Life’s a Beach at New Zealand’s Paraparaumu

Extracts from Birdies, Bogeys and Kiwis: Golfing Around New Zealand

…North from Wellington off Highway 1 is Paraparaumu Beach

The Paraparaumu Golf Club course…though rather short…has punishing roughs, fast greens and fearsome bunkers…Just pray for a calm day as forceful coastal winds off the Tasman Sea give Paraparaumu “big teeth” to gobble up any hope of a good score.

The history of its development is unique… In 1929 the first nine holes were laid out, then a second nine was added in 1937. The “modern” course was conceived three years later. Alex Russell, former Australian Open Champion and Dr. Alistair McKenzie, both renowned course architects, redesigned the layout and in 1949 the course was finally completed.

The great Australian golfer, Peter Thomson, winner of the British Open on five occasions and nine times New Zealand Open champion…had this to say about the course:

“I loved it instantly. We had nothing like it in Australia which must have struck Alex Russell…What was left after his departure was a gem of enjoyment, a monument to the game and a gift to the future. When we all turn to dust, Paraparaumu should be still lying there as it was when the first golfers came by, with Kapiti an off-shore island standing guard to see that no one steals it away. And the winds will ever blow to test the golfer’s will and integrity. Paraparaumu will be famed for a century yet.”

The resident Golf Professional here is Alan Currie. A scratch golfer at the age of 13, he represented his native Scotland at junior and senior levels, winning the Scottish Schoolboy, Scottish Junior crowns and the Order of Merit title, to name just a few.

I appreciate his helpful advice: “Take a few practice swings and relax.”

My modus operandi has usually been to take aim and fire, rather than think of the many things I should be doing.

Current comment: Perhaps that’s why I’m having trouble breaking a 40 handicap. Ah no, it’s my short game I tell myself!

To follow in Chapter Eight:

Surfing Beneath A Misty Old Mountain…

Finding The Lost Highway…

All Steamed Up At Taupo…

Golfing With Sheep Back To Auckland…

Golf Cluster Courses

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