Travels WithJohn and Janice
Entry to the course at Wairakei Golf and Sanctuary, Taupo, New Zealand
New Zealand3 min read

Dateline January 28, 2015, Golf at Wairakei Golf and Sanctuary

New Zealand2015 TravelGolf#new-zealand#taupo#wairakei#wairakei-golf-and-sanctuary#commander-john-harris#smiley#geothermal#kiwi-bird#wildlife-sanctuary#ambleside-bnb#pat-and-russell-jensen#golf#new-zealand-australia-2015
Entry to the course at Wairakei
Entry to the course at Wairakei

On Wednesday we had a ten o'clock tee time at Wairakei Golf and Sanctuary. The course is owned by a wealthy dairy farmer the locals in Taupo refer to as Smiley, because no one has ever seen him smiling. We did not see him either. We did see his golf course, and his golf course is wonderful.

The Maori totem at the gate
The Maori totem at the gate

As you arrive at Wairakei, the first thing you see is a beautiful Maori totem at the entry. From there we headed to the golf shop to sign in, met Russ the golf pro, picked up our carts, and proceeded to a gate.

The sanctuary.

The course is fully fenced all the way around, every yard of it. Russ explained that the fencing keeps out the rodents and other predators that would eat the wildlife the sanctuary is built to protect, including the kiwi bird, which has had a hard time surviving outside of protected areas. You drive your cart up to the gate, the gate opens, and you are in.

Out onto the course
Out onto the course

A little history.

The course's own description of itself puts it well: "The Wairakei Geothermal Park is a place of majestic beauty. It was against this impressive backdrop that leading British Golf Course Architect Commander John Harris saw potential to create a championship golf course like no other. Skirting the edges of active geothermal fields he used the volcanic contours to sculpt fairways, elevate tees and greens and bury hazards within the natural landscape."

According to the book Greatest Golf Holes of New Zealand, Wairakei was considered one of the world's top 100 courses in the 1970s. After the course was sold, it fell on hard times for many years from neglect. Since Smiley took it over, it has come back to pristine condition. It is now generally considered one of the best resort courses in New Zealand, and a fair test of golf for all abilities.

Wairakei vistas
Wairakei vistas

The round.

We warmed up on the practice area and soon it was our turn on the first tee. (The featured photo at the top of this post is from that first tee.) The grounds and the course are pristine. We knew within a hole or two that this was a course we would remember.

John down the middle
John down the middle

There were some dry areas because the region had not had rain in about seven weeks, but the ball was very playable from almost anywhere you landed it, except the high grass. Because the entire course is fenced, the wildlife you see out on the holes is mostly birds. We saw pheasant and quail throughout the round.

A mother and chick at the seventh tee
A mother and chick at the seventh tee

At the seventh tee we came across this mother and chick. Pretty cute.

Pete teeing it up
Pete teeing it up

This course is not to be missed. A good challenge, pristine lies, wonderful greens. We returned for another lovely evening at Pat and Russell's.

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