pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz
Will Patrick Cantlay wear a cap at the Ryder Cup?
By Paul Gueorgieff Editor, Golfer Pacific NZ
The Ryder Cup is this month. It runs from September 25-28 and is being held at Long Island in New York.
The course being used is known at Bethpage black and is one of five courses at Bethpage State Park. The other four are known as yellow, green, blue and red and those colours, in order, indicate the difficulty of each of them.
The black course is very dif-
ficult and hosted the United States Open in 2002 and 2009.
But what makes Bethpage different is it is a publicly-owned golf venue -- New Yorkers can play the black course at weekends for $US75. The other courses cost as little as $US40 during the week.
The question of money at the Ryder Cup has become a major topic since it was last held in Italy in 2023.
American golfer Patrick Cantlay did not wear a Ryder Cup cap in Italy which was said to be as
a protest to players not being paid.
In recent years, instead of being paid, American players have been given $US100,000 to donate to a charity of their choice and another $100,000 going to junior golf in the United States. But when it comes to money, the Ryder Cup is a huge revenue earner. It has been reported that it has generated income of about $US90 million in recent years.
Cantlay is again playing for the United States team this month
and you can bet he will wear a cap this time.
That’s because the Americans are to be paid. Each player will receive $US500,000 of which $US300,000 is to be donated to charities of the player’s choice.
The player gets to keep the other $US200,000.
When the Ryder Cup began back in 1927, players were originally “compensated” for playing in the event, with British players receiving a travel, clothing and equipment allowance.
Tommy Fleetwood notches emotional first win on the PGA Tour
By Paul Gueorgieff, Golfer Pacific editor
Tommy Fleetwood could not have made a better financial choice to win his first tournament on the PGA Tour.
Fleetwood posted his first win on United States soil when taking out the Tour Championship at the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, last month.
The Tour Championship is the richest tournament on the PGA Tour. It carried total prize money of $US40 million, which is about $NZ68 million.
Fleetwood’s winning purse was $US10 million. That’s about $NZ17 million.
The win for the 34-year-old Englishman was highly emotional because of
his likability by both fans and players and the fact that in 163 previous starts on the PGA Tour he had finished second six times.
One of those seconds had come just two months earlier when beaten by Keegan Bradley in the Travelers’ Championship in Connecticut.
Another frustrating result had been earlier in August when he lost a twoshot lead with three holes to play at the FedEx St Jude Championship at Memphis in Tennessee.
Those two events were still clearly still on his mind when he spoke to American broadcaster NBC after his win.
“You just keep learning don’t you?,’’ Fleetwood said.
“I guess there was the Travelers, there was Memphis, there were plenty before.’’ Fleetwood ended up winning the Tour Championship by three strokes which, on the face of it seems comfortable, but that was not how his supporters felt until he reached the 18th par five green in a regulation three shots.
Fleetwood had exactly the same feelings.
“This wasn’t the most comfortable I’ve been because as they (the defeats) rack up you start to think other things, but I’ve had a great attitude throughout it all.
“I was a bit erratic today at times, so I was really proud how I found my swing again on the 11th or 12th hole, changed
my routine a little bit. When you’ve lost it so many times, a three-shot lead down the last doesn’t feel that many.”
Fleetwood, who boasts seven wins on the DP World Tour and a silver medal at last year’s Olympic Games, hoped the floodgates might open for him now he’s got over the line.
“I’m proud of what I’ve done before, whether I won or not,” he said.
“I’ve still been proud of my career and knowing I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn. And this doesn’t change that really; this is hopefully just one win and the first of many to come.
“You can’t win plenty if you don’t win the first one. I’m just so happy that I got it done, happy with my work ethic and I’ll continue to try get better and be the best I can be.”
A perfect example of Fleetwood’s popularity came as he approached the 18th green and the crowd, obviously mainly American, were chanting Tommy, Tommy, Tommy.
That was not missed by Fleetwood.
“It makes me a bit emotional,” he said.
“I’ve always been so lucky with the support I get and the last month or so the buzz that has been around me when I’ve been in contention has been amazing.
“To get support like that is so special and I never want to lose that. I hope everyone knows how grateful I am for it, and I said we’ll do it together. I felt like we did today, so I’m happy for me and everyone who has followed me.”
East Lake was not an easy course and some of Fleetwood’s opposition felt that.
Patrick Cantlay, who shared second, began bogey, double bogey while world No 1 Scottie Scheffler hit his opening tee shot out of bounds and his hopes ended when his tee shot went into the water on the 15th.
