Finding New Zealand's Links

I started my search 7 days ago after I arrived in Picton from the ferry in Wellington. I have been to 7 golf courses since landing on the south island and the golf got better as I dicovered some great links in Dunedin and Invercargill. Leave it to the Scots to pass on the great tradition of golf amongst the dunes. Pictures to come!

Kiwi Challenge at Cape Kidnappers: Practice Session

Here are some up to the minute pictures of Anothy Kim, Camillo Villegas, and Sean O'hair warming up on their first day before the Kiwi Challenge.

Kiwi Challenge at Cape Kidnappers

The Kiwi Challenge is about to kick off its second annual event tomorrow November 11, 2009 at the Cape Kidnappers golf course. There have been many preparations to get the golf course and surrounding facilities ready for the tournament to feature four of the world’s best young golfers: Anthony Kim, Sean O’hair Scott, Camillo Villegas, and returning champion Hunter Mahan. The winner of the 36- hole stroke play event will win 2.4 million kiwi dollars (about 1.7 million USD). Not bad for two days work.
The golf course should play firm through the fairways despite a few recent rain showers and the greens are in pristine condition. Don’t expect any really low scoring if the wind picks up, the golf course will be stretched over 7200 yards.

Cape Kidnappers

Here are some more photos of Cape Kidnappers and some surrounding areas. Although in a far off island, as soon as I stepped on the golf course I felt completely at home. Cape Kidnappers is an incredible setting for golf. My first round at the Cape was truly about the scenery.

I played in a strong gale, similar to the summer conditions I found at Bandon Dunes. Even as the wind howled though I could clearly hear the song birds hover above me as I played, quite amazing. The golf course definitely was able to match its setting as well, a great test of golf.