Formosa Golf Resort all teed up

Rydges Formosa Golf Resort is gearing up for a stellar summer season and is looking forward to welcoming both returning and new members.

Dion Ratahi, Rydges Formosa’s golf operations manager and NZPGA coach, says the team has put in a lot of work over the past six months to ensure the greens are up to par for members.

“After a particularly wet season, we are working through a number of crucial tasks to ensure the greens, fairways and bunkers are in excellent condition.

“Over spring, we’ll be verti-draining and sand top dressing our tees and mowing the rest of the rough as the ground dries. Fairway thatch control is also a key focus for the coming summer.

“We have an ongoing commitment to improving and upgrading our course and facilities and we’re excited for players to see the progress throughout the coming year.”

A world-class green designed by Kiwi golfing legend Sir Bob Charles, the 18-hole championship golf course has magnificent shoreline views from holes 11 through 15. For those new to the game, the onsite golf shop offers course and game-management advice, something Ratahi is passionate about.

“I’d really encourage anyone who is new to the game, or has always wanted to give it a try, to come down to the course. We’re a club that welcomes all abilities and we pride ourselves on being an inclusive environment to learn or develop skills.

“Golf can sometimes have a bit of a reputation as being elitist but we see ourselves as a space for people from all different backgrounds and skill levels to learn more about and enjoy the game we all love so much.

“We’ve established a match committee that will focus on introducing club events and working towards a positive golf culture here at Formosa.”

Under the current Level 3 Step 1 restrictions, players can tee off in pairs as long as they adhere to the social distancing rules and the guidance from the operations team.

The resort also offers a driving range for those wanting to practice finer technique or simply have a good hit. When alert levels allow, Ratahi says the team is looking forward to seeing old friends and new faces on the main pavilion grabbing a bite or enjoying a drink in what is expected to be a fantastic summer on the coast.

The hotel reopened in February this year after extensive renovations and boasts 50 refurbished one-bedroom villas. Nineteen, the resort’s restaurant and bar, focuses on fresh, modern New Zealand cuisine, with dishes showcasing native ingredients like horopito, kawakawa and karengo.