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Wairakei Golf CourseThe Wairakei International Golf Course
Originally built by the New Zealand government’s Tourist Hotel Corporation, the The golf course was originally built as a green fee course, rather than a club golf course and so this impressive resort-style course is open to all; a little uncommon for a course ranked in the top 100 worldwide by the Golf Digest magazine.
The course has some of the elements of famous courses like Augusta, home of the Masters.
Offically opened in 1970, the course lies on 450 acres of natural rolling countryside and was developed to meet the rigorous design standards required for world class championship competition. The difficult job of design was put in the hands of the late Commander John Harris, Michael Wolveridge and Peter Thomson. Commander Harris was England’s leading and most travelled golf course architect, whose family had been involved in the construction of Moor Park, Wentworth and Sunningdale. Wolveridge, an Englishman who appreciated the subtleties of golf course architecture, was enriched by a spell on the US professional tour. This pair was enhanced by the involvement of one of the world’s greatest ever playing professionals, Australian Peter Thomson, 5 times winner of the British Open plus many other tour events. With the aim of producing New Zealand’s first international recognised golf course, there is little doubt in any New Zealander’s mind that this trio exceeded all expectations.  The 8th hole illustrates all the beauty that is Wairakei as you need to thread your way to a green ringed by ball-embracing ponds. Not a long hole but one that demands accuracy throughout.
 The made-over 13th hole with its man-made stream is a favourite of mine but perhaps the par 3 15th in autumn takes over as the signature hole. Just try to get your approach on the pin side of the green or you may be facing a 40 metre putt!
The clubhouse is well-appointed with an excellent bar and restaurant.
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