By BOB PEARCE
If you're lucky enough to strike the right conditions, a visit to Muriwai Golf Club on Auckland's west coast might give you a glimpse of the rare "green flash".
The clubhouse has an uninterrupted view of the sun setting in the Tasman Sea. On certain days, the moment the
sun disappears a green flash lights up the sky.
Muriwai has a love-hate relationship with the sea.
In 50 years, the waves have eaten their way inland, devouring some of the original holes and threatening others.
A shift inland and northwards began seven years ago.
The first nine of the new layout was opened in April 1999. The second nine came into play in February this year.
Gone are some of the old favourites, such as the par-three second, which in storms was covered with spume whipped off the waves.
But the replacements, particularly on the second nine, retain the character of the course.
This is true links country, dry in winter and well watered in summer by an extensive irrigation system. The roar of the Tasman is never far away and as the winds shift round the compass they can change the character of holes.
Not surprisingly, Muriwai is a refuge for city golfers driven from their clay-based courses by soggy Auckland winters. But it is very much an all-weather course these days and it is popular year-round.
The club has 700 members, but green-fee payers boost the number of rounds to almost 60,000 a year. So it pays to book.
General manager Ray Barnett suggests the perfect plan: leave the family on the beach, have a round or nine holes of golf and then all come to the clubhouse for a meal.
A member for 25 years, he believes the par-three 17th with views looking back to the clubhouse and the coastline takes a lot of beating.
Oaia Island looks to be a couple of hundred metres off shore - it is nearer 3km.
American millionaire Julian Robertson is spending millions so his wealthy friends can watch the gannets from his new golf resort on Cape Kidnappers.
For much less you can see gannets galore at Muriwai - and the green flash, which is never going to occur on the east coast.
* Tomorrow: Poverty Bay
