Part #4 Cancel Napier

Due to the unfortunate closing of Cape Kidnappers, we have rearranged the itinerary and John has found a fab replacement golf course.

Tieke Golf Course

Alongside the riverbanks of the mighty Waikato River, New Zealand’s latest golf experience, the new Tīeke Golf Estate, is now open.

Originally established back in 1938, the old Lochiel Golf Club was a rural country course maintained by sheep and some keen volunteers. The Club had previously occupied different patches of farm land nearby before eventually settling on the property neighbouring Mystery Creek.

Fast forward 75 years to 2014 is when another major milestone took place. The Lochiel and Narrows Clubs situated on either side of the river , not more than a par 5 apart, agreed to amalgamate. This formed the Riverside Golf Club retaining both courses for the combined membership.

Not long after, it was designated by the NZ Transport Agency that the Southern Links Expressway would be intended to pass right through the Narrows course. After a lengthy settlement the club negotiated to sell the Narrows enabling investment to be made into the Lochiel site.

In 2018 Brett Thomson and Phil Tataurangi were approached to come up with a renovation plan for the Lochiel course. Their ambitious design centered around a few main pillars:

– The removal of nearly 1000 old trees, shrubs and bushes.

– An enhancement of the natural riverbed landscape.

– And exposing the sandy soils which had sat dormant beneath the turf for over 25,000 years.

Construction with Mahi Tahi Golf Project in early 2019 and is now ready for play.

The stunning new course ended up being completely redesigned, rerouted and reborn leaving it virtually indistinguishable from its former aesthetic. The 18-hole lay out (actually there are 19 as a spare hole was created) will play as a par 72 for member play. However, the club will also have the flexibility to adjust various holes from time to time for different events. This uncommon design feature has been specifically designed providing adaptability for specific club tournaments and selective member events.

The fine fescue turf and creeping bent grass putting surfaces are also not often found in this part of the country. These surfaces are intended to compliment the free draining soils and reward a running ball across the turf. The intention is for the ground game to be considered where a well played “bump and run” shot will be equally rewarded as a skillfully played lofted wedge. The visual appearance of the expansive sandy wastelands adds a striking and very distinct character to the course that is an intentional nod the whakapapa or history of the land.

The brand new clubhouse was designed by club member Adam Taylor of Industry Architects and provides expansive 270 degree views over the course. The contemporary aesthetic appears like a modern estate home with high ceilings, a spacious main lounge and comfortable furnishings.

So now instead of travelling from Wellington to Napier, we will travel to Taupo and skip Napier, stay an extra 2 days in Taupo (there is lots to do there) and stay an extra day in Hamilton – enabling us to visit Hobitton and play Tiepe Golf Course.

The itinerary has been updated, any questions – you know where I am.

On a positive note…. You know it means we have to come back to the North Island to play Cape Kidnappers!