The beach side township of Mahia is remote, it is pretty, it has good surf, a quiet disposition, you expect little of it’s golf course.
I’m a sucker for a links course and Mahia Golf Club is exactly that in the most traditional way. A true links, rustic in the dunes and across the road from the beach. The course is a kilometre from the town – it sits intimidating in its own special part of the world. There were no other golfers, we had this beauty all to ourselves.
Mahia Golf Club has a rustic appearance there are reeds and tussock, and a bit of waste land. The beauty of this little Belter, is the contours that frame your way around. The course reveals itself over the journey through each hole.
This was the start of a tour to the East Cape, a golf trip that will unveil some notable golfing destinations of Aotearoa. We had been singing along to a Glaswegian crooner by the name of Gerry Cinnamon. How apt that he has a little song called “Belter.”
A Belter in normal Scottish language is a large forceful singer – But in Glasgow a Belter is something or someone that is amazing great fantastic. To quote Gerry ” she is a Belter, different from the rest…she always looks her best”
Check it out a live version here
Well take it from me folks, Mahia Golf Course is a BELTER!
The first is the longest hole on the course, a big dog leg left. I already loved the location and the way the course settled into the natural landscape. Called “KAIWAITAU” after the block of land that the club leased.
The second is a wee 133 metre down hill par 3. A wonderfully framed links par 3 – I’m thinking this could be the hole of the day. Classic golf right here. Named after the sensational landmark mountain in the area, “MOUMOUKAI“
The 3rd is a dog left of 370 meters but the dogleg is a little irrelevant cos you can cut the corner with ease so drive straight and land a good approach to conquer “Bluebay.” Taking a moment to look back at the beach and the township I was falling for this golf course.
“Devils Elbow” appears at number 4 – but not really the massive risk or reward of other D.E. versions. Fire up at the corner and flop a sand wedge into the tricky green.
A 404 metre par four the 5th is tough. A self titled hole shows that that hole naming committee obviously thought this hole sums up the course.
There are many impressive self titled golf holes, none more so than “TITIRANGI.” There are many great self titled albums, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, Beyonce, The Smiths to mention a few. A certain self assurance is required to announce to the world this is me, this will define me.
“Mahia” does this for the unpretentious links. A long and accurate drive is required back towards the clubhouse. The green is perfectly framed by the hollows and looks like a green that came straight out of the the golfing god’s official design manual.
The 6th tee box is located under the shadow of the club rooms, a full 190 metres – is no joke of a par 3.
Bunkers are not needed, the hollows and undulations are a challenge enough around these links.
The greens are nice, softer than I thought and true rolling. The cut was a little long but as summer comes towards its end I was impressed that they were in good condition. The best 9 hole greens I’ve experienced to date.
The fairways were rustic but that is part of the charm of this golf course. The lie you get is a links lie – up or down or in a wee hollow or in a sandy patch…marvelous.
A busty Finish
“The Cleavage” is the last hole of the magical nine. It will probably go the way of Dr. Seuss, as controversy and hidden meanings are raked out of the past and buried out of reach from our children. But lets hope that life does not go this way here on the 9th at Mahia Golf Course.
The green is framed perfectly by 2 mounds – is there another name for a golf hole that is more appropriate?
I took out the big stick and squarely landed in the middle of the cleavage, not so PC but I was proud of myself! We laughed at the quality of this finishing hole.
On the final green pouring over my 3rd birdie putt in a row, and the 3rd one that didn’t quite drop, I was not disappointed. It was a superb finish to a great day in this remote area of New Zealand. As the sun began to set I was in wee bit of golfing heaven.
There were many cars in the car park when we got back in, maybe some golf function. No, a local disaster planning meeting. The recent Tsunami threat to the shores of New Zealand was centered right here.
We were camping this night on the ocean – it comes with risks. If mother nature pours in tonight and takes me in my sleep, at least I got to play at Mahia Golf Club. It might serve me right for taking on the Devils elbow….
There is one thing that Mahia Town is known for, it is the home of the launch facility of Rocket Lab. Where New Zealand sends their rocket ships into space. The golf course has just rocketed to the top of the list of top 10 NZ nine hole courses.