Course 7: Waimarino Golf Club

16 July 2010

The Waimarino Golf Club is on the road between Ohakune and Raetihi, under the shadow of Mount Ruapehu.



We took the kids away in the school holidays with another family and went skiing. After 2 days on the mountain we took the opportunity to slip off for 9 holes at Waimarino (it took a while to track this course down online before we left as I assumed it would be called Ohakune or Raetihi). I guess there's a question whether this actually counts to my challenge? I only played half the course. Worst case is I'll need to head back and play it again at some stage (and maybe I'll play better than the scorecard below).

For this round we took the boys out and gave them a taste of country golf. The Waimarino course is a typical NZ country course, built on rolling farmland and with plenty of trees. Of course, the sight of Mount Ruapehu in the background is a little different and quite spectacular.





Unfortunately the photos don't show the mountain in the background - the glare off the snow must have had something to do with it?

My Scorecard:

Not a spectacular 9 holes - a 7 and 8 really hurt! I'm really struggling on the par 5s at the moment...



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Course 6: Takaka Golf Club

27 January 2010

We took a family holiday to Golden Bay with some of our oldest friends at the end of January and found the great little 9 hole Takaka Golf Course right on the beach.

In the end 3 dads and a number of sons wondered around the 9 holes enjoying the views and hijinks of 5 boys aged 7 or less. In the end my round was very average but it was great to get out again with my son and to have him continue to learn about golf.

The highlight had to be the par 3 9th hole where we let all the boys have a turn. Young James (7 years old) showed everyone up by having a par. Not even us dads could match that!!

My scorecard:



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Course 5: Kapiti Golf Club

6 January 2010

Hiding up behind Paraparaumu is the 9 hole Kapiti Golf Club. I played here a couple of times during January 2010 with my 7.5 year old son who got a set of golf clubs for Christmas.

This round of golf, while fun and enjoyable at the time has greater significance to me know. It turned out to be the last time I would ever play golf with my father, something I have been doing for many years and thought would never end. It was the first and only time that my father, son and I would ever play golf together.

Kapiti is a pretty easy course, as can be seen from my scorecard. We had a lot of fun.

My scorecard:



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Courses 3 & 4: Featherston and Martinborough

The Solstice - That Time Again! 19 June 2010

Twice a year at Solstice time instead of dressing up like a druid I jump into a mini van and head off with 10 other golfing amateurs and play 2 courses in the lower North Island. Grant has been organising this event for the past 11 years and each time it's a surprise where we will end up. It's also a big day away, 36 holes and a long van ride home. This year we played at...

Featherston

The first course after crossing the Rimutaka hill, this is a relatively easy course to play. It's flat and the greens are slow with little break. I've now played Featherston twice and enjoyed very good scores each time (for me). Be careful around the third hole, the course shares a boundary (and aroma) with a pig farm. The pigs also make quite a noise at feeding time!

My scorecard:



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Martinborough

Our second course of the day was the Martinborough Golf Club. This is located on the outskirts of wine country and another relatively flat, tree lined course. You start with two par fives, something a little different, and there are a number of challenging holes on this course. The greens were the exact opposite of Featherston, well formed and fast. I had four 3 putts in this round but still managed to play well.

My scorecard:


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The Solstice is always a long day. 36 holes split with a big lunch and couple of pints. The handicapping is always dubious but aftera 6 year drought I managed to come home with the coveted Brown Jacket. I need to thank Grant for the very generous handicap! I can guarantee having 10-15 strokes taken off my handicap for the summer Solstice to ensure that I don't win again in a hurry - maybe I should offer to drive the van home....

Course Number 2: Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club

The second course detailed in my quest to play them all is Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club. I played here most recently 0n Good Friday (2 April 2010). It's a course I have played many times, my father has been a member there for 35+ years and we played here every Boxing Day against our great friends and old foes the Archibald family.

This round was one of my worst in years. Not sure why, it wasn't a bad day and the wind wasn't a factor as it can often be. I shot 102, putted like a donkey and hit shots that are beyond comprehension. However, as they say, a bad day on the course is better than a great day in the office and it was great to get out with a couple of old mates - even if they did make me look like a beginner!

There were little highlights during the round for me but I did manage 3 pars, including the 18th - something that will get me back playing again very soon!

The 18th green.

My scorecard:

(Not that I think anyone should look at it!)

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27 December 2010

I had the opportunity to get out at Paraparaumu again. This was one of the few rounds where I played off the blue tees and I struggled through to a 96. The front 9 wasn't too bad as it included 2 shots out of a bunker. However, I couldn't buy a putt all day!

Golfshot iPhone Application

I found this great application for my iPhone, it's called Golfshot. It's a great little thing. The free version allows you to download pretty much every course in New Zealand and all their information. You then use it to keep score and statistics. It even works out your handicap with 5 different methods.

The full version is about $40 Kiwi and has GPS functionality that can plot your way around the course.

If you have an iPhone or iPod touch and play golf then you should download this and give it a go!

Course Number 1: Waikanae Golf Club

The first course detailed in my quest for 400 is the Waikane Golf Club. This is the course that I learnt to play golf on nearly 30 years ago and is located about 50 kilometres north of Wellington on the Kapiti Coast.


It was a very good day's golf for me shooting my best score for a long time, a very tidy 83. This included 2 birdies (on the 12th and the 15th) and 5 pars. I spent the day playing with Solstice Golf organiser Grant and a couple of his mates (Mark and Jim). I think I managed to have the best score of the day, which was surprising given the ability of the opposition.

The 12th hole - par 3.

Waikanae is a good little country course that I always enjoy playing at. It does have one downside though, it is a little expensive on the green fees in comparison to other courses in the area! Anyway, you can find Waikanae Golf Course on Te Moana Road and it is worth a go.

My scorecard


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Round 2 - 2 January 2011

I had another round at Waikanae with 3 old school mates. It wasn't my best at Waikanae and I really struggled to hit the ball properly. The only thing that saved me was my putting - only 26 putts in the whole round. That is a record for me.

A great birdie on the 18th hole was my highlight, I put my third shot on a long (486m) par 5 within 5 feet and made the putt. That will get me back for another round!

My mates had a tough day and asking James to play off a 33 was a bit hard for him. However, he an Tucky managed to tie the match with me and Gus. We took an early, commanding lead but found ourselves 2 holes down with 2 to play. Gus and I had to play our best for the final 2 holes to square it up.

My New Life Goal

Golf is great and something I love to do in order to relax. I get out and play with my father, my friends and my children and I would always like to play more.

This year I turn 40 and I need and excuse to play more golf so I have set a new life goal - to play every golf course in New Zealand by the time I'm 60. Sounds easy but there are just under 400 courses in New Zealand so that's 20 new courses each year, quite a few for a bloke who only plays once per month. I do have a head start, I have played about 50 already.

This blog is to record my journey. Watch for more...