With advancements in social media etc, we just had to jump on board! We know it is not for everyone, but if you are on Facebook, click the logo below and "Like Us" to join our growing community (you'll then be in for a chance to win 2 nights at Dunalistair House come our time for our lucky-dip Christmas draw).

With Facebook, we will be writing reviews on golf courses amongst other items, as well as feeding relevant New Zealand golf information on a regular basis...

If you are not on Facebook, no worries - we'll be continuing our newsletter too!

Now,talking of Facebook, it made me think of friends the other day, and I pose the following question :

If friends come in three forms, that being friends for a Reason, a Season or a Lifetime, then where do your golf friends fit in....?

Without getting this newsletter off to an overly philosophical start, I recall being told a long time ago that these are the three types of friendship that we experience in our lives, and they are ultimately all as important as each other.

I have concluded that a large majority of golfing companions that I have, come under both the Reason and Lifetime categories. Since after all, the reason we are friends is often because we like to share our passion in the social and competitive nature of golf, as well as the thrill of taking that dollar off our friend at the end of the round! (I'm a Scotsman after all!!)

A lifetime golf friend is also particularly special, since they are the ones where the history of competition and comaraderie is of particular importance, especially when it comes to the renewed hope and build up to the "next" game.

So, I also concluded that since the relationships and friendships that I have made over the past years on the golf course have become extremely rewarding, that this is a large part as to why I find myself in the industry that I am. Creating golf holidays and offering the best possible advice, has resulted in a large number of Greenfernz clients becoming "golfing friends", and it is with that in mind that I find the continued motivation and drive to offer the professional and diligent golf advisory service that I do. I thank all my golfing friends for your past and continued support of Golf in New Zealand and look forward to further "battles" in the future!

And - Exciting news for New Zealand with some big International Sports Events to come...

With an expected 90,000+ visitors which will descend on these shores in the coming two months for Rugby World Cup, this event is a great and much needed shot in the arm to boost tourism revenue leading into the summer.

The economy ? Well, about 4 weeks ago I heard from some agents in the US that they had increased outbound bookings for the coming year by between 30 and 300% on the same time last year. However the events of early August in world stockmarkets has put the jitters up a few people, however we hope that this is just a temporary glitch in longer term recovery for the world economy. It is certainly evident that Scotland and Ireland are still reaping the lions share of the golf tourism dollar, however the new destinations are certainly knocking at the door. Could the analogy of the New World Wine Revolution of the late 80's and 90's be used for golf tourism perhaps? Just like the introduction of screw-tops for wine, I think a re-invention of golf and how it is played may see some interesting times ahead. Power-Play Golf maybe? Read on.

Enjoy!

Alistair Tod, Managing Director

Consider this as an itinerary for the coming year....

The following North Island golf itinerary is based on one of our most popular vacations for those who are limited on time, however it is for those who wish to experience the very best of what New Zealand golf has to offer. Examine this itinerary, and if you like what you see, please make contact with us by clicking on the "Contact" button at the top of this page. We will then be able to explore your initial plans and create a brief preliminary itinerary to fit around your proposed dates. We will also supply a quotation for what the cost of your itinerary would be.

Once your itinerary is as you wish, the full schedule will be sent to you along with an Approval Form. We will request that you return the Approval Form with a deposit to engage our services. We will then make the necessary enquiries by contacting the relevant lodges and golf courses to see if there is availability around your dates. In the event that any portion of the itinerary is unconfirmed, alternatives will be suggested.

As a bonded tour operator with our membership to the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), we are bound to offering our customers the following:

1. The Best in Golf Vacations.

2. The Highest Level of Service.

3. Financial Security in the booking of your vacation.

4. Value for Money.

With this in mind, rest assured that you have come to one of New Zealand's leading and most experienced golf travel companies. Please peruse the below itinerary and we look forward to hearing from you to assist with arranging what we can assure you will be one of the most incredible golf vacations of your lifetime.

North Island Golf Itinerary

Day 4.

Golf at Wairakei International Golf Course.

Only minutes north of Lake Taupo, this world-acclaimed 6,444 metre par 72 golf course is set in 450 acres of gently rolling countryside. Its parkland layout features 108 large bunkers, magnificent tree-lined fairways and large plateau greens, all bordered by dense pine forest.

