Golfer Pacific NZ – May 2025

Trip to Coffs Harbour was a pleasure

By Paul Gueorgieff Editor, Golfer Pacific NZ

In last month’s column I mentioned that I had just arrived at Coffs Harbour in northern New South Wales for a golf tournament.

Now that I have played at Coffs Harbour Golf Club I can tell you how good it was.

It was excellent. If I was anywhere near the area again I would definitely play there again.

We were in Coffs Harbour for one week and played the course five times and I only felt that I was getting to know the course.

One of the reasons for that is Coffs Harbour has 27 holes. We played holes 1-18 on our first day and holes 10-27 for the four days of the tournament. What I liked was that one combination of 18 holes was not inferior to the other two combinations. There is no so called B course.

A great example was that Coffs Harbour hosted the Australian Women’s Classic, a Ladies’ European Tour event, in March. They played holes 10-27. Also having 27 holes is a big advantage when it comes to course maintenance. Greenkeepers are able to work on one group of nine holes totally uninterrupted

while golfers play the other 18.

The general manager at Coffs Harbour is New Zealander Paul McAra from Invercargill and he agreed 27 holes has big advantages.

“Yes, huge advantage to having 27 holes,” said McAra who has been with the club for 13 years.

“When we have to complete course works we can shut nine holes down, we also can play three courses so members get variety. We obviously fit more golfers on and have access for social play and competitions on most days.  We play the three courses in competition format on a Thursday and Saturday.”

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the golf course is that the much of it used to be a swamp.

Said McAra: “The low lying area was wet lands and as stories go members talk about having to use planks to walk across sections of the course and one member wearing gumboots to play.  The club has invested heavily in drainage, retention lakes and moving water off the course so that we recover quickly from wet weather.  We have concrete paths on all holes allowing carts out in any conditions.”

Coffs Harbour has a very warm climate but we unfortunately played the course just a few weeks after cyclone Alfred had

hit the area, there had been more rain in the week before we arrived and it rained almost continuously for two days in a row while we were there. One of those days was when we played at the nearby Bonville which is another course of immense beauty.

Coffs Harbour Golf Club was formed in 1926 and it has had 27 holes since the early 1970s.

The club has 1100 full playing members and nearly 1300 members in total.

For the first time in the club’s history it was this year included in the annual list of the Golf Australia magazine’s top 100 public access courses at No 85 and McAra said the club was proud of the rating.

“A great result for the club and result of all the hard work and investment we have made in improving holes, playing surfaces and layout.”

The golf course has plenty of water hazards and bunkers, the greens are fast and the fairways are immaculate. It is a top class golf course.

Unfortunately the occasion for us was spoiled by the wet weather. As an example of the wetness, we had placing through the green on all five days we played. I would love to return to play the course on a drier track.

Rory McIlroy survives the drama to achieve his grand slam — finally

By Paul Gueorgieff Editor, Golfer Pacific

Rory McIlroy went in the final round of the Masters with a two shot lead.

But that lead was gone after the very first hole of the final round when he scored a double bogey six.

That was the beginning of perhaps one of the most tense and drama-packed days in the 89 years of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, the United States.

McIlroy, oddly enough, said the disastrous start to the final round was almost a nerve-settler and a reminder of what Jon Rahm achieved with a similar start when he won the same tournament in 2023.

“It was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had on the golf course,” McIlroy said at his press conference.

“In a funny way, I feel like the double bogey at the first sort of settled my nerves.

“And it’s funny, walking to the second tee, the first thing that popped into my head was Jon Rahm a couple of years ago making double and going on to win. So at least my mind was in the right place, and was at least thinking positively about it.”

The double bogey start was just one of two double bogeys for the day.

The second came at No 13 when he had no more than a pitch shot to the green but inexplicably put his ball in Rae’s Creek. Two holes earlier he had held a four-shot lead but as he walked to the 14th tee his lead had tumbled to a three-way tie with Justin Rose and Ludvig Aberg.

McIlroy recalled: “I thought I played

the 13th hole smartly, at least for the first two shots, three wood off the tee, laid it up into a good position.

“I had 82 yards to the pin. It had gone into a little valley and it was on the upslope. And usually when I hit wedge shot off upslopes, they come out a little bit left on me. I gave myself, like, a couple of yards of room to the right.

“I wasn’t aiming at the creek, but it came out, you know, a little weak and a little right. To make a double there, when it’s a birdie chance, and then seeing what Rosey (Justin Rose) was doing, and also what Ludvig (Åberg) was doing at the time, as well.”

“Just a complete roller coaster of a day,’’ McIlroy continued.

“It was very tricky out there. It almost felt more like a US Open than a Masters at some points just with how firm and fast the greens got.

“But, yeah, just really proud of how I bounced back from the double on one, from the double on 13. I don’t know if any Masters champions had four doubles during the week, but maybe I’m the first. But yeah, just a complete roller coaster of emotions today.”

But on the other side of the coin were shots only McIlroy can hit. They included his second on the par five 15th when he hooked a seven iron from 190 metres to six feet but had to settle for birdie after missing the putt.

When the approach shot was made, the television commentator said: “The shot of a lifetime.”

McIlroy was again being hailed as the winner after a birdie on No 17 to take a one shot lead and he was in the box seat after a perfect drive on the 18th. He had about 110 metres for his

second but he put the ball in the bunker and we were all again wondering is this tournament simply not for him?

A good bunker shot followed to leave him about six feet for victory but the putt slipped by for yet more drama and he would now be in a playoff with good friend Rose to determine a winner.

In the playoff, Rose played a good second for a moderate-length putt for birdie but the McIlroy magic returned with his second finishing about three feet away, much to the delight of the crowd.

Rose missed his putt but McIlroy didn’t and he crumbled to the ground in tears having achieved the grand slam of golf — winning all four major championships.

Only five others had achieved that feat. They are Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

McIlroy’s wins in the other three majors came in the 2011 US Open, at the age of 22, the 2012 and 2014 PGA Championships and the 2014 Open Championship in England.

The winner of the Masters is presented with a green jacket and McIroy admitted the doubts were constantly increasing he would wear one.

“There were points in my career where I didn’t know if I would have this nice garment over my shoulders,’’ he said.

“I didn’t make it easy today. I certainly didn’t make it easy. I was nervous. It was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had on the golf course. It’s been 14 long years (since his first major win) , but thankfully I got the job done.’’

The Northern Irishman, who turns 36

on May 4, was having his 17th start in the Masters and he said the weight of expectations was taking it’s toll.

“It’s so hard to stay patient. It’s so hard to keep coming back every year and trying your best and not being able to get it done.

“There were points on the back nine today, I thought, you know, have I let this slip again? But you know, again, I responded with some clutch shots when I needed to, and (I am) really proud of myself for that.

“It’s been an emotionally draining week for a lot of reasons, a lot of just roller coaster rounds and late finishes. And so just, you know, absolutely thrilled to be sitting here at the end of the week as the last man standing.”

He said he was as nervous as you could imagine on the first tee with a two shot lead.

“Knot in your stomach. Haven’t really had much of an appetite all day. Tried to force food down.

“Yeah, your legs feel a little jelly-like, and those nerves that are natural, and they are all good things. If you weren’t feeling like that, I think that’s more of a problem than when you do feel them.

“It’s such a battle in your head of trying to stay in the present moment and hit this next shot good and hit the next shot good. You know, that was the battle today. My battle today was with myself. It wasn’t with anyone else. You know, at the end there, it was with Justin, but my battle today was with my mind and staying in the present.’’

Oh, and by the way, the winner’s purse was $US4.2 million. That’s about $NZ7.1 million.

Rory McIlroy is all smiles after being presented by Scottie Scheffler with the green jacket that goes with winning the Masters at Georgia in the United States. (Photo credit: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images).

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland in action at the Masters. McIlroy went on to win in what had to be one of the most dramatic tournaments of its 89-year history. (Photo credit: Michael Reaves/Getty Images).

McIlroy at last conquers his Everest

By Neville Idour

For almost 11 long years, Rory McIlroy had waited for another major championship victory.

For it to be the coveted Masters title, and the achievement of the grand slam of golf, opened the floodgate of emotions that had been building up through all those years. No one could begrudge him the outpouring following his winning putt in the playoff with Ryder Cup mate Justin Rose.

The final pairing could not have been better. It was the first time multiple major winners had been in the final pairing since 1996 when Greg Norman and Nick Faldo went head to head. McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau were the two most popular and influential players in the game. The prospect was mouthwatering.

The drama leading up to the finale

was unrelenting. McIlroy’s two shot lead was gone and he trailed DeChambeau after just two holes. However DeChambeau’s bogeys on numbers three and four against McIlroy’s two bounce back birdies restored McIlroy’s lead. McIlroy’s inexplicable double bogey on the 13th when playing safe, and his ball going into Rae’s Creek with his short approach shot, shouted “oh no, not again”. His four shot lead was a goneburger. But he survived.

The two par fives, Nos 13 and 15, proved pivotal to the final outcome with McIlroy four under par on them overall in the previous three rounds, the best of the top five finishers. His scores on those holes were remarkable. On 13 he scored in order birdie, eagle, birdie, double bogey. On 15 he reversed that with double bogey, birdie, eagle, birdie. Extraordinary. Rose was three under on the same holes,

Patrick Reed and Scottie Scheffler two under and DeChambeau one under. DeChambeau’s game deserted him until birdies on 14 and 16, but it was too late. He simply couldn’t get the ball close enough to the hole often enough to give himself reasonable putts for birdie.

So where does the 2025 Masters sit in the pantheon of the many outstanding Masters events over the years?

Some pundits have suggested this was the best ever. David Walsh, the chief sports writer for the Sunday Times in Britain, who has been covering a variety of top sport including soccer World Cups for 47 years, said the final round was “the single greatest day of watching sport” for him. It should be noted he is Irish, like McIlroy. But fulsome words indeed.

Perhaps McIlroy’s scoring stats indicate this 2025 event was a never end-

ing rollercoaster ride. He scored 18 birdies, three eagles, five bogeys and four double bogeys. Has anyone won the Masters after scoring four double bogeys? The answer is no. Craig Stadler won the 1982 Masters after making three.

The final pairing was the perfect finale for the throngs of spectators. (whoops, I could be in trouble for using the word spectators. More on this elsewhere). Both players interacted with the fans much to their delight. They acknowledged the applause, but even more, especially in DeChambeau’s case, even when his winning chances were gone, on leaving the green touching hands with both arms outstretched as he walked to the next tee. It is so easy to see why these two players are fan favourites and in McIlroy’s case that popularity can only skyrocket now that he has conquered his Everest.

Is this McIlroy’s second coming?

By Neville Idour

Eleven long years it had been since Rory McIlroy’s last major win way back at the 2014 Open Championship, his fourth major title.

After that win it seemed nothing barring injury could stop him continuing that major winning sequence and hitting double figures in a short time. It wasn’t to be.

But following his win in the Masters last month to complete golf’s grand slam and post his fifth win in a major championship, he is now free of the ongoing pressure that has dogged him like a lead balloon and the tables have turned.

Now that the shackles are off, the expectations are back. Yes, pundits are now saying this win could open the way for a second coming of wins as he did when he won four in four years.

His sports psychologist Bob Rotella, who worked closely with McIlroy leading up to and during the Masters, is convinced his victory will “free up” McIlroy to win even more major titles.

Trevor Heaven, the men’s club captain at McIlroy’s Northern Ireland home club Holywood, said he will win more than 10 majors.

Scenes in the clubhouse during the final round were euphoric with people jumping up and down or going outside because they couldn’t watch. Then jumping to their feet and cheering as he sank the winning putt before embracing each other heartily.

Heaven first met McIlroy as a six-yearold and remembers how good he was at that age with other golfers often stopping to watch him hitting balls as they played through. Heaven pays tribute to the unwavering support his parents Gerry and Rosie gave him. They went through hard times to take him to all the tournaments as he grew up. All the hard work and long hours of practice have paid off big time. Rotella, meanwhile, went on to say: “It will be fun to see how many more majors he can win. After his great start to the year he’s now got the chance to have his greatest ever year.”

Especially after one of the most remarkable final rounds at a Major ever. Standing on the 11th tee with a four shot lead it should have been shut the door on the followers. But no, McIlroy had to make it dramatic as he has done in the past. He lost the last two US Opens by one shot. Maybe this is one of the things that makes McIlroy so compelling to watch and always relatable. McIlroy isn’t a flawless golfer. No, he is a fearless golfer and knows how to grind when needed. He can be dislikeable at times, as when he scarpered after losing the US Open last year and again at this years Masters when he avoided his media obligations after his first round blowout in the last few holes. Had he not recovered and not won maybe the whole scenario now towards him might not be as warm and fuzzy.

