Florentine gelato. Founded in 1932 by the Pomposi family, Badiani is famed for their iconic Buontalenti flavour, created in honour of the 16th-century architect and inventor who introduced gelato to the Medici court. And of course, Crystal’s signature vacation treats such as pastel de nata, the creamy and golden Portuguese

custard tart, afternoon tea of delicate cakes, dainty sandwiches and scones with jam and clotted cream, pre-dinner cocktails, and their beloved daily canapés.

With a range of itineraries from a 5-night Caribbean cruise to 10-nights in Africa or the Mediterranean, up to the 150-night Treasure of the Tides World Cruise in 2028, wherever the destination, the journey will be one of gastronomical heights, flavoured with the unmistakable taste of luxury. ▪

Seward — Vancouver

7 NIGHTS FROM $5,930 PP 1 - 8 AUG 2026

CRYSTAL SYMPHONY

Barcelona — Rome

9 NIGHTS FROM $9,880 PP 21 - 30 AUG 2026

CRYSTAL SERENITY

Vancouver — New York City

39 NIGHTS FROM $26,150 PP 17 AUG - 25 SEP 2026

CRYSTAL SYMPHONY

Join us on our elegant ships for the voyage of a lifetime.

Our Crystal Explorer Fare rewards you when you book and pay 9 months in advance.

Venice — Athens

7 NIGHTS FROM $7,620 PP 08 SEP - 15 SEP 2026

CRYSTAL SERENITY

Barcelona — Lisbon

10 NIGHTS FROM $9,710 PP 1 - 11 OCT 2026

SERENITY

Auckland— Brisbane

15 NIGHTS FROM $13,780 PP 03 - 18 MAR 2027

CRYSTAL SERENITY

PONANT

AN ARTIST’S JOURNEY TO PARADISE

Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin fell in love with the tropical shores of French Polynesia at the turn of last century, after sailing there to live in peace and create what became his most treasured masterpieces.

Today, his namesake ship The Gauguin pays homage to Gauguin’s adopted paradise, and transports guests from all over the world for artful, authentic vacations. As part of the PONANT family of luxury, small exploration ships, Paul Gauguin Cruises are uniquely tailored to the wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific.

A warm, natural interior with woven textiles and shades of the lagoon evokes the exotic South Sea

Islands that the iconic ship visits. With one crew member for every 1.5 guests, exceptional personal attention is assured for a carefree, five-star vacation. Life onboard The Gauguin also reflects the warm, cultural heritage of the islands she calls upon, with her beloved troupe of Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines. These local Tahitians serve as onboard hosts and hostesses, entertainers, and storytellers, and provide quintessential Polynesian hospitality.

Environmental stewardship is one of the highest priorities of Paul Gauguin Cruises, and recent upgrades earned the company Seatrade’s 2024 Sustainability Initiative of the Year award, along with Best Small Cruise in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.

AS PART OF THE PONANT FAMILY OF LUXURY, SMALL EXPLORATION SHIPS, PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES ARE UNIQUELY TAILORED TO THE WONDERS OF TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA, AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC.”

The Gauguin hosts all-inclusive 7 to 20-night voyages that take in French Polynesia’s shallow cerulean lagoons, white sand islands and vibrant culture. Guests can snorkel the shimmering coral reefs of Tahiti, the Society Islands and Tuamotus, home to one of the world’s most coveted diving destinations, Rangiroa lagoon. Visit Motu Mahana, Paul Gauguin Cruises’ idyllic island, Fiji’s pristine waters and the tiny but mighty Kingdom of Tonga. Search for archaeological ruins in the tropical rainforests of the Marquesas, obtain PADI certification onboard or simply float away the day in a tiny turquoise Aitutaki bay. ▪

CLICKTOWA

PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES offers the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. Tahiti, Bora Bora, the Marquesas islands, the Tuamotus... whichever you choose, our small-ship experience promises an authentic connection to the islands through Polynesian storytelling, music, and dance. We will guide you to hidden gems and remote locations that larger ships cannot reach, allowing you to island-hop effortlessly without the hassle of flights or repacking.

