Golf
Ohope Beach over the hill from Whakatane has long been a holidaymakers' paradise with its spacious beach opening on to the beautiful Bay of Plenty.
The golf course is at the end of the spit of sand that skirts the ocean and provides the western side of the entrance to Ohiwa Harbour.
The views are spectacular, the sand base provides true links golf and, with water on three sides, there is always plenty of challenge.
The 300 members share their prize with many green-fee players visiting the area over the summer holidays.
And it has gained recognition among the country's top amateur players. In October, teams from Northland, Bay of Plenty, Auckland and Waikato played their long-running round-robin there for the Garrard Shield and the course was widely praised.
