Formosa Auckland Country Club

Over the years I was fortunate to have had two extended visits to NZ...lets call them working holidays. This country is a sportsman's paradise when it comes to two of my favorite distractions, golf and world class fly fishing.

NZ is blessed with more than 325 courses, so you won't have to look hard or drive far to get a game in.

Formosa Golf Resort, a scenic, 18 hole course that overlooks the Hauraki Gulf and if you take the time, you will appreciate the influence that NZ native and 1963 Open Champion, Sir Bob Charles had in its design (lots of left doglegs). With rolling landscapes, doglegs left and right, uphill and downhill elevation changes, enormous, undulating greens, inumerable well placed bunkers and with spectacular views on pretty much every hole, make your visit here memorable. Two of my favorites here were both Par 3's, the176 yard, 7th hole which plays a touch uphill through a chute of palm and pohutukawa trees onto a narrow green and the 207 yard 11th hole that plays downhill onto what appears to be an "infinity" green with a gorgeous view out to the bay.

A spacious clubhouse with friendly staff greeted this single walk on and a well conditioned course awaits the golfer that drives down the entrance road.