ZAM and Uki in Hamilton, NZ

The golfers were talking about golf a lot on the ex-Tanjong Google group forum. One day I invited Uki and ZAM to come to NZ to play a round with me. I was just being polite; but they accepted and here they were. I was pleasantly surprised! I drove to Manukau airport, Auckland to pick them up, a return trip of 240 km. This was the first time I met Uki; but it did not matter because we have "chatted" on the forum for months before this and felt very close, just like old friends.

Pokeno

The first meal in NZ was at Pokeno, a rest stop at the side of the motorway, between Auckland and Hamilton. We had ice cream for lunch. Dinner will be with Lisa and Teng Wang Khiew later in the evening.

dinner

First game was at the Narrows Golf course which I have described in detail on the forum and also on a blog. I have played over 200 rounds there when I first started to play golf again in NZ. Before that, I have played golf at KGM in Miri in the early 80's. My handicap was 23 when I stopped playing golf after 3 years and took up dinghy sailing instead. I have been sailing all this time, both in Malaysia and also in NZ.

Since I retired, I have taken up many other hobbies to keep busy. The obvious one is blogging of course. This one, mini-reunions is my 67th blog! I am trying my hand at photography because blogging uses a lot of photos. I might as well take my own. When the weather is fine, I also play a bamboo flute at the river bank and parks around Hamilton.

Narrows golf course; hole #2

Plum tree

That famous plum tree at No: 5 tee which I showed often on the ex-Tanjong forum to RM. It has flowers only in early spring.

plum blossoms

Feijoas

Narrows, 5th tee. Those are Feijoas bushes behind us. Feijoa is a NZ fruit not found any where else in the world. It looks like a Malaysian Jambu; but tastes very different. You cut it in half and eat it with a tea spoon.

Our 2nd round was at St Andrews golf course, Hamilton Golf Club where I am a member for the last 3 years. I have played 370 rounds so far. My handicap index is 15.1 and course handicap 16. My best round this month was 86 gross. I know every blade of grass on this course and have written a blog showing how to birdie every hole!

Uki and ZAM at the 6th tee, St Andrews golf course

Bunker at the par 3 14th

Bunker at the par 3 18th

First hole at Hamilton Golf Club (St. Andrews)

Afternoon tea

At my house for afternoon tea just before we set off for Taupo and Rotorua. We were on the road for two days, playing another round at the Waireki Golf Club and visiting the hot pools at Rotorua.

Nanook

In front of my house in Hamilton