See your

info@cruiseworld.co.nz | www.cruiseworld.co.nz

Tahiti & the Society Islands

Papeete to Papeete | From AU$10,260pp

7 nights aboard Le Paul Gauguin 19 departures in 2025, 2026 & 2027

Society Islands & The Tuamotus

Papeete to Papeete | From AU$12,610pp

10 nights aboard Le Paul Gauguin

15 departures in 2025, 2026 & 2027

Marquesas, The Tuamotus & Society Islands

Papeete to Papeete | From AU$15,870pp

14 nights aboard Le Paul Gauguin

15 departures in 2025, 2026 & 2027

OCEANIA CRUISES

THE ALLURE OF THE SEA

Watching the passing ocean sparkle in the sun, with a cocktail, oyster fork or artisan gelato in hand, is an exquisite pleasure that is unique to the luxury of cruising. Fine dining is the cornerstone of every Oceania cruise, anchored by their promise of the Finest Cuisine at Sea®, and that legacy has reached a pinnacle with their newest ship, Allura

The eighth ship in Oceania’s elegant fleet, Allura hosts up to 1,200 passengers, all in stylish allveranda accommodations. The expansive suite

interiors are inspired by airy seaside villas, with lavish bathrooms and oversized rainforest showers to offer guests a sanctuary of comfort, but culinary innovation is where it truly shines.

FINE DINING IS THE CORNERSTONE OF EVERY OCEANIA CRUISE, ANCHORED BY THEIR PROMISE OF THE FINEST CUISINE AT SEA®”

Allura seriously delivers on gastronomy, with new dining venues, new menus and revamped takes on beloved signatures. Mornings begin in the brand new Crêperie with paper-thin pancakes and authentic Belgian waffles made to order. Lunch or dinner at Jacques includes refined French classics such as duck à l’orange, and hand-cut beef tartare. Nikkei cuisine at Red Ginger blends JapanesePeruvian traditions into bold dishes such as tuna ceviche with leche de tigre, or soft-shell crab tempura in bao buns. At the heart is the Grand Dining Room, with an enhanced menu of new and much loved classics such as Beef Wellington with Shiraz sauce and truffle mashed potatoes, butter-roasted Maine lobster with risotto and bisque jus, and a whole menu just for Eggs Benedict. Wine lovers will appreciate the new Gerard Bertrand Wine Pairing Luncheon, a sommelier-led tasting through the collection of this famed French vintner.

Guests are invited to slow down and savour each moment as Allura sails across the globe. She begins her 2026 season in the Caribbean before moving to the Mediterranean with a 23-night cruise from Miami to Athens. Passengers can explore captivating destinations and enjoy Oceania’s refined luxury, one extraordinary meal at a time. ▪

CLICKTOWA

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

WHAT IS TRUE LUXURY AT SEA?

Aboard Seven Seas Prestige when she launches in 2026, true luxury is spacious, carrying just 822 guests with all-balcony oceanfront suites that offer front row seats to the ever-changing theatre of the sea. Four new luxurious, residential-style Skyview Suites each have private butlers, and insuite elevators leading to peaceful terrace decks with jetted tubs and oceanfront shaded areas, perfect for al fresco dining as the sun sets. Most sumptuous of all is the 8,794sq ft Skyview Regent Suite. With two-storey wraparound balconies, floating stone staircase, private gym, sauna and full guest suite with bath, this is the largest all-inclusive, ultra-luxury, cruise ship suite in history.

CLICKTOWA

True ocean-going luxury is also found in the unlimited gourmet cuisine at speciality and al fresco dining experiences, including established favourites Compass Rose, Chartreuse and Pacific Rim, and the new Mediterranean mezze-style venue, Azure. Fine wines and cocktails by starlight at the aptly named Galileo’s Bar in the ship’s magnificent Skylight Atrium, with twin spiral staircases and breath-taking views. Immersive, hands-on cooking classes with master-level Chefs at the Culinary Arts Kitchen. Unlimited shore excursions, carefully curated to immerse guests into each destination. Industry-leading staff to guest ratios and exceptional, heartfelt hospitality that honours the connective power of travel.