In 2009 plans began to create a wildlife sanctuary, including the erection of a 2 metre high electrical rodent proof fence which surrounds the whole property. Kiwi have been released along with a number of exotic native birds. A new professional shop and driving range have also been completed in late 2010, bringing Wairakei International right back up to one of the very best golfing facilities in the country.

 

Day 5.

Golf at The Kinloch Golf Club.

Jack Nicklaus’ first signature and only design in New Zealand has added another gem of a course to the New Zealand landscape. Travel and Leisure Golf Magazine rated The Kinloch Club the best new course in 2007 outside North America. The course takes advantage of the natural terrain created by the supervolcanic Taupo eruption 26,000 years ago, which deposited pumice across a wide area.

This allowed Nicklaus to build a course with Scottish links characteristics creating remarkable undulating fairways and greens. This combination comes together in beautiful surroundings producing one of Jack Nicklaus’ proudest Signature Courses. For 2011, Kinloch also received top accolades, being rated a Top 3 course in New Zealand by Asian Golf Monthly, as well as a Top 100 World ranking by www.top100golfcourses.co.uk

Five sets of tees offer varying challenges for any range of golfing ability, however as Jack Nicklaus stated, only play off the tips if you are a “gorilla”.

 

Day 6.

An Amazing way to transfer!

One of the most incredible Helicopter journeys today, takes you on a volcanic safari over the Tongariro National Park and over the Ruapehu Crater lake (erupted last in 1995/6). Experience the wonders of the volcanic plateau as you fly from Dunalistair House directly to Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club.

Golf at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club

Considered one of the country's premier links courses, Paraparaumu Beach was designed in 1949 by Australian Open champion Alex Russell, partner of the highly acclaimed course architect Dr Alistair McKenzie. The home course of Tiger Woods’s caddie, Steve Williams, it has played host to the New Zealand Open championship on 12 occasions, with Tiger Woods himself playing in the 2002 event.

Laid out over naturally rolling topography, the well drained fairways, fierce rough and intimidating bunkers of this 5,919 metre par 71 course combine with coastal winds to create a truly challenging golfing experience. Often likened to a traditional Scottish links course, it has ranked within the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World by Golf Magazine.

After golf your helicopter will collect you from the golf course and transfer you to The Farm at Cape Kidnappers.

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers. Lodge Suite.

Duration: 2 nights

Includes: Accommodation, pre dinner drinks, gourmet three course a la carte dinner, full breakfast, complimentary minibar (excluding liquor and wine), and full use of all lodge facilities.

 

Day 7.

Golf at Cape Kidnappers

This wonderfully dramatic course, set high on craggy cliffs some 140 metres above the sea, was designed by American Tom Doak of Renaissance Golf Design. Arguably one of the most spectacular sites in the world, the 6,533 metre par 71 course provides a firm and fast surface for seaside golf at its finest.

In 2008 the Daily Telegraph of the UK, described Cape Kidnappers as the No.1 Golf Course in the World. Host to the Kiwi Challenge, where 4 of the young stars of world golf come together in a 36 hole tournament, the 2009 contest featured Anthony Kim, Hunter Mahan (defending champion), Sean O’Hair and Camilo Villegas. At Cape Kidnappers players may one minute be hitting shots over the tops of tea trees and then the next across a deep gully or along the edge of a deep ravine. Holes aptly named the Pirate’s Plank and the Widow’s Walk perhaps give you some indication of just how exhilarating this course is, overlooking the Hawkes Bay.

 

Additional Information & Charges

Kinloch Sold and Greenfernz moved...!

And finally, our last newsletter gave you the heads-up that we were moving house. Well, we have, and although in temporary accommodation near Taupo, it is with great pleasure and relief that we will be moving from our rented accommodation into the village of Kinloch on the North Shore of Lake Taupo in November.

The village of Kinloch is experiencing exciting times, with the recent announcement that Southcorp Limited, a John Sax business, has purchased the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course and surrounding land to develop a world class lodge and facilities. We know that John Sax does an incredible job, as I have had the pleasure of a wedding anniversary at Treetops Lodge, and well, quite simply...WOW.....!

So, thank you to Mr Sax and his team - we look forward to seeing how things develop in the future.

All our contact details remain the same:

Toll Free Numbers:

From US : 1800-662-0473

From Australia : 1800-420-096

From UK : 0800-066-4783

Anywhere else: +64-7-578-9975

Also, by email, then please contact alistair@greenfernz.com