"How do you do all this with just five people?"
This is the kind of question that kept getting asked recently when visitors from the world's two most famous golf clubs spent a day playing Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club and experiencing the best of what the Wellington region has to offer.
The recent Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Tournament drew some of the world's finest young players to our shores, along with dignitaries of the most influential golf clubs.
The chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, Fred Ridley, and Bruce Mitchell, the captain of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, were joined by a host of people visiting with a view to growing the sport of golf.
In total there were 11 famous Green Jackets and six members of the R&A.
The guests were given exclusive access to Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, and they were surprised and delighted by members giving up their free time to caddie.
The visit was a year in the making, and Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club general manager Leo Barber said that beyond the generosity of the members, the quality of the course was heralded.
"I have to say our guests were blown away by the work our greens staff do.
"We have five staff preparing this course, even when we're leading up to tournaments.
"Compare that to Augusta National which has greens staff of over a hundred for the Masters.
"We were gifted a limited edition print of Augusta's famous 13th hole as a demonstration of friendship from Augusta National Golf Club, and in recognition of the welcome we gave them.
"They're very keen to return the favour at some stage."
After being highly impressed with the course, its layout and its recent improvements, the guests were able to enjoy locally sourced foods and beverages including Kapiti Cheeses, Artisan Breads, Foxton Fizz, confectionary and regional craft beers and wine.