Meandering through a magnificent 100-acre seaside layout in sub-tropical Northland, Carrington Club New Zealand’s most-northerly Golf Club Resort is proud to be a member of The New Zealand Golf Tourism Cluster- one of the country’s premier golf course resorts.
In 2003 when the Carrington golf course was in its final stages of completion, my partner and I first met E. J. McDougall, the Pro at Mangawhai Golf Club. “Big Ted,”who had represented the nation in seven World Championships, spoke so enthusiastically about all aspects of Carrington that we were not at all surprised to later learn he had become their Club Professional. Now in retirement, Ted still remembers recommending we visit Carrington, meet the folks and view the work in progress. At that time Matt Dye, renowned U.S. course designer was finalizing layout alterations that ensured conservation of the recently restored natural wetlands. We could only dream of playing a round or two at that stage.The Carrington course is noted as likely the longest in the entire South Pacific. This awesome par 72 is approximately 6417 metres (7267 yards) from the Black Tiger tees and from my Reds, 4619 metres or just over 5000 yards. Plenty of power or Maori mana seems necessary to play long and straight from any tee.
Recognizing the importance of mana, Carrington pays respect to the culture and beliefs of the
indigenous Polynesians, the New Zealand Maori, in a very special way. Next to each set of tees stand Tekoteko (carved figures) designed and crafted by local Maori craftsmen – Master Carver Takirirangi Smith and Carvers, Paki Wilson and Paki OCarroll. These commissioned carvings are best understood from the Maori story of creation and the pre history legends of New Zealand – Aotearoa, The Land of the Long White Cloud. I think of these particular images as representations of Nature’s fearless forces. Like many other icons, hopefully just a touch or light rub will exude enough mana to turn a duffer like me into a lean mean golfing machine. One can only hope.
Marnie McGuire, a noted Kiwi Professional golfer with a career highlight in 1998 of winning the Women’s Australian Open after leading the tournament from start to finish. Of the Carrington course Marnie says: “The views are absolutely stunning and the set-up of the course is top class. You can challenge yourself and change the course by teeing off different tees which alter the look of every hole. It is a wonderful resort with a laid back, friendly New Zealand feel to it.
Carrington’s colourful and detailed course and yardage book shows distances in metres. For club selection I convert metres to yardage simply by adding 10 percent. From the Black tee, the Par 5 No. 14 Grinder is one of the longest in the country at 605 metres (667 yards) but thanks to Matt, the Par 3 No. 7 Punawai may be one of the few holes to give us high handicappers a chance for par. The Red tee is just 63 metres (70 yards) over the edge of a large bunker to the widest face of the green while the other tees play much longer over the water to a green surrounded on three sides by wetlands.
Carrington has much more to offer golfers. From the 9th hole one can drive up a path in state-of-the-art IQ Club Car carts to Carrington Farm’s Karikari Estate winery and vineyard for a tour and wine tasting. This young winery has won over twenty medals in its first two vintages, all thanks to Winemaker, Ben Dugdale, Vineyard Manager, Ed Brodrick and their entire team. Another path leads down to Karikari Beach below the vineyard. Nestled among 15-metre high dunes, Carrington’s secluded and seemingly endless stretch of white sand shoreline offers views across Great Exhibition Bay in the South Pacific to New Zealand’s northern-most land mass – the North Cape Peninsula.
In a climate much like areas along California’s warm southern coast, this 5-star Qualmark resort complex boasts luxurious accommodation and fine dining with menus offering the best of local ingredients. Freshly caught seafood is the ultimate. According to the season tuna, broadbill, snapper, kingfish, kawai and terakihi are featured on the menus of Michelin-trained chef, Mark Oliver. Local scallops, Rangaunu and Whangeroa oysters as well as Houhora mussels are delicious treats at Carrington’s elegant restaurant.
Located at Maitai Bay Road on Northland’s Karikari Peninsula, the drive is only about four hours north of Auckland. If touring north up Highway 1 through the popular tourist centre, the Bay of Islands, it is little more than an hour from Kerikeri.
As well, Air New Zealand conveniently operates daily flights to the nearby Kaitaia airport where Carrington will arrange pickup. Another option is to arrive directly from Auckland by helicopter.
Close to nature in every way, Carrington Club offers the ultimate golfing challenge. One round leads to another then another, especially with an exchange rate that greatly favours many other currencies. A round is a reasonable NZ$135, carts NZ$40 and club hire from NZ$20. Rates are reduced for Carrington guests enjoying a the comfort and elegance of the Lodge or Villa accommodation.
After a flight on Air New Zealand from either Vancouver, B.C. or Los Angeles LAX, the plan for my next trip is to get all the kinks out with a stroll along balmy South Pacific shores then after yet another golf lesson, get out on the course and break 100!
Photographs courtesy of Carrington Club.
Copyright 2008 Golfing and Touring New Zealand
