John Key enjoys a round of golf at the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club the day before his shock resignation. Photo / Supplied
John Key enjoys a round of golf at the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club the day before his shock resignation. Photo / Supplied
The day before John Key's shock resignation, he was "the opposite of stress", out playing golf.
On Sunday around 2pm, less than 24 hours before his announcement he would be stepping down as PM, Key teed up at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club course north of Wellington.
Alongside the PM was his chief of staff Wayne Eagleson, club general manager Leo Barber and club president Paul De Bernardo.
Barber said Key was "really relaxed" when he arrived at the course.
"He was just coming down from a conference or a Christmas party I think in Palmerston North ... We gave him a shirt and a hat, and he put it straight on."
The club president said he could never have forseen the announcement coming the next day.
"He was really relaxed, and incredible company. He talks to you about you."
The PM's caddy, Brett Smith, Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club general manager Leo Barber, John Key, club president Paul De Bernardo and the PM's chief of staff, Wayne Eagleson, on the course on Sunday. Photo / Supplied
Barber said there was "good banter" all round - "like playing golf with a mate".
The PM teamed up with Barber to play against Eagleson and De Bernardo.
Barber confirmed that Key was an accomplished player.
"He's got really good technique; a solid golfer. He said he'd gone from an 18 handicap to a 10 handicap."
Eagleson and De Bernardo won the game 3-1.
Barber said politics talk was off the cards.
"He uses golf as his relaxation, it's how he gets away from it all ... We tried not to talk politics, not deliberately, but when people come to play golf they generally want to relax and just do what normal people do."
He said Key didn't have his phone out at all, only to check his phone when they felt an earthquake.
The PM also made time to chat with Barber's 12-year-old son, Joseph.
"He's fantastic with kids. It was pretty special ... My son said the next day after he'd heard about [Key] resigning: 'I think he probably enjoyed playing golf. He probably wants to play golf more'."
President Barack Obama (left) with PM John Key on the second green of the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course on the Marine Corps Base in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, in 2014. Photo / AP
The general manager said the PM wasn't in any hurry to leave, eventually heading off at 7pm.
"He was the opposite of stressed ... He was in no great hurry to leave. He came up to the club after for a drink and was happy to shake hands and take photos with people."
Barber added that although there had been no mention of his resignation, Key had mentioned to him that he wanted to play more golf and travel.