Rotella says McIlroy is getting tough mentally and emotionally which is needed for a will that is like steel. Again, though, it is his fallibility that appeals to so many fans. He says things we might disagree with, and strongly at times. He frustrates sometimes when he changes his opinion on certain topics. LIV golf is a great example. His dismissal and opposition to Greg Norman and LIV in the early days was almost over the top. But latterly he has softened and admitted the good things it has brought to golf and especially the PGA Tour’s players.

But through all his mental demons he is full of humanity and completely detached from some of the robotic professional golfers who frequent international golf. No, he will never be the Tiger Woods of this generation. He is a person who answers questions honestly, sometimes too so, and there is no company speak. This is why the golf media are so besotted with him. They know he will say what he thinks and is vulnerable at times. Who wasn’t moved by his tears in Butler’s Cabin at Augusta National and again in the post round ceremony. Have we ever seen a winner show more emotion following the winning putt?

How would he view the 2011 version of himself?

“As a young man who didn’t know a lot about the world, I would tell him to just stay the course,” McIlroy said.

And stay the course he has. He has

been in the spotlight, for a time almost trying to do PGA Tour’s chief executive Jay Monahan’s job, taking the heat when he possibly shouldn’t have bothered, as he got no thanks.

Currently his golf skill is without peer and his final round at the 2025 Masters was a microcosm of McIlroy, as a golfer and as a person. The swings and roundabouts, the ups and downs, the brilliance and the unfathomable were there for all to see — and what unmissable, enthralling theatre it was. He continues to mature as a person and that is all part of his appeal.

So the rest of the year is nicely set up and poised for more success. The PGA Championship is at Quail Hollow, one of his favourite places in the world. No wonder as he has won four PGA Tour events there, including two PGA Chamionships. A third PGA Championship title there would not surprise.

The US Open at Oakmont next month will be a stringent test of ability, patience and grinding golf, just as he exhibited at Augusta. Then the major championship season will wrap up on home territory at Northern Ireland’s Royal Portrush. A win there would be storybook stuff. It is easy to feel golf is in good hands with fan favourites like Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau. We just need administrators to follow their leads and do what is best for the game. Superstars like McIlroy don’t emerge every day.

Masters’ notable moments

By Neville Idour

The 2025 Masters will be remembered for the golf played, especially by Rory McIlroy, but there were many other moments and events that are worthy of mention. So here goes.

ROSE HAD MIXED EMOTIONS

Class act Justin Rose enhanced his standing in the game with his demeanour during and at the conclusion of his unsuccessful playoff with Rory McIlroy.

Seven shots behind beginning the final round, a stunning 20 foot birdie on the 18th stamped a brilliant final round 66 that included six birdies in his final eight holes. So his emotions were high.

“I take that loss pretty badly. It was tough,’’ Rose said.

“But I don’t feel down in any way, shape or form because of my performance. Certainly there  are no regrets or thinking I should have done that differently.’’

Along with his short miss for par on the 17th there is no doubt it was his third round 75 which tumbled him down the leaderboard that cost him in the end. Just one swing from his second major championship. However his record in major championships at the age of 44 is not to be sneezed at.

A win at the 2013 US Open at Merion is embellished by five runner-up finishes including his second in a row and three times at the Masters. This was also his 23rd top 10 finish.

“I’m still creating opportunities. Throughout your career there will be a little heartache here and there” said Rose who showed his class in his comments about McIlroy’s win.

“Rory is a friend for sure. We saw part of history today. It is a momentous day for golf. He’s captivating to watch. He’s a great player. He plays with so much style, charisma and flair.”

He said to McIlroy: “I am glad I was here on the green to witness you win the career grand slam. That’s such a cool momentous moment in the game of golf.”

MCILROY BLANKED DECHAMBEAU

The decision Rory McIlroy made to completely blank Bryson DeChambeau from any communication was all part of the plan according to his psychologist Bob Rotella. It has been incorrectly perceived by some as tension between the players. Rotella said ‘it had nothing to do with Bryson. That was the game plan all week and we wanted to get lost in it. We didn’t want to pay attention to anyone else, just wanted Rory to play his game.’ After 21 top 10s in majors since 2014 the expectations were intense.

Asked after the final round if he tried to initiate conversation De Chambeau simply said “He wouldn’t talk to me, not once all day. He was just being focused I guess.” De Chambeau said he would have been more than happy to chat if McIlroy wanted to. As for the atmo-

sphere on the course “Electric. I loved it.” He was also asked (stupidly) how he thought McIlroy would fare in the playoff. “No idea” was the deserved reply.

DECHAMBEAU WANTED TO CRY

FOR MCILROY

In an almost extraordinary admission, Bryson DeChambeau said while he still had his own hopes of success he admitted he was emotional watching McIlroy, particularly when McIlroy, trying to be too cute, dumped his approach to the par five 13th into Rae’s Creek.

DeChambeau said: “I wanted to cry for him. I mean, as a professional, you just know to hit to the middle of the green and I can’t believe what he did. But I’ve hit bad shots and it happens. There were times when he looked in full control and at times, like, what’s going on?”

This brought back memories of his comments about McIlroy after the 2024 US Open when McIlroy ungraciously immediately left the course after losing to DeChambeau. DeChambeau said: “Rory is one of the best to ever play. To play against a great like him is pretty special. For him to miss that putt. I’d never wish it on anybody. He’ll win multiple more majors. I’m sure it will fuel Rory’s fire even more. He’s a strong minded individual.”

DeChambeau’s words have proven to be spot on. All kudos to him.

SPIETH HINTS AT CENSORSHIPS

Jordan Spieth sounded off at Augusta over his frustration at the amount of mud balls he had to pick up on the fairways. Mud balls have been a common feature of the Masters from tee shots. It is thought it may be caused by the grass being mown towards the tee blocks causing balls to dig into the fairways. Spieth had obviously had enough after his excellent third round 69.

Risking the wrath of the green jackets he said: “My iron play killed me the last two days primarily because of mud balls. They can affect this tournament significantly, especially when you get them a lot on 11 and 13. I had less of them today but still had them on those holes. Because the grass is mowed into the grain the ball digs in on every shot. Everyone has to deal with it.

“Obviously the lower you hit it the less chance there is. The fact that you’re not supposed to talk about it is a bit frustrating because it can be a difference maker to scores on some holes.”

One wonders if Spieth might cop some punishment for his frank opinions.

OH FOR LITTLE LIGHT RELIEF

US Amateur champion Jose’ Luis Ballester certainly made his mark at Augusta with a classic piddling faux pas.

He was paired with golfing aristocracy Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas in the first round when the 21-year-old needed a quick break to relieve himself in Rae’s Creek near the 13th green. He did the decent thing and turned away

from the grandstand near the 14th tee. Nevertheless the spectators there gave him a hearty ovation when he had finished his business.

He said: “I completely forgot we had restrooms left of the 13th tee. But I had to pee and didn’t know where to go. I’ll just sneak here in the river where I won’t be seen much. Then they gave me one of my loudest claps of the day. That was kind of funny.”

Asked if he thought there might be a backlash from Augusta’s hierarchy he was unrepentant and not embarrassed.

“If I had to do it again, I would.’’

There was worldwide media coverage with the act referred to as a leak in Rae’s Creek, taking relief and a watershed moment, amongst others. On the Friday he did acknowledge he had apologised to the club. We haven’t heard of any consequences. One scribe suggested a yellow card would be appropriate.

SCHEFFLER

UPSETS MANY FANS

Scottie Scheffler never looked a very happy chappie at the 2025 Masters.

One wonders if the pressure to replicate his outstanding winning form in 2024 is getting to him as wins are eluding him in 2025. Players are no longer crumbling as he moves up leaderboards to challenge. He came in for various criticism at the Masters. Commentators and fans were very critical of him during the green jacket ceremony especially in not shaking Rory’s hand after putting the jacket on Rory. He explained he just wanted to get out of the way and leave the moment to Rory. Fair enough. What was very noticeable though was Scheffler’s almost fixed disinterested glum expression while sitting there during the preamble. His fourth placing wasn’t too bad so he shouldn’t have been too disappointed. His on course demeanour was also in complete contrast to DeChambeau who finished one place behind him. McIlroy, too, acknowledged the applause of the crowd whenever demanded. Not Scheffler. He barely raised a finger on rare occasions and seemed to have no interest in looking at the fans.

Many fans and some commentators have not been impressed and even more so after his temper tantrum at the RBC Heritage the following week. After round one, when he was sitting second after shooting a seven under par round, he snapped at reporters for asking a “dumb” question. The dumb question was, after playing so well, “was it easy out there.”

There was more frustration in round two and fans called him out. Scheffler has always appeared in control of his emotions. However a few weeks back I well remember him smashing his club into the ground after a poor shot. He repeated that after an errant shot on a par four at the RBC Heritage, hammering his club aggressively into the turf. The cameras caught the incident.

After that there were calls for him to

grow up, be better and you have kids that look up to you.

Comments also included: Scottie has bought into his own hype from last year and is getting testy now that he is not winning every tournament and his outbursts are getting more frequent. The irony is he wasn’t playing poorly and was close to the lead.

He carried on his disconnect with spectators from the Masters. In the third round he scored two impressive consecutive birdies. On the 15th he hit a great approach to four feet and sank the birdie putt to rapturous applause. Not a flicker of a look or acknowledgement. He repeated the approach to the 16th to audible boos. He sank the birdie putt again to audible boos. Not a flicker of response.

I simply cannot remember in 60 plus years watching golf hearing a top ranked golfer being booed. No one is denying that as humans, golfers are not immune to a moment of frustration. But the bottom line is how it is dealt with. As New Zealanders we can feel very proud of our best golfers on course demeanour. Have we ever seen Ryan Fox or Lydia Ko express any similar behaviour as Scheffler? I certainly haven’t.

MASTERS TELEVISION COVERAGE ROASTED

So the 2025 television coverage was seemingly blanket, or really, was it? Here in New Zealand we had feature groups, plus Amen Corner plus specific hole coverage and the main overall coverage, which as in the past only begins on the second nine. Herein lies the problem. Most viewers want to see the leading players and good overall coverage of the field, but we only get that to some degree when coverage of holes 10 to 18 begins.

Frustration with the coverage was widespread. Much of it roasted the network for not having Bryson DeChambeau in a featured group. Music rapper Lil Wayne with 34 million followers said: “The Masters blew it with lack of coverage on Bryson. They gotta stop hating this LIV s… . Another said: “Whoever made the decision to omit DeChambeau is an idiot.” Another said it was bananas.

Golf Monthly’s Barry Plummer said: “I excitedly sat in to watch the second round at Augusta but six hours in I was so fed up. I was forced to watch some uninspiring golf while DeChambeau was surging up the leaderboard. Unfortunately I saw very little of him. We should be able to watch full live coverage from the first tee shot, following story lines as they develop, like Bryson’s impressive climb up the leaderboard.”

Another comment was “I have not seen Bryson drive, chip or putt a single shot during the second round today. I am sick of seeing every shot from the PGA’s golden boys Scheffler and McIlroy. I will not be upset if a LIV player wins.”

DeChambeau is given limited coverage on the Thursday and Friday of every major, but plays so well they have to cover him on the weekend. You can just hear Jay Monahan and others teeth grinding.

Let’s face it DeChambeau is a global superstar with six million followers on his social media channel. Golf is very fortunate to have his influence in growing the game so much. It is about time the broadcaster stopped showing almost shot by shot coverage of players way behind or over par. I can still see Columbian Nicolas Echavarria who finished eight over par playing many shots. Yet, not that I particularly wanted to, didn’t see Zach Johnson who was in the top 10 all day play a single shot. He finished tied eighth. Go figure.

We just want to watch the drama unfold from the start of the final round with the main feed. Only being able to watch half is nuts. Imagine the Football Association Cup final or World Cup football and rugby Cup finals and you can only watch live for the second half. Or the Wimbledon final beginning coverage from the third set. The time has come for the Masters to get over itself and let the people in. After all, on course numbers are limited, hence the ballot system for tickets.

TV VIEWERSHIP NUMBERS DOWN THEN UP

Inexplicable as it seems viewership numbers for the opening two days action were 28 percent down on the 2024 Masters — 3.2 million in 2024 and 2.3 million in 2025.

This announcement was followed almost immediately by the grumbles about DeChambeau’s non coverage. Things improved markedly for the final round.

