As mid-to-high handicappers, we were challenged at times – especially on tricky par-threes like the 96m fifth hole. However, things started to click on the back nine, where the course seemed to open up a bit and invite more aggressive play. Hole 15 was a highlight. A short, straightforward par-four at just 267m, it gently doglegs to the left toward a narrow green guarded by two bunkers. Despite its deceptive simplicity, we managed to walk away with a couple of bogeys. A win in our books.

Then came the infamous 16th. At 160m, it’s the longest par-three on the course, with an elevated green we imagine is tricky to stick if the wind picks up. The green slopes away on either side, adding to the challenge. Still, it’s a lovely hole – perhaps a bit too lovely. Did our amorous couple’s passion come from nailing a perfect tee shot? A birdie opportunity? A hole-in-one? We’ll never know. What we do know is they chose a very exposed spot for their escapade – right under a cluster of trees to the left of the tee, as confirmed in photos taken by the startled jogger.

The runner, who later shared her story with the Herald, said she stumbled upon the couple while out for an evening jog. Judging by her description, she must have approached from the green side of the hole, where a path winds down the hill shielded from view where the couple were making love. The pair might have thought they were out of sight, but they were wrong. For their part, they were playing late – after 7pm – so it’s plausible they assumed the course was empty. Or perhaps, emboldened by previous great golf, they simply didn’t care.

It’s understood the couple were not locals but course members. If that’s to be believed, you would think they would be aware of the dangers of such an exposed location. While hole 16 might have been their stage, there are plenty of more discreet nooks for those inclined towards extracurricular activities. Whether they preferred the thrill of being seen or simply couldn’t wait remains a mystery.

As for the locals, the mood was lighthearted. Fellow golfers were polite but tight-lipped about the incident, and a young man working the bar told us the story had drawn plenty of curious visitors to the club. Google search data backs him up – interest in Clarks Beach Golf Club spiked around the time the story went public. Call it a PR stroke of genius, intentional or not.

All things considered, the runner’s unexpected sighting is not something you’d expect on a quiet golf course. But the whole episode seems to have been taken in stride as a harmless, if eyebrow-raising, moment. If you’re heading to Clarks Beach, rest assured: the course is a gem. Just keep an eye out on the 16th hole, especially after hours.

Luke Kirkness is the Sports Planning Editor for the NZ Herald. He’s an award-winning journalist who also covered consumer affairs for the Herald and served as an assistant news director.