Tour wives explore New Zealand, make new friends

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Special to PGATOUR.COM

From left to right: Kathryn Hicks, Sharon Poling (PGA TOUR Travel), Kerry Kimbell, Kristina Putnam, Gemma Liddelow, Carolyn Herman, Mai Roberge (MacKenzie), Mel Tataurangi, Monique Pilkidaris, Bonnie (Nanny to the Pilkidaris Children), David Morland.

The life of a Tour partner is often misunderstood and misjudged: Touring around the world to golf tournaments is not always fun and games and often involves countless travel hours, checking in and out of hotels and motels, sleep deprivation and early mornings walking the golf course in grueling weather conditions to support your partner.

However, there are the few special occasions a year when those of us fortunate enough to travel with our golfing halves are able to enjoy new places, scenery and experiences that those cooped up in an office or at home with the kids would do anything for.

As the third consecutive Australian / Nationwide Tour co-sanctioned event got under way in stunning Queenstown, New Zealand, we made the most of our partners' practice day by checking out the local sites.

Mel Tataurangi -- a New Zealand local and frequent visitor to Queenstown for family vacations -- took it upon herself to become "tour partner coordinator" for the week to ensure everyone got to experience the special parts of Central Otago and New Zealand.

The first and most important stop on the list was Amisfield Winery, home to a famous Pinot Noir from the Central Otago region and of course a Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand's wine masterpiece.

As the invitation spread, the numbers grew, and a total of 12 Tour partners made our way to Amisfield. Much to the amusement of everyone, a Tour player (who will remain nameless) also decided he'd jump on board for the luncheon. When questioned about his involvement, he simplified his options -- practice in the freezing cold all day or go to lunch with 12 women. I'm not sure he'll ever live this one down amongst his peers ...

We arrived at Amisfield (about five minutes from Arrowtown) and hurried inside to warm ourselves next to the burning log fire in the entrance. After some quick tourist photos of the group, we were seated at our table where the waiter explained our menu for the day. We were going to be treated to the "Trust the Chef" menu, which would be a degustation type meal with different specialized items presented over the duration of lunch.

Before lunch got under way, we were invited into the Cellar Door to enjoy tastings of Amisfield's varietals. Amisfield is a relatively small but exclusive winery, which produces a Sauvignon Blanc, blush, sparkling and their famous Pinot Noir. After tasting all wines, we headed back to the table and placed our order of Amisfield's best to enjoy with our Chef's menu.

Our first course was a simple yet delicious peach, rocket and prosciutto salad with balsamic vinegar and oil dressing. This was followed by seared local salmon with fennel and lentils.

As we enjoyed the food and wine, social planner Mel announced that Michael Hill (tournament sponsor) had generously donated a watch to be raffled at our lunch. All names were placed in a hat (excluding the newly self-appointed "Tour wife," who tagged along for the day) and Mai Roberge (a.k.a. MacKenzie) was the lucky winner of a beautiful white "bling" Michael Hill watch.

The next and final course included creamy mashed potatoes, pot roasted chicken pieces and a delicious layered dish with eggplant, tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella. The wine drinking continued for some, while others ordered a warm coffee to finish off the delicious meal and day.

Thanks to the generosity of Amisfield Winery and Mel Tataurangi, we all enjoyed a highlight on our trip to Queenstown and an experience foreign to many international tour partners in one of the world's most famous Pinot Noir wine regions.

If only every week on Tour could be as enjoyable as the week spent in Queenstown with the most amazing views, fantastic hospitality and new and exciting friendships made off the course for the 2009 season ahead.