Wairakei International Golf Course-Taupo NZ
Just as you enter Taupo is the Wairakei Tourist Park, famous for Huka Falls, mountain biking and walking tracks, Craters of the Moon thermal park and of course Wairakei + Sanctuary Golf Course.
Owned by Gary Lane Wairakei Golf course is also a pest & predator free sanctuary. It sits within 180 hectares of native flora and fauna. Fully fenced with a 5.5km predator fence and home of a kiwi egg incubation facility, hatching over 100 kiwi chicks a season. The golf course was built by the New Zealand government and officially opened in 1970. Developed to meet the rigorous design standards required for world class championship competition Wairakei was New Zealand’s first internationally recognized golf course.
We arrived an hour ahead of our 11.03am tee time to take advantage of the warm up and practice area (pictured above). The Pro Shop and clubhouse are a wee way from the practice area and first tee, outside the predator fencing. So is you need to use the bathrooms before teeing off it is quite a walk back. Most of the golfers teeing off around us were in carts so maybe not as much of an issue. The course, unlike some championship courses, is very walkable and this is what we chose to do.
Being a busy weekend there was a course Marshall ensuring start times were adhered to and we saw him again twice through the round. When we checked in we were told that there was another two players with us at 11.03am but at 5 minutes to tee time the Marshall checked with the pro shop and although they had arrived he set us off without them to keep the day flowing.
Weather
Clear blue skies, temperature around 15 degrees C when we started our round. A bit of wind that was strong in patches.
The Course
This is an 18hole, Par72 course with 5 tee positions to choose from. I played off the Red tees, slope 132 (vs 119 at home), 5091metres (5568yards). Scott played off the White Tees, slope 135 (vs 124 at home), 5853metres (6400)yards.
I found it technically above my ability but enjoyed the course immensely. Although I hit 17 out of 18 fairways and my fairway shots were straight and in play I just could not manage the complexity in front of the greens. Every green was guarded by bunkers that were deep, steep and for me difficult to get out of. The greens were in fantastic condition and fast which I like. I managed to limit the putting to an average of two per hole but I lost shot’s in the bunkers. Resulting in carding 101.
The great thing about Wairakei is that even if you are not doing it justice the course and park beauty is still stunning and goes some way to mitigating the misery. Wairakei was tough because it’s tough, not because it’s poorly thought out and punitive.
Being April we were able to enjoy the lovely autumnal colours throughout the park. We both agreed we would like to play it again inside six months so that we can learn from the previous round.
Best holes?
The 3rd for the boundary of autumnal colours, a long 435metre par 5 with no real trouble.
The 4th a par 4 that has a very pretty stream across the front of the green that forces you to be courageous or lay-up. I played it well until I had to make the choice and made the wrong one. Still it was by far the prettiest green placement on the course.
The 14th is a 415 metre par 5 that narrows and funnels you through a channel between steep rocky outcrops, reminiscent of Arrowtown and a dense native area on the left.
18th because the deer distracted from the poor golf being played.
Post round clubhouse
The clubhouse is actually quite disappointing. It’s large so felt empty and lacking in atmosphere. It’s also a long way from the course so you do not look out at any holes. It’s beautifully landscaped so pleasant enough but it could have been any café in any garden.
The summary – 39/50
My favourite course I have played in NZ, because of the scenery and wildlife.
Good on you for walking it!