John Cooper, mentor of Our Pacific’s golfing holiday programme, reckons our neighbours the Pacific Islands are awash with interesting golf courses – including Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, American Samoa, Vanuatu, Niue, New Caledonia, the Cook Islands and of course Fiji. Each Island and their courses have their own golf experience and all can be most enjoyable especially from April through November away from the cooler weather in New Zealand.
Fiji is a wonderful playground for golfers – try your own circle island golfing tour, landing at Nadi airport, picking up a rental car and turn left on leaving the airport. Play Lautoka, Ba and Vatukoula. In Suva play the Fiji Golf Club at Vatuwaga with its very hospitable members. Journey on and play Pacific Harbour, the Yanuca Course at the Shangri La, followed by Natadola, the Nadi Golf Club, and finish up at the Denarau Golf & Racquet Club.
Elsewhere in the Pacific, Samoa has the Royal Samoa Country Club near Apia, and work is planned for the 18 hole course Le Penina. Only a 20-minute flight away is American Samoa with their scenic course in the Village of Lli’ili. Tahiti golf is available at the Olivier Breaud International course just 40 minutes from Papeete and a short ferry ride across on the island of Moorea at the Moorea Green Pearl Golf course. Vanuatu has the picturesque 18-hole Port Vila Golf and Country Club and the 12-hole resort course at the Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa. Why not combine your Vanuatu trip with New Caledonia and play the new 18-hole Dye designed course at the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort, the Golf de Tina just outside Noumea, and the course Paillottes de la Ouenghi not far from the International Airport.
A useful tip prior to leaving home is to purchase a light weight golf bag from the Golf Warehouse or your pro shop then, as on occasions in the Pacific, where there are no golf carts you can carry your own bag and/or have a local caddy. It will be tropical so a good brimmed hat or peaked cap, lots of sun cream is essential, and light cool clothing. You will find that most Island clubs are pretty casual as far as golf attire goes, however they generally require a collared golf shirt.
Pacific holiday specialists, Our Pacific have packaged a unique Fiji golfing holiday for Kiwi golfers including return economy class airfares from Auckland, return private car airport transfers in Nadi, 7 nights accommodation at either of the three Starwood Fiji Resorts – The Sheraton Fiji, The Westin Fiji, and the Sheraton Villas, and UNLIMITED GOLF per person at the Denarau Golf Club (greens fees & shared golf cart). Golf packages can be tailor-made to suit you with extra nights available, accommodation upgrade options, flights ex Wellington & Christchurch, etc., so don’t hesitate to give the team at Our Pacific a call on 0800 500 598 or email info@ourpacific.co.nz.