GCA BOOMERANG - March 22-25 2012 - Paraparaumu Beach GC

[Scott Warren]

Thanks to Leo Barber and Scott Coan, the three of us have come up with a plan, date and cost for the second annual GCA "Boomerang".

March 22-25, 2012 -- Paraparaumu Beach GC -- Paraparaumu, North Island, New Zealand (outside Wellington)
Three nights' accomodation
Four Rounds of golf over two 36-hole days
Match play format, singles -- ideally split into two grades/flights[/b]
 
Thursday, March 22
Check in, Share accomodation at Kapiti Court Motel
Own arrangements for dinner
 
Friday, March 23
36 Holes Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club
Tee off ~7.30am and ~12.30pm
Own arrangements for dinner
 
Saturday, March 24
36 Holes Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club
Similar tee times to Friday
Dinner at a local restaurant (TBC).  Set Menu ~NZ$55 a head with BYO beer and wine. We're working on a guest speaker for dinner like we had with Richard Sattler and Phil Hill at Barnbougle Dunes last year.

Sunday, March 25
Fly home or add on golf options of choice.
 
Cost
Accomodation @ NZ$54 per night = NZ$162
Golf Paraparaumu Beach @ NZ$112 per day = NZ$224
Sat Dinner @ NZ$55 (excluding BYO)
Total Cost: NZ$441
(currently AU$1=NZ$1.28, US$1=NZ$1.25, GB£1=NZ$1.97 Check current exchange rates)

The field -- post below that you're in and I'll add you to the list here.
1 Leo Barber
2 Scott Coan
3 Scott Warren
4 Kevin Hughes
5 Russell Fitzgerald
6 Michael Goldstein
7 Kevin Pallier
8 Michael Taylor
9 Michael Taylor's old man (I forget his name...)
10 Dave Herrick
11 Grant Saunders
12 Matthew Delahunty

Extra golf
Kidnappers, Kinloch, Wairakei, Titirangi and other hidden gems await, but this will be left to each participant, or group of participants, to arrange for themselves, unless someone steps forward who is keen to arrange a little roadtrip before or after the main event for those who are interested. We wanted to keep the main event as simple and accessible as possible to maximise the number of people who'll be able to spare the time away from home to take part.

If you need any more reason to sign up...

Paraparaumu Beach GC review

[Patrick Kiser]

Out...

Scotland's a calling for next year.

I'll look forward to the good banter from the sidelines.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

In my total ignorance of the geography, what is the proximity...or lack thereof to Kidnappers and Kinloch?

[Mark Chaplin]

Michael - Kinloch and Wairekei are about 4 hours drive from Paraparaumu, it is however a pleasant trip especially if you stay a couple of nights in
In Taupo chasing the girls from the Kiwi Experience bus!!

[Sev K-H Keil]

Getting to Cape Kidnappers is easy ---- Sunair (http://www.sunair.co.nz/) flies from Paraparaumu Beach to Napier (and back). They operate little 5 seater planes, mostly for mail runs, but will take you on scheduled flights for $160 each way. Your golf bag will fit. Great experience!

[Scott Warren]

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

[Mark Chaplin]

Long Beach at Wakanai Beach is highly recommended for a free evening dinner.

Wish I could be there, world class course, excellent cuisine and great people what more do you need?

[Michael Goldstein]

Chappas: kiwi experience buses.

Scott I think I'll be in NZ that week so it could be a great excuse to get to pram. Count me in.

[ed_getka]

    Para is an excellent venue with even better hosts. I had the pleasure of golfing with Scott and his mates a few years back and it was great fun. Unfortunately a big international golf trip is not in the cards for me for a couple more years.

[Mark Chaplin]

Goldy - chasing and missing!!

[Scott Coan]

In the exploratory thread we put up a few months ago a lot of the Aussie “maybe’s” commented that if they were coming over to NZ then they wanted to see more than just Paraparaumu.  Totally fair comment but realistically this can only be done in smaller groups due to the distances one must travel.

