Two Courses named to Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Courses!
On the heels of being named 2018 Golf Destination of the Year for the Asia Pacific region by IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators), the global tourism organization for the golf industry, Tourism New Zealand is on a mission to boost international golf visitors – they want YOU to visit!
Tourism New Zealand’s golf tourism initiatives have been ratcheted up since the country was named Golf Destination of the Year. 38 of New Zealand’s leading golf courses have now joined a collaborative partnership to accelerate the appeal of New Zealand as an international golf destination.
Hole 16 at Kauri Cliffs
As with most high profile and all-encompassing destinations there are more than one category of courses to indulge in: the Marquee Courses comprising 14 of the country’s most iconic names, including world top 50 Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, Kauri Cliffs Golf Course and the dramatic alpine-set Jacks Point Golf Course plus Experience Courses, all tolled 24, that have been selected for delivering something special and uniquely New Zealand to the visiting golf traveller.
New Zealand has about 400 golf courses offering dramatic scenery, greenery, long stretches of coast and soaring mountains. Accessibility really sets New Zealand apart from other countries. Travel from alpine areas to idyllic beachside locations within a few hours. It’s no wonder that golf is the sport with the highest participation from New Zealanders, for both men and women.
LPGA star Lydia Ko sums it up, “New Zealand is simply an amazing golf destination. It has some of the best golf courses I have ever played. It should be a must-visit place for golfers from all over the world. You won’t be disappointed.”
And the two courses that you will not want to miss! Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs named #17 and #37 respectively on Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Courses!
Designed by the legendary golf course architect Tom Doak, the Cape Kidnappers par 71 golf course in Hawke’s Bay has been hailed as one of the great modern marvels in golf. Built on a ridge-and-valley landscape with stunning sea views, the course plays high above the ocean atop dramatic cliffs.
Kauri Cliffs in Northland NZ was designed by the late David Harman. Fifteen holes of the par 72 championship course view the Pacific Ocean, six of which are played alongside cliffs that plunge to the sea.
Both course are affiliated with the distinctive Robertson’s Lodges, https://www.robertsonlodges.com/
Commenting on the recent accolades, Director of Golf Jon McCord said, “Having both Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers courses named in the Top 40 of the revered Golf Digest (US) annual Top 100 rankings only reinforces what a fantastic destination New Zealand really is for golf”.
With support from IAGTO, Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) will be expanding its golf tourism activities over the coming three years, starting with its largest delegation at the forthcoming 7th Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC), taking place in Manila from April 22-25, where TNZ will also be an International Sponsor.
Participants already include the Royal Wellington Golf Club, Otago Golf Club, The Kinloch Club, Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, Terrace Downs Resort, PaR nz Golfing Holidays, Premium Golf New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand. Between 2018 and 2020, TNZ will also showcase its golf product at the International Golf Travel Market and IAGTO’s North America Golf Tourism Convention (NAC – this year being held in Central Oregon, from June 24-27).
Jacks Point – 8th hole
Commenting on the initiative, IAGTO Chief Executive Peter Walton said: “When all ‘export ready’ or tourism-friendly golf courses in a destination work together, they make a much greater impact on the golf travel industry, and this is exactly what has happened in New Zealand, led by a very pro-active national tourist board. This in turn acts as essential guidance for international golf tour operators keen to feature, promote and sell this extraordinary golf destination to their golf travelling customers”.
TNZ’s Chief Executive, Stephen England-Hall, said: “Golf tourism to New Zealand is showing significant growth with a year on year increase of 18% in rounds played by international visitors for year ending April 2017.
Our partnership with IAGTO will showcase New Zealand’s golf offering on the world stage reaching millions of golfers in all markets around the world.”
A golf holiday in New Zealand is guaranteed to impress. Come for the golf and stay for a while to experience exquisite food and wine, adventure activities, quiet nature and seamless hospitality.
To find out more about New Zealand and its golf courses, visit www.newzealand.com
Note: New Zealand was named Golf Destination of the Year for Asia and Australasia in the 2018 IAGTO Awards, which took place in December 2017 in Cannes, France, on the opening day of the 20th International Golf Travel Market. The awards are the benchmark for excellence in the golf tourism industry, with the Destination and Resort award categories voted for by IAGTO’s tour operator members.
IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) is the global tourism organization for the golf industry with over 2,550 members in 98 countries. www.iagto.com
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March 2018
