Tara iti golf club photos

Tara Iti Golf Club is magic!

Doing things a bit differently for this review since Tara Iti is too dope for WordPress. This post accompanies the photo essay and delves into the backstory of the course, translates the ethos of the club and describes the experience beyond the course in detail. I had to use the satellite view to drop a pin on what I believed to be the clubhouse, then followed the blue dot as it moved. Finally, a small sign points toward the clubhouse and to the course beyond. Tara Iti is an intimate private club that is possible for you to play! More on this later.

Tara iti golf club photos

An exclusive private golf club north of Auckland, Tara Iti was designed by Tom Doak and set alongside a spotless surf beach near the small town of Mangawhai. The project was developed by Californian financier Ric Kayne, and took several years to complete due to complicated planning and regulatory challenges. The delays may have been unwelcome at the time, but they were necessary and his course was certainly worth the wait. What makes Tara Iti so special, is the pristine dunes upon which most of the holes are set and the constant views out toward Bream Bay and the iconic Great Barrier, and Hen and Chicken islands. Interestingly, when Doak first set foot on the property the coastline was completely hidden by a dense and overgrown pine plantation, that had not only robbed the site of any biodiversity it had, in fact, provided shelter for predators of the rare birds. From both the golf course and the elevated clubhouse we get to enjoy some of the most glorious coastal outlooks in New Zealand. Throughout the round, the overwhelming sense at Tara Iti is of playing a course with a distinct character and personality. Beyond the sand, the sea views and expansive landing areas, the other feature of this course are its greens. A number are either totally or partly set within dune hollows, while many others are built with severe internal contours or steep pitches. From the very first hole you are on alert, that any shot played with the wrong club or to the wrong section of green will leave you an awkward, if not impossible, recovery. Although the back nine is very strong, the front is unquestionably the premier side and home to the best couple of holes on the course. The first gem is the par four 3 rd , its dell green wedged in a deep depression between a pair of opposing dunes. Feeding your ball off the higher right shoulder and down toward sunken pins is a genuine pleasure and, crucially, within the capabilities of most golfers. The other obvious standout is the drivable 7 th , set obliquely between ridges and with the smallest, and nastiest, green that Doak has ever built. Other quality holes on the front side include the par five 5 th , the angled and wildly contoured par four 6 th and the two-shot 8 th.

Before arriving, I knew that Tara Iti did not get a lot of play. Just saying.

Rankings: 2nd 5th 16th. The driveable par fours highlight the course and the ocean views throughout the round never grow tired. Directions: Get here! Located an hour and a half north of Auckland on a stretch of beach that was exposed after a massive clearing of trees and non-native plants, the property for Tara Iti was a blank canvas for Tom Doak to work with which created a scenario that could only be limited by his imagination. The beautiful setting, which now features some native planting, rests alongside the ocean but is located meters inland due to development restrictions.

Since its grand reveal, Tara Iti Golf Club has occupied a place in the hearts and minds of golfers across the world. To most it feels a world away: isolated geographically, almost heavenly in its beauty, and, given its famed privacy and exclusivity, almost impossible to access. In a country dominated by public golf courses, Tara Iti is an outlier and one which, at first glance, appears to fly in the face of Kiwi beliefs and values. Well, it is a club with only 50 local members, has no public access unless you stay on site at a VERY premium price or happen to get invited by a member good luck — you could understand how it might look pretentious and stuffy to the average Kiwi. But after a day in its presence, it all made sense. Traditional winding gravel roads in the middle of nowhere escort you to a non-discrete wooden gate. Ten minutes of paved roads slide through the skeletal remains of pre-existing forestry which gradually thins out to present the holy grail of golf in New Zealand. Exiting the car on arrival is an experience in itself, I was met by a party of five: caddies mandatory for all guests whisk your bags away, while a valet escorts your car to the carpark. For me this came as a true culture shock, years of carpark shoe changes and scrambling for a parking space had been replaced by service with a smile.

Tara iti golf club photos

But EAL is particularly unique in that he is constantly looking to share his experiences with the masses and grow the game. Andrews but ahead of Royal Portrush Golf Club, host to the the th Open Championship , Tara Iti provides everyone with a once-in-a-lifetime guest pass pending a favorable letter of recommendation from your club to tee it up at one of the most incredible golf courses in the world. Sadly, after enjoying a taste of this slice of golf heaven, future visits will require that you either obtain membership which is extended exclusively through invite from a current member or receive an invitation to play as a guest from a member so remember to shake as many hands as possible while visiting. While the golf course itself is certainly one of the most appealing parts about Tara Iti, it would be foolish to overlook the demeanor of the club. Cover Image Via Instagram. Ever since golf became a competitive outlet, nothing brings Eric more joy than a well struck 4 iron.

Entertain with stories crossword clue

And then 18 is a reachable par five. That being said, Cape Kidnappers actually offers more engaging, dramatic, and varied terrain to tee it up on in Kiwi country. He has captured and left his own creative mark on some of the most recognized tracks around the world including Lofoten Links, Trump International Golf Links and now recently Gary Player's masterpiece in Bulgaria, Thracian Cliffs. For this trip, now four years removed, we wanted to experience two different types of Scottsdale resorts: The first two nights at Boulders Resort and Spa, about 30 minutes north of town, surrounded by you guessed it boulders and nature. Troon North offers a membership plan as well as public play, and daily fees are dynamicly priced. While a tee shot to an elevated fairway is a welcome feature not found often enough in modern courses, it is the approach shot that garners all of the attention. She said it was incredible and unlike any other massage she has ever had in her life. Equipment 1 month ago. An exclusive private golf club north of Auckland, Tara Iti was designed by Tom Doak and set alongside a spotless surf beach near the small town of Mangawhai. Happy for you that you were able to play it also. If you want help planning your next golf experience or just have any questions about some of mine, reach out to me on Twitter or Instagram and shoot me a message. The Omni resort is going to be complete with luxury guest rooms and suites, 10 private ranch house residences, 13 different dining options, four pools, including an adult-only rooftop infinity pool, and a full-service salon and spa. And major championships are coming too.

Rankings: 2nd 5th 16th.

We feel like we have the setup for a major championship course in place. The further right you can keep your tee shot the greater reward on the approach shot to this Punchbowl green as it offers the best angle to get your ball into the opening of the putting surface on the extreme right. The gulch, which is seen on nearly every hole, feels more native and marshy than anything I saw in my previous rounds. The next pitch takes you from the first tee to the ninth green. There are a lot more grassy rough areas off the fairway and very little cactus. Reply Report comment. The members and public alternate courses each day, which apparently works great and keeps a high-season traffic light on both courses. Handicap 20 or more. The Omni resort is going to be complete with luxury guest rooms and suites, 10 private ranch house residences, 13 different dining options, four pools, including an adult-only rooftop infinity pool, and a full-service salon and spa. Having an opportunity to play at Tara Iti requires an invitation from a member and having that member on-site while playing. We went to The Montauk in Old Town for our only dinner outside of the resort and it did not disappoint. Classy, airy, and simple, it struck a perfect chord with the rest of the property. They are going big with this place.