The Cairns — a southern gem

By Neville Idour

The Cairns Golf Course in Lake Tekapo is something of a hidden gem.

“I have heard the name but no idea where it is,” I hear you say.

Well, don’t let that be the case any longer. Opened in 2012, in this humble golfer's opinion this nine-holer is bucket list stuff.

You can drive through Lake Tekapo time and again blissfully unaware of it, as I have. From the main highway there is no hint there could be an elevated golf course above new housing at 794 metres above sea level.

So on our recent golf road trip through the Mackenzie country this was No 1 on our list of courses to play. To say we were not disappointed in what we experienced is a huge understatement.

We were well looked after with a golf cart by general manager Andy Perry and his team. Arriving at the first hole you are immediately struck by the elevation and stunning 360 degree views. Once you have soaked that in, Mt Stevenson as the first hole is called, awaits.

You are quickly aware this nine-holer is no manicured golf course with pristine fairways. It is quite links like with 30cm placing allowed on all closely mown areas. Also there is a sensible local rule. If you lose a ball in the rough, drop another on the fairway at the point you estimate you lost it for a one shot penalty.

The first hole is a dogleg left up a rising fairway. There are two tees on each hole. This one has 322 metres and 247 metres. A tee shot right and a shot to the right of the green, which slopes right to left, is the go. The Grand Traverse second hole is the only par five and it stretches 540 or 410 metres. It plays gently uphill to the right before gently down to the green.

The third hole, Long Drop, is a highlight at 326 or 291 metres. It is a beautiful hole with a sharpish dogleg right skirting a lake. For the adventurous it is about 180 metres to carry the water for a chip to the green or 270 metres direct to the flag. The only recorded hole in one on the course was on this hole.

The fourth hole, a par four, Mt Edward at 241 or 207 metres is driveable to a drop down green but needs to carry 220 metres and not at a low trajectory or the water behind the green will swallow the ball. A layup to 90 metres is the safe option.

The fifth hole, Temptation, another par four, is well named. At 283 or 232 metres and a dogleg right it has a lake right for the last 100 metres. Again for the adventurous it is about 220 metres carry to the green with the safe option a 140 metre tee shot to the flat and a wedge in.

Caption: One of the stunning views at The Cairns Golf Course at Lake Tekapo in the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island.

The sixth, Tekapo Tarns, is the first par three at 156 or 121 metres. Being uphill take enough club over the lake to reach the upturned bowl shaped green or it will roll back. Better long than short.

Mt John, the seventh, is undulating from a higher tee to a bowl shaped green which will allow a well placed shot to roll towards the hole. It is a par four of 323 or 275 metres.

On to eight, Mt Sefton, the second par three at just 121 or 107 metres. Seems like a doddle but anything wayward could mean disaster. Don’t be short or the dreaded matagouri bushes will gobble up your ball.

So to the ninth, The Larches, a 440 or 340 metre par five. You cannot see the green from the tee and there is a narrowish landing area for the tee shot, but in the right place it opens up to a green which slopes from the right.

The overall feeling at the end of nine holes is “have to do it again”. With different tee positions new challenges await and the 18th becomes a par four. It is very much a strategic layout with shot choices. The greens, considering the alpine climate in Lake Tekapo are excellent.

No two holes are similar so heightened interest is maintained and the ever present views continually delight the senses. You simply cannot avoid smelling the roses as they say. First time around it measures 2762 or 2230 metres. Second time around it is 2697 or 2275 metres.

Yes, it is easy to think “so this what golf at its purest is like in Scotland.” The forming of the course is a fascinating story and The Cairns is much more than a golf course. It is an exciting development of a resort and we will look at the overall development in a forthcoming issue.