Fleetwood, on the other hand, held his nerve and he closed with a two under par 68 for a three-shot victory over Cantlay (71) and Russell Henley (69).
Tommy Fleetwood raises his arms in victory at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, last month. Alongside him is his caddie and close friend Ian Finnis. Photo credit: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images.
Dylan Lindstrom is the popular manager of the Royal Wellington Golf Club. He has been at the helm of the club for 11 years and loves the challenge of running one of the oldest and best club courses in the country. He sat down with Peter Thornton over a coffee to talk about how the Turner McPherson redesign has bedded in, more than 10 years on, the point of difference of the club, and what it will mean to be the first New Zealand club to host the Women’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2026.
Q and A with Dylan Lindstrom on hosting the Women’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship
You’ve been the manager of Royal Wellington Golf Club for 11 years –what do you enjoy about the role?
The people. It’s kind of pinch yourself moment when you’re a custodian of such a special place that means so much to many people, and it has for a long time. You want to leave it in a better place than you found it. I wake up every day and I know I am privileged to work here. It’s knowing my members, my staff, my committee, all of them are good people. And that’s where the longevity has come. In a place like this, every day is different. We’ve always got something on the horizon, like upgrades to facilities for the courses and everything in between and it takes time. You’re improving and developing things, there’s always a challenge, and that keeps you motivated.
The brief for Greg Turner and Scott McPherson in the redesign in 2013 was a championship course, which was still playable by the members, how do you feel that’s come to life?
Initially the members didn’t think
we had met the brief. They thought it was too hard. The undulations on the greens.
People’s perspective has changed over time. I think as you go and play more of the new courses that are built around the country or play internationally, you realise that the old kind of flat or target greens that we had in New Zealand, that we’re all used to, are actually different than everywhere else in the world.
A couple of things the designers did, was keeping 14 of the existing playing corridors. So, a lot of them are played back to front. But you’ve got those established trees, and the holes are framed up quite nicely. So, you’ve got a new championship course that’s been built and looks like it’s been there for 120 years. So that was a nice feature. And the other big feature was the five sets of tees. And now at the front you’re just a bit over 4000m, and at the back, 6600m — it’s two and a half kilometres difference between the front tees and the back tees. We encourage people to play the tees that match their ability.
Driving through the gates to arrive here it is a special experience. What are you trying to achieve from the point of view of members and visitors to the course?
We talk about the transition of the golf club over the last 15 years, and it had a reputation into the early 2000s which was probably well deserved. I think through the 80s and 90s, it was a lot of people had come through the gates and had a bad experience. It’s always been very much a club about members. If you were part of that in-
ner network, it was great but if you weren’t, it wasn’t a great experience. What I learned after I started here was, if you go back to the 60s and before that, it was a family-orientated club. So, it’s always had that club thing. And yeah, the challenge over the last 15 years is, how do we become more contemporary? How do we become more welcoming? Yeah, but still maintain that those core values of being a members’ club and more welcoming to the outside players. We’ve worked hard on that in the last 10 years.
What does it mean for the club to host the Women’s Asia-Pacific Amateur next year?
We had the men’s version of the Asian Amateur here in 2017 and that was a great honour. So, it’ll be eight and a half years since that event. It was always something we wanted to do again. We had such a great experience and such great time last time. I think it was a bit of a surprise to the golfing community, just the scale of what that event was. The exciting thing this time is that we’re hosting the women’s one. And our club was founded by women. We’re probably one of the first clubs in the world to have equality for women. Our foundation year was in 1895, the year after the suffrage. Women were founding members. They were equal members, so women golf’s been a staple here from right, from its inception and it’s fitting we host this event.
It’s a huge event in terms of profile, what will it do for Royal Wellington, Wellington and New Zealand golf?
It puts us on the map. It’s great for the region and furthers our reputation
as a world class golf destination. With our relationship with The R & A, it’s the right thing to do. We’ve got a leadership role to play, to support the growth of golf, which this event is doing. It’s giving a pathway for these young women to move into professional golf, to give them that taste of what is probably the closest thing to either an LPGA event or major. It’s giving that experience early on, so we take that responsibility to grow the game seriously. For our members it’s an opportunity to see the future stars of the game playing their course.
We can’t talk about women’s golf in this country without mentioning Lydia Ko and her example. She shows all New Zealand golfers what is possible from this part of the world?
Yes absolutely. You couldn’t ask for a better role model than Lydia Ko and she grew up playing events right across New Zealand and then has gone on to have a phenomenal career on the world stage. That same pathway is there for all New Zealand golfers, and this tournament at Royal Wellington presents a huge opportunity for our best female amateurs to compete in a home tournament and see how their games compare to the best players from around the Asia-Pacific region.