T C H

Guests also have unlimited access to onboard spa facilities, high-speed StarlinkWiFi, valet laundry and pre-paid gratuities, but these are just a taste of the comprehensive included luxuries on a Regent Seven Seas Cruises voyage. Relaxed elegance and comfort envelop every detail from beginning to end, for the most inclusive luxury experience on land or at sea.

Seven Seas Prestige will set sail on her maiden transoceanic voyage in December 2026, visiting azure Mediterranean bays and storybook villages before stopping in the warm and vibrant Caribbean. The 2027-2028 Voyage Collection offers 44 unforgettable journeys from iconic ports throughout Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. ▪

SHARED ADVENTURES

Australian hospitality is world-renowned for its warmth, comradery and thoughtful attention to detail, and Coral Expeditions bring like-minded explorers to remote parts of the world with their immersive small-ship expeditions. Passengers and crew come together for a shared adventure, and often form friendships that last well beyond their cruise.

Founded in 1983 with a converted submarine chaser based in Cairns, Coral Expeditions conducted the first exploratory cruise to Western Australia’s rugged Kimberley terrain over thirty-five years ago. After pioneering environmentally-sensitive small ship cruising in the Kimberley, the Great Barrier Reef

and the Islands of the South Pacific, they have been sailing there ever since. Now with a fleet of three, the shallow draft and high manoeuvrability of their purpose-designed ships allow the exploration of sheltered bays and hidden inlets that are inaccessible to larger ships. The company has forged a proud reputation for their meaningful, rare and memorable experiences set far from the tourist trail.

Coral Expeditions also sail coveted circumnavigations of Tasmania and Australia, guided expeditions to the Small Islands of Japan, voyages deep into New Zealand’s rugged Southern coastlines, and immersive itineraries to some of the world’s remotest lands in Papua New Guinea.

PASSENGERS AND CREW COME TOGETHER FOR A SHARED ADVENTURE, AND OFTEN FORM FRIENDSHIPS THAT LAST WELL BEYOND THEIR CRUISE.” ‘‘

These are the places that few travellers have seen.

A new itinerary, Raja Ampat & the Spice Islands retraces the ancient trade routes of spice merchants.

A little known archipelago with over 1,500 islands just south of the equator, Raja Ampat is a paradise of hidden lagoons, jungle-wrapped caves, vibrant village markets, white sand beaches and iridescent turquoise bays with some of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet. Over 18 nights, passengers can snorkel with the gentle, endangered whale sharks at Cenderawasih Bay, enjoy sunset drinks at 17th-century Dutch Fort Belgica, and marvel at the jagged green limestone cliffs and pristine water of Wayag from the summit of Mount Pindito. ▪

raja ampat & spice islands

Explore by small ship, the Australian way

Venture where atolls are deserted, habitats are untouched, and the locals invite you into their world. Encounter the extraordinary on a journey that is uniquely yours. Explore at sea with a small group of 120 like-minded guests, with every need anticipated by your exceptional crew. Learn to navigate from the bridge or immerse in adventure with expert guides as they share their passion for the natural and cultural world.

Discover unforgettable together with Coral Expeditions.

& Spice Islands

A NEW VIEW OF EUROPE

As a traveller who has already fallen for Europe’s history and culture, you will remember your first trip with stars in your eyes. It’s a romance that never gets old, even as you return, time and again. Ama means love, and when you glide between storybook vistas aboard your boutique AmaWaterways cruise, know that every delightful detail was inspired by their deep love for the age-old charm of Europe. For a new view, look no further than the Danube River.

Winding through ten countries, eight national parks and multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Danube has long been a favourite with culture seekers. Travel connoisseurs are falling for Europe all over again as they leave the beaten path to discover the Lower Danube, where the river flows East of Budapest down to the sea.

From the comfort of your twin-balcony stateroom, sail past medieval castles in the vine-laced Wachau Valley, float under the stars beside Budapest’s neoGothic Parliament and marvel at 14th-century frescoes in the rock-hewn churches of Ivanono. Sip coffee near the majestic Opera House of Vienna, City of Waltzes, dance to Croatian folk music, taste Apricot brandy and chocolates in Dürnstein, and

sample red wines at one of the oldest wine-growing areas in Hungary, established over two thousand years ago. There are few natural wonders more dramatic than Bulgaria’s Iron Gates, where the Danube narrows and winds through magnificent gorges in the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains, past the cliff carving of King Decebalus.

