A day at South Head, north of Auckland

Getting away from it all

By Peter Thornton

The game of golf has a unique ability to bring people together.

Almost 20 years ago, I worked for a great company called Sportsinc which produced the Phillip Leishman-hosted golf shows for Sky Sport and TV3. It was one of the most enjoyable roles of my career and over the years, I’ve stayed in touch with the lads.

On a fine and cool winter’s morning, it was a time for a long-awaited reunion.

The fourball consisted of Kelsen Butler, one of the best in the sports marketing industry, and two of our old cameramen/producers in James (Jimmy) Dunlop and James Turnbull.

It was great to be back in their company.

The venue was the South Head Golf Club. It’s around an hour’s drive northwest of Auckland city. It’s a decent drive but it is worth every minute. The course is a great blend of quality and challenge and it’s the perfect place for the feeling of getting away from it all.

As we arrive at the course, the carpark is full on a Friday and the sun is shining over the course.

We chucked up the tee to see who would be playing with whom. It landed pointing towards Jimmy and Kels who would take on Turnbull and me.

The format is simple. We play matchplay in teams with the best ball winning the hole. The winners earn the right for a couple of rounds of beer and a toasted sandwich.

We are all enthusiastic amateurs and even though we haven’t hung out for a long time, the banter comes back straight away on the first tee.

Walking down the opening fairway, Kels is not short on anecdotes from his recent trip to The Masters in the United States, with the boys hanging off every word. Kels and his crew were following New Zealand No 1 Ryan Fox and to the envy of everyone, Kels was drawn from the media ballot to play at Augusta National.

That is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and Kels delivered. He shot 97, with a couple of pars to remember at the iconic par three 12th and par five 15th.

Back here in Auckland, our own version of The Masters was in full swing. Kels and Jimmy get off to a flying start when they were three up after as many holes.

Kels makes a solid bogey on the opening hole before Jimmy is straight into his work on the par three second and makes an impressive par.

This hole is one of the best at South Head. A 183-metre par three from the white tees that, today, is playing straight into the teeth of the wind and is a good challenge. It has to be one of the best long par threes in the Auckland golf scene.

We get back into the game on the par three fourth hole. I hit a five iron to around 20 feet and make the downhill right-to-left putt for birdie to win our first hole of the day. As I am walking down the fifth fairway, I remember the advice we were offered ahead of the round.

“The course is most challenging over the first 11 holes that loop out and back to the clubhouse,” said Craig Mowat, the executive officer at South Head.

“Enjoy the struggle in the knowledge that the final seven holes will reward you with spectacular views and more opportunities to salvage a good score.”

Mowat recommends that first timers to South Head look at coming out midweek to enjoy more time on the course.

“The secret is out, and we can get busy on the weekends. The layout and conditions of the course are exceptional. Combined with great value green fees to account for the travel, a day spent golfing at South Head is well worth the drive.”

Craig is right. At $30 on a weekday and $45 on the weekends, it is one of the best value clubs in the greater Auckland region. And it is a fantastic layout.

Playing here is walking in the footsteps of a legend. Tiger Woods, arguably the greatest to have ever played the game, has walked the fairways of this humble country course.

Back in 2006, Woods famously visited the club to caddy for Steve Williams on the day of Steve and Kirsty's wedding. According to folklore, Woods spent most of his time on the bag, but he did pull out his three wood to drive the green on a couple of the par fours, just for fun.

That places South Head in an exclusive club in New Zealand, alongside the famed Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club north of Wellington, as the only two clubs Woods has played in this country. And the history of his visit here is displayed on the clubhouse walls.

Williams has been the club's patron since 2008 and is proud to be affiliated with South Head.

And you can see why. It is a great course with a friendly staff and membership which makes playing here a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Much of the course has not been touched from the original design of the layout by Jack Eccles in 1969-1970.

The hardest hole of the course awaits at the par five eighth. A 443-metre hole from the white tees that often plays straight into the prevailing wind. The growing breeze is at our backs during our round, and I manage a solid par as we fight to stay in the match.

My playing partner, Turnbull, hasn’t played a lot in recent time, but he comes up with a couple of moments of magic. He makes putts for bogey on the ninth and 14th that would prove to be pivotal moments.

Kels and Jimmy are in the box seat on the picturesque par three 10th. They are one up and Kels flushes a four iron to 30 feet in one of his best shots of the day. I pull off a lucky chip which rolls through the rough to alongside the pin and we get another one back.

Jimmy has been a quiet performer all day but he comes into his own on the par four 11th. It’s a beautiful hole. Jimmy hits a seven iron to the elevated green and makes a good two putt for par.

As we walk past the clubhouse, there is everything to play for. Kels and Jimmy are one up and everyone has had their moments of triumph and disaster.

I make par on No 12 and Jimmy responds with a par on the 13th. Heading down the 15th we are one down with four to play. I hit my tee shot in the trees on the left but come up with my best swing of the day. I put a seven iron in the middle of the green and make par to get back on level terms.

It’s all square on the par five 17th. It is a stunning hole that frames up beautifully from the elevated tee. At 376 metres, it is not a long par five and today it’s playing downwind. I hit driver, seven iron to the front of the green and make birdie to gain a one up advantage heading down the last.

By now, Turnbull and I are talking about what we’d like to have on our paid-for toasted sandwiches – ham, cheese and pineapple is in the offing – but it’s not over yet. On 18, I hit my ball into the hazard left, and Kels hits a stunning chip to around 15 feet to set up a chance to save the match.

His par putt is well struck. As it loses speed, it takes the lip of the hole and bounces out which is a huge moment. I manage to recover with my third and two putt to secure a one up win with the final putt of the contest. It could not have been closer.

It’s a huge relief to see the ball fall into the cup. But to be honest, it was one of those days where it didn’t really matter who won or lost. It was just great to spend some time with these guys.

Over a perfect steak and cheese pie (they don’t do toasties here) and a pint of the local, Liberty Juice Bro Hazy Pale Ale, we reflect on the highs and lows of a memorable day out.

We make the vow that it won’t be so long between drinks next time, and line up the rematch.

There’s nothing quite like catching up with good mates throughout a round of golf. Today is another reminder that this game I love has forged friendships that will last a lifetime.