Women’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship When: 12 – 15 February, 2026 Where: Royal Wellington Golf Club, Heretaunga
For more information: www.randa. org/championships/womens-amateur-asia-pacific-championship
Dylan Lindstrom who is the manager of the Royal Wellington Golf Club which next year will host the Women’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship from February 12-15.
Every year Peter Thornton gets begged by his kids ‘dad, can we please go back to Wellington?’ He finally caved in. The family flew south from Auckland for some quality time with friends, awesome family activities and classic battles on two of New Zealand’s finest golf courses, Royal Wellington Golf Club and Paraparaumu Beach.
A happy homecoming to Wellington
There is nothing like the feeling of coming home. After living in Wellington for three years there is so much about the capital that feels like we belong here.
The hustle and bustle of walking down Cuba Street with street performers as a background acoustic, running around the Wellington waterfront on a crisp and clear winter’s morning, or taking in the panoramic views of Wellington city from the top of the Cable Car. I could go on.
There are a million parts of this city that I love, but the best thing about living here was always the people. The community in Wellington is unlike any place in Aotearoa.
It broke our hearts to leave so it’s always a special feeling stepping out onto the windswept tarmac of Wellington airport to be back in good company and drinking great beer. I have been counting down to this golf trip. The venues are two of the best - Royal Wellington Golf Club and Paraparaumu Beach.
Two courses that are contrasting in nature – the beautifully kept parkland fairways of Heretaunga in Upper Hutt and the rugged and pure links of Paraparaumu Beach. Both rightfully claim to be up there with the best club courses in the country.
Exploring another world
We wake up on Friday morning to a perfect day in the capital. The first stop on the itinerary is a visit to Space Place at the top of the Cable Car.
This part of Wellington was a favourite weekend activity while we lived here. We’d take the Cable Car to the top, play on the playground and run
around the gardens and native bush for hours.
On a clear morning you can see for miles and it’s a stunning view.
Space Place is a cool and interactive experience – my three-year-old Toby just didn’t want to leave. Inside you’ll learn about the solar system, what it is like to travel to space inside a rocket ship, what it means when it is a clear night for Matariki and much more.
It is also home to the planetarium, which is a stunning digital, full-dome screen that has a range of shows for all ages.
After exploring another world, it was time for lunch at the Cable Car Eatery. This place has one of the best views for a café in the city and food to match.
The Caesar salad was fresh, and the kids enjoyed delicious homemade pizza. It was a great start to the tour and my mind was already on the first tee shot at Royal Wellington.
The history of Heretaunga
Founded in 1895, the Royal Wellington Golf Club is one of the oldest clubs in the country.
Driving down Golf Road, and through the gates to see the iconic clubhouse and course in the distance is a unique feeling. You know you are arriving at a special place.
I have plenty of great memories here. When I was the communications manager at Golf New Zealand we held the Centenary of Golf NZ in Wellington. Sir Bob Charles famously hit the first tee shot of the day down the opening hole at Royal. His win of the New Zealand Open here as an 18-year-old amateur in 1954 is part of New Zealand golfing folklore.
It was on the day of the centenary where I played one of my final rounds with my old boss Phillip Leishman, who passed away at the age of 61. He shot 91 around Royal Wellington alongside two-time New Zealand Open Champion Bob Glading. He was chuffed.
It was also here where I saw Danny Lee play for New Zealand for the first time on what is now the Terrace Nine. He was the World No 1 amateur, and it was clear he was destined for great things.
And here I am. Back playing on this hallowed turf with three great mates Andrew Joyce, Ben Lauchlan, and Tim Dalman.
These lads play their home course every week on a Friday afternoon so it’s awesome to join their game and be in their company. To be honest, it’s a bit intimidating as they break 90 every week and in Tim’s case, he breaks 80 more often than not.
It’s one of those days. You know a ‘Can’t beat Wellington on a good day sort of day’. Conditions are perfect.
The front nine of the championship course is closed for our visit as they are working on the irrigation, so we open the game on the Terrace Nine which is an enjoyable layout.
Joyce (we have never called him Andrew) and I take on Ben and Tim, both handy, single figure handicap golfers in a best-ball, match play contest for a couple of rounds of beer.
The Terrace Nine is not as challenging as the front nine of the main course. Those first five holes would be up there with the best five holes to open a club course anywhere in Aotearoa.
New Zealand golfing great Greg
Turner and Scott McPherson redesigned Royal in 2013 and what they have created is a masterpiece. It balances the test of a championship layout with an accommodating and fair course for the members.
