So, we did. I say we because the folks at Cape Kid were very accommodating and allowed Jenn to walk the course while I played. You don't find that privilege so much in North America. It was a nice treat and Jenn got to see the course and the views (plus she's really good at finding my lost balls in the fescue after errant shots).
Jenn was also the official photographer for the day, so enjoy her handiwork.
We were a little concerned that trucking up the hill in our yobby Cruzy Camper might get us kicked back down. Considering that some folk take helicopters in to play a round, we thought the Cruzy might not make the grade. But it was surprisingly laid back at the Cape Kid camp. The clubhouse was understated elegant — small, with old wood and rustic touches of metal, stone and wool. The pro shop people were congenial and down to earth. I was hoping to borrow some clubs from Tony down in the camp, but as he was out, that offer fell through. The pro shop got me set up and after hitting a few balls on the practice tee, we were away. I played as a single with Jenn walking alongside. The weather was ideal — sunny and breezy, not too hot at all.
It's a golfer's course and tough — the rough is thick and punishing and if you drive it into the fescue, forget finding your ball. The fairways are immaculate and the greens perfect. Lots of undulations. It's a course that tells a story as you go and I would like to return and play it again a couple more times to figure that story out. Playing it for the first time, I got myself into trouble, hitting into places I had no business being. A second or third time through, you'd know where to go and where to avoid.
The back nine is the real treat as you play out and along the shoreline and cliffs and get some fabulous views of Hawke Bay. It's really what people come to see.
Is it worth the $300 Canadian I forked over to play? No. New Zealanders pay $150 and that seems about right. Here's the thing: It's called Cape Kidnappers and their logo is a graphic of the Cape Kidnappers cliffs, and yet you NEVER get a view of the actual Cape Kidnappers cliffs while you're playing the course. You get stunning views of Hawke Bay and at the 16th you can see the black reef (and even drive your ball out into the ocean, which we did for fun and to watch the hang time). But never a view of the actual Cape Kidnappers.
What's up with that? We walked the 5 hour hike along the beach to the gannet colony and got GREAT views of the Cape. And that was free!!!
I imagine all these people flying in from all around the world, paying the $1500 for a helicopter ride from the airport, playing the course and never actually SEEING the real Cape Kidnappers. Something is wrong there...
However, it is a very fine course, as you can see. And tough... did I mention that? I shot a 99 on the nose. Nothing to be proud of, but then I was using borrowed clubs. The unfamiliar driver was dragging me down. Let's just say, Jenn was in the fescue looking for my ball more than once... Had I used my own clubs, I'm sure it would have been an 84...
We walked the course, which also freaked them out a little, because no one does that, apparently. But, if I was going to pony up and play it, then I was darn well going to walk it and get my money's worth. By the time we got to 15, the legs were getting a little wobbly. But, I pulled it together for 17 and 18 and ended respectably.
Afterwards, we got talking with Johnny at the bar who is from Phoenix (it seems it is mostly Americans who work here). Johnny will finish his stint at Kidnappers in April and then plans to travel the south island. He is very impressed that we have sold up everything in our lives and are travelling — the best story he's heard in a while, he says. He comps us a beer and a free shot of Jack Daniels.
Not bad. I was hoping they'd comp us the golf round, especially after I mentioned I was from Mike Weir's home town. But no such luck.
Maybe it was BECAUSE I mentioned I was from Mike Weir's home town...?
- K
Some nice shots there caddy. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhy did you guys have to pay double? The canadian dollar isn't that weak is it?