Dateline January 26, 2015, Golf at Kauri Cliffs
Kauri Cliffs Golf Club is about a thirty-five-minute drive from Kerikeri. We turned off the main road and followed a dirt road for about a mile. We started wondering if TomTom had us in the wrong place. Then a gate appeared, very unassuming, with a security speaker on the side. We rang in and were told to come on through and follow the road to the clubhouse, where someone would meet us.
We were met in the drive by Cameron, the assistant golf pro, who loaded up our carts and pointed us out toward the course. Driving around the clubhouse we were treated to the first wide view of the course running out toward the ocean. It was sunny and about seventy-five degrees with a very pleasant breeze. Cameron mentioned, almost in passing, that there were only six other players on the course for the whole day.
The designer.
The course was designed by David Harman of Orlando, Florida. He had worked with many of the best designers in the business and had spent most of his career on the construction side of the courses he built. He gave Kauri Cliffs two full years. He died of lung cancer at fifty-one not long after completing it. One tribute we read put it well: "I can't imagine what courses he might have designed and built later in life." The plaque near the first tee is from the owner.
The owner.
Julian Robertson, the founder of Tiger Management, made his fortune in finance. As a young man he had spent a year in New Zealand writing, and the country had stayed with him ever since. He then went back into the finance business in New York, built Tiger into one of the legendary hedge funds, and eventually came back to New Zealand to build Kauri Cliffs here on the North Island, and later Cape Kidnappers at Hawke's Bay, both on cliffs above the Pacific. Cape Kidnappers was on our schedule to play in a few days.
The round.
The front nine was a great layout and a lot of fun to play, with fantastic vistas out over the Bay of Islands. We stopped after nine for a sandwich and a soda before heading out to the back.
Those who know John's game would have been shocked when he birdied ten, birdied eleven, and parred twelve. Reality struck on thirteen, and he was back to his usual game from there. Janice played brilliantly, shooting eighty-three from the men's tees at over six thousand yards. Pete and Bunny had a blast.
The views from the cliffs out to the Bay of Islands and the Pacific really were sensational.
Of course we bought hats and shirts in the pro shop. A great day, sensational course conditions, and views you do not forget. Do not miss this course if you are anywhere near the North Island of New Zealand.
Back to Swallow Ridge to enjoy the views from the pool with rum and Cokes, cheese, and crackers. Out for a quick meal, and back for a good night's sleep. If you are playing Kauri Cliffs, we highly recommend Swallow Ridge for accommodations.
