By Chuck Miller, "The Traveling Guy"

In August of this year, Fiji will play host to the prestigious Asian Pacific Golf Confederation Team Championship.  The tournament, played every two years since its inception in 1962, will be making its first stop in Fiji. As many as 20-30 four-man teams of top ranked amateur golfers from Asia and South Pacific countries will compete.  As of this writing, in addition to host Fiji, Australia, Bangladesh, Cook Islands, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan and Thailand have confirmed their desire to send teams.

Over the years I have been fortunate to have traveled to all seven continents and 70 countries around the world. One country I had always hoped to visit, but never had, was the South Pacific island nation of Fiji.  When a chance introduction to members of Tourism Fiji opened up an opportunity for me to visit Fiji recently, I jumped at the chance.

Starting Monday, May 10, 2010, the beautiful Hamilton Island Yacht Club on the Great Barrier Reef will “open the gangway” to its new collection of luxury private waterfront villas, which offer casually elegant interiors featuring stunning, postcard views of the green-blue waters of the Coral Sea and lush landscape of adjacent Dent Island www.hamiltonislandyachtclubvillas.com.au

For the serious golfer looking to play some world-class courses, New Zealand’s North Island has plenty to offer. Equally, the keen club player and the casual golfer can make the most of their stay in New Zealand by allowing time in their itinerary for a few rounds. Whatever the budget or skill level the North Island has plenty of accessible options to consider.