Tim shows his ability with a nonchalant birdie to open the day. We get one back when Joyce and I bogey the second. It’s that sort of match where the lead goes back and forward, and the game is there for the taking.
By the time we reach the par five 10th on the main course the match is all square. We claim the 10th when I make par and then we get another on 12 when I get up and down from the bunker for par.
The 13th is a great hole. It’s a long par four that requires two good shots with trouble down the right. Joyce is flushing his driver, and I have control of my fade, so we are in good shape. Fighting to stay in the match, Tim hits his best tee shot of the day on the 14th. He’s a big hitter and he pumps one to just short of the green. He makes a fine birdie but I’m good enough to match him from 15 feet.
We finish the match on the 15th when I make bogey and it’s good enough for a 4 and 3 win.
With the match wrapped up, it was only fitting to play a three-hole challenge. I get off to the worst possible start with a double bogey on 16 but I get it back when I match Ben with a birdie on 17. Ben is a great player, but it hasn’t been his day. He reminds us of his quality in that moment.
With the shots given, I have a four shot lead walking down the last and I do enough to finish the job. It caps off a great day. I’m proud of how I’ve played
The iconic cable car in Wellington which takes you from Lambton Quay in the heart of the city to the hills of Kelburn for panoramic views of Wellington and its harbour. Photo credit: WellingtonNZ — Phoebe Mackenzie.
Travel through the southern skies in Space Place’s state-of-the-art planetarium in Wellington. Photo credit Space Place Wellington.
around my good mates’ home course, and I kept up with their high standard.
Sitting in the grand and historic clubhouse, the beers go down easily. The affable club manager Dylan Lindstrom joins us for a quiet one and some banter to finish the week.
I love this place. The layout, the history, the ambience of a special and unique parkland setting that is both relaxing and refreshing. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
If you haven’t played Royal Wellington, then you have to. It is one of the best experiences in the country and it will be a great host to the Women’s Asia-Pacific Amateur early in 2026.
Right in the heart of town
During our time in Wellington, we stayed at QT Wellington in the heart of the city.
From the moment you walk in the doors, you realise this place has a certain Je ne sais quoi about it.
The hotel is proud to be home to New Zealand’s largest privately owned art collection. As you walk the halls you are met with bold strokes, unexpected design, and avant-garde energy. At every turn there is something quite unexpected.
We stayed in a two-bedroom apartment with a view out to Te Papa and the ocean. There was heaps of space and comfort for our family to feel right at home.
On Saturday morning, it was a special feeling getting up at 6am and from our doorstep running around the Wellington waterfront and Oriental Bay as the sun rose on a beautiful morning.
Our kids lived in the pool and spa complex downstairs which was an ideal way to break up the activities during the day.
And we are all still talking about how special the breakfast was. Being able to help yourself to a continental breakfast and then order from the A La Carte menu was incredible. The kids were raucous when their waffles arrived and my eggs benedict on hash browns was the best I have ever tasted.
Driving out the gates on the final morning, it was hard to say goodbye to our happy place, and we’ll be lining up to stay here again.
A day of family activity
It’s always a tricky challenge balancing the family and golf on these trips away, but Saturday was dedicated to family time.
We began with a quick visit to Te Papa National Museum which was a family favourite with the interactive kids’ elements when we lived in the capital.
Soon after we made our way to Zealandia in Karori. It’s only 10 minutes’ drive from the middle of the city but you feel like you are in a totally different land.
Zealandia is the world’s first fully fenced urban ecosanctuary with a 500year vision to restore the valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems as closely as possible to pre-human state.
It’s an awesome little oasis. The 225-hectare (500+ acre) ecosanctuary is a groundbreaking conservation project that has reintroduced a number of species of native wildlife back into the area, some of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years.
Set around a picturesque reservoir, Zealandia is home to some of New Zealand’s most rare and extraordinary wildlife.
The kids loved running around in the
native bush and bouncing on the swing bridges as we came across Kākā, Tūī, Pāteke and Kererū.
After walking up and down the trails, most of it carrying my three-year-old Toby on my back, it was time for a wellearned lunch and the offering at Rata Café at Zealandia is first class.
I went for the double smashed cheeseburger and chips with a Parrot Dog Hazy IPA. It’s a lovely spot for lunch with your mates as the sun pours onto the deck. The next stop was the other side of town for a visit to the Wellington Zoo. This place is awesome. It is New Zealand’s first zoo, and Wellington’s oldest conservation organisation, caring for animals since 1906. They are proud to be the world’s first Toitū carboNZero certified zoo.
