Pure Golf Booklet Pure Golf 2009 : Page 1
PUTTING KIWI GOLF ON THE MAP cottish immigrants introduced the game of golf in the South Island in the 19th century and their inks-style courses still thrive today. But those courses were built for locals, not for the rest of the world. Subsequently New Zealand and `golf ‘ were not spoken in the same breath unless a television commentator referred to one of the country’s many great professionals including British Open champion Sir Bob Charles,US PGA Tour winners John Lister, Frank Nobilo, Grant Waite and Phil Tataurangi, or European PGA Tour winners Greg Turner and Michael Campbell. New Zealand is popular for extraordinary outdoor adventure and thrills like bungy jumping and having the most stunning landscapes to do it in.But it’s less established as a destination for golf. Now, with new investment and a series of world-ranked fi ve-star resorts, that has certainly changed. The country has been transformed into a golfi ng paradise and Michael Campbell’s win in the 2005 US Open Championship has certainly put New Zealand on the radar for golf travellers. From Carrington Resort on the North Island Pacifi c coast to Millbrook in the Southern Alps,nine dedicated golf facilities have joined forces with Tourism New Zealand, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise,the New Zealand Golf Association and the New Zealand PGA to form a quality- control group called The Best of Golf New Zealand. The aim is to provide guests with world-class courses and facilities and altogether the best possible golfi ng holiday. To do this, The Best of Golf New Zealand has teed off,so to speak,with Tourism New Zealand’s quality assurance program called Qualmark. To receive a Qualmark endorsement, golf resorts have to meet stringent requirements that cover every detail from the condition of the course and facilities to a code of ethics that requires, for example,courses to “recognise the right of the customer to courteous,prompt and honest service”. Where other countries promote golf travel packages, New Zealand is the fi rst country to establish golf tourism underwritten by a government-backed quality assurance program. If you have only one week to play, then think of North Island and South Island as separate tours. Play one tour now, the other at another time. To try your luck at all the Best of Golf New Zealand destinations, and some selected other courses reviewed here,we suggest you plan for a full two-week journey. The New Zealand Golf Tourism Cluster operates as The Best of Golf New Zealand.Primary members are: Carrington A Heritage Resort,Gulf Harbour Country Club, Lakes Resort, Wairakei International Golf Course, Terrace Downs,Clearwater, Jacks Point and Millbrook Resort. New Zealand has two golf courses – Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers – that are ranked in the World top-50. [For more information visit www.bestofgolfnewzealand.com] A PERSONAL INVITE FROM MICHAEL CAMPBELL Michael Campbell is not only a US Open champion,he is one of New Zealand’s finest golfing ambassadors.Born and bred in the Taranaki district of the North Island, Campbell grew up dreaming of becoming an All Black rugby player but the lure of the links grew too great.During the late ’80s and early ’90s,Campbell represented New Zealand many times as an amateur with a highlight being victory in the 1992 Eisenhower Trophy in Vancouver,Canada. Michael turned professional in 1993 and two years later, he held the 54-hole lead in the Open Championship at St Andrews before finishing third. The performance signalled his arrival on the world stage. His enormous potential was fully realised in 2005 with victory in the US Open Championship at Pinehurst No.2 and,just a few months later,in the lucrative World Match Play Championship at Wentworth,England. Campbell is again climbing the ranks of the world’s best players with a number of strong performances on the European Tour – all the while,flying the Kiwi fl ag. As the most successful Kiwi golfer of the modern era, Campbell is no better advocate for New Zealand and its golf courses. So, will you accept Michael Campbell’s invitation to visit his homeland, play its wonderful golf courses and experience its vast array of natural attractions? “I always look forward to getting back to New Zealand,obviously to see family and friends, but also to relive the sights, sounds and smells of my homeland. The natural beauty of the land is New Zealand’s greatest resource.Everywhere you go there are breathtaking views. “New Zealand is a sport-loving nation and one of our favourites is golf,which is why you will fi nd plenty of courses scattered throughout the country. From world-famous layouts to hidden gems,my country has it all and it’s not as far away as you think. “If you enjoy mixing world standard golf with equally fi ne wine, food and sightseeing, you should come and experience New Zealand. You’ll love it!” Good golfing and kindest regards, Michael Campbell PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES; PREVIOUS PAGE: SUPPLIED BY JACKS POINT
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