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The chair of the Rotorua Golf Club is looking forward to welcoming more Māori golfers now the club’s land is back in Māori ownership.
The crown via the Department of Conservation has agreed to return the Arikikapakapa Geothermal Reserve to the Pukeroa Ōruawhata Trust as the representative of Ngāti Whakaue.
Leith Comer says the club is talking with the trust about extending three holes to showcase geothermal features, as well as creating a coaching school.
"We want to make an emphasis on attracting young Māori because there aren't enough of our youth, Māori and Pākehā, taking up the game. It is becoming a game in a lot of clubs where the membership is getting older and we've got to make a real effort to get younger players into the game," he says.
Leith Comer says the club wants to take on a Ngāti Whakaue apprentice, and also create a five-kilometre walk around the course so non-golfers can enjoy the whenua.
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