American broadcaster CBS reported the final round produced an average of 12.7 million viewers throughout, up one-third on Scottie Scheffler’s second win in 2024.

Further, there was an amazing peak of 19.54 million between 7pm  and 7.15pm American eastern daylight time for McIlroy’s crowning moments. The final round was the most watched golf telecast on any network since 2018 when Patrick Reed beat Rickie Fowler by one shot.

McIlroy’s success was not just big in the United States. United Kingdom-based

Sky Sports reported it’s most watched day ever. McIlroy’s wins this year have brought record numbers of viewers. His influence is significant.

Streaming numbers on American video streaming service Paramount + were also strong. The final round was the largest non-National Football League (NFL) sports day ever and the most streamed golf event in Paramount’s history and showed more than a 100 percent increase on Scheffler’s win in 2024. Easy to see who the most popular golfers are. McIlroy and DeChambeau were the dream pairing.

MASTERS NAUGHTY BOYS

The Masters has accumulated quite a list of naughty boys’ behaviour over the years, some forgiven, some not.

Let’s start with one of the more questionable, yet humorous ones, which goes back to 1994.

Popular, wisecracking, now veteran CBS commentator Gary McCord was trying to describe how slick the greens were as Jose Maria Olazabal lined up a putt on the 17th. He quipped: “I don’t think they mow these greens. I think they bikini wax them.” It was classic McCord humour.

Sorry. Not funny according to the Masters, although initially there was no formal backlash. The CBS president found it amusing. But not one Tom Watson who decided to throw his weight around and sent a handwritten letter to Augusta National and CBS. It said in part “We need to eradicate this lesion (McCord) on golf. He is the Howard Stern of golf and we need to pay attention to what he said.”

Consequently McCord was quietly pulled from all future Masters coverage, but remained a key part of CBS golf broadcasts until 2019.

Understandably McCord confronted Watson at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am the next year saying he was disappointed Watson hadn’t come to him directly as he should have before escalating it to Augusta’s hierarchy.

Despite this discord they later patched things up and have a cordial relationship. McCord reflects: “I got more publicity for this than anything I ever did in golf” as it gave his broadcasting career an unex-

pected boost. Definitely one of the most infamous moments in golf TV history and a caution about what Augusta considers humour.

Others to run foul or cause a stir are many. Way back in 1942 Sam Snead dared to play nine holes of a practice round barefooted. Amateur great Frank Stranahan allegedly played two balls during a practice round and was excluded from the 1948 tournament. Ouch. Announcer

Jack Whitaker called the 18th hole gallery a “mob” in 1965 and was promptly removed from the TV broadcast.

Ken Green drank a beer on the 15th fairway to toast playing partner Arnold Palmer in 1997, when Tiger Woods won. The same year Fuzzy Zoeller incited a firestorm with his “fried chicken and collard” greens quips.

Last year we had Jason Day being asked to remove his “gaudy” sweater. He toned down his wardrobe this year. This year Arizona State coach Matt Thurmond was ejected from the grounds for the day for wearing shorts on the practice range or should I say practice facility. Tiger Woods was castigated by Augusta Club chairman Billy Payne in 2010 following Woods’ infidelity scandal , but he never became persona non grata.

On the foregiveness side 2009 champion Angel Cabrera was welcomed back after serving prison time for domestic violence, although this did not meet with universal approval. As for Fuzzy Zoeller the 1979 champion, he is still an ongoing presence in green jacket at Augusta during each tournament week.

MICKELSON COPS WATSON AND NICKLAUS BARBS

Phil Mickelson is no longer most fans favourite. Especially in the case of Tom Watson who enjoyed getting some revenge on leftie for his comments in the Ryder Cup losers conference 11 years ago which fostered the infamous “task force”, which still hasn’t brought success on the road.

On the Thursday morning after the honorary starters met, Watson, who obviously has a long memory, would have relished the opportunity to scold Mickelson and the other LIV defectors for

“making their choice” and being banished from the PGA Tour.

Surprisingly Jack Nicklaus revealed a side of his character not usually seen and piled on Mickelson.

He was asked if he was surprised Mickelson is still competing at this level (the Masters) while Tiger Woods is not. (Probably a stupid question).

Nicklaus’ reply was just as obtuse. “I don’t know what level Phil is competing at. I guess he is still playing. He is playing the LIV Tour, is he? I don’t know if he’s playing or not. I don’t know, you never see that anymore.”

Oh please Jack. You can do better than that. We all know you don’t really believe your own words. They make no sense at all. Why not just say what you really think or in this case probably better still, say nothing. Your words were no way to gain or retain respect. Mickelson is a soft, easy target.

JASON DAY LAUDS MCILROY’S ACHIEVEMENT

Dinkum Aussie and nice guy Jason Day has not held back in giving Rory McIlroy the kudos he deserves. Day, who had a not too shabby Masters himself in finishing eighth, simply said McIlroy was the greatest player since Tiger Woods. Ouch. Hope Scottie Scheffler isn’t listening. Day said: “Rory is the greatest player of our generation and he has had 11 cracks at the grand slam since winning the 2014 PGA Championship. He has had a lot of gut punches and he has shown perseverance and resilience to keep plugging on.” Day believes that golf fans world-wide will enjoy seeing McIlroy in the spotlight now he has joined the other five players in the history of golf to achieve the grand slam — the others being Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Day agreed that this achievement would take golf to new heights.

“He has carried the tour for a while. What an unbelievable career winning all four majors (the grand slam), the Players’ Championship twice, and now he has 29 wins on the PGA Tour. He is now one of the best to ever play the game.”

This is not faint praise indeed. Could it be the best is yet to come.

The Masters — rules, rules, rules

Attendees at the Masters, including players and caddies, have to negotiate the minefield of strict rules that greet them.

Some are common sense and some come in for criticism.

For spectators their tickets are awarded via a lottery system and come with a strict set of rules. A violation of Masters rules could result in one of three things. Eviction from the grounds, loss of credentials or a lifetime ban from Augusta National.

For a start there is zero tolerance for cell phones, so don’t even think about it. No ear pods are allowed. There are phones around the property for those

who need to make a call or for emergency.

You don’t say driving range, you say practice facility. If broadcasters say back nine on air they are likely to be reprimanded. They should say second nine. They don’t want someone saying what was famously said once: “What’s giving him problems is the wind from his backside.”

Wearing caps backwards is considered rude violation of etiquette. Shorts, denim, untucked shirts and five pocket (cargo) pants are out. On the green players must adhere to similar standards. Pants and collared shirts are required while loud prints

and bright colours are frowned upon. Who can forget Jason Day being asked to remove an item of his Malbon clothing last year? He had to ask what he could wear that was acceptable this year.

Knives are not allowed nor are flags, banners, cameras, chairs or seats with pointed ends, folding armchairs and rigid type chairs with hard seats. The unofficial dress code is generally business casual attire like you might wear to  church, would you believe?

Also forbidden are food, beverage, coolers and plastic bottles. Plus no golf shoes with metal spikes. How about

these ones? No ladders, periscopes, tripods, monopods and selfie sticks. Backpacks, bags and purses larger than 10” x 10” x 12” in their natural state are not permitted. Of course laptops, tablets and similar are not permitted. Oh, and not forgetting, there is no sitting on the grass. Must use a Masters folding chair.

There is a little bit of good news. A bottle of water will cost $US2 while a classic chicken sandwich is a steal at $US3. So what is holding us back now we know what is required to attend the Masters 2026?

When is a spectator a patron? — only at the Masters

By Neville Idour

One can only wonder if the time has come for the Masters to come into the 21st century regarding  certain aspects.

One is the insistence on calling the fans and spectators as patrons. Broadcasters on television especially have to toe the line or they are likely to be removed. They also prefer that all news outlets do the same.

So are the people who attend the Masters patrons in the true sense of the word? Well, why not let the Collins

English Dictionary shed some light on the matter. The word patron means as follows: A person who sponsors or aids artists or charities. A customer of a shop or hotel or similar.

There is no connection to a spectator or fan there.

The word spectator means a person viewing anything, onlooker or observer. From the latin to watch.

Sounds like someone at a golf tournament.

The word fan means devotee of sport. An ardent admirer of a person or team, film or pop star.

Definitely another connection to golf. The reason the word fan is not acceptable is that in the eyes of the Masters hierarchy the word is short for fanatical and they don’t want to refer to the people out there as fanatical. So why do the Masters powers that be insist on use of the word patron when it clearly does not relate to the throngs of people, spectators or fans who turn up to watch The Masters? Your guess will be as good if not better than mine.

The Masters: An unforgettable experience

Iwill always remember that email from Phillip Leishman. It was one where time stood still for a few moments and it needed a re-read.

It was 2011 and I was working in my final few months at a great company called Sportsinc. We produced the television golf shows that ran on SKY Sport and TV3, and another international golf programme that went around the world.

I worked with Phil and co-owner Kelsen Butler for around five years and it was one of the most enjoyable roles of my career. We’d travel around the country (and the world), capturing profiles of courses and players and film our national tournaments and international tournaments.

The email from Phil read something like this: “Hey Pete, I can’t attend The Masters in Augusta this year as I am receiving the ONZM Queen’s Honour [for services to media and the community], and I wondered if you would like to go in my place?”

I couldn’t believe what I was reading.

The Masters. Augusta National.

Like most golf fans, I had been watching the best in the world play here since I was a little kid. My first clear memories are of 1996, watching

Greg Norman fall apart and seeing Nick Faldo claim his third green jacket.

The following year Tiger Woods announced himself on the world stage, when at the age of 21 he became the youngest winner in Masters history, winning by 12 strokes.

When I received the formal invitation on The Masters letterhead to attend as a member of the press gallery, I knew it was a moment that would never happen again.

I was about to move on to join Golf New Zealand as its media and public relations’ manager and one of its sponsors, Harvey World Travel, paid for my flights and we did a daily blog of my experience at Augusta. It all fell into place.

We were traveling with a team from SKY Sport. They did a Masters promo a year before where they had a replica green jacket made and one of their hard-case lads on the tour thought it was a good idea to wear it on the hallowed turf. Safe to say, he turned a few heads among the old boys’ network that is the Augusta National Golf Club.

Walking through the gates of Augusta National was a bucket list experience. After watching it all my life, it is so familiar but also so different in person.

The first thing that hits you is the elevation changes. It is quite dramatic. The walk up 18 is steep and doesn’t come across that way on television and the drop off on 10 is acute.

The conditioning of the place is flawless. The efforts and sequencing of the ground staff to have this place in perfect condition for this week is like a military operation.

Another thing that hits you is just how small the landing areas are. The greens on three, seven and 12,   for example, are narrow targets where there is no room for error.

You realise that the line between a brilliant shot and total disaster is fine and that is why this place serves up so much drama on a Sunday afternoon.

One of the best things at Augusta is they look after their patrons with super-affordable food and drinks across the course. They are literally at 1980s prices, and it is like a step back in time at the café. They figure it’s one of the hardest tickets in world sport to get your hands on, so when you get there, it should be an unforgettable experience.

To be fair, they probably make it back in spades at the merchandise shop where it is way too easy to get carried away, as you are not likely to come back.

One of my favourite memories was as, a member of the press, we had access to the championship lounge and clubhouse, so we’d begin the morning with a freshly made southern style omelette and hot chocolate.

After round three, I shared a couch with Adam Scott and Luke Donald watching some highlights.  When I sat down for lunch, Sergio Garcia came and sat at my table. I was just trying to act normal and take it all in.

We spent plenty of time under the iconic Oak Tree out the front of The Masters clubhouse. This is where golf royalty hangs out and we picked up plenty of interviews with some of the biggest personalities in the game.

Of course, the first place you want to go is Amen Corner. Seeing the par three 12th – that hole that is so recognisable as being one of the best short holes in the world – is a moment to savour. And the 13th is also special. It’s a relatively short par five but fraught with so much danger. As Rory McIlroy has been quoted as saying, I could hit six irons into the green for the rest of my life and I would be a happy man.

Phil Mickelson was the defending champion and there was a lot of reminiscing about that shot he hit from the trees on the par five 13th on his way to his third green jacket. It is one of the most iconic shots in Masters history.

Tiger Woods – with his Kiwi caddie

Steve Williams still on his bag at that point – was back after his absence for personal reasons. The fanfare that follows Tiger is always on another level. We were on the back of the eighth green on Sunday when he made eagle and jumped into contention. It was like a riot. I was surrounded by a bunch of big American fellas who were jumping around and hugging me like a night on the beers at a frat party,  Tiger’s challenge never eventuated, and he faded on the back nine.

