On The Up: Pro-golfer’s son opens Mount Maunganui indoor golf simulator

Bunker general manager, Kahu Tataurangi, said he wanted a space where golf could be enjoyed in a casual setting. Photo / Ben Parry

Golf is the family business for Tauranga player Kahu Tataurangi, son of celebrated Māori professional player Phil Tataurangi.

Phil designed the new The Dunes practice green at Mount Maunganui Golf Club, and now Kahu is making his own mark on the suburb.

Kahu has opened indoor golf simulator business Bunker on Totara St alongside four co-founders.

He said the aim was to create an environment where beginners and pros alike could enjoy golf in a more casual setting.

“I don’t think access to golf has necessarily opened as much for the sort of people who haven’t been in and around the game and know all the ins and outs.”

He said people, particularly beginners, wouldn’t have to worry about following certain rules, golfing etiquette or attire.

“I wanted to open a facility where people could access golf in a non-confronting environment.”

He said he had been fortunate to have access to some of the greatest golf in the world through his dad.

Phil was a member of the New Zealand team that won the Eisenhower Trophy in 1992 and played professionally for 20 years, including on the PGA tour.

“I grew up travelling the world, following my dad, playing professional golf, and I chased that dream here in New Zealand.”

Kahu said golf wasn’t considered a “cool sport” when he was in school, but that had changed.

“I’ve seen the trend towards more popularity around the sport, and more golf entertainment.”

Bunker provides virtual access to international golf courses, such as Pebble Beach, St Andrews and Bay Hill. Photo / Ben Parry

The TGL virtual golf league in America - headlined by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy - and places like Topgolf – a driving range game with electronically tracked golf balls and automatically scored drives – showed the direction of golf entertainment.

“The technology is evolving, and everything is moving towards virtual or a more short-form version of certain sports.”

He said an indoor golf simulator allowed people to engage with the game without worrying about the weather or booking out a half day to hit the course.

Bunker has two golf simulator rooms and guests can virtually play on famed international courses such as Pebble Beach, St Andrews and Bay Hill.

“For seasoned players, we’ve got all the technology and all the data for them to completely nerd out on.”

Flightscope Mevo+ utilises 20 data parameters to track players’ shots and calculate the trajectory and distance, providing information on spin axis and club-head speed.

Phil said Kahu and his business partners had started the venture on their own and “really championed it”.

Phil Tataurangi designed 'The Dunes' green at Mount Maunganui Golf Club. Photo / Kaitlyn Morrell

“We’ve been supporting him from the background, but it’s quite cool, we’ve been talking about it at home for a while.”

He said there was a lot of technology in golf today, with simulators popping up more often.

“I used a little bit of technology when I was playing, but that was a generation ago and it’s really evolved now.”

He said there were so many tools to help people develop their golf game, whether they play for entertainment, competition, or to build general skills.

Phil said places like Bunker gave people different ways to experience the game.

He said this was revolutionising the game from one steeped in history and tradition.

“It’s holding on to some of those things, but putting a little twist on them.”

Kaitlyn Morrell is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.