In New Zealand: Jacks or Better
In December, my son, Michael, and I toured the top courses in New Zealand. Yes, we played Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers, which were both stunning. The courses, facilities and staffs were all world-class. But perhaps our most surprising find was the new diamond among the crown jewels of New Zealand golf courses: Jacks Point. We were fortunate enough to get to play a preview round there, and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The course is located on the South Island, just outside charming Queenstown. The layout was challenging and unique, and the views were breathtaking.
Mike Malloy Southfield, Michigan
A Sixty at Bandon
When my older son told me he had something special planned for my sixtieth birthday, I had no idea how right he was. In February we had the opportunity to play at Bandon Dunes, on three of the most scenic golf courses in the country. It would be hard to rate one of the courses at Bandon over the others, because they all have outstanding characteristics. But playing golf in beautiful weather with my two sons and a good friend at this extraordinary Oregon resort has been the highlight of my sixtieth year.
Joseph O’Geen Tariffville, Connecticut
Men of Mauna Kea
My son, Ben, and I played there last spring just before they closed the course for renovations. To carry the two hundred yards over water, into the wind, Ben (age fifteen at the time) was holding a five-iron and I was carrying a metal wood. You can guess who hit the green!
Seth Barad San Rafael, California
They Carved the Pumpkin
For the past seven years, my son James and I have been taking an annual golf trip to destinations such as Pinehurst, Scottsdale and Baja. My dream is that these excursions will continue for many years, someday even including a grandchild! Rain, wind and cold greeted us that morning, but we suited up in rain gear and enjoyed a true Oregon experience on the Ghost Creek Course. James chipped in for birdie from behind the green on the par-three sixteenth, though the yardage book claims that “over the back here is a sure bogey.”
Jeff Stafford San Diego, California
A Win at Waterville
My father, my brother, an old friend and I recently enjoyed eight straight days in southwest Ireland—a golfer’s paradise. We played Lahinch, Tralee, Killarney, Waterville, Ballybunion, Dooks, Old Head and Doonbeg. The golf was spectacular, but to be able to share it with our dad made it truly the trip of a lifetime. And just to get the boys itching for a return trip: Who won six matches, laddies?
Dave Tacha Denver, Colorado
Ultimate Ireland
Last year my father-in-law organized a trip to Ireland, with stops at Waterville, Dooks, Tralee, Adare Manor, Killarney Golf & Fishing Club and Ballybunion. The country is beautiful, the people are wonderful, and the courses are stunning. In short, a terrific trip! I hope it becomes an annual event, but either way I’m putting my wife’s dad up for father-in-law of the year.
Carl Paratore Arlington, Massachusetts
The Wonders of Rwanda
I have enjoyed golf in many places, but the bizarre aspects of playing in Rwanda made it the most fun so far for me and my son. At the Gorilla Nest Lodge in Ruhengeri, we found a nine-hole course that had Big Bertha drivers and Callaway irons available for rent but only plastic bottle caps for tees and two old golf balls per player. The course was beautiful but neglected: weeds interspersed with coarse grass, and fairways barely discernible from the rough. Caddies came with many “assistants” who fanned out to spot wayward shots. Only one flagstick was used, held far out on the fairway as a target for drives, then held into the cup. On the bumpy, scraggly greens, putts bounced and zigzagged erratically. Curious observers appeared: children, teens and women with baskets on their heads or babies on their backs. The spotters often repositioned balls for a better lie—our protests were not understood. Bunkers were gravel depressions without sand, and I couldn’t help but wonder if they were burial sites from the genocide of fourteen years ago. Finally, keeping pace was no problem, because no one else was playing!
Jonathan Knopp Milwaukee, Wisconsin
A Sixty-Two at Pebble
My father, David, and I took a long-anticipated trip to Monterey last October for his sixty-second birthday. We had a phenomenal visit, staying at the Lodge at Pebble Beach for three days and playing Spyglass Hill, Pebble Beach and Spanish Bay, in that order. Although we didn’t shoot great scores, it was a wonderful experience. On our last day, the skies cleared up and we caught a sunset that just had to be seen to be believed. What a great trip!
Andrew Shipman Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Loving Lahinch
A few months back, my wife proposed an interesting idea: “Why don’t you take my dad to Ireland for a golf trip?” As you can imagine, she didn’t have to ask twice. We recently returned from a week in the southwest of Ireland and enjoyed tremendous golf on such courses as Waterville, Tralee, Adare Manor, Ballybunion and Lahinch. The weather was fantastic (it didn’t rain once!), the caddies were full of great stories, the Guinness was delicious and the golf was nothing short of memorable. It truly was an honor to accompany my father-in-law to the country in which his family originated.
Jamie Zussman Delafield, Wisconsin
Hitting the Trails
Last year my oldest son, Matt, and I took a four-day trip to Bandon Dunes. Matt played thirty-six holes a day for three days; I played eighteen on two days and stayed in bed with a cold on the third. Here we are on the fourteenth tee at the Bandon Trails Course. Bandon Dunes is all about golf, friendship and food, and Matt and I had it all. We finished our trip with a round at Pumpkin Ridge outside Portland before flying home with stories to tell and many lifelong memories. We plan to make Bandon an annual golf outing.
Tom Jones Phoenix, Arizona
Harbour Town High
My dad and I have been visiting Hilton Head Island with our family for ten years. This year we decided to take the plunge and play Harbour Town Golf Links at the Sea Pines Resort. I shot a three-over thirty-nine on the front, then struggled to a forty-five on the back nine, which demands a lot more precision. Dad shot a respectable ninety-seven, then we had lunch at the Harbour Town Grill with my lovely wife, Michelle, who watched the kids so I could shoot my low round of the year!
Mark Kwiatkowski Cincinnati, Ohio