‘‘

KNOW THAT EVERY DELIGHTFUL DETAIL WAS INSPIRED BY THEIR DEEP LOVE FOR THE AGE-OLD CHARM OF EUROPE. FOR A NEW VIEW, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE DANUBE RIVER.”

Golf lovers can elevate their experience with AmaWaterways’ exclusive golf cruises. The AmaMagna offers a concierge golf program, granting access to up to five championship courses along the Danube, blending world-class play with fairytale scenery. A new French itinerary has launched in partnership with LGT Golf, combining elite golf with cruising the Seine to Normandy. ▪

From the Ancient Nile

Discover the land of pharaohs and pyramids on a Nile River cruise and land adventure through Egypt.

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES

JAPAN, THE JAPANESE WAY

There is an ancient, deep-rooted Japanese concept known as omotenashi. One of the most memorable parts of a visit to Japan, it can only be appreciated when experienced firsthand. Omotenashi is a profound and sincere form of hospitality that puts the guests’ experience before anything else, where every possible need is met with wholehearted warmth.

For the first time, Mitsui Ocean Voyages brings omotenashi to luxury cruising with the launch of Mitsui Ocean Fuji, a state-of-the-art vessel that immerses passengers in Japanese culture on board as well as on land. Meticulous craftsmanship imbues every detail and every moment with the beauty of Japan, taking guests on an elegant, never-donebefore journey.

Delicately flavoured Japanese cuisine where each plate is a culinary masterpiece, international dishes thoughtfully crafted to delight the senses, and exclusive shore excursions that take passengers into smaller ports with fewer tourists for exquisite culinary memories. The experienced local crew also speaks fluent English, giving passengers a chance to practise their Japanese if they wish to.

From the seasonal beauty and blooming cherry blossoms of Ibusuki, to the historic charm of Kobe and Noshiro, sparkling fireworks festivals and the vibrant markets of South Korea, or the pristine hidden beaches of Sadogashima Island to the awesome volcanic beauty of Seongsan Ilchulbong. Each itinerary is curated to celebrate Japan's rich culture, history and incredible natural landscapes, allowing passengers to travel like a local and discover a Japan that only Japanese have known.

‘‘

DELICATELY FLAVOURED JAPANESE CUISINE WHERE EACH PLATE IS A CULINARY MASTERPIECE.”

Carrying up to 458 guests, Mitsui Ocean Fuji has a choice of Oceanfront and Veranda Suites, and Penthouse suites which include complimentary butler service and a specialty dining experience at Hokusai Fine Dining. Passengers can sip sake from their private veranda under the stars while embracing another Japanese concept, that of yuugen. The awe felt before the inexplicable beauty of the universe. ▪

Introducing

Authentic, and immersive Japan encounters await...

Mitsui Ocean Cruises delivers a new cruise experience. Inspiring Voyages to connect with people and natural wonders, and treasured customs of Japan.

MITSUI OCEAN FUJI is Japan’s most luxurious, all-suite cruise ship with inviting spaces, beautifully presented cuisine, lively entertainment and unique ports of calls – all delivered with sincere “omotenashi’ service, anticipating your every need.

Spring Kyushu & Shikoku Cruise

6 nights, Nagoya return 18 – 24 March 2026

From A$5,220 pp share twin

Spring Ibusuki & Sasebo Cruise

7 nights, Tokyo return 30 March – 06 April 2026

From A$6,090 pp share twin

Spring Cruise Around Fukue & Kyushu

9 nights, Tokyo return 06 – 15 April 2026

From A$7,830 pp share twin

Spring time in Japan

Spring Wakayama & Toba Cruise

7 nights, Tokyo return 15 – 22 April 2026

From A$6,090 pp share twin

Spring Sasebo, Ibusuki & Jeju Island Cruise

7 nights, Tokyo to Yokohama 22 April – 29 April 2026

From A$6,090 pp share twin

Golden Week Cruise Around Japan

11 nights, Yokohama return 29 April – 10 May 2026

From A$10,998 pp share twin

TAUCK

GO WILD IN STYLE

Dreaming of an African adventure? Flightseeing over the Serengeti’s sweeping plains, tracking the Big Five on private game drives, trekking with mountain gorillas in Rwanda and drinking chilled wine in the crimson desert sun? Tauck allinclusive safaris are transformative wildlife journeys that blend cultural immersion with absolute comfort from Cape Town to the conservancies, the pyramids of Egypt to the souks of Marrakech. Fewer guests and luxury accommodation ensures space to experience the awe of these destinations.

