There are 20 golf courses in Auckland. What a treat awaits on the varied courses within 30 minutes of the city centre.

Overcast and 23 degrees at the outset. Full blazing sun and 27 degrees at the turn. Pulling up to Howick the car park was FULL not a space, even for a lime scooter. I circled until someone moved on. Every course in the country has a selection of reserved spaces, President, club captain, caterer, life member .. usually empty spaces … surely the club knows if these guys are playing today… We squeezed into a freed up space and unloaded the weapons for the day. We had plenty of time prior to our tee slot for putting practice. The practice green was ridiculously small no actual holes just 2 flags with rubber rings on the bottom. We messed around waiting and started to notice the topography. Sweeping undulating fairways, elevated greens, encroaching ocean. This looked awesome, dangerous but awesome. Partner for the day, Lochy was eyeing the 9th green. A tee shot over a gully to the green, no real drama except the closeness of the green to the pro shop.

We headed to the 1st tee – I take back my previous comments there is a lovely practice green over by the 1st.
The golf course is on the peninsula at the end of Bucklands Beach. There is some real estate money down in this part of Auckland, it is a beautiful suburb. After my shocker last week my handicap has moved north to 11.9, so 12 for the day. 1 more shot would be helpful but now further from my dream of single figures. 

I love this course, the greens are good, fairways okay but location and variation of the challenges really appeal to me. It is a Par 33 on the front 9 – with 4 par 3’s. A wee seat in the shade at half time to tally the scores. I’m playing on handicap, 6 over, nice I’m in it! My partner Lochy had a 50. Now Lochy has never beat 100. Howick is a par 69 for 18, this is his chance. The heat of day got stronger and temperatures rose, so did Lochy’s game. He was smashing his drives a long long way. His putting was coming together just when he needed it. I’m not a great one for keep score during the round but we stopped on 16 to assess the situation, 2 pars for me and I’d play to handicap at 12 over. Two 6’s and Lochy would break 100. No pressure. A bogey at 17 burst my bubble but Lochy had a 5.

Now, 18 is the easiest hole on the course ( says the index on the card) it is a par 5 with OB and ocean all down the left hand side. Who works out these stroke holes? Lochy skirted with OB on his drive and then really skirted with OB on his 2nd as it scuff up the fairway. But eventually he made the green in 4 followed by 2 putts later he has nailed a 6 and ends up on 98! What a legend! I fall off the pace to be 14 over and 2 over handicap.

Great golf -wonderful location – straight to the top of the list of Top Auckland golf courses I’ve played.
We celebrated with a beer ( ginger) and 2 bags of chips ( we missed the kitchen fryer by 5 minutes.) Lochy was pleased with his milestone and I had that feeling I was growing into a potentially good round some time soon.
We were left with  a parting post-it note on the car complaining we had parked too close to the next door car and they couldn’t get in to their car. My apologies to you whomever you are. You will be pleased to know I have kept the note and will gift it forward next time someone parks too close to me.