For Peace of Mind: Volume 7 - Memories

Clearwater Cool
Golf at the Edge of New Zealand’s Southern Alps

Consider packing a fishing rod as well as clubs when planning a sporting holiday at the inviting Clearwater Golf Club located just outside quaint Christchurch. The prospect of fishing at a championship golf course is a very rare thing indeed.

No other golf resort in New Zealand, in fact, offers such a sporty opportunity but then perhaps no other course in this nation where there are some 450 fields of green has so many places to put theory into practice.

Water comes into play on 14 of the 18 holes with the Clearwater course (6526 metres from the black tees to 4604 metres off the reds) meandering around and alongside a succession of serene spring-fed lakes and tranquil trout-filled streams.

A bird’s eye view of Clearwater shows why it’s a favourite. It was designed by legendary New Zealand golfer and winner of the 1963 British Open, Sir Bob Charles in consultation with John Darby. Clearwater is a very open and only slightly undulating but often flat parkland course that has the feel of a links layout.

Fairways of brown-top fescue grass are lined with knee-high parcels of tough tussock and marram grass to ensure wayward shots are punished.

You’ll tangle with the tussock on many holes at this five-year-old resort course, though sweeping views of the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps – the tallest mountains in Australasia – will help take your mind off the odd double or triple bogey. While there is a pleasing vista from most places on the course you may well find the combination of blue sky, white mountain splendour and green turf to be at its picture perfect best along the 2nd green and down the 3rd tee.

The only thing otherwise missing in this typical South Island scene is a flock of grazing sheep. With farmlands bordering the well maintained course this valuable and tasty export is not likely to be far away. Some small country courses in New Zealand, in fact, even use sheep to keep fairway grass to a playable height. The animals are only herded off the playing field during tournaments or at the request of vegetarians!

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