As soon as you walk in you are greeted by a sanctuary of cheeky and playful otters who were chatting away to our kids. The design and layout of the zoo is brilliant as animals like the Red Panda, Sun Bear and Tigers are punctuated by playgrounds and places to eat.
Wellington Zoo is famous for its snow leopard which is one of the rarest big cats on the planet. On our visit he lived up to his elusive reputation.
The best thing about this place is how close you can get to the animals. Our kids loved learning and reading about each animal they came across and were chatting loudly by the end of the circuit. The hardest part of the experience was getting them to leave without buying something from the gift shop.
Looking south over the Royal Wellington Golf Club at Heretuanga in Upper Hutt. On the right is the Hutt River. Photo credit: Royal Wellington.
The boys at Heretaunga, from left to right Tim Dalman, Ben Lauchlan, Peter Thornton, and Andrew Joyce. Pete and Andrew smiling after a 4 and 3 win.
The clubhouse of the Royal Wellington Golf Club overlooking the golf course. Photo credit: Royal Wellington.
GOLF NEWS
The buzz of being in town
One of my favourite things about staying in the city is being able to walk to dinner. It was early on Saturday evening and the city was alive. Courtney Place was buzzing as we wandered through town for a dinner with friends at Mr Go’s down Hannah’s Laneway.
The Joyces were our neighbours when we lived in Khandallah, so it was nice to be able to get out with them for a meal and get our seven kids into a restaurant for the first time.
After a full round of lemonades for the kids, they were bouncing off the walls and starting a riot in our corner of the restaurant.
The food was straight out of the top drawer. It was Asian fusion at its best, Joyce and I left the ordering to the girls while we reminisced about our round at Royal Wellington.
Dish after dish of superb food landed on our table and was quickly devoured. My wife Katie had done her homework as the gua bao (steamed bun) the Kung Pao cauliflower, Taiwanese popcorn chicken, and cream cheese wontons were all little tasty delights.
After an hour and a few pints of the Garage Project Mr Go’s (which is just down the road in Te Aro), the kids were going to destroy the place, so we headed out in the night and finished the evening with a visit to Duck Island on Cuba Street.
There is of course a lot of debate on this, but this place is my favourite ice cream spot in the country with flavours that are hard to believe.
I went for Apple Pie and Custard and it was perfect. It was a nice feeling for even just a few moments hearing the sound of silence as the seven kids were lost in an ice cream wonderland.
The spiritual home of golf
There is no other course in New Zealand like Paraparaumu Beach.
Located around 45 minutes north of Wellington city, the Alex Russell designed layout is the best links course in
New Zealand by some distance. It is often rated as one of the top 100 courses in the world and it is easy to see why.
It is of course the only layout in the country that former World No 1 Tiger Woods has played a competitive round.
We are teeing off at 8.36am and there was plenty of excitement in the car when we see clear blue skies out towards the Kāpiti Coast.
For our three years living in Wellington, I was a member at Paraparaumu Beach and when we made the decision to move back to Auckland, this was the first place I thought of.
For the final round of the trip, Joyce is back, with good mates Simon ‘Blocka’ Roche and Scott Copeland. Joyce and I team up again and it’s a great battle, where the winner throughout the day was undoubtedly the course.
When we arrive at the first, we realise that the greenkeepers wanted to test the field in the fine and cool conditions. The pin was tucked back left only four paces off the fringe and on a slope and this continued throughout.
There is no worse feeling in golf than getting your putter out and then having to get the wedge out again after putting off the green. This happened to Scotty on the first and we all laughed, but we should have realised that our turn was coming up.
My old rugby mate Blocka is a good ball striker, and he showed that on the par three second to win the hole. I got one back with a good bogey on the fourth before we arrived at my nemesis hole.
The par three fifth is one of the most demanding short holes in the country. It’s only 133m from the whites to hit the putting surface but on the left is the valley of sin that is an impossible chip, and the right is not much better. Blocka hits the green with a six iron and makes a good two putt to claim the hole.
After battling through the first five holes, it’s a good feeling standing on the sixth tee as you finally have a chance to
score. The pin is in the middle of the green and I hit a great chip that takes the slopes and finishes a couple of feet from the hole to make par.
We halve the par five seventh before I have my best hole of the day. I chip a nine iron to 20 feet and make the birdie to get us to two up, and we were feeling good.
Joyce comes up with the goods on nine and we head to the back nine feeling good and looking to finish off the match. Scott is a handy golfer but hasn’t played in a while. He shows his quality on the final few holes of the front nine.
