Golf: NZ courses chosen in world top 100

Hawkes Bay's Cape Kidnappers and Northland's Kauri Cliffs have been ranked among the top-100 golf courses in the world by a respected golfing publication.

Golf Magazine ranked Cape Kidnappers 27th and Kauri Cliffs 58th in its September issue. Both courses were developed by American Julian Robertson.

Cape Kidnappers has the added distinction of being the highest debuting course in the top-100 and one of only two courses to debut in the top-50 in this year's ranking.

"Cape Kidnappers might be on the top of our list if a spectacular setting was our only criteria," the magazine said.

"Few courses in the world are worth both a US$160 ($232) green fee and a day's journey to get there. Cape Kidnappers is one."

Kauri Cliffs shared the same distinction as the highest debuting golf course when it first appeared in the top-100 in 2003.

Daniel St George, the director of golf at Kauri Cliffs, said the inclusion of Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers in the top-100 was an exciting boost for golf tourism.

"We expect to see people who will come to New Zealand and these two golf courses for the sole reason that they have been named in the Golf Magazine top-100."

Both courses have high-profile connections in New Zealand golf.

US Open champion Michael Campbell is the touring professional for Kauri Cliffs and Phil Tataurangi fills the same role for Cape Kidnappers.

The Golf Magazine panel behind the ratings vote every two years and is made up of a select international group, including golf course designers, players (including New Zealand's Frank Nobilo) industry experts, editors and photographers.

The top rating course was Pine Valley in Clementon, New Jersey, which also topped the ratings in 2003.

Cypress Point at Pebble Beach in California was rated second, Scotland's St Andrews third and Augusta National fourth.

- NZPA