Cape Kidnappers Golf Resort New Zealand

Cape Kidnappers - Hawke's Bay - North Island - New Zealand

New Zealand boasts the highest ratio of golf courses per inhabitant in the world, yet it is still an unlikely golf destination on the world travel market. But this should change soon with the thunderous entry of two magnificent courses in the World Top 100: Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers. Both owned and developed by former Wall Street pundit Julian Robertson, they share scenic cliff top locations on the North Island's Pacific Coast.

When Julian Robertson decided to build a second course in New Zealand that could rival his first layout at the amazing Kauri Cliffs, he knew he had to do something special. He first found an awesome site at Cape Kidnappers, on historic Hawke's Bay, and then commissioned famed architect Tom Doak to design a unique piece of golf. President of Renaissance Golf Design, Tom Doak is reputed for his minimalist design philosophy, characterised by the utilisation of natural topographic features and minimum in earth moving.

The result of this marriage between setting and design is a very natural course built on an old sheep farm that runs along the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean. The front nine plays through lush farmland interspersed by deep ravines before reaching for the cliffs on the back nine. Many holes on the back play atop finger ridges thrusting into Hawke's Bay and on some holes, it feels as if you are hitting the ball into "infinity" - as one of the hole is named, because it is hard to tell where the sky starts and the ocean ends.

In sharp contrast with its dramatic setting, the Clubhouse at Cape Kidnappers is so understated that one may think it is just a wool barn. Very comfortable though, it features a cosy bar and restaurant as well as a well stocked proshop with leading brands for sale and rental.

Accommodation will soon be available at Cape Kidnappers Lodge, a 30-unit lodge designed to merge seamlessly with the property's sheep farm heritage. The Lodge at Cape Kidnappers will be in the line of sister property Kauri Cliffs, featuring a full spa, infinity pool, fitness room and gourmet indoor and outdoor dining with panoramic view of the farmland, golf course and ocean. Work has started in 2006 and the lodge should open to the public next year.

In the meantime, there is plenty of charming and singular accommodation nearby in this beautiful corner of the country. Located on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Hawke's Bay is New Zealand’s leading wine region. With over 2200 hours of sunshine per year, Hawke’s Bay is also one of the sunniest place in New Zealand, with a delightful Mediterranean climate, picturesque vineyard and charming Art Deco towns.

Cape Kidnappers
448 Clifton Road
Te Awanga
PO Box 8850 Havelock North
Hawke's Bay
New Zealand
Tel: +64 (6) 875 1900
Fax: +64 (6) 875 1901
proshop@capekidnappers.com
www.capekidnappers.com

Season
All year

Climate
Mediterranean-style climate, with long hot summers and mild winters. New Zealand's sunniest region

Location
Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay (North Island East Coast)
Napier Airport (NPE), 10 mi. (Daily flights to Auckland and Wellington)
180 mi. SE of Auckland Airport (AKL)
120 mi. NE of Wellington (WEL)

The Lodge at Cape Kidnappers
Due to open 2007
30-unit luxury lodge with spa, pool, gymnasium and gourmet dining

Hawke's Bay Attractions

Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony (World's largest mainland gannet colony)
National Aquarium of New Zealand
Napier Art Deco City
Wine Trail, Art Trail and Heritage Trail
Fishing and hunting
Water Sports facitilies nearby
Hiking, biking and horseback riding

Hawke's Bay Accommodation

Greenhill The Lodge
Hastings, 30 min.
5 suites. Swimming & spa pools, billiard room, gym and private dining
The Master's Lodge
Napier, 25 min.
Understated luxury lodge in Napier's historic Bluff Hill homesteads
Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel
Napier, 25 min.
4 Star 200-room hotel on Napier's waterfront Marine Parade
Craggy Range Winery
Havelock North, 15 min.
The Cellora Master's Cottage self contained luxury accommodation
The Black Barn
Havelock North, 20 min.
5 Self contained units
Merriwee Country House
Cape Kidnappers, 5 min.

Cape Kidnappers Golf
2005 Top 100 Courses in the World by US Golf Magazine
2004 Course of the Year by Travel + Leisure Golf Magazine

Championship Course
Tom Doak (2004)
18 holes - 6,400 yds - Par 71
Caddies + Golf Carts

Clubhouse: Proshop with leading brands for sale/rental + Restaurant

Green Fees Rates
Low Season (May-Sep): 300 NZD
High Season (Oct-Apr): 400 NZD

Hawke's Bay Golf

Napier Golf Club
Founded 1898 (18 holes)
Venue of the first New Zealand Open in 1907
Hastings Golf Club
Founded 1898 (18 holes)
Hawke's Bay Golf Club
Established 1969 (18 holes)

Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the pictures.