An unrelenting test
Like the front nine, the opening of the back nine is no walk in the park. You come to Paraparaumu Beach for the challenge, and you never leave disappointed.
One of the trademarks of this place is the drop offs on the side of the greens which put a premium on your short game. The members know where to miss it around here. There are certain places you can’t go if you want to save your par – left on five, left on 15th, the left of 17 to name a few. You’ll need a world class flop shot or chance your luck with a bump and run.
My favourite hole at Paraparaumu Beach is the par four 13th. There is no doubt that this is one of the best par fours in the country and it’s no surprise that it is one of Sir Bob Charles’ favourites.
It’s a straight and long hole where the aim off the tee is to find the flat part of the valley and then you hit into an elevated green with drop offs on either side. It’s a good test and any par here should be celebrated.
By now, Joyce and I are four up and counting down to the beers and toasties. Blocka looks to keep his team in the match when he hits another par three with a great shot. We all make fours to move onto 15. I should have finished the match there, but I get carried away trying to make my par and I
putt my ball off the green.
The par three 16th is a brutal hole. We play it from the top tier and it’s a well struck six iron into the growing breeze. We are dormie three at this stage and Joyce’s bogey is enough to claim the spoils.
It has been an up and down day for all four lads, and we look to finish the match on a high note. The par four 17th – with its split fairway, length and punishment if you get it wrong – is just a beautiful design.
There is a lot of history on the 18th hole. This was of course where Michael Campbell won the 2000 New Zealand Open over Craig Perks in a playoff, and there is a plaque halfway down the 18th fairway that marks where Grant Waite famously holed a two iron in 1992 for an albatross. It’s a relatively short par five and a great chance to finish with a birdie, if you hit the fairway. I skied my tee shot but made a good recovery to make a par on the last.
It’s been a battle and there is no doubt that we have all left our fair share of shots out there on the links. As we get into the ‘Paraparaumu Beach NZ Ales’ over lunch we reminisce on the moments of triumph and disaster. We are all keen to come back and have another crack. That is for another day, and we leave knowing that every time you play here it is a privilege. We are driving down State Highway 1 on the way to the airport and it’s a bittersweet feeling to be leaving. The past three days here could not have been better. We had a blast on the golf course, plenty of beers and laughter, and the kids were entertained from start to finish. They are tired and happy.
It’s a trip that will live long in the memory as a time we fell in love all over again with one of the best cities in the world.
A special thanks to Clarisse Christie, the communications advisor at WellingtonNZ for all her help in coordinating an unforgettable trip to the capital.
A panoramic view of Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, north of Wellington, with the Kapiti Coast in the background. Photo credit: Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club.
A perfect example of the links layout at the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, north of Wellington. Photo credit: Robinson Studios.
Kazuma Kobori comes oh so close NEWS
By Neville Idour
Canterbury’s rookie DP World Tour player Kazuma Kobori certainly announced his considerable ability with a stunning final few holes to almost snatch victory in the British Masters at The Belfry in England last month.
The 23-year-old from Rangiora finished as clubhouse leader on 15 under par with Nicolai Hojgaard then watched Alex Noren having to save par from five feet on the
18th for victory. Noren did just that avoiding a three man playoff. However for Kobori, especially after his third placing at the BMW International in Germany in July, it was a milestone performance in a strong field, leaving the likes of Matthew Fitzpatrick five shots behind.
Kobori was just inside the top 10 with six holes to play, seemingly out of contention for a top three placing. However he proceeded to
reel off a sequence of birdie, par, birdie, birdie, eagle, birdie.
In the process he nailed some astonishing putts that brought the house down as he smiled his way home to the delight of the large crowds. One of the putts must have been 100 feet and another 50 feet. His easiest putt might have been the eagle putt. He also came within centimetres of a hole in one on the par three seventh hole. His first two rounds of 69 and
68 had him hovering in the top five. Four consecutive birdies to finish the second round gave an inkling of things to come, then a third round 71 dropped him down to eighth. Cometh the barnstorming finish and a tie for second after an impressive 20 birdies and an eagle, offset by five bogeys.
Reflecting on his performance Kobori said: “My last three events have been missed cut, missed cut and tie second. It shows how close
we are to success at any time.”
This earned Kobori his biggest payday of $NZ521,000 and took his earnings in 2025 to $NZ1.2 million. He has now moved up 12 places to 23rd in the DP World Tour Race To Dubai rankings.
Fellow Kiwi Daniel Hillier, who won the British Masters in 2023, missed the cut and now sits 15th having dropped two places. Both players look well placed for the Race to Dubai grand finale.
