Four talented young'uns to play first Kiwi Challenge

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NEW YORK -- Together, they help define the future of golf; a quartet possessing not only a combined 10 PGA TOUR victories, but plenty of charisma for golf fans and television viewers.

And with the inaugural Kiwi Challenge, golf fans and television viewers will get not only Adam Scott, Anthony Kim, Brandt Snedeker and Hunter Mahan, but some of the world's most spectacular scenery in vivid HDTV.

The Oct. 27-28 Kiwi Challenge features the four "Young Guns" playing 18 holes each day over two days on two of the most picturesque courses in the world: Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers. The Kiwi Challenge will feature a $2.6 million purse and $1.5 million winner's check.

To earn that check, the four players will begin with 7,119-yard Kauri Cliffs. Designed by Orlando-based architect David Harman, Kauri Cliffs hosted the 2003 Shell Wonderful World of Golf, a match pitting New Zealander Michael Campbell against the popular Fred Couples. Kauri Cliffs, which was named the Best New International Course by Golf Digest in 2001, features 15 holes that view the Pacific Ocean -- and by view -- you can see 50 miles of the northern New Zealand coastline. The inland holes feature their own pristine settings: winding through marsh, forest and farmland.

From there, the players will take on Cape Kidnappers, the Tom Doak-designed course overlooking beautiful Hawke's Bay that in four short years, has become one of the top golf courses in the world. Also measuring out at 7,119 yards, Cape Kidnappers was ranked 41st in the world by Golf Magazine, a fitting tribute for a course with holes that not only jut out dramatically over the Pacific, but bring a working farm into play.

NBC will televise the Kiwi Challenge Saturday, Nov. 15, and Sunday, Nov. 16.