Daylight saving pushed the sun down time out by one hour. Excellent news for golfers! Redwood Park Golf Club was chosen as today’s challenge. I hummed and hawed about a coastal course on a sunny spring day. The wind looked stiff in some places which turned my attention to tree-lined choices.
Redwood Park is in Swanson, West Auckland. I got to the carpark and it was filled with cars – another good sign for golf in this land. The temperature was rising at 2 pm in the afternoon and I looked forward to seeing what this course had in store for me.
The clue was in the title, Redwood Park, towering Redwoods dominated the terrain. A Redwood is a tall tree with a wide trunk, there is no illusion that you are going through a Redwood if you are heading towards it. The trunk will take your ball.
There were a few Juniors and parents out in front of me so I knew the round could be slowish once I caught up with them. I decided to take my time and enjoy the surroundings. There was plenty of wildlife in the ponds and trees to enjoy all around this beautiful course.
I stood up and looked at the beautiful first hole. Feeling comfortable with the new driver in hand, I swung for the stars and sent a shocking fade up the 1st into the rough. The subsequent blind shot at the green was short but a tidy up and down got me off on par.
Now I don’t rabbit on about my shot-making or lack thereof. But the 2nd was a 211 metre par 3. Into the stiff breeze, I had to use the driver. Not for some time had I hit a driver off a par 3.
I swung again with confidence, a peach of a contact sent the ball 10 feet from the hole. Playing alone there was no one else to see my genius. Did I nail the birdie – no I did not.
The Eagle!
The 3rd was a 462 metre par 5, again a chance test the driver off the tee, I hit a riper. Sitting in the middle of the fairway the new hybrid was unleashed with success and I stood over a 75 metre flick to the green. This is the perfect distance for my 57 degree old rusty. I watched on as the ball took 2 bounces and dropped into the hole.
WOW, an eagle 3 and I looked around to see if anyone may have noticed – there was nobody within 400 metres. I high 5’ed my self – like an arse. I was 2 under after 3 holes. Why oh why am I on my own?
I dropped 4shots in the next 6 holes to keep me honest. 2 over after 9. There is plenty of interesting holes around Redwood Park and I was enjoying the variety.
I have a liking for a tee box that has to be found back up in the trees. The 7th was a short walk up through the Redwoods to an elevated tee. It was a great view and I hit a smart drive to compliment the setting.
Number 8 was a cracking par 3, the 9th was a lovely par 4 and 10 was a par 3 over a large pond. This course was really taking my eye as I tiptoed through the Redwoods. I was 2 over the card after 10 holes, which is unheard of, so I knuckled down to concentrate on getting into the clubhouse with a season-best score.
I had a couple of nervous bogeys on 11 and 12. But a par on the next par 3 and 2 short par fours got me to 4 over after 15, I should have birdied 15 at 247 metres it was asking for it.
I met a man on an electric golf bike, he was coming up a hole behind me. We had a long chat about electric bikes, walking the course and the state of NZ golf. We agreed the game was healthy and I eyed up his bike for a future purchase when I might want to rush around a course. Look here for how cool it is.
Walking the last 3 holes, I tired badly, dreaming of the bike. Luckily I managed to hold together a bogie on each of the last 3 to come in 7 over par for the round.
A wonderful-looking 76 on the par 69. I deserved a beer, so I bought one and sat on the great deck and marvelled at the Redwoods.
Redwood Park Golf Club is a great golf course, it is well established and challenging. Take yourself out to enjoy the trees and all this course has to offer.
Nice periscope