South African Charl Schwartzel would birdie the final four holes to win by two from Jason Day and Adam Scott.

But the 2011 edition -- the 75th anniversary -- will be remembered mostly for the meltdown of McIlroy in pursuit of his first green jacket.

Standing on the 10th tee he was leading the tournament by three strokes. The then 21-year-old hit his tee shot to a place no one has ever gone before. It was so far left that he was near the on-property cabins reserved for members when they play the course. It rocked him and he never recovered to shoot a final round 80. But that is all history. McIlroy last month overcame all of those demons, all of the challengers and wrote his name into golfing folklore. It’s been a long time coming, but worth the wait. For many years to come, people will talk about his seven-iron approach shot around the trees on the par five 15th. That is what the legends do, they step up when it matters most.  It was quite emotional watching him win in the playoff as we all know the heartbreak and turmoil he had gone through to get there.

It’s been 14 years since I walked around Augusta National and it was an experience that confirmed a lifetime love of this place and this tournament. There is nothing else like it.

Golfer Pacific writer Peter Thornton reminisces about his former role as the producer of Phillip Leishman’s television golf show on SKY Sport which took him to The Masters in 2011.

Peter Thornton, a former producer of Phillip Leishman’s television golf show, who went to the 2011 Masters Tournament.

Kiwi Cooper Moore takes out Australian Junior in a playoff

New Zealand golfer Cooper Moore prevailed in a pulsating playoff to claim the Australian Junior Boys’ Championships at Indooroopilly Golf Club in Brisbane.

The leaderboard fluctuated wildly on the final day until it came to an almost inevitable conclusion of requiring extra holes.

Cooper Giddings from New South Wales shot a brilliant final round of 65 with his final 10 holes in seven under par to reach five under par for the four-day tournament for boys aged 17 and under.

Giddings holed a five iron from 186 metres for eagle at the par five 16th and then made birdie at both 17 and 18.

Moore, playing four groups behind, was at four under par for the tournament playing the 16th hole when he became aware of the score he needed to beat.

The reigning New Zealand amateur champion walked in a birdie putt from 18 feet at the par three 17th and then left what would have been the winning putt short in the jaws on 18.

It was then off to a playoff. Moore and Giddings traded pars on the first two playoff holes before Giddings ap-

peared to gain the ascendancy when Moore hit his second shot at the third extra hole into the greenside bunker.

As Giddings stalked his 18-foot putt for birdie, Moore splashed out to perfection, the ball bouncing once and then trickling into the hole.

“Nah, that’s probably the first one,” said Moore when asked whether he’d ever holed a bunker shot to win a tournament before.

“Heading back to the tee for that third time, it was getting to the point where I just wanted to be done, get it over and done with.

“Then I hit my approach shot into the short-side bunker and I was like, it’s cooked there. I was just like, I need something special to extend the playoff because I was still expecting him to at least hole it or two-putt.

“Then when I holed it, it was like wow. Yeah, it was quite surprising.”

Joint leader after 36 holes at the New Zealand PGA Championship in Hastings  a month previous, Moore joined Daniel Hillier as the only players to have completed the Australian Junior Boys-New Zealand Amateur double.

Meanwhile it was much of the same in the girls’ division of the champion-

ship with victory going to Raegan Denton’s from Adelaide.

It was something of a redemption for Denton having finished runner-up to Shyla Singh last year.

Little separated the top half-dozen players in the girls’ championship all week and the lead changed hands numerous times during the final round.

Seeking to become just the third person to win both the Australian Women’s Amateur and Australian Girls Junior in the same year, Rachel Lee (NSW) held a narrow advantage until Denton made birdies at both 15 and 16.

The tide would soon turn again, however, as Denton dropped shots at both 17 and 18 for a round of even par 72 and three over par total for the tournament.

Lee (74) arrived at the 72nd hole at one over and 14-year-old Sydneysider Camilla Kim two over but more drama was to come.

Kim (75) hit her tee shot into the water left and made bogey while Lee’s second shot finished in an awful downhill lie in the front-right bunker.

Her first attempt to extricate her ball was unsuccessful and then she left herself an eight-foot downhill sliding putt

for bogey and the championship.

When that missed on the left edge, all three were locked together at three over par and headed for extra holes.

Unlike the boys, one hole was all that was needed, Denton completing a brilliant day with the putter with a 22foot birdie putt as Lee’s attempt from 10 feet lipped out hard on the left edge.

“Watching Rachel and Camilla finish was pretty nerve-wracking,” said Denton, who won the South Australian Amateur Classic by five strokes in March.

“I wasn’t sure if there was a chance of a playoff, but I was obviously hoping.

“This is my first playoff in a tournament of this calibre, so I was pretty nervous. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but I was just trying to do the best I can.

“That was probably the biggest putt I’ve ever had that had the most importance. It was huge.

“I thought it was missing low, but it held on and it went in.

“It was awesome having everyone watching, including my parents, my teammates, and my coach as well, which is really awesome. I am just ecstatic.

“This is my last junior event ever so it’s a great way to finish my junior career.”

Cooper Moore of New Zealand with his trophy after winning the Australian Boys’ Championship at Indooroopilly Golf Club in Brisbane last month. A playoff was required to determine the winner.

New Zealand’s Cooper Moore and South Australian Raegan Denton after their wins in the boys and girls divisions of the Australian Junior Championships in Brisbane last month. Photo credit: Golf Australia.

Moore scaling the heights

By Neville Idour

Canterbury golf star Cooper Moore’s victory at the 2025 Australian Junior Championships was in fact the very sizeable icing on the cake full of outstanding golf he has baked during the first few months of this year.

In fact his lineup of performances and results is breathtaking. It is hard to believe he is still a schoolboy at St Bede’s College. Bear in mind his tie for second at the British Junior Open in Scotland and his eighth at the Asia-Pacific Amateur in the latter part of 2024.

His 2025 year started from January 3-6 with a tie for 11th at the Australian Master of the Amateurs at Southern Golf Club Melbourne in an international field.

Next up was the Australian Amateur Championship at the Commonwealth Golf Club where he tied fourth after rounds of 71, 71, 72 and 71. He followed with a second placing in the Otago Strokeplay at the Otago Golf Club in Balmacewen.

His first win for the year came next on the first two days of February where rounds of 75, 66 and 64 were good enough to take the Canterbury Strokeplay title at Templeton.  It was a very strong field and Moore trailed the leader by seven shots after the first round. However he came home with a wet sail to win by two shots from Wakatipu junior Ricky Kang. Moore’s 64 equalled the course record.

Next up it was the Charles Tour Race To

Tieke where he went toe to toe with Michael Hendry, Nick Voke and Josh Geary in the final round. Moore was leading by one shot after 15 holes but Hendry birdied 16 and then Moore bogeyed 17 to allow Hendry to win by one shot. Two days later Moore was back at one of his home clubs Russley where he won the Russley Open with rounds of 68 and 73.

Then in his words it was his “dream come true” being invited to play in his first New Zeland Open. At 16 years he was the youngest player at Millbrook. While his dream wasn’t fully realised, finishing 83rd and just missing the cut, he still got to play all four rounds thanks to finishing fifth in the pro-am field with partner Chris Hart. The experience he gained has been invaluable as revealed by his subsequent results.

A final round 78 in the strong professional field at the following New Zealand PGA Championship at Bridge Pa in Hastings saw him fall from the top 10 to finish tied 32nd after rounds of 67, 66, 71 and 78.

Back to home territory and the Templeton Open. Another victory after rounds of 63 and 71. This time his 63 set a new course record and was his personal best score. On the March 24 he scored his second win for the month in the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Championships at Avondale with 62 from the white tees.

First event in April was the New Zealand Strokeplay at Paraparaumu where

he shot 67, 70, 68 and 72 to finish tied eighth and third best amateur. Two days later he was in Australia winning the coveted Australian Junior Amateur title. Then back home it was another win, his fourth in his last five events. Rounds of 68, 71 and 67 in a field with players from all over New Zealand, were good enough to win the South Island Under-19 title.

Moore’s success hasn’t just happened. He is a disciplined and diligent young man who works very hard at his craft. He has memberships at Russley, Clearwater and Waitikiri clubs. However he still enjoys playing golf with his father on Saturdays when not involved in a tournament.

Like all talented youngsters with a goal, his is to be the world’s best. He spends 20 hours a week on his game and training and works in the gym twice weekly.

“I don’t have time for sleepovers with friends. Golf practice and play comes first especially in summer,” Moore said.

With the winter months almost here Moore still has much to look forward to, with the main focus on three key international events. Late in May he heads to Hong Kong for the Asia-Pacific Junior Championship.  In the coming weeks he is hoping to gain selection for his second tilt at the Toyota Junior World Cup at Chukyo Golf Course in Japan. He will be two years older than the first time so is very keen to play again.

On July 16 he travels to the United Stares for the US Junior Amateur Champi-

onship, arguably the biggest junior event in the world, to be held at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas, Texas. He has received an exemption invite due to being ranked inside the top 40 under 19 years of age on the world amateur golf rankings. Past winners include David Duval 1989, Tiger Woods 1991-93, Brian Harman 2003, Jordan Spieth 2009, 2011, Scottie Scheffler 2013, Will Zalatoris 2014, Min Woo Lee 2016 and Nick Dunlap 2021.

Later in the year Moore has set goals to be selected in the New Zealand  team for the Eisenhower Trophy in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific Men’s Championship in Dubai.

Heady stuff for a 16 year old to look forward to. As for looking further ahead Moore simply isn’t sure yet. Options include taking up a scholarship to a US college or moving to Australia and trying to gain a tour card and turning professional in his early 20s.

“At the moment my preference would be Aussie as I don’t have much interest in the schooling at college as I much prefer to just play golf and continue to improve.” Whatever path he chooses as time goes on he will have plenty of support. Father Jayden said: “From our (his parents) perspective he will have our support and he has also got New Zealand Golf’s support. Their goal is to provide him with the opportunities to live that dream of being a professional golfer.’’

That will be something for all New Zealand golf fans to look forward to.

A Remarkable holiday

By Peter Thornton

It was October last year when I saw a social media post that stopped me in my tracks.

This sentimental video said: “By the time your kids are 12, you have spent 75 percent of your time with them. Make the most of every moment.”

This hit home. My eldest daughter Charlie is 9, Georgia is almost 7 and our little troublemaker Toby is approaching 4. Time is going too fast.

That night, my wife and I sat down over a cup of tea and decided to make 2024-25 the “summer of awesome memories.” And for this to be our mantra going forward.

We started with Ohope and Whakatāne in November, made the most of the Coromandel over summer.

But this was the one we were all looking forward to most. Five days in Queenstown – and a chance to play Jack’s Point – was almost too good to be true.

AN ICON OF QUEENSTOWN

After an early morning wake up call, we landed in Queenstown in cool conditions and grey skies, but there was huge optimism about what lay ahead.

First on the agenda was a trip on the steam ship TSS Earnslaw out to Walter Peak for a farm experience. I’ve been coming to Queenstown for more than 20 years and I have always been intrigued by the TSS Earnslaw, so to be finally walking on board is a bucket list experience.

Our voyage comfortably lived up to expectations. The TSS Earnslaw was built in 1912, ironically the same year as the Titanic’s maiden voyage, and it is the oldest operating steam ship in New Zealand. It is an icon of Queenstown.

My kids – particularly Toby who loves any kind of engine -- is fizzing about seeing the steam engine’s pistons and valves in full motion below, with a man

working tirelessly, shovelling coal.

As we arrive at Walter Peak, the sun finds its way through the clouds. We are welcomed in like family for a High Tea complete with freshly baked scones, with homemade jam and cream, sandwiches and incredible desserts.

We venture out to the farm where our tour guide Corey is affable and well informed. He walks us through the feeding of Highland cows, sheep, alpacas, deer and a donkey.

His trusty sidekick Echo -- a gung-ho Border Collie -- shows his mustering skills and personality in the farm show. It’s a wonderful experience.

As we journey back to Queenstown, I am basking in the late afternoon sun on the back of the boat. I look over to the east and can’t wait to tee it up at Jack’s in the morning.

AS GOOD AS IT GETS

When I arrive at Jack’s Point at 7:32am, it’s pitch black, but the car park is full.

There’s a big tour party teeing off after 8am and the team at Jacks have been accommodating, letting me get ahead of the field in a cart.

To say I’m excited to be here is an understatement. It’s known around the world for being one of our best golf courses and an unbelievable experience.

