High expectations can often be dangerous when visiting a new restaurant, hotel or golf course.
In this case I recently had the occasion to play at Tara Iti Golf Club on the North Island of New Zealand…
Read more “Tara Iti Golf Club, Mangawhai, New Zealand”
Tag: Tom Doak
Tom Doak & Cape Kidnappers Make New Zealand Golf Vacations
On the course’s 10th anniversary, American golf architect Tom Doak has done a podcast discussing Cape Kidnappers, a spectacular layout in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Read more “Tom Doak & Cape Kidnappers Make New Zealand Golf Vacations”
New 2014 Escorted Tour to Australia Combines World 100 Golf with Iconic Sightseeing
We know, this has to be good. It’s a long way to Australia.
Fair enough; have a look below at “The Best of Australia 2014 (Escorted)”. If you like your vacation golf chosen from the upper echelon of world 100 clubs, and combined with fully escorted luxury itinerary that includes an equally impressive schedule of sightseeing, wine touring and spectacular natural beauty, we suspect you’ll agree this experience stands out.
You’ll play two of Dr. Alister MacKenzie’s most important four layouts; Royal Melbourne which is GOLF Magazine’s world 13 and New South Wales ranked 34 (pictured left). You’ll play the club that put Tom Doak on the map, in Tasmanian, at Barnbougle Dunes ranked 41. Next door at Barnbougle Lost Farm we’ve got world 82 by Coore & Crenshaw. Royal Melbourne neighbor Yarra Yarra is a founding member of the famed Sandbelt clubs whose design was shaped heavily by Dr. MacKenzie. We’ll see Doak’s work again at St Andrews Beach found in the heart of the Mornington Peninsula’s Cups Country.
Our tour begins officially with the Welcome Cocktail Party and Dinner on the day of arrival. Sightseeing on Day 2 includes the famous Sydney Harbor Cruise (pictured top right) plus a guided tour of the spectacular Opera House. Both are included in the price of the tour, along with four (4) additional sightseeing excursions. Welcome and Farewell dinners plus six (6) additional “choice of menu” evening meals are included as well. You’ll spend 11 nights in first class hotels like Tasmania’s The Lodge at Lost Farm, Melbourne’s Park Hyatt Hotel (pictured below), and Sydney’s Radisson Plaza Hotel.
About the Author: Harrison Gould is the Social Media Marketing Manager of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+
New courses to watch in 2013 & beyond
Among my Christmas mail recently was information from two of golf’s leading architects; Tom Doak & David McLay Kidd both of whom outlined some of the projects around the world that they and their teams are presently working on. Two of the projects caught my attention as both are in PerryGolf destinations and will once again add another dynamic to the golf experience in their respective region.
Tom Doak is working on a new course named; Tara-iti Golf Club in Mangawhai, New Zealand. From the image it appears to be built on sandy terrain adjacent to the coastline on the east coast of the North Island as you travel between Auckland and Kauri Cliffs on the Bay of Islands. Given the quality of golf course Doak builds, this should be a great addition to the golf scene in New Zealand as it breaks the 3 hour car journey from Auckland to the Bay of Islands.
David McLay Kidd is awaiting final planning approval for a new links course at Bushmills Dunes on the Northern Ireland coastline not far from Royal Portrush. If and when this course is constructed, it will add yet another terrific links courses in the midst of an extremely vibrant golf area, more than enough courses to keep you busy during a week’s stay.
About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+
For golf courses architects…travel to work
I received in today’s mail a summary from Tom Doak’s office of their design and potential design jobs in 2012.
Selfishly from an international travel perspective the future is bright;
Melbourne, Australia – Reconstruction work on East Course at Royal Melbourne
Rio de Janiero, Brazil – Bidding on 2016 Olympic golf venue…thankfully that will not be a political decision!
Hainan Island, China – New golf course on an island in the midst of a river, with a second course starting in late spring/early summer
Mangawhai, New Zealand – As if Cape Kidnappers was not sufficient, an American funded project approximately 100 miles north of Auckland. This will only add to New Zealand as a great golf destination.
St. Emillion, France – In the heart of Bordeaux, finishing a current project.
Aldea del Fresno, Madrid, Spain – An 18 hole co-design with Mike Clayton at the El Rincon winery – starting in July.
….and finally in the USA
Mullen, Nebraska – completion of second 18 holes at Dismal River
Medinah, Chicago, IL – the day after the Ryder Cup concludes a renovation commences on Medinah #1 to accommodate tournament facilities
Polk County, Florida – this is the resort I am told will be VERY IMPRESSIVE. The Blue Course opens in October, alongside the Coore/Crenshaw Red Course at the Streamsong Resort.
Tom is one of the premier golf course architects and rightfully very proud of his work. There is little new construction in the US, if you want to work, you need to pack your bags and passport!
About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+