New Zealander gains Royal and Ancient scholarship
New Zealand golfer Guy Harrison is among 11 outstanding young people from around the world to have been selected as the latest recipients of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club scholarship.
Now in its second year, the programme is designed to identify, support and develop the next generation of golf’s leaders through financial support and unique connections to The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, The R&A and St Andrews.
Selected from over 300 applicants aged 18-29, the new scholars represent a wide range of interests that are essential to the sport’s future, including agronomy, disability golf, golf development, business, administration and tourism as well as nutrition and sports medicine.
This year’s cohort includes individuals from Spain, Great Britain and Ireland, Nepal, New Zealand, Kenya, Australia, the United States of America and Canada.
Each scholar will receive a comprehensive support package to advance both their academic and professional development:
* Up to £10,000 per year towards educational costs
* Up to £5,000 per year to support golf-related activities
* Mentorship from a Member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews
* Access to a peer support network of Scholars, including last year’s inaugu-
about recognising talent, but also empowering young people who are passionate about golf, progressing their careers in the golf industry and contributing to the sport in innovative and meaningful ways.
“The scholars come from a variety of backgrounds and share a collective ambition to break down barriers and shape the future of the game. Thanks to the support of the club’s members, they’re able to build connections and experiences that will support their journey in golf for years to come.”
Guy Harrison, New Zealand
ral group
* An invitation to a leadership conference in St Andrews each year they are studying, where all new and current Scholars will meet.
Niall Farquharson, chairman at The R&A said, “This initiative is not only
As the top-ranked player on the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) rankings in New Zealand and the first from his country to compete in a G4D event, Guy is a leader in disability golf. Living with cerebral palsy, he is a passionate golfer, swimmer and all-round athlete. Guy’s ambition is to develop a single All-Abilities golf programme for New Zealand, bringing together multiclass athletes under one system with clear pathways to international competition. He also hopes to inspire future generations, regardless of age or background, to believe in their potential: “If I can do it, why can’t you?”.
Hawke’s Bay golfer Guy Harrison who has been granted a scholarship from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club.
New Zealand champion expected to defend her seniors’ title in the Philippines NEWS
Lisa Herbert of New Zealand is expected to defend her title at the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Senior Amateur Championships this month.
The tournament is to be held in the Philippines at the The Orchard Golf & Country Club from September 24-26. Men have to be aged at least 55 to compete as of October 1 and women at least 50.
Herbert, from Feilding, won at Vinpearl Hai Phong in Vietnam last year.
Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) chairman Taimur Amin said: “Perennially, the seniors is one of the most popular events on the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation’s annual calendar.
“Since the championship was revived following covid, we have been over-subscribed – and we expect another overwhelming response this year.
“The APGC has a long history of staging
championships in the Philippines and we are grateful to management at The Orchard Golf & Country Club for giving us the use of their outstanding facilities.
“Special thanks also to the National Golf Association of the Philippines’ (NGAP) chairman Alfredo Panlilio and president Martin Lorenzo for their support.”
Located 27 kilometres southwest of Manila, The Orchard Golf & Country Club features world-class 18-hole courses designed by legendary golfers Arnold Palmer and Gary Player.
This will be the first time for nine years and just the third time this century that the Philippines has hosted the Seniors’ Championship.
At Alabang Golf Club in 2016, Australia’s men emerged victorious, while there was joy for the home country in 2007 at Mt Malarayat when the Philippines edged Australia for top spot.
For this year, there will be four age group categories for men and three for women as follows:
* Men Group A (55-59 years) – handicap limit 13.4
* Men Group B (60-64 years) – handicap limit 15.4
* Men Group C (65-69 years) – handicap limit 17.4
* Men Group D (70 years and above) – no handicap limit
* Women Group A (50-54 years) – handicap limit 15.4
* Women Group B (55-59 years) – handicap limit 17.4
* Women Group C (60 years and above) –no handicap limit
In addition to the individual events there will be team elements to both the men’s and women’s championships. Each country may nominate one men’s team and one women’s team. Men’s
teams will comprise a maximum of four players per team and women’s team comprise of a maximum three players, all of whom must be citizens or nationals of the country they represent.
The winning teams will be determined by the lowest aggregate of the three best gross scores for men and two best scores for women from each round.
Launched in 1986, the APGC Men’s Senior Amateur Championship is the Asia-Pacific’s premier team and individual championship for senior male amateur golfers. The winner receives an exemption into The R&A Senior Amateur Championship.
Closing date for entries for this year’s APGC Senior Championship is September 12.