So many courses, claim to be a world class but don’t quite deliver. Not here. Every time Jack’s lives up to the hype and is as advertised.

First, John Darby’s design is a masterpiece. The way he has maximised the unparalleled views on offer from Lake Whakatipu and the backdrop of The Remarkables is just brilliant.

The conditioning, from tee to green, is flawless. Fairways like carpet, uncompromising rough and quick greens that are so pure.  If you haven’t played here, then you must.

The stage was set and to start with I fluffed my lines. I couldn’t see much on the opening hole and the par four second gave me a reality check of how tough this course can play.

A sign of a good golf hole is one where you can play poorly and still be in awe of its design and beauty. The par five fifth fits that description. It’s a dogleg left to right that presents a good birdie opportunity but is laden with risk. When you arrive at the green, you’re rewarded with the first panoramic and breathtaking view of Lake Whakatipu.

As the sun was coming up, I was admiring the view, thinking of that trademark Forrest Gump line, “I didn’t know where heaven ended and the Earth began”, when another cart arrived at the tee box.

Matt Lough, a 19-handicap golfer from Shandon Golf club in Wellington, was visiting Queenstown for a wedding and snuck in a game before the ceremony and we played the rest of the holes together. It was just what I needed. I thrive off company.

Matt was a top man, and we were both at the same level, so we enjoyed a good battle full of banter and encouragement.  I love that about golf. It has a unique ability of bringing people together.

It’s this part of Jack’s Point you’ll be talking about afterwards, over a pint. The aforementioned fifth, the driveable par four sixth, the iconic drop par three seventh and the brilliant and brutal par five eighth. It’s the Amen Corner of Jack’s Point and every time I play it, I’m grateful.

IT TAKES ONE SHOT TO TURN THINGS AROUND

After that signature stretch, is the par four ninth which is a long, straight hole heading back to The Remarkables. I haven’t found my A game yet but that

soon changes. As they say, it only takes one good shot to turn things around.

I find the greenside bunker and have around 30 yards to the hole – you know the sort of shot that gives 19 handicappers like me nightmares. But I hit it perfectly and get up and down for par.  It completes the front nine and I know it’s not going to be good reading, so I decide to add it up later. I set the goal of shooting 40 on the back nine to turn it around.

I play some awesome golf to go two over for the next six holes. Special mentions of the 15th and 16th which have two of the best tee shots in the round.  Matt is making his debut at Jack’s and also delivers a solid round. We are all smiles heading down the last. I manage to get up and down on the challenging 18th, to shoot nines of 50 and 41 and complete a fine turnaround.

Of course, you always love a course where you play well, and this round confirms Jack’s Point as one of my favourites in the country.

Matt and I grab a coffee after and reminisce on the highs and lows. I’m stoked to play some of my best golf at such a special place. I can’t wait to play here again one day and try to break 90 for the first time.

“GO

FASTER DAD”

There are moments on a family holiday when your kids surprise you. Our experience up the Skyline Gondola and Luge was one of those times.  Charlie, 9, and Georgia, 6, were nervous ahead of their first luge run but the next time down they were flying around the corners and not looking back.

My little boy Toby just loves speed, and, in my luge, he was saying “Go faster dad” on repeat. Standing on the viewing deck looking out for miles below to unparalleled view of lakes and mountains, it’s one of the best views in Aotearoa.

Jack’s Point in Queenstown is truly an unforgettable experience, and there is a plethora of family activities in the region that are nothing short of world class.

A stunning aerial view of Queenstown with The Remarkables in the background. The TSS Earnslaw is the oldest operating steamship in New Zealand and an icon of Queenstown.

That night, we walked along the lakeshore in Queenstown and it’s a beautiful setting. Everywhere you look, frames up like a postcard.

We head into the heart of town for dinner at Winnie’s. This place is world famous in New Zealand. They serve up phenomenal pizza with flavours that I haven’t had anywhere else.

It’s a special vibe here and it’s been home to many rowdy nights over the years. The staff are accommodating of our tiring and restless kids, and we thank them for a special evening to mark a memorable day.

IT FEELS LIKE HOME

During our time in Queenstown, we stayed at the Sherwood Apartments in Frankton.

This place just felt like home. The staff were super welcoming and friendly. Our apartment was in the Paradise Wing, which was fitting for our experience.

The two levels looked over Lake Whakatipu and for a rowdy family of

five, this was the ideal place to stay with heaps of space and comfort. Sherwood is ranked in the world’s top 10 most sustainable hotels, they have a large on-site vegetable garden and motto of “if we can’t grow it or forage it, we buy it locally.” It translates into an unforgettable dining experience for dinner or breakfast.

Our kids’ catch cry from our five days here was “that was the best day ever”. And the next day they would say the same thing.

It’s also been good for their life skills. Charlie and Georgia kept journals from their time in Queenstown and recorded all they learned in their five days.

When we drive out of Sherwood for the last time, the tears stream down my kids’ faces. It says it all. My wife and I look at each other. We don’t say anything. We just know that we are delivering on our promise.

You can’t beat this place for a family holiday and it was the perfect final chapter

our summer of awesome.

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Nothing like a family photo. Golfer Pacific writer Peter Thornton’s family on tour in Queenstown on the Walter Peak Farm Tour. From left to right are Peter’s wife Katie, Toby (3), Pete, Charlie (9), Georgia (6) and border collie Echo.

Peter Thornton with Matt Lough from the Shandon Golf Club in Wellington. Peter met the 19 handicapper on the sixth tee, and said he was great company.

The luge at Skyline Queenstown where Golfer Pacific writer Peter Thornton was constantly told by his near four-year-old son Toby to go faster dad, go faster.

The clubhouse at Jack’s Point with The Remarkables Mountain range as a backdrop.

The par four 18th at Jack’s Point is rated as the stroke one hole and is a great challenge to finish the round. In the distance is the straightforward first hole.

The 15th at Jack’s Point.

SEEING IS BELIEVING

They say if you love what you do, then you will never work a day in your life. That seems to fit for Josh Newport, from the golf operations team at Jack’s Point in Queenstown. The course is one of a kind

and a must-play layout for all golf enthusiasts. The course measures 6388m from the championship tees and is built on the most spectacular terrain. For Newport, it is the dream place to work. It’s a special feeling coming to work each morning

with that unbelievable view of The Remarkables as a backdrop. We asked Josh the following questions and his replies follow.

What makes Jack’s Point a special place to play golf?

It is certainly hard to beat the 360-degree panoramic view of The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Whakatipu at the best of times, but when you pair that view with one of the best courses in New Zealand, it is an experience you will struggle to match. The course has a great mix of risk and reward, and the scenery can take your mind off any shot, good or bad.

What makes it a challenge?

A mixture of strong winds, undulating terrain and a seemingly never-ending supply of red stake hazards makes for a round you really have to think through. John Darby, our course designer, has done a masterful job placing bunkers right where they need to be as well as deep greenside bunkers that make for a tough up and down. It is certainly not a golf course for the faint of heart.

For people who haven’t come to Jack’s Point before, how would you describe it?

I would describe Jack’s Point as somewhere you have to see to believe. We are absolutely blessed with views as far as the eye can see and John Darby has done a great job of intricately working the golf course into the natural surrounds. On a calm day playing the stretch of holes along the lake, it is one of the most scenic and peaceful places you can be. What is your advice for people playing Jack’s Point for the first time? Don’t beat yourself up. I have played Jack’s many times and still have no idea where to hit it on some of the holes. It is a true test of patience and general golfing ability so don’t be shocked if you come in with a few extra shots than normal.

I guess the most important thing out here is to always remember to stop and look around. It’s not often, you will play Jack’s Point and leave disappointed (unless it’s a 50k wind from the south paired with sleety snow). So, enjoy the experience in the knowledge you are playing one of the most unique golf courses in the world.

A special thanks to Amanda Tutton, the media executive at Destination Queenstown, for coordinating our trip to Queenstown.

The par four ninth at Jack’s Point is a long straight par four. It heads away from Lake Whakatipu and has The Remarkables as a backdrop. Just another stunning sight.

The par four 15th is an iconic hole at Jack’s Point. From the blue tees you’ll hit over the schist rock wall that runs through the property. It’s a relatively short hole but fraught with danger.

A hidden gem beneath the Crown Range

By Peter Thornton

There is nothing quite like the game of golf for bringing people together.

It’s a warm and busy Sunday afternoon at the Arrowtown Golf Club and I am in no man’s land. My tee time was 12.50pm and I am paired with some golfers who are still learning the game and insist that I go on by myself.

I said I was fine either way. But with a packed field, and playing with a cart, I find myself consistently in the middle of the fairway waiting to play my next shot.

Four holes into the round, I am sitting on the back of the tee box watching the two lads in front of me tee off when they ask me to join them.

It was the turning point I was hoping for. After all, golf is best enjoyed with others and I always play better with company, when the company is good people that is.

The two lads who had welcomed me into their match were two expat builders – Daniel Chapman and Jiahao Liu –who now call Queenstown their home.

Daniel, who is from Scotland, was a member at the Arrowtown Golf Club and Jiahao had only started playing golf two months ago but was a natural talent. They were great company.

SPECIAL MEMORIES

It’s been 15 years since I last played here. On that occasion, we were on a boys’ trip to Queenstown to take in the New Zealand Open where American Bobby Gates won the title at The Hills in 2010.

Wanaka and Arrowtown Golf Club. We all still talk about it.

I remember Arrowtown being totally unique. Back then, it opened with a par three and the course was unlike any other layout I had played.

A few years ago, they flipped the nines, and you now begin across the road and the old par three first hole  is now the 10th. It makes more sense.

Arrowtown is short at only 5373m from the white tees but it’s tight and a brilliant challenge. It’s set in an incredible location with mountain ranges as a backdrop from any viewpoint, and layers of schist rock divide the fairways. It adds up to an incredible adventure.

The club’s origins date back to 1911, when a six-hole course was constructed by hand just beyond the Arrowtown Borough boundary. Many years later, in 1971, the club acquired and developed 53 acres of leasehold land located across the road from the nine-hole course.

This was integrated into the existing course, creating an 18-hole course that stands out in terms of quality. The course’s design was guided by Mr B V Wright, who, alongside Mr Reg Romans, was responsible for creating the original nine holes.

They created a masterpiece which stands the test of time. It’s known for being one of the better club courses across the wider Central Otago region and you can see why.

warm Central Otago sun, I am happy to be here and hoping to mark the occasion with a quality round.

LOOKING FOR REDEMPTION

It’s always a funny feeling playing the first few holes with people you have just met. I was playing solid enough golf on the front nine and I saved some terrible golf for the introduction to my new mates with back-to-back double bogeys.

I am sure they were wondering about their call to ask me to join them.

But heading down the eighth I found redemption. I hit my drive left into the rough and came up with my best shot of the round so far. I flushed an eight iron from 140m to the heart of the green and made par to get back on track.

The par four ninth is the hardest hole on the course at 331m with water down the left hand side and it has a tricky green to finish things off. I was in good shape until I three putted.

While I’m having an up and down round, Daniel, the local here, is showing us how it’s done. He rattled off a number of great pars on the back nine to card his best score at his home course. He came home in 37 to sign for an 80. It was great to watch.

Daniel was a Newcastle football fan so he’s more than happy to reminisce about their recent win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

included the dog-leg par five first, the long (183m) par three fifth and the ninth  on the front nine.  On the back nine the 11th is a 485m par five that is long and narrow before you hit a series of great short par fours at around 300m.

My best hole of the day was the par four 16th.  From the elevated tee, I hit the fairway with my drive and hit a gap wedge to 15 feet for birdie. The closing stretch here is a lot of fun.

I was proud of how I finished; I came home in 43 to sign for a 91. Like most rounds it could have been better but I can’t wait to play here again. Sitting on the clubhouse deck with a cold pint of Hazy IPA, it has been a special experience.

The locals were more than accommodating and the course lived up to its billing as one of the most unique layouts in the country. For golfers of all abilities, Arrowtown is a track you have to experience for yourself.

A WALK BACK IN TIME

Arrowtown itself is full of charm, character and history. You can easily spend an afternoon here just wandering the main street, perusing the shops and walking the leafy trails down by the river.  It is an idyllic spot and, in the sun, it was glowing.

That was a special trip where we played five courses in eight days –Jack’s Point, The Hills, Kelvin Heights,

The condition is first class, the members treat you like a mate, even if they have just met you, and the colours during autumn were radiant.  The greens ran at a good pace and have subtle breaks and undulations throughout.

