The Tiger-less PGA Tour may have packed up its tent for the 2008 season, but there is a new televised golf tournament coming up that you don’t want to miss.
It’s called the Kiwi Challenge (thekiwichallenge.com), and it pits four of the world’s best under-30 golfers — Ryder Cuppers Anthony Kim and Hunter Mahan,
See Cape Kidnappers (above) and Kauri Cliffs on TV November 16th and 17th.
Masters standout Brandt Snedeker, and Adam Scott — against each other in a two-day, stroke-play tournament across two of the best New Zealand golf courses: Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers.
While I’m sure there will be some beautiful shotmaking to see, an almost better reason to tune in to NBC this Saturday and Sunday is to see the amazing beauty shots of these New Zealand golf courses, especially if you’ve ever considered taking a New Zealand golf vacation (which, as we explained in the January 2008 issue of Golf Odyssey, is much easier than people think).
Between these two New Zealand golf courses, you’ll see fairways perched 500 feet above sea level, bridges over 300-foot ravines, ridges that reach like fingers into the sea, holes routed along seaside cliffs — these layouts must be seen to be believed and now you’ll have the chance.
Both Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers, located 350 miles apart, are the creation of billionaire financier Julian Robertson, and if it sounds like these New Zealand golf courses were built sparing no expense, they were. Heck, the driveway alone at Cape Kidnappers cost $10 million to build!
If watching this event doesn’t give you the urge to take a New Zealand golf vacation, you might want to check for a pulse, especially because getting to the Kiwi kingdom for eight full days of golf can be done without missing more than a week of work.
Yes, you read that correctly. We took a long New Zealand golf vacation and burned only five vacation days. Find out how you can do it, too, (and other golf vacation secrets like this) by taking a free trial to Golf Odyssey. As part of your free trial, we’ll send you our current monthly intelligence report AND give you instant access to our password-protected online archive of back issues where you can get our expert, insider advice on any golf destination you’re considering (our New Zealand guide is in the January 2008 issue). Give it a try. There is absolutely no risk or obligation to subscribe.
One last thing regarding the Kiwi Challenge: while you won’t get to see Tiger Woods smashing the ball around these New Zealand golf courses, you will get see his caddie. New Zealand native Steve Williams is serving as an on-course commentator.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Gents, I am travelling to South Island in February. Do you have a reference to the best courses with Electric carts. Which is the best way to negotiate green fee rates. Jeff Freeman
Hi Jeff, not sure which area(s) of the South Island you’re visiting, but in Christchurch, we’d recommend Clearwater Country Club (www.clearwaternz.com). Best to visit website for rates and call and/or email to see if there are unadvertised specials.
Hello, we will be in the Auckland, N.Z. area in Mid-February and would like to play at least one course that would provide great scenery at a reasonable price. Any suggestions? Regards, Retired
Everyone has a different idea of what “reasonable” is. Let us know yours and we’ll see if we can find a suitable option for you.