golf resorts, august 2015, travel digest
TRANSCRIPT
22 August 2015, Travel DigesT
New Zealand is home to a stunning array of world-class golf courses set in incredible locations with state-of-the-art facilities. Dramatic scenery, greenery, long stretches
of coast and soaring mountains make this country a natural playground for golfers. saraH WeeKs tees off around New Zealand to see what sets us apart.
Millbrook Resort, Arrowtown.
23Travel DigesT, August 2015
Golf courses such as Jack’s Point
and Millbrook Resort are designed
to make the most of the natural
terrain and show off the best
scenery. From alpine areas to idyllic
beachside locations – it’s no wonder golf is
the highest participation sport for Kiwis.
Test your golfing ability on courses that
have been the training ground for our top
golfers including Michael Campbell, Sir Bob
Charles and Lydia Ko. During your golf
holiday you can also experience exquisite
food and wine, adventure activities, quiet
nature and seamless hospitality.
Queenstown is home to some of
New Zealand’s most spectacular golf
courses offering stunning scenery and
varying par levels and difficulty. Jack’s Point championship golf course is one of the
world’s most spectacular courses overlooking
Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu with a backdrop
of the Remarkables Mountain range. Only a
stone’s throw away is Jack’s Point Escape, the
ideal property for golfers anytime of the year.
Touch of Spice manage this elegantly
decorated lodge-style property as part of
their Private Villa Collection.
Upon arrival, a Touch of Spice
representative greets us and gives a tour of
the property and helps with local dining
and activity recommendations during our
visit. The company specialises in New
Zealand’s finest luxury experiences and can
build you a bespoke itinerary or event. From
arranging private jet hire, romantic evenings
dining with the best chefs, or after hours
access to fashion boutiques for that
last-minute party dress, their team of
dedicated personal curators can tailor-make
the finest experience.
They create once-in-a-lifetime moments
that will never be forgotten and this luxury
villa definitely counts as one of them! The
property is the perfect place to relax and
unwind with friends and family and features
five bedrooms, three bathrooms, one ensuite,
barbecue, indoor and outdoor fireplace,
chef’s kitchen, garage, wi-fi, SKY TV, private
sitting room and even ski and golf storage. If
you have an extra large group, there’s also a
separate, self-contained unit with two
bedrooms, bathroom and living / kitchen area
above the large double garage.
The large open plan living, dining and
kitchen area with large bay windows and
skylight is the highlight of the property
showcasing the majestic 360-degree alpine
views. The spacious designer kitchen also
has a secondary chef’s kitchen with
industrial-sized sink and power tap – perfect
to entertain large groups. Near the living area
is also a den complete with bar, fridge, LCD
TV and patio doors that open to an outdoor
deck with a separate space for entertaining.
The master bedroom comes complete with a
large walk in wardrobe, modern bathroom
and double shower with waterfall feature wall.
Bay windows open out to your very own deck
with the most breathtaking backdrop – you’ll
never want to leave!
Not far from Queenstown is a par three
golf course that is absolutely unique. Nestled
1,370-metres high up on Cecil Peak, you can
try your hand at a hole-in-one while enjoying
mind-blowing views. The only way to access
this phenomenal place is by helicopter with
Over The Top Golf. They’ll fly you and your
golf buddies in one of their luxury helicopters
up to New Zealand’s most picturesque golf
hole – a must-do experience for all golfers.
This unique golf experience overlooking
Queenstown has four tee boxes for the
altitude golfer where you can fly in to
drive, chip and putt out on the top.
GOLF RESORTS
WHERE TIME STANDS STILLEscape to an untouched paradise of pristine beaches, crystal clear water and world renowned diving.
Located on the Sun Coast overlooking the Sailstone Reef and the Nananui Islands, Wananavu is an idyllic 4 star resort with 34 deluxe bures.
Voted as one of Fiji’s top10 resorts by Trip Advisor 2014 wand 2015, Wananavu offers an island paradise experience with mainland convenience.
