New Plymouth

New Plymouth has become a well-known destination on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island for indulging in a number of modern sports like water skiing, snowboarding and surfing. What may not be so well known is that New Plymouth Golf Club was founded as far back as 1893 and golf’s royal and ancient game has been played on its current site since 1913.

Located between the dormant volcano of Mount Taranaki and the Tasman Sea, the tree-lined fairways and generously proportioned greens of the "Ngamotu" are laid out along the stunning coastline that stretches from Cape Egmont in the west to Waikato in the north east. Ngamotu is the name of the volcanic islands which lie offshore from New Plymouth, originally named "Ngâ Motu" by the Maoris.

It annually holds the Taranaki Open and regularly hosts national amateur competitions. In addition, the New Zealand Open has also been held at New Plymouth four times, 1936, 1947, 1961 and 1980.

After a solid start to the round with five straight par fours, the 176-yard, par three signature hole is then encountered. “Dell” plays from an elevated tee across a pond to a green that is further protected with black iron sand bunkers on both sides of the hole. A three on the card will be a very welcome score here.

Three par fives are faced over the next four holes before the final two short holes are played at first the 12th and then the 136-yard 14th, called “Moses.” From the tee – looking out to sea – the green seems suspended above the water. Out of bounds lurks behind the putting surface for those who over club whilst pot bunkers are positioned short to catch any under hit tee shots.

Turning inland for home now, the round concludes with three testing par fours and a par five. The holes grow progressively longer from the 15th to the last, culminating in the 460-yard 18th where big hitters may well be looking for a birdie to end the round if they can reach the two-tiered green with two mighty blows.