Jiahao also had his moments and has a natural hand-eye coordination. His drive on 18 was more than 230m and straight down the middle to show what he is capable of.

It’s a lovely feeling, sitting here in the warm Central Otago sun, enjoying a cold glass of the local Mischievous The

Walking down the first hole in the

There are so many great holes at Arrowtown. Some of my favourites

On the main street is the Postmasters Kitchen + Bar where we ventured for lunch. It’s always a good sign to see the tables full of people and there was a special vibe and energy to the place from the moment we walked into the yard.

The par four second measures 342m from the white tees. It has a line of schist rock dividing the two-tier fairway, which is a trademark of Arrowtown.

The par 5 fourth hole measures 447m from the whites tees and it’s a good chance for a birdie if you find the fairway.

Kea IPA, with a constant stream of locals walking by.

The food is here is at another level. Our plates of baked camembert, caprese salad, salt and Szechuan squid and pork dumplings are beautifully presented and seasoned.

The kids go to their own happy place with crepes and ice cream, and we have a lunch that is a perfect calm hour together as a family before we explore more of the region.

A SPECIAL MOMENT TO SAVOUR

We drive back into Queenstown for an afternoon at Kiwi Park. Originally an unofficial rubbish tip, locals Dick and Noeleen Wilson leased the land in 1984 and began clearing the grounds with the vision of creating a wildlife sanctuary in the heart of Queenstown.

Kiwi Park was initially a sanctuary for the iconic kiwi bird, it expanded to encompass a wide range of New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna.

Over the years, Kiwi Park became a hub for conservation research and public awareness campaigns, and our kids learned a huge amount during the show put on by Adele, one of the park staff. The

Irishwoman put on an entertaining show for the engaged audience with cameos from tuatara, rainbow lorikeet, wood pigeon and cheeky weka.

But the real highlight came in the dark. We headed over to the Kiwi House to finish off the tour. It took a good few minutes for our eyes to adjust in the pitch black but after a while you could make out the sanctuary. There were three kiwis in the area, but they were being bashful until the park ranger dropped segments of bugs and food across their space.

I had never seen a kiwi before, and it was quite a moment to see this little fella going mental and darting around within a few feet from where we were standing. It was amazing. The kids had plenty to add to their journal after their visit here.

THE SWEET TASTE OF CENTRAL OTAGO

You can’t come to this part of the world without visiting a winery. Central Otago is known throughout the world for its incredible Pinot Noir.

Situated at 45 degrees south, (a magical latitude for Pinot Noir as both Burgundy and Oregon are 45-47 degrees north) Central Otago experiences four full seasons. Winters are cold allowing

the grapes to fully rest and heat accumulation is modest over summer, giving the grapes a long dry ripening period.

We want to find out more and we head to one of the best in Kinross. On the way, we drive past the Kawerau Bridge and watch people bungy jumping from that original spot.

Our French host at Kinross, Charles, takes us on a tour for the taste buds. We begin with the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris before moving to the main event, three different varieties of local Pinot Noir. The Wild Irishman is my favourite, and we savour every last drop before playing some games with the kids in the beautiful outdoor space.

The time has come. No one wants to go home but we have to make our way to the airport.

All good things come to an end. Our five days in Queenstown has delivered the most memorable holiday our family has ever had.

CENTRAL OTAGO

With Jack’s Point, The Hills and Millbrook, Central Otago is a mecca of world class championship courses. But it also has a host of great club courses. Here are three of the best:

Queenstown Golf Club (Kelvin Heights) – Situated on the Kelvin Heights peninsula, this is on one of the most picturesque pieces of land in Aotearoa. And the golf course is a great challenge to complement the views. You’ll be spoiled with vistas of lakes and mountains throughout. The best hole is the par four fifth which doglegs left alongside Lake Whakatipu to a two-tier green.   Cromwell Golf Club – Like Arrowtown, Cromwell is completely unique. It’s a links course in the middle of Central Otago, many hours drive from the coast in either direction. Greg Turner and Scott Macpherson redesigned this layout in 2010, and it is superb. My favourite hole here is the stroke one, par five fourth . Wānaka Golf Club – From the moment you stand on the first green, with the panoramic view of the township and Lake Wānaka  below, you know you are in for something special. Wānaka is one of the best club courses in the region. It has many brilliant holes. My favourite is the par four seventh which is the stroke two. It measures 376m and is a masterful design.

A special thanks to Amanda Tutton, the media executive at Destination Queenstown, for coordinating our trip to Queenstown.

The condition of the Arrowtown Golf Club is first class and the colours during autumn are radiant.

The par four 12th at the Arrowtown Golf Club is a relatively short par four (333m off the white tees). It has a tricky green with subtle undulations.

The par four 16th at Arrowtown Golf Club is a great hole. It was my best hole of the day. From the elevated tee, I hit the fairway with my drive and hit a gap wedge to 15 feet for birdie.

Walking around Arrowtown village is like taking a step back in time. The Postmasters Kitchen + Bar is a great spot for lunch.

The Cromwell Golf Club is totally unique. It’s a links course in the middle of Central Otago, many hours drive from the coast in either direction.

Amy Linton beats world champion to win New Zealand Speedgolf Open

History was made at the 2025 Toro New Zealand Speedgolf Open as Amy Linton became the first golfer to beat individual world champion Liz McKinnon, while Charles Tour regular Harry Bateman won his first national speedgolf title.

Linton’s 253.17 points total across two rounds was enough to edge McKinnon by just 1.39 points.

In the men’s division the competition was just as fierce, with Bateman coming from behind in the final round to edge Brad Hayward and Robin Smith as he fired a sensational 73 in just 38 minutes and 27 seconds.

With conditions wet and windy on the

first of two days at Taupo Golf Club’s Centennial course, the women’s field had a top three separated by just three points with Linton holding a slender 2.81 points lead over McKinnon after carding a 77 in 51 minutes and 37 seconds.

In speedgolf the margins are fine and Linton knew she would need to improve on her first round performance if she were to snap McKinnon’s decade-long dominance.

She showed serious mettle on the final day in shaving three shots off her golf game and nearly a minute in her run, finishing with a 74 in 50 minutes and 40 seconds to claim the title.

Speaking after the results were finalised, Linton said she was not only ecstatic to win the national open after many attempts and hard work, but to compete with her friend and teammate McKinnon.

“It’s unreal actually and amazing to play with Liz,” Linton said.

“She just pushes you so hard and she was up my rear end coming down 16, 17 and 18 so I knew that I had to really push it.

“But it’s great having her as a friend and a supporter. It just made me love the game even more.”

The knowledge of having a player of McKinnon’s calibre as well as the strong chasing pack bearing down on you can weigh on both the mental and

physical sides of speedgolf, but Linton said she was able to get into a zone and rhythm on the undulating terrain of Taupo Centennial.

“I just tried to remember that the nerves are excitement and just meaning that you are enjoying it and having fun.

“In speedgolf, you don’t have time once you get started, you have no time for nerves so just had to keep running really.”

The men’s division was always going to be a hotly contested affair, even without defending champion Jamie Reid who was forced into event host duties due to a knee injury, and the competitors did not disappoint.

In the end, as often happens in speedgolf tournaments, the final placings were decided by a running race as the top three showed a relatively even golfing skill level.

Round one leader Hayward backed up his even par 72 with a 74 in 43 minutes and 54 seconds but was outstripped by Smith’s 73 in 39 minutes and 59 seconds as he leapfrogged his Taranaki teammate to take second.

Bateman had showed promise with his run time in the first round, a 40 minute and 27 second time, but had been off the pace somewhat with his golf, particularly for a golfer of his standard.

Lightning rarely strikes twice and

Bateman took four shots off his first round to card a 73 as well as a full two minutes off his running time with a 38 minute 27 second 18 holes to surge and take the title.

He said he knew he needed to improve the golf and maintain his running speed and ended up improving on both facets.

“It’s pretty cool, I was pretty nervous this morning,” Bateman said.

“I always get nervous before a run, I think more than the golf. But I knew I had to run basically the same as yesterday but shoot around even par.

“Managed to do that and actually run a bit faster which was a surprise because my legs didn’t feel as good but golf was better so that sped up the game.”

Bateman said he had no idea that he’d won the title after crossing the finish line, with no time to think while he was out on the course about how well he may be doing.

“It happens way too fast, just put one foot in front of the other really and see what happens.”

In the awards categories, Jamie Anderson took out the men’s under 20 with Bateman also taking out the men’s 20-39 while Craig Russell emerged the victor in the men’s 40-49, Damian Mills taking the men’s 50+ and Collette Blacklock winning the women’s 50+.

Amy Linton and Harry Bateman with their trophies after winning the women’s and men’s titles at the New Zealand Speedgolf Open in Taupo last month. Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.

Book Review: The Embedded Lie, by Peter Dickson NEWS

Now this is how you write your debut novel.

The Embedded Lie, by Australian Peter Dickson, takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through the complexities of friendship, betrayal, and the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma.

Set in a small Australian seaside town, the novel revolves around eight childhood friends — known as the Master’s Eight — who come together once a year for their traditional round of golf.

But what appears to be a simple reunion of privileged men hides a much darker undercurrent of lies and secrets, all of which are set to unravel under the watchful eye of a documentary film crew.

From the very beginning, Dickson draws readers into a world where the bonds of friendship are not as unbreakable as they seem.

The Master’s Eight, bound together by their shared history, soon discover that the lies they have carried with them for decades are far more dangerous than they had ever imagined.

The documentary crew, eager to capture the camaraderie and tradition of

these men, becomes an unwitting vehicle for the revelation of long-buried secrets. Through sharp wit and dark humour, The Embedded Lie explores the complexities of growing up, dealing with the sins of the past, and the painful journey of emotional growth.

Dickson’s characters are richly drawn, memorable and relatable. Each member of The Master’s Eight carries their own emotional baggage, with layered backstories that reveal how deeply the influence of their parents has shaped their adult lives.

The golf course, a seemingly innocent setting, becomes a metaphor for the fragile nature of their relationships. It’s the place where moments of nostalgia and humour give way to emotional breakdowns and startling revelations.

The narrative style blends light-hearted moments with intense, heart-wrenching scenes, which is where Dickson truly shines. His ability to inject humour into some of the most difficult moments gives the novel a unique emotional depth, making readers laugh and cry in equal measure. As the Master’s Eight confront

their past, the novel asks the question: can these friendships survive the weight of their own embedded lies?

What makes The Embedded Lie stand out is its compelling examination of how trauma, both personal and familial (similar to that in a family), reverberates through the years. It’s a story about the lasting impact of childhood experiences, the reckoning that comes with adulthood and the unexpected strength of enduring relationships.

The novel is well paced. It builds suspense as each secret is uncovered, while the dynamic between the characters remains both engaging and tragic.

Dickson delivers a gripping and emotionally charged tale of friendship, betrayal and the difficult process of facing one’s past. With unforgettable characters, rich humour and a deep sense of emotional honesty, The Embedded Lie is a standout read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

It you love the game of golf and friendships and rivalries forged on the links then you’ll love this wild and relatable tale.

The front cover of the book titled The Embedded Lie, written by Australian Peter Dickson. The book was a great read, says Golfer Pacific writer Peter Thornton.

Fitzroy a scenic delight

By Neville Idour

On one of our North Island driving sojourns a couple of years ago, my wife and I enjoyed time in Taranaki which like most of New Zealand is generously endowed with excellent golf courses.

Spending time in New Plymouth we naturally played New Plymouth’s Ngamotu course which used to rank in the country’s top 10 courses. No longer, with the influx of world class courses in the last decade. The 2024 rankings had it at 32 while the other Taranaki top 40 course is Waverley at 39.

However, another less heralded course we played was the delightful Fitzroy Golf Club on the south side of

New Plymouth. Situated on the coast it provides a beautiful setting with the panoramic coastal views and of New Plymouth and Mount Taranaki in clear view.

The course can be described as a shortish links layout at 4977 metres from the blue tees, 4835 metres from the white tees and 4585 metres from the yellow tees. A little unusual is that there is just one par five at 440 metres from the white tees and 444m from the blue tees and you have to wait till the 18th hole to experience it.

To add to the intrigue there are five par threes. Two are testing, the fourth at 184 metres from the white tee and the 17th at 166 metres. There are just four par threes from the yellow tees.

It is reasonably comfortable walking the undulations and slopes. There are few trees and the subtle changes in elevation provide variety and enhanced views. When the westerly blows the challenge is increased as the fairways are not wide open but often reasonably slim. So it means reasonable accuracy off the tee will be considerable assistance for good scoring. One should not be deceived by the shortish length, with the coastal conditions and sometimes challenging greens adding to the challenge.