Ph 679 669 4433 www.wananavu.com
20142015
24 August 2015, Travel DigesT
Over the Top Golf, Cecil Peak.
✈
GOLF RESORTS
Jack’s Point Escape, Queenstown.
This golfing experience is definitely one
for the golfer’s bucket list. If you’ve played
golf in many parts of the world, this is right
up there with the most memorable
experiences. Even if you’ve never played golf
before, you’ll love Over The Top Golf. Their
golf packages include return helicopter
flights, golf clubs, balls and even
refreshments served as you putt out.
Their helicopter pilots are also experienced
golf players and can give you some tips
on how to lower your handicap.
This stunning mountaintop golf hole is the
first of a planned high-altitude nine-holer.
Real golf balls are used with those that aren’t
retrieved collected by fundraising groups
each year. It’s easy to see why golf
enthusiasts fly from around the globe to
experience this unique hole that’s grabbing
worldwide attention. Offering a remarkable
way to soak up the wonder that is Queens-
town while attempting to achieve the ace
of the game, this is one golf course not to
be missed.
Voted the best golf resort in New Zealand,
Australasia and Oceania in recent years and
co-host of the BMW New Zealand Open
2016, Arrowtown’s Millbrook Resort is one of
the world’s most scenic golf courses. With
extraordinary photo opportunities at every
turn, their championship course offers three
fabulous nine-hole courses, each named after
local prominent Queenstown landmarks
– The Remarkables, The Arrow and The
Coronet Nine. This 27-hole world-class golf
course is set in a natural alpine amphitheatre
against the backdrop of the Remarkables
mountain range. Designed by renowned
professional and master golfer Sir Bob
Charles and renovated by Greg Turner in
October 2010 with the addition of the
Coronet Nine, this championship course
features five different tee positions for all
levels of playing expertise. Whether you’re an
experienced golfer or beginner, Millbrook has
something for everyone.
The resort offers world-class golf facilities
and services including NZPGA-qualified golf
coaching, golf schools for individuals or
groups, putting and chipping greens, unique
covered driving range, electric carts,
equipment hire, shoes and trundlers, locker
rooms, showers, changing facilities and
a proshop.
For those wanting to stay, they have luxury
accommodation in a peaceful and tranquil
setting with beautifully-appointed rooms,
suites and villas that complement the history
and character of the Central Otago region.
Their spacious rooms, large windows and
balconies showcase stunning views
surrounding the resort. All Millbrook guests
receive complimentary access to their health
and fitness centre as well as preferential
green fees, allowing them unlimited daily play
for a set fee. After a round of golf, you can
enjoy a spa treatment or dinner at one of the
resort restaurants.
The Millhouse is their signature restaurant
and has won many restaurant and culinary
awards with a menu featuring contemporary-
style dishes using the best locally sourced
seasonal produce, wild game and fresh
seafood. Located alongside the original water
wheel and on the edge of The Mill Pond
overlooking the 18th hole, this was the original
flourmill in the resort’s former farm days and
the history of the building is maintained.
Enjoy unique dishes such as Southland
Venison and Cardrona Merino Lamb sitting
next to the roaring fire, or by the Mill Pond on
summer evenings.
Set atop 6,000 rolling acres of
stunning pastureland in the North Island’s
Hawke’s Bay, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is the perfect setting for golfers with
spectacular 180-degree views of the
Pacific Ocean. Offering 22 guest suites
and a four-bedroom Owner’s Cottage,
you can enjoy views of their par 71 golf
course measuring 6,510-metres. Designed
by legendary golf architect Tom Doak,
this golf course will challenge golfers
of all skill levels. Completed in 2004, the
course has been hailed as one of the great
modern marvels in golf, rated in the top
best golf courses in the world and hosted
the Kiwi Challenge in 2008 and 2009.
Indulge in a luxury golf getaway in this
boutique resort’s stunning, secluded location
enjoying an award-winning golf club and
lavish spa treatments.