I just had the pleasure of playing Kinloch (http://www.kinloch-golf.com/) and this really needs to be on the NZ bucket list.  Here is a sample itinerary that fits into the Boomerang at Pram and is manageable in terms of drive times:

Tue 20 Mar.   arrive Auckland, option to play Titrangi, drive to Lake Taupo (~3.5 hrs).
Wed 21 Mar.   play Kinloch, option to play Wairakei, drive to Napier (~2.5 hrs).
Thu 22 Mar.   play Kidnappers, drive to Paraparaumu (~3.5 hrs).
Fri/Sat 23-24 Mar.   GCA Boomerang at Paraparaumu
Sun 24 Mar.   Fly Wellington to Queenstown, play Jacks Point.   
      Arrowtown is another good option if you stay another day.
      The Hills is another for those that have the $$$’s.

The driving legs can easily be done with rental cars, rental vans, rental buses – all just depends on the numbers.  Over at Kinloch I ran into 8 South Africans that were touring NZ for the RWC and they had hired a 1-way rental van with a driver and trailer for all their gear.   

I’m keen to meet up with anybody in Auckland or Taupo and share in the road trip.

[David_Elvins]

Scotts,

I am a definite maybe at this stage.  Sounds like a great trip.

[James Bennett]

Scotts,

I am a definite maybe at this stage.  Sounds like a great trip.

as am I.  I want to go.  Not sure where work will be and whether I can get away for a week.

James B

[Kevin Pallier]

Scott

Well done for organizing this - put me down for the event.

SC's itinerary sounds tempting as well.

[Leo Barber]

Excellent Kevin, Great to have one of the heavy hitters of GCA onboard.  Look forward to hosting you at PB

Leo

[Scott Warren]

Disappointing response to this so far from the Antipodeans.

We're only four and a half months away from the dates in question.

[Mark_F]

Disappointing response to this so far from the Antipodeans.

We're only four and a half months away from the dates in question.

I would like to go, but can't justify one course.  Any further time off would eat into schooling, which isn't a good idea next semester.

[Ben Jarvis]

Scott, I'd love to come but it's just too busy at work that time of year.

I'm heading over to play Paraparaumu later this month. Will try and post some photos when I return.

[Michael Goldstein]

Benny you kept that quiet!! I'm sure JP will look after you... How long you in Gods Own for?

[Ben Jarvis]

Benny you kept that quiet!! I'm sure JP will look after you... How long you in Gods Own for?

Goldy, hope all is well. Yes, kept it a little quiet. Heading over for the Captains vs Presidents event. Playing with Leo and Jamie plans on joining us also. I'm there from November 24-28.

[Brett_Morrissy]

Scott's,
I have a busy year, but damn it - I am in.

Am keen for Mr Coan's additional itinerary - esp Tits and Kinloch, And trying to figure out how to see Jack's point as well.

Anyone else from Melbourne going?

[Michael Goldstein]

To the Americans.  On Letterman our Prime Minister promised to pick you up from the airport if you come....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXaizTqSRWw

Step up.

[Brett_Morrissy]

Wow, just realized 22nd is my wife's birthday, that is going to be a challenge.

[Matthew Delahunty]

Scott,

I am about a 75% chance at this stage.  Put me down as a starter with the option to pull out if I need to.

[Grant Saunders]

Scott

Count me in for what sounds like a fantastic event.

I am also pretty keen on playing some other courses too subject to securing some extra time off. I would be keen to drive back up to Auckland and take in maybe Kinloch or Cape Kidnappers and then Titirangi. Also, there are some great courses to be found for about nz$20 on the journey. I highly recommend a course called Waihi which I think Leo will second as a great little course.

Also, my partner is a travel agent here in NZ for anyone wanting help planning domestic travel or needing help with anything.

Grant