The greens are generally fast but consistent. Get a feel for the pace and you can prosper. Overall the course can be described as ideal for golfers of all levels. The length of tee shots required should not intimidate the high-

er handicapper. Only the par three fourth and par three 17th are longer than average.

The club caters for everyone with a variety of memberships and activities. Green fees are $25 for all players and the bonus is for as much golf as you wish for the day. The office is generally open Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

Current subscriptions are $455 senior, $140 for under 19 years, $300 associate, students 19 to 25 year olds $220 and there is even a social membership for $20. This allows access to the bar and catering plus other club social activities.

We will leave the final word to one reviewer who opined “Really awesome course. If you are accurate you can put up a good score.”

Ben Campbell’s injury setback

Ben Campbell’s LIV Golf season has hit a hiccup with a wrist problem at the Mexico City event.

After an affected first round he had to pull out and will also miss the Korean

event in early May.

An MRI scan revealed fluid on the wrist, but fortunately there were no serious tears or damage.

However, he has decided to come

home to Queenstown to recover and says he will be ready for the Washington DC event on June 6. He expressed his gratitude to the LIV Golf medical team and his Range Goats team for all their

care and support.

Campbell is having an excellent first season as a full LIV team member with winnings of $US2 million in 16th place.

The seventh green at the Fitzroy Golf Club with the magnificent sight of Mount Taranaki in the background.

The 16th green at Fitzroy Golf Club looking back towards the clubhouse.

Mixed doubles approved for golf at 2028 Olympics

Amixed doubles event will be part of the golf competition at the 2028 Olympic Games at Los Angeles in the United States.

The International Golf Federation (IGF) confirmed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board’s approval for the addition of an Olympic golf mixed-team event.

It will complement the men’s and women’s events and all will be contested at The Riviera Country Club.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to see a

mixed-team event added to the programme for Los Angeles 2028,” said IGF executive director Antony Scanlon.

“Golf was incredibly successful at Paris 2024, and as we continue building on the momentum from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, we’re excited to bring even more attention to our sport through this additional format.

“The athletes were very enthusiastic about their desire to play with their compatriots, and we look forward to

watching them compete together in Los Angeles.”

The mixed doubles will be contested as a 36-hole competition – 18 holes of foursomes (alternate shot) for the first round, followed by 18 holes of fourball (best ball) for the final round.

There will be a maximum of one team per country, with teams comprised of one male and one female who are already qualified for the men’s and women’s competitions.

The mixed doubles will take place af-

ter the four-round men’s competition, and prior to the four-round women’s competition.

The addition of the mixed doubles marks the first Olympic golf team competition since the 1904 Games.

Golf is one of six sports – joining archery, athletics (4 x 100 metres mixed relay), gymnastics, rowing coastal beach sprint and table tennis – to add a mixed-gender competition for LA28.

This year’s open will be second-highest in attendance numbers

An attendance record of sorts will be made at the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland in July.

The R&A, which runs The Open, said 278,000 fans will gather at the iconic Dunluce links from July 13-20 which will be the largest attendance for the tournamen not held at St Andrews in Scotland.

Excitement among fans at

The Open’s return to the Antrim Coast, after the success of the championship in 2019, led to unprecedented demand for tickets in the ballot last year with applications for more than one million tickets.

The attendance this year will surpass the previous high mark set at Royal Portrush six years ago when 237,750 fans celebrated Irishman Shane Lowry complete a memorable win in the 148th Open with a

six-shot victory over Tommy Fleetwood.

Mark Darbon, chief executive at The R&A, said: “The Open is one of the world’s great sporting events and we will do everything we can to make this year’s championship at Royal Portrush an outstanding and memorable occasion for everyone involved from fans to players and the millions watching on TV and digital platforms worldwide.

“The passion and enthusiasm for golf throughout the island of Ireland is world-renowned and is clearly reflected in the extraordinary demand among fans to be part of this historic occasion. We look forward to welcoming a record crowd to these spectacular links for a true celebration of golf and seeing who emerges from the 156-strong field to become champion golfer of the year.”

The 153rd Open will also be the largest ever sporting event held in Northern Ireland and is expected to generate more than £213 million in total economic benefit for the country, according to an independent

forecast by the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) at Sheffield Hallam University. It estimates that the economic impact will be £63 million, while the destination marketing benefit for Northern Ireland derived from coverage produced via linear television and digital platforms will exceed £150 million.

Darbon added: “It’s clear that staging a major event such as The Open can generate significant economic benefits for the locations in which they are held and this study demonstrates the huge benefit that the championship brings.”

Aine Kearney, director of Events at Tourism Northern Ireland, said: “With less than three months to go until the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, excitement is building and all the partners involved in the delivery of the Championship are working in collaboration to make it even bigger and more memorable than 2019.

“The Open in 2019 brought huge economic benefits, not just to the North Coast, but to the whole of Northern Ireland

and 2025 will be no different.”

The Open continues to be one of the most accessible major sporting events for young people thanks to The R&A’s long-running Kids Go Free initiative. More than 27,000 tickets are available for those under the age of 16 and there are reduced price tickets for fans under the age of 25. Since Kids Go Free was launched in 1997, 434,000 children have attended The Open for free.

A record 89,000 spectators will attend the four sold-out practice days of the 153rd Open, exceeding the total of 61,000 fans who attended the equivalent days at Royal Portrush in 2019.

The Open attendance records are:

2022, St Andrews, Scotland: 290,000

2025, Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland, 278,000

2023, Royal Liverpool, England: 261,180

2024, Royal Troon, Scotland: 258,174

2000, St Andrews, Scotland: 239,000

2019, Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland: 237,750

Mark Darbon, chief executive of The R&A, pictured at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland, where The Open will be held in July. it was announced that 278,000 fans will attend the tournament which is the second-highest in the tournament’s history. Photo credit: The R&A.

New Zealand’s world top 100 courses NEWS

By Neville Idour

The advent of the two breathtaking Te Arai golf courses in Northland near Tara Iti has added significantly to New Zealand’s presence in the world’s best golf course rankings.

Rankings can be subjective, however, Australian golf magazine Golf Digest’s latest ranking list, one of the most respected, features seven New Zealand courses in the top 100.

Not surprisingly, Tara Iti tops the list at number seven. Cape Kidnappers is ranked 15th, Te Arai North 36th, Te Arai South 40th, Kauri Cliffs 55th, Jack’s Point 73rd and Paraparaumu 96th.

This is impressive for a small country, especially when you consider those courses not included, which many New Zealand rankers and pundits rate ahead of some of the incumbents. The Hills, Wairakei and Kinloch are the obvious ones.

The Hills is a huge favourite for visitors and is now looking at major redevelopments of the course, club-

News in brief

By Neville Idour

CLASSIC CHI CHI RODRIGUEZ

Former professional golfer Puerto Rican Chi Chi Rodriguez, an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour,  revealed his ongoing embarrassments. He said: “After all these years, it’s still embarrassing for me to play on US golf tour. Like the time I asked my caddie for a sand wedge and he came back 10 minutes later with a ham on rye.

QUEENSTOWN GOLF CLUB’S 50TH

Queenstown Golf Club at Kelvin Heights notched up its 50th year in April with celebrations on the last weekend. Skyline Queenstown director at the time Hylton Hensman designed the course using a contour map.

It was a huge task clearing the terrain of bracken and scrub and the many rocks. These were dumped in the deep gullies which were levelled and grassed over. In 1969 the course was budgeted to cost $102,500 ($1.6 million  today). In 1975 Mountain Scene newspaper reported it had cost about $300,000.

The club leases the course off the local council. Club general manager Andrew Bell said: “The club has turned it into probably one of the best parks in New Zealand and the biggest in Queenstown. We probably do 30 to 35,000 rounds a year split 50-50 between visitors and members.”

JIMMY ZHENG WINS QUALIFYING SCHOOL

New Zealander Jimmy Zheng was impressive in winning the Australia qualifying school final stage on the Moonah Links old course in Melbourne with rounds of 67, 67, 69 and 68, heading off Ben Wharton (Victoria) by three shots.

house and facilities, including new visitor, residential and staff accommodation, in partnership with the Tara Iti and Te Arai business partners Ric Kayne and Jim Rohrstaff.

New Zealand golfers are truly blessed with the quality of our courses. World renowned designer Tom Doak is the designer of Tara Iti and Te Arai North and these rank as New Zealand’s top two courses. No mean feat.

The transformation of the completely heavily forested areas into the Te Arai North and South courses has been truly remarkable. Further south, in the southern lakes region, golfers are eagerly waiting for the under construction Hogans Gully course neighbouring The Hills to be completed in 2028. This will complete a cluster of courses to probably match anywhere in the world. They are The Hills, Millbrook Remarkables and Coronet courses, Arrowtown and Hogan’s Gully. Add to those just 20 minutes away there are Queenstown Golf Club at Kelvin Heights and Jacks Point.

The nine-hole Greg Turner designed course at Gibbston Valley opposite the winery that is part of the $750

The 23-year-old will be fully exempt for all tournaments in the 2025-26 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season which begins in August with the PNG Open at Royal Port Moresby Golf Club. He hopes to turn this victory into a DP World Tour card, as Kazuma Kobori did.

“It feels like a real boost of confidence, I’m excited to play all the events and see how my golf stacks up,” Zheng said.

KOEPKA ON LIV

A recent comment from Brooks Koepka on a merger of LIV Golf and the PGA Tour: “I think we all hoped it would have been a little further along, and that’s no secret. No matter where you are at, you always hope everything is further along. But they’re making progress and it seems to be going in the right direction.”

LIV CHIEF EXECUTIVE PREPARED TO MOVE ON

LIV chief executive Scott O’Neill stopped short of saying a deal with the PGA Tour is necessary for LIV Golf’s future.

“If the deal can help grow the game of golf I’ll jump in with two feet,” O’Neill said. “So do we have to do a deal? No. It would be nice so long as we are all focussed on the same things.

“I’ll leave that to someone smarter than me. I will say I love what we are doing. I love our prospects. I love the growth in three months and I know what’s coming in the next three months … and I love where we are.”

BLONDE LOVE IN THE AIR FOR TIGER — AGAIN

A recent news report announced “another blonde moment for Tiger Woods.”

This time it is the ex-wife of Donald Trump junior, Vanessa who has five children. The story went on to list his blonde train. They were ex-wife Elin Nordegren, and various dates including Lind-

million luxury housing development next to the winery is in it’s final stages with grassing under way.. The course lies between state highway one and the Kawarau River. There are five par fours and four par threes although forward tees on the par fours will allow the course to be played as a par three layout. The longest par four is about 350 metres. Talk about spoilt for choice in the region.

Then travel 45 minutes to Wanaka and there is the busy scenic Wanaka Golf Club and in the near future look forward to the John Darby designed Glendhu Bay course to be completed late in 2026.

In the north plans for a $113 million golf course and luxury lodge west of Auckland have been revealed. Designed by Californian based Kyle Phillips, it will host the sports academy that fostered the talents of Lydia Ko. The lodge will include a pool, spa and fitness centre. The 18 hole championship course is expected to be ready for play in 2027.

We can certainly bask in and enjoy our golf course riches.

sey Vonn, personal stylist Kristin Smith and restaurant manager Erica Herman. Woods asked for privacy and for everyone to leave them alone when announcing on Instagram and X that “Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side. We look forward to our journey through life together.”

DECHAMBEAU BOMBS IT IN MEXICO

Bryson DeChambeau never ceases to amaze with his innovative life. His driving stats in the first round at LIV Golf Mexico were remarkable. No wonder he shot 63. These are his driving distances hole by hole.

Ist: 373 yards,  2nd 316 yards (fairway wood and sank putt for eagle),   3rd 373 yards, 5th 384 yards,      6th 412 yards,  7th 379 yards,   9th  323 yards (fairway wood), 10th 378 yards, 11th  406 yards,    12th 351 yards, 13th  378 yards,  15th 353 yards,   16th  373 yards, 17th  365 yards.  That’s an  aver-

age of 377 yards. The 31-year-old currently leads the LIV Golf driving statistics at an average of 322.6 yards.

PING SPONSOR LIV GOLF TORQUE TEAM

Ping, one of the world’s leading golf brands, has inked a deal to sponsor the Torque Golf Club team on the LIV Golf tour. The Latin American team is captained by long time Ping ambassador Joaquin Niemann. The other team members are Mito Pereira, Sebastian Munoz and Carlos Ortiz. All four players played with Ping equipment before turning professional and continue to do so. Niemann’s first set was a junior set. Niemann is a four time winner since joining LIV in 2022. Ping is certainly showing its loyalty with this sponsorship. One wonders if this is a significant moment for LIV Golf?

