World's best golf course in New Zealand
09 Oct 2008
Cape Kidnappers golf course on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island has been rated as the best in the world by Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper.
The golf course's dramatic location put it ahead of world famous others such as Royal County Down in Northern Ireland, Pebble Beach in the United States and Leopard Creek in South Africa. Further down the top 10 were: Green Monkey, Barbados; Domaine de Sperone, Corsica; Turnberry, Scotland; Canouan, The Grenadines; Doonbeg, Ireland; and Royal Melbourne.
Sheep farm site
The Cape Kidnappers course is built on a 2000-hectare sheep farm on the coast of New Zealand’s renowned Hawke's Bay wine region. The super luxury lodge attached to the golf course opened last year and is one of New Zealand’s most exclusive properties already winning high acclaim worldwide.
The golf course has fairways that play out along a series of jagged ridges jutting out like fingers into the Pacific Ocean, before plunging to rocks below. Misdirected balls take a full 10 seconds to reach the water.
Designed by the American architect Tom Doak, Cape Kidnappers has none of the sandy dunes that characterise true links courses but the harsh landscape is in keeping with the game. Players must contend with fearsome ravines, contoured fairways and fast tilted greens.
Kiwi Challenge
Later this month Cape Kidnappers and its sister property Kauri Cliffs nearly 600 kilometres away in Northland, will host the made-for-TV 36-hole Kiwi Challenge. The inaugural event, now part of the PGA Tour has attracted top international golfers Adam Scott from Australia and Americans Anthony Kim, Hunter Mahan and Brandt Snedeker.
Tiger Wood's caddie, New Zealander Steve Williams will make his television commentary debut at the Kiwi Challenge, becoming part of NBC's media team. Williams says he wants to support golf in his home country.
"This is my first experience at this," Williams said. "I'm doing this because the Kiwi Challenge will bring great exposure for New Zealand and give New Zealanders the opportunity to see four of the world's best players in one group. Seldom would we have four players of this quality at a tournament."
NBC Sports golf producer Tommy Roy said he felt the Kiwi Challenge was a recipe for a great golf event.
"Four of the best young players in the world playing on two of the most beautiful and challenging courses anywhere in the world. It is going to be a terrific event," he said.
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