Former US President Barack Obama is heading to Northland to play a round or two of golf with former NZ Prime Minister Sir John Key. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Former US President Barack Obama is heading to Northland to play a round or two of golf with former NZ Prime Minister Sir John Key. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
When New Zealand's most famous golf caddy and Barack Obama are in Northland at the same time, it's an obvious question.
So Steve (Williams), are you playing golf with Obama tomorrow? The answer, which comes after a chuckle, is a definite "no".
Tiger Woods' former bagman is in Whangarei for the Platinum Homes and DVS Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Sherwood Park Golf Club as a guest of Platinum Homes.
Steve Williams isn't playing with Obama but says if he plays at Kauri Cliffs, he'll take some great memories with him. PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM
His visit coincides with a rumoured visit by Obama, who apparently has time for two rounds of golf with former Prime Minister Sir John Key tomorrow and Thursday. But Williams is here on business.
He will conduct an after dinner interview, an auction to raise money for Starship Hospital and will also run a par three competition while in Whangarei.
It's unlikely Obama will pop up at the busy Sherwood Golf Course .
Carrington Golf Course on the Karikari Peninsula and Kauri Cliffs at Matauri Bay are two world class Far North courses suitable for former PMs and presidents.
And there is the publicity shy, exclusive and private Tara Iti course near Mangawhai, where Lydia Ko and Key shared a round that was supposed to be secret.
The fact it leaked out that the pair had played irked the course management who pride themselves on the course's privacy.
Kauri Cliffs stated "unfortunately we cannot disclose information about any of our guests at Kauri Cliffs Golf Course" and a Carrington staffer observed "not that we know of" when asked if they had some famous guests coming.
Williams has played Kauri Cliffs — "a wonderful golf course".
"He's (Obama's) a pretty good player so he'll definitely love it. There's spectacular scenery on what is a pretty spectacular golf course and as a big golf fan, I'm sure he'll love it.
"If it's the only New Zealand course he gets to play on it'll create a really good memory for him."
Northland's Kauri Cliffs Golf Course could host Barack Obama for a round of golf. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Air NZ and Westpac are co-sponsoring Obama's visit.
Air New Zealand spokesperson declined to comment and Westpac have an event arranged with Obama, but outside of that "we don't know about anything else he is doing while in the country," a spokesperson said.
Barack Obama is an avid golfer. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Obama has been brought to New Zealand by the NZ-US Council to promote the relationship between the two countries, which was icy for many years over New Zealand's anti-nuclear policy.
He will speak at an invitation-only dinner for 1000 people on Thursday night in Auckland. His trip is part of a four-day swing around Japan, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia.