Tauck offers a range of 11 expertly guided safaris, whether you are visiting Africa for the first time in search of the Big Five or you’re a seasoned explorer returning for more wildlife immersion. On the 9-night Spotlight on South Africa & Victoria Falls,

TAUCK ALL-INCLUSIVE SAFARIS ARE TRANSFORMATIVE WILDLIFE JOURNEYS THAT BLEND CULTURAL IMMERSION WITH ABSOLUTE COMFORT.”

guests feed baby rescue elephants, stand beside the roaring Victoria Falls, join thrilling game drives in search of lions and rhinos, fly by helicopter for wine tasting at a scenic vineyard, bask in the golden African dusk on a private cruise of the Zambezi River, and explore the vibrant coastal city of Cape Town. Just 15 adventure seekers will have front row seats to nature’s greatest show on the 10-night Great Migration: Tanzania & Kenya, with flightseeing in

Serengeti National Park, a hot-air balloon ride to watch the thundering migration over the Maasai Mara, private game drives with expert trackers and safari camps that are strategically placed to be part of Africa’s circle of life.

Families looking for a multi-generation bucket list holiday can join a Tauck Bridges Safari on the 10-night Tanzania: A Grand Family Safari. With near-daily private game drives in an open-top 4 x 4, the chance to lock eyes with the copper gaze of a gleaming, tree-draped leopard, and unique cultural experiences, this is a real life journey to where the wild things are – a place to create incredible family memories together. ▪

CLICKTOWA

Taucks African Safaris

Tauck is a family-owned travel company enjoying their 100th year anniversary of operating river and ocean cruises, safaris, and land journeys globally. For 25 of those years, Tauck has grown and developed a comprehensive program of incredible adventures, and with their experience of Africa, there’s nothing quite like an African Safari with Tauck. Tauck does it all - intimate wildlife encounters, thrilling game drives, opportunities to connect with local communities, and accommodations with animal neighbours and in stunning settings. These are small group safaris, with typically only six passenger jeeps for prime viewing, and a host of incredible safari inclusions.

Africa’s legendary “Big Five” still roam the landscapes of classic safari country, offering a glimpse into the wild heart of the continent. These journeys, reminiscent of bygone expeditions, are now enhanced with modern touches – like night vision goggles for after-dark game drives. Step into a land where the Great Rift Valley once cradled the origins of humankind, and where the vast plains of the Serengeti and Masai Mara stretch beneath umbrella-shaped acacia trees and ancient rocky outcrops known as kopjes. See, hear feel Africa – a destination where the circle of life unfolds around you.

Experience The Tauck Difference

UNIQUE, EXCLUSIVE

ACCESS

It’s not just about the places you visit – it’s how you experience them.

CLOSER CONNECTIONS

Meet locals with destination and cultural insights.

GUIDED BY THE BEST

Personal Tour Directors and handpicked local guides.

TRAVEL CONFIDENTLY

Tauck takes care of the details.

Great Migration: Tanzania & Kenya

10 days l January – February, June – October 2026 / 2027

Arusha, Tanzania to Nairobi, Kenya

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

Serengeti National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha

An Epic Safari: Namibia

12 days l April – October 2026 / 2027

Windhoek, Namibia return

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

Etosha National Park, NamibRand Nature Reserve, Sossusvlei, Walvis Bay, Zannier Reserve

Botswana, South Africa & Zambia

12 days l May – October 2026 / 2027

Livingstone, Zambia to Cape Town South Africa

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

Cape Town, Noremi Game Reserve, Okavngo Delta, Makgadidgadi Salt Pan, Livingstone, Victoria Falls

Mountain Gorilla Safari: Tanzania, Zanzibar & Rwanda

13 days l June – September 2026 / 2027

Arusha, Tanzania to Kigali, Rwanda

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Oldupai Gorge, Lake Manyara National Park, Arusha, Stone Town

SILVERSEA

MEDITERRANEAN AWAKENING

or take a front-row seat at the nightly interactive S.A.L.T. Chef’s Table showcase of culinary artistry.

