57 holes at Cape Kidnappers and Schultze's Quest to Play the Top 100

[Jeffrey Stein]

I just caddied for Bill Schultz, a fellow GCA'er, at Cape Kidnappers this week.  It was course #93 on Bill's quest to 100.  Although dedicated and passionate about golf, anyone who would embark on such a mission must be a truely sick individual (he is a good man nonetheless, Bill brought his family to NZ to share in his journey).  While caddying I thoroughly enjoyed the non-stop banter about the merits of one hole to the next and many other thoughts about the game. 

Our first 36 holes flew by, and we were subject to two different wind directions in the same day, a real treat for someone who really enjoyed the golf course.  The next day included a 3 hole warm-up followed by some circumnavigating through the fescue back to the first tee for the real 18.  I dutifully waited on the first green as I watched Bill hustle back to the tee.  In my time as a caddy I have met a lot of people and seen a lot of things but Bill is clearly an all-timer.  I have a lot of love and sympathy in my heart for golfers like Bill mainly because I see a little piece of myself in his love for the game and its playing grounds.

Kudos to Bill and any others on their way to the Top 100!

[John Sabino]

Bill - Congratulations on getting back down under, glad you enjoyed New Zealand. I have on my lime green shirt today for you  .

[Anthony Gray]

  THE SPIRIT OF THE GAME LIVES.............THE SPIRIT OF THE GAME LIVES.................just when my faith was failing this thread appears.........THANK YOU.................THANK YOU.........................THE SPIRIT OF THE GAME LIVES.........HOPEFULLY WE COULD HAVE A MEAL TOGETHER ONE DAY.................MAYBE AT A FISH BAR EVEN..............THE SPIRIT IS ALIVE.......

[Scott Coan]

Bill - glad to hear you and your family enjoyed beautiful NZ.  Truth be told I forgot all about our email conversations of over a year ago!  Hopefully the weather was accomodating as we are just starting to switch out of our nice patterns (blowing a gale today in Paraparaumu).

Cheers

[Jim Nugent]

Bill, which top 100 list are you using?

[Jeffrey Stein]

Bill,

The pictures are great and I enjoyed reading your Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs write up.  My "duty" as a caddy was meant as an inside joke, but I can live with being called out for being somewhat lazy and unprofessional.   In addition, your slicing and dicing of the 8th hole was most impressive (-2 in three rounds) with much credit to my club selection on the 3rd try.  Also, a huge thank you for plugging my blog and my chinese skills!!

[Jeffrey Stein]

   I swear I didn't pay Bill to say any of these things, he actaully paid ME quite well for my caddy services at the Cape.  The premise of the story is all 100% true, although the details are a bit muddled... 

I did actually fly from Newark-Atlanta-Flint, hopped in a rental car (at a huge premium as I am under 25 years old) and drove to the parking lot of High Pointe golf course.  At this point I slept in my car from the hours of 4:30am to just before 7am so I could make my tee-time, in a bit of a drizzle.  I then made it to the state park to prep for my much awaited interview with my GCA idol at his modest office in Traverse City.  Mr. Doak then sent me on a drive to Crystal Downs, which I eagerly made by myself (I wish I had saved the piece of scrap paper that he wrote the directions on, haha). 

After basking in the cathedral of golf that is Crystal Downs, I drove back to the state park, changed again and partied till the wee hours of the morning on pure adrenaline, in celebration of the Traverse City Cherry Festival.  I reccommend this as a great time to be in Northern Michigan, the whole town gets into it. 

Bill, I do like your version of the story though...and I'm getting a little better at self promotion, everyone seems to like the bunker thread

[Dave McCollum]

Jeff caddied for me for a couple of days in Bandon (4 rounds).  Fun guy, great caddie, and a lover of links golf.  Although we paid him the going rate, he made most of his money betting with the other loopers on which of us would shoot the worst score on a given hole.  I don’t remember the hole or course, but I do remember one bet:  That my brother couldn’t score better than an 8 on one hole.  Ouch, that was cruel.  And also the correct bet.  Dave Zinkand hooked us up and I think that Jeff was helping Zink finish up The Preserve.

This year I think I saw a shot of Jeff with a rake in hand at the Doak Dismal.  Lad gets around.   

[Tom_Doak]

Would like to return to NZ in 2014 when TD finishes his North Island course along with also checking out both Kinloch and Jack's Point (which John Sabino raves about).

Bill:

I will let you know what I think of the various South Island courses and Kinloch after I play them all in February.  I've got a game at Kinloch with Phil Tataurangi, who lives close by.  I hope for good things from Jack's Point, but the course I'm most excited to play is the little course at Arrowtown, which I rode past with Julian Robertson years ago, my neck craning to try and figure out the holes as we passed by.

[Dane Hawker]

Tom it will be interesting to read you thoughts on those courses. Are you going to be down there for the PGA Championship at The Hills?

Kinlock is a great challenge. Quite like it except the 6th hole. Played it four times with 4 lost balls of the tee.
Jacks Point has the best turf in the country. Love that place!
Arrowtown is amazing for such a small country course.

[Jeffrey Stein]

Dave,

I resemble those remarks!  Glad those are good memories you keep with you from your trip to Bandon.

Regarding some of the best South Island courses, I'm also looking forward to reading Tom's thoughts on these.  I remember Kinloch to have some spectacular and fun holes place to play along with some glaring architectural short-comings around the greens. 

Sadly I did not make it to Arrowtown instead I was underwhelmed at Jacks Point (despite the incredible views).

Tom, if you have the time, there is a wonderful road trip from Arrowtown, over the pass, to the town of Wanaka. Walk the front nine there on some heaving ground overlooking the lake, then hop in your car and make the return trip to Queenstown via Cromwell, to check out some interesting ground for golf which Grant Saunders and I were involved with.

Cheers
Jeff