XDL Celebrates Nine Years of Pioneering Long Drive Sport with Franchise Launch and Participation Strategy in 2025

The Xtreme Drivers League (XDL) is proud to mark nine years of relentless investment into the sport of Long Drive, unveiling a major milestone with the launch of its first-ever XDL Franchise, now officially available for purchase. This exciting development is a key part of XDL’s bold vision to grow the sport globally through its Four Pillars Focus: Regional Events, Schools Programs, Esport, and Nationwide Retail Expansion.

Founded by ten-time international award winner Olna Ford, XDL has revolutionized Long Drive competition worldwide. Ford was recently honored with Best Sports League for the third consecutive year, solidifying XDL’s place as the leading force in the sport’s evolution.

“Long Drive deserves its own platform, identity, and future. We’ve spent nearly a decade building

that, and now we’re empowering others to be part of its growth,” says Ford.

With a strategic approach that moves the sport ‘off the grid’, XDL is enabling clubs, communities, and partners to host qualifying events that lead into National and the International Federation events.

This model opens up unprecedented access and participation, while maintaining elite competition through structured pathways.

Looking ahead, National and Teams Events are set for October and November, with more announcements to come. As XDL expands its business footprint, the league continues to deliver innovation, opportunity, and high-energy entertainment under its independent brand.

Franchise sales are now open, offering entrepre-

neurs and sports leaders the chance to own part of one of the fastest-growing, internationally recognized sports leagues. Follow XDL at www.xdlworldwide.com email interest to manager@newzealandlongblacks.com

XDL Enters Ninth Year with Bold Push for Regional Growth in 2025–2026

As the Xtreme Drivers League (XDL) celebrates nine years of unwavering dedication to Long Drive, the league is proud to announce the launch of its first-ever XDL Franchise, now avail-

able for purchase. This major step aligns with the league’s bold Four Pillars Focus to grow the sport through Regional Events, Schools Programs, E-sports, and a Nationwide Retail Expansion.

Despite recent sponsorship gaps and the strain felt across the nation, XDL has already secured 5 Regional Championships, with a clear commitment to announcing all 16 Regions ahead of the next season, officially starting 1st February 2026.

One of the most exciting developments is in Christchurch, an iconic landmark region that hosted the first-ever XDL South Island Championship and the historic 2017 New Zealand Title Playoff. This location is once again in the spotlight, with local backing driving a return event scheduled for late September.

Meanwhile, Auckland is taking XDL “off the grid”, and the legendary XDL TANK will play a starring role in a national media push. One lucky buyer will earn a cov-

eted place in a special Teams Event this November, celebrating the spirit of XDL’s grassroots-to-glory vision.

“Be it On the Green or Off the Grid,” says founder Olna Ford, “XDL is determined to keep driving forward, overcoming delays and sponsorship shortfalls to deliver our 2025 Regionals and a full 2026 calendar.”

With ten international awards, including Best Sports League for the third consecutive year, Ford and her team continue to lead innovation and opportunity in Long Drive. As XDL approaches its tenyear anniversary in April 2026, multiple business developments are already in motion to sustain and supercharge the league’s next chapter.

XDL AUCKLAND REGIONAL TANK

The New Zealand Long Blacks Are Available for Charity Events!

Whether it’s hitting displays, meet-andgreets, or helping raise funds for a good cause, the Long Blacks are here to make an impact both on and off the Green. Contact manager@newzealandlongblacks.com

Let’s DRIVE for a cause!

Founder Olna Ford with 1st XDL New Zealand Long Drive Champion Sam Jones, Golden Cap and #1 New Zealand Long Black.

Onekakā Links Golf Club

Amazing golfing experience at Onekakā in Golden Bay

With stunning vistas and memorable golf and hospitality, it’s a day you won’t forget.

The Links Course is not long, but rarely conquered. It comprises one par 5, eight par 4 and nine par 3 holes, including two double greens and a triple green via major elevation changes, with ocean, ponds, cliffs, penal bunkering or roughs encircling the greens. The Mountain Course is a significantly more difficult challenge and not for the faint hearted. Visit www.onekakalinks.com for a course guide also incorporating drone footage of the course and testimonials of visiting players. We also have a Face-

book page which is regularly updated. The green fee of $75 per head for 18 holes for a minimum of four players covers:

* Exclusive use – no other players on the course that day

* Golf cart and electric trundlers, laser distance finder

* Provision of two free golf balls per player

* A course guide – the course designer and club champion

* Hosted free drinks and snacks after the round

Although a private course, it’s open to visitors 364 days a year. However, to enable hosting arrangements bookings must be made at least two weeks in advance to chris@widespread.co.nz

“Golden Bay is full of amazing things to see and I just discovered another. If you play golf, Onekakā Links is a must visit. I have played golf all around the world and Onekakā gave me more fun and challenging shots than most courses that have hosted major championships. Your host Chris Castle with great imagination has created a wonderful course on a spectacular property. Thank you Chris, for a day to remember.”

- Kindest Regards, Bill Mackenzie (PGA Professional, St. Andrews East Golf Club, Canada)

“Onekakā Links is one of the most special New Zealand golf experiences one could have - it really is a must play for anyone who loves dramatic golf and out

of the box thinking. You have three or four green-sites that would rival the very best in New Zealand. I will be sending more people your way for sure.

You really chose all the best green sites to maximize your property. Your green in the far coastal corner of the property does this so well. The triple green with the bunker and lower green level and water hazard. It is the interest you created that is so much fun. Onekakā can’t fit inside a box and it should not be contained by the world’s idea of a routing and par. It is just an awesome place to play golf.

You and Richard Barham have done such an amazing job with your property - really impressive stuff. If you ever end up doing that new green we discussed

drop a me line and I may try to volunteer some shovel time for you if the timing works!

Thank you again and it was so kind of you to host me there. “

- CJ Kreuscher, Director of Agronomy for Te Arai Links and the original Superintendent of Tara iti, who recently played both courses.

“Great day out at the Onekakā Links in Golden Bay. Stunning scenery. Some exciting holes and wonderful hospitality. It’s a very unique offering but lots of fun and risk and reward. Wonderful hospitality from President Chris Castle and Club Captain Linda Sanders. Highly recommended. “

- Barry Johnston, Wanaka

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGIONS

Auckland 2025 Championship & Interclub Finals

Played recently at Howick Golf Club –Championship Finals:

Championship 1 – Royal Auckland & Grange Golf Club defeated Titirangi Golf Club

Championship 2 – Whitford Park held strong in a nail-biter against Remuera, clinching the win with the final two putts of the day!

Interclub Finals:

Interclub 1 – Chamberlain Park earned redemption, taking down defending champions Maungakiekie in style

Interclub 2 – Pukekohe and RAGGC couldn’t be separated after regular play,

requiring a playoff hole – Puke made it count, winning it in one!

Interclub 3 – Pukekohe delivered a dominant performance, winning 7 out of 8 matches against Akarana.

Waikato Golf Handicap Strokeplay Winners, Hauraki Golf Club

Played recently at Te Aroha Golf Club, 12 teams hoping to take home the coveted Handicap Strokeplay Shield. This was the second time Hauraki has won the Handicap Strokeplay Shield, having won it for the first time in 2022. With solid opening 18 hole nett scores from

With Bryce O’Keefe keeping his hot golf going in the afternoon to secure an impressive 33 nett to help lead his team to victory.

2025 New Zealand Women’s Masters Tournament

The Waikato Masters Women’s team have taken out the 2025 New Zealand Women’s Masters Tournament, held at Ashburton Golf Course recently.

Michelle Archer led from the front all week, earning the title of Player of the Tournament with an incredible 133 points. Her outstanding performance and leadership were key in driving the team to victory.

Backing her up with strong performances were Brooke Walters, finishing 10th overall, Alison Glover in 12th, and Robyn Pellow in 15th. The team consistently delivered across the board and truly hit their stride.

On the final day, the Waikato team dominated, storming home with a 13-point winning margin, leaving the rest of the field behind.

Aidan Harrison 70, Greg Hill 73 and Bryce O’Keefe 72 they were set up nicely for the final 9-holes.

Pictured L/R: Brooke Walters, Alison Glover, Robyn Pellow and Michelle Archer (Michelle Archer also named Player of the Tournament).

Pictured L/R: Bryce O’Keefe, Greg Hill, James Hill, Absent Aidan Harrison.

Waikato Golf’s 2025 Men’s Championship Pennants

DIVISION

1 MORRINSVILLE

DIVISION 3 TE AWAMUTU

DIVISION 2 RAGLAN

Division 2 Winning Team from Raglan: Pictured L/R: Dan Hakes, Luke Phillips, Scotty Klaver, Steve Hall (captain), Hamish Kerr (front) , Aaron Brown (behind Hamish Kerr) (Absent, Ken Shea).

Division 1 Winning team from Morrinsville: Pictured L - R: Bryce Taylor, Logan Madden, Phil Hunter, Daniel Smith, Blair Flynn, Jason Boobyer, Alex Lunn.

Division 3 Winners from Te Awamutu Golf Club: Pictured L - R: Clayton Stewart, Liam Hill, Adam Fursdon, Stu Towers, Sam Towers & Rob Golan.

Taranaki Golf – The Andersons

The Andersons are in fine form with Jamie taking out the Stratford Senior Strokeplay title played recently. Winning from 3 shots

back firing a 2 under par final round to win by 7 shot from club stalwart Tony Cawley.

The course played very tough off the

back tees and with greens recently cored it added to the challenge.

Jordan Anderson, who shot 67,66,70 to recently win the Fitzroy Strokeplay

Club

He has booked his

the Champion of Champions in November.

Champs by three shots from Bryn Leadbeater

spot at

The Wanganui Open Waikanae Golf Club

The Wanganui Open was played recently. This year Kanichiro Katano of Japan triumphed in the Men’s Challenge Cup finishing with a total of 70-69-70, winning by three shots to claim the title.

The women’s competition also saw a tightly contested field with Emma Zheng emerging as the champion for the second consecutive year. Zheng, who was also the 2023 champion posted rounds of 72-73-72 to win by three shots. Both the men’s and women’s courses were set at a par of 70 with the course conditions

proving challenging for the competitors over the three rounds.

The tournament’s impressive field saw 72 players compete in the Manawatu-Wanganui District Strokeplay with another 25 taking part in the Wanganui Open which attracted the full complement of 97 players despite the initial cap of 96. The event proved to be a fitting celebration of the club’s 100-year history as both amateur and elite golfers gathered for a weekend of thrilling competition.

aikanae’ Golf Club’s Rita Steel Memorial Trophy’ was played recently. 17 mixed pairs played Canadian Foursomes under beautiful conditions.

Lots of fun was had by all with the eventful winners on count back on 40pts being Jason Browne & Sue Wells ahead of last year’s winners Phil Carthew & Robyn Donaghy.

Presidents Grade Finals Day

Presidents Grade Finals Day was played recently at Harewood Golf Club in perfect conditions on Sunday April 6th. The course was presented in magnificent order and some of the scoring reflected this.

Russley started the day with

an unassailable lead and extended their margin to 7 points with victory over Bottle Lake.

The Individual MVP award went to Hagley’s Zac Waszczak who won 12 of his 13 matches throughout the season and is pictured receiving his trophy from long time Harewood Presi-

dents stalwart Mike Stanley. There was added interest this year as the top four teams from the round robin qualified for the inaugural Presidents Grade Knockout Cup Semi-Finals at Bottle Lake on May 18th, with the Final at Templeton on 25th May.

Russley and Waimairi Beach had already booked their spots while 5 other teams vied for the remaining two spots, Everglades finished 3rd after victory over Christchurch while a half for Clearwater with Coringa saw them take out the remaining position by half a game over Coringa.

The Russley team pictured above from left to right are Jeffery Toomey, John Sutton, Steve Wilford, Stephen French, Steve Barrow, Paul Duggan, Mark Beatson, Rob Weatherhead, Dave Knowles and Tony Daly.

Mike Stanley with Zac Waszczak.

Ricky Kang makes it a double

icky Kang makes it the double at the Queenstown Open Played recently In difficult condi-

tions Ricky Kang managed to defend his title at the Queenstown Open shooting rounds of 75 72 to win by 3 shots.

Winners were Will Carson (Juniors), Robyn Boniface (Senior Women) and Liam Hewitt (Senior Men). Well done guys!