| New Zealand: Golf, Grandeur & Grapes
 Along
with remarkable new golf, the marvel of travel to New Zealand
is the diverse and striking landscape.
Every imaginable landform is at hand, including vast snow capped
mountain chains, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines, deeply
indented fiords and lush rainforests. Comparable in size to California
or Japan, New Zealand has a population of just 4 million making
for a refreshing change of pace. As a people, the Kiwis are among
the most relaxed and engaging in the world.
 It
is no wonder that thrilling golf is abundant in such a place.
More than 400 courses exist today, with roots dating to 1871 and
classics like Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club near Wellington which
was opened after World War II as a links style masterpiece. Local
hero Sir Bob Charles has authored perennial favorite Millbrook
offering a truly unique golfing experience set against the stunning
alpine backdrop of The Remarkables mountain range. Terrace Downs
in the high country near Mount Hutt about an hour from Christchurch,
offers a challenge amid scenery to match any in the world. On
the 16th tee, local tradition allows for a bonus drive to carry
the chasm carved by Rakaia River. Kauri Cliffs in Northland and
Tom Doak’s remarkable Cape Kidnappers in Napier were both
basically born to the world 100 and are responsible for much of
the country’s current spotlight.
 Wherever you play, you will be captivated by one
remarkable landform after another. Glaciers grind their way down
the Southern Alps. Lake Taupo, located in the center of the North
Island and formed by an ancient volcano, is neighbor now to a
pair of active mountains – Ngauruhoe
and Ruapehu. The pristine lake is prized worldwide for the quality
of its trout fishing, legendary for their condition and size.
The Tongariro River at the southern end of Lake Taupo is one of
the best fly fishing trout rivers in the world. Hawke’s
Bay is a sunny, dry, Mediterranean-style home to red wine, glorious
beaches, and lively celebrations of Matariki, the Maori New Year.
Milford Sound is Rudyard Kipling’s “Eighth Wonder
of the World”!
New
Zealand Issue – Tee Times eNewsetter
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Detailed Sample Itineraries
Golf & Travel Editorial
Cape
Kidnappers, New Zealand (recommended by Eamon Lynch)
by: Chris
Santella
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| A few years back, hedge fund
magnate Julian Robertson was visiting Bandon, Oregon, where
he hoped to play a few rounds on the renowned Bandon Dunes
course. On the second day of his visit, he was bumped
from Bandon to play Pacific Dunes. The story goes that
Mr. Robertson was not very happy about the change in venues,
as he hadn’t traveled across country to ... Read
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