There’s a saying that every conversation leads to the dinner table, and what better way to uncover the hidden magic of the Mediterranean than by total immersion into its cuisine?

Silversea has created their unique culinary programme S.A.L.T, Sea and Land Taste, with that goal in mind, bringing travellers deep into each region they visit, layering memories and inspiring curiosity through the shared experience of food.

The Mediterranean lifestyle takes living and eating seriously, and Silversea’s unparalleled local knowledge of ‘la dolce vita’ translates to myriad complimentary experiences on board. As well as a terrific standing menu, S.A.L.T. Kitchen highlights each destination with regional specialities and wines, and S.A.L.T. Bar blends signature cocktails with local ingredients. Curious foodies can learn epicurean techniques at S.A.L.T. Lab onboard cooking classes,

Passengers can join guided S.A.L.T. shore excursions, to feast on regional delights under the Mediterranean sun, or roll up their sleeves for an intimate glimpse into life as a local artisan. In Mykonos, famed for its iconic white windmills and shutters of cobalt blue, make kopanisti with a third generation cheesemaker. In Monaco, it’s a winepaired meal in the chef’s private tasting kitchen at ‘World’s Best Restaurant’ Mirazur, where every mouthful bursts with flavours foraged from the surrounding gardens and the sea below. Enjoy wood-fired focaccia overlooking the sea at Monte di Portofino, an exclusive Italian enclave accessible only via special vehicle.

In 2026, Silversea extends their Mediterranean season for the first time to embrace the magical months of Autumn, Spring and Winter, when the summer crowds dissipate and the locals return. With more overnights and later departures, Silversea passengers have all the time in the world to wander in wonder as the sun sets over the Mediterranean’s radiant coastlines. ▪

THE MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE TAKES LIVING AND EATING SERIOUSLY, AND SILVERSEA’S UNPARALLELED LOCAL KNOWLEDGE OF ‘LA DOLCE VITA’ TRANSLATES TO MYRIAD COMPLIMENTARY EXPERIENCES ONBOARD.”

Welcome to Silversea’s home and heritage - the Mediterranean. To a timeless treasure chest of art, history, and architecture. To a renaissance of culture that revives your soul as you roam charming cobblestoned streets, seaside villages, and hidden islands. Uncover hundreds of UNESCO sites and countless wonders beyond the beaten path. Journey through a living anthology, from the secluded corners of Seville and Salerno to the enchanting waters of the French Riviera and the Grecian Isles.

Embrace the romance of La Dolce Vita as you discover remote ports and rediscover iconic cities. Here’s to your Mediterranean awakening. To the beauty of tradition, the diversity of culture, and the complexity of flavour. To experiencing it all with unrivalled access — and To Finding More.

LISBON TO BARCELONA

September 18, 2026 10 days

CIVITAVECCHIA (ROME) TO BARCELONA

August 9, 2026 15 days

See your cruise agent or contact Cruise World on P: 0800 500 732; www.cruiseworld.co.nz

LISBON, PORTUGAL

Silver Spirit

Casablanca

Barcelona

Gibraltar

Valencia

Tangier

Malaga

Lisbon

Cádiz AFRICA

EUROPE

MOROCCO

PORTUGAL SPAIN

Silver Ray

EXPERIENCE

3 Decades in the making

For over 30 years Cruise World have been curating amazing contemporary, luxury, expedition and boutique small ship experiences to exotic destinations around the globe. Let us chart a course to your next travel adventure. With our experienced team, you’re in safe hands.

PERSONAL

It’s Personal, because how You travel matters

We enjoy promoting our wonderful products but more importantly we love finding you the experience that suits you best. Our personal touch ensures we deliver on our motto ‘right guest, right voyage’.

PASSIONATE

Best Ideas, Best Deals

Cruise World travels the world in search of the best products available and our team are here to help navigate a world of experiences. Let our passion fuel your excitement.

