Chipping into water troughs, avoiding the farm animals, and teeing off over 40 metres of water – all while carefully navigating your way around cowpats and sheep poo.

Welcome to the Kaimai Golf Classic; not your ordinary golf tournament.

Kaimai School principal Dane Robertson and Patrick Lambert, 8, ready for the Kaimai Golf Classic. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Deep in the Kaimai Range, the annual fundraising tournament for Kaimai School sees the Midson's Family farm become the backdrop to the 12-hole rural themed course, replacing the traditions of smooth tees, groomed fairways, and manicured greens in the process.

In true Kiwi number eight wire style, a smattering of cowpats, electric fences, and sometimes rugged terrain means competitors are advised to bring suitable attire, including sneakers or gumboots.

'Guys come along with about three clubs and just bash it, have a great day, and a ball of fun,” says Kaimai School PTA chairperson Sandi Lambert.

'The holes are not your manicured type and you may well have to chip into a trough to finish up.”

Spread across five paddocks, with all the animals moved out of striking distance, golfers and hackers alike will take on the rugged terrain while throwing some money towards the school's primary fundraising event.

Dating back some 10 years, the event is an essential part of the community calendar, especially this year with all funds going towards replacing the school's rusty playground.

Two years ago the school was preparing to repaint its playground, purchased in 2006, only to be told it was rusting from the inside out, producing an unsafe environment for the students.

Purchased by the school's PTA costing $15,000-$20,000 the playground was imported from China through Silly Billy's, a playground company that went into receivership in 2010 – leaving the school with a $60,000 replacement bill.

Given the sizeable financial figure, this year the school is also including a corporate afternoon, held today, with eight teams of four expected to line up and take on the rural adaptation.

Together with the expected 80-strong field for tomorrow's tournament, it is hoped at least $5000 will be raised.

Sandi says the community prides itself on offering a unique and somewhat iconic event highlighted by regular competitors developing the ‘Kaimai Trundler' – a piece of plastic pipe with bailing twine.

Holes to look out for include teeing off a rock, from artificial turf, and in the middle of the Wairoa River looking for a green some 40 metres away on the bank.

The ‘course' also features a long drive across a gully, bringing out the best of competitive spirit.

Fluke could more than easily overcome finesse, but everyone will walk away with smiles on their faces and poo on their shoes.

The Kaimai Golf Classic starts at 10.30am at the Midson's Farm on Penmoral Lane, off Soldiers Road.

For more information phone Sandi on 0275 726 359.