The Great New Zealand Debate
Paraparaumu Beach and Wairakei   

Wairakei, in distinct contrast, is set well inland in a valley in the middle of the North Island with mountains all around. The fairways themselves are generally broad and a level stance more often than not will greet the golfer. It features two par fives of great merit (the 3^rd and 14^th) and a strong collection of long par fours. Stout hitting is required and the golfer is blessed with a first rate environment in which to do it. Long irons or even a three wood are called for to hit the 2^nd, 6^th, 9^th, 10^th, 13^th, 14^th and 17^th holes. Watching the flight of the ball in the clear valley air against a backdrop including enormous fir tress is not to be missed. Frankly, the small greens of Paraparumu would be completely out of place at Wairakei - they would seem puny and out of character with the immense scale of the property. As they are now, the holes fit the land and appear comfortable with their environment.

The 14^th hole, known as 'The Rogue,' can break many a golfer. It is a 620 yard par five that features an enormous tree in the middle of the fairway at the critical 450 yard mark. The 6^th tee is the most exhilarating spot in New Zealand golf - Paraparumu cannot compete with the sheer exhilaration of the spot.

The stunning sixth at Wairakei

However, the course is not 'clever' and lacks the subtle intricacies of Paraparaumu. It does not have the short par threes nor does it have first rate short par fours. In fact, several of the finesse holes such as the 12^th and 16^th holes are among the least appealing on the course.

Under the Holes to Note section, the 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 6^th, 8^th, 13^th, 14^th, and 17^th holes would appear. This is a similarly high number of holes to Paraparaumu Beach.

The approach to the 17th green.

The knowledgeable golfer can clearly select which course belongs to which era of course design. Paraparaumu Beach features the better architectural elements while the bigger and longer course at Wairaki is unmatched for setting.

The fact that the course that had the big sprawling land was built in the 1970s is good; the fact that the course with the intricate, tumbling links land was built in the 1940s is equally good. The authors cannot help but wonder what the result would have been if the two architects had been given the opposite property?

At some stage, New Zealand developers will attract the finest modern day architects to New Zealand. And the architects will come in droves - the land is that good. Unfortunately, the present 'name' local architects like Bob Charles only muddle up the stunning land they are given.

Regardless what the future holds, smart golfers will take advantage of both experiences already on offer at Paraparaumu Beach and Waireki.

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