BY DESIGN

Enjoy

You deserve to enjoy your entire travel experience, right from the booking and planning through to your departure date. Travel is one of life’s great adventures and we believe the lead up to and anticipation of your holiday should almost be as much fun as the holiday itself.

MADE IN NZ

Support Local

We sell travel all over the world but we are proudly a New Zealand owned and operated family business. We support and work closely with our New Zealand based travel agent partners.

TENOF THEBEST

WORLD SHOWCASES CRUISES THAT MAKE OUR BUCKET LIST FOR 2026.

AMA WATERWAYS NEW! GRAND RHINE & DUTCH CANALS

14-night cruise - Amsterdam to Basel v.v.

2026 Dates: 01 Aug, 12 Sep, 10 Oct, 24 Oct, 07 Nov, *21 Nov, 05 Dec

ABOARD: AmaStella

From NZ$12,313* pp share twin

HIGHLIGHTS: Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland

RIVERS: Rhine, Dutch and Belgian Waterways

CORAL EXPEDITIONS CHRISTMAS 2026 IN NEW ZEALAND’S FIORDLAND

10 nights – Queenstown (Bluff) to Wellington

24 Dec 2026 – 03 January, 2027

ABOARD: Coral Adventurer

From A$9,990 pp share twin (Coral Deck Stateroom)

HIGHLIGHTS: Christmas Day in Dusky & Doubtful Sounds, Ulva Island, Ship Cove, Akaroa, Dunedin

CRYSTAL CRUISES A SOUTH PACIFIC VOYAGE

11 nights – Lautoka, Fiji to Auckland, New Zealand

08 – 19 February, 2026

ABOARD: Crystal Serenity

From A$11,700 pp share twin

HIGHLIGHTS: Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, New Zealand

MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES BLOSSOMS & TIMELESS SHORES

8 nights – Yokohama return 10 – 18 May, 2026

ABOARD: Mitsui Ocean Fuji

From A$6960 pp share twin

HIGHLIGHTS: Japan, South Korea

OCEANIA CRUISES LEGENDARY TURKEY & GREECE

7 nights – Istanbul to Athens 21 – 28 July, 2026

ABOARD: Oceania Allura

From A$5990 pp share twin

HIGHLIGHTS: Istanbul, Bozcaada (Troy), Mitilini (Lesbos), Izmir, Chios, Kos, Santorini, Athens

RSSC IBERIAN INDULGENCE

12 nights – Paris (Le Havre) to Barcelona 12 – 24 August, 2026

ABOARD: Seven Seas Navigator

HIGHLIGHTS: Paris (Le Havre), Saint Malo, La Coruña, Vigo, Lisbon, Portimão, Seville, Gibraltar, Mãlaga, Valencia

SILVERSEA WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN CIRCLE

18 nights – Barcelona return 09 – 27 June, 2026

ABOARD: Silver Ray

HIGHLIGHTS: 13 Ports, 5 countries. Flavours of Italian & French Riviera’s, Sicily, Tunisia in North Africa, Cartegena, Valencia and Palma de Mallorca Spain

PONANT AUSTRALIA ICONIC KIMBERLEY

10 nights – Broome to Darwin 2026 departures May to August

ABOARD: Le Jacques Cartier / Le Soleal

HIGHLIGHTS: June to October the world’s largest pod of humpback whales give birth in the pristine waters of the Kimberley Coast. Expedition team lead Zodiac outings.

SEABOURN WEST IRELAND GEMS AND SOLAR ECLIPSE

14 nights – Dover (London), England, to Reykjavik, Iceland 08 – 22 August, 2026

ABOARD: Seabourn Ovation

HIGHLIGHTS: Dover, Cowes, Fowey, Solar Eclipse, Galway, Killybegs, Oban, Ullapool, Tórshavn, Heimaey, Reykjavik

TAUCK THE BLACK SEA TO BUDAPEST

12 nights – Bucharest to Budapest 28 May – 09 June, 2026

ABOARD: MS Espirit

HIGHLIGHTS: Bucharest, Constanta, Ruse, Belgrade, Novi Sad, Vukovar, Pécs, Budapest

THE NATURE

OF GOLF

ERIK VAN ROOYEN