Australasian Tour in for a bumper summer
By Neville Idour
Abumper summer season of golf on the Australasian PGA Tour is guaranteed, headlined by the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland in Brisbane from November 27-30.
Three of New Zealand’s best will be star attractions at Royal Queensland. They are Ryan Fox, who has been twice a PGA Tour winner in 2025, will return to Australia for the first time since 2022 while the other two Kiwis are Daniel Hillier and Kazuma Kobori. The Australian PGA was last won by a
Kiwi in 1999 by Greg Turner. With 31 professional titles between the New Zealand trio they will mount a credible challenge for the title. Fox now has 19 wins worldwide after his two PGA Tour wins this year. He has three wins in Australia and is looking forward to heading back to Australia where he enjoyed success early in his career.
“It’s going to be a great summer of golf in Australia and being part of it at the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland is something I am very much looking forward to,’’ Fox said.
“Winning one of the big tournaments like the PGA would be a real highlight. Brisbane is also close to home so lots of friends and family will hopefully get the chance to come out and make for a really enjoyable week.”
Hillier has seven professional wins on his resume and currently sits 13th on the DP World Tour Race to Dubai rankings.
The 27-year-old is on the cusp of a place on the PGA Tour if he can finish the season well and sneak into the top 10.
Meanwhile, Kobori who won the order of merit and player of the year titles on the Challenger PGA Tour of Aus-
The hole in one “holey” grail
By Neville Idour
For most average golfers the rare one in 12,500 chance of a hole in one is something of a holy grail in the game.
In fact it is a fascination to look at the frequency, or not, of the achievement by players of varying abilities.
For a low handicap player the odds drop to one in 5000, while for a professional they halve to one in 2500.
Women have scored 16 per cent of the total holes in one recorded. The average number of years before scoring one is 24.
Forty nine per cent are scored between the ages of 40 to 60. The average handicap of a person with a hole in one is 14.
The longest ever recorded hole in one belongs to Mike Crean who made it on
a par five measuring 517 yards (473metres) at the Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver, Colorado, in the United States. The course is at high altitude which enables the ball to fly much longer in the lighter atmosphere.
The longest hole in one recorded on the PGA Tour measured 332 yards by Andrew Magee at the 2001 Phoenix Open.
How about the odds of scoring two in the same round? Somewhat unlikely at 67 million to one, or what about two in the same group on the same hole? Not so unlikely at 17 million to one.
So now we shall take a peak at the various achievements of players over the years.
Let’s start at the top. The most by a player is claimed by Phil Mickelson with 47, five were on the PGA Tour and one on the European Tour. As for the rest they could have been anywhere.
Same applies to Art Wall who died in 2001 aged 78. He won the Masters in 1959 and recorded 45 holes in one, including seven in 1938. Two were scored when he was 14 and 15 years old. He was known as the hole in one artist.
Gary Player has 36 with the last in 2023 at 87 years of age. Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer managed 21, while Tiger Woods scored 20. John Daly has 13 to his
name plus 12 albatrosses (three under par).
However on the PGA Tour the honours are shared by Hal Sutton and Australian Robert Allenby with 10 each, far ahead of six others who have seven. Woods scored his first aged eight, but only has three on the PGA Tour in 1996, 1997 and 1998. Strangely, there was a 10-year gap between Woods’ 19th and 20th hole in ones. The 19th was scored in 1998 and his 20th in 2018 during a friendly with Fred Couples and son Charlie.
Jon Rahm has eight under his belt. Rory McIlroy has two on the PGA Tour while Scottie Scheffler has one. Nine time major winner Ben Hogan only managed two which shows how much the bounce and roll of the ball plays in it.
New Zealand’s Amelia Garvey on March 4, 2024, achieved something unique that has never been done before or since. Playing on the NXT Tour in Florida she became the first golfer, male or female, to score an eagle, albatross and a hole in one in the same round at odds of 6.3 trillion to one. That was some achievement. Women don’t feature as strongly on the hole in one front but Kathy Whitworth beats the men on the US tour front with 11 on the LPGA Tour.
Another New Zealander to do some-
tralasia last year after winning three events as a rookie, will also be keen to impress. He currently sits 58th on the DP World Tour after a season-best third place at the BMW International in Germany.
The PGA Championship will carry the biggest purse of $A2.5 million for the events in Australia. The Australian Open from December 4-7 has a $A2 million purse while the New South Wales Open will offer $A800,000. The season ends with the $NZ2 million New Zealand Open followed by the $175,000 New Zealand PGA Championship.
thing special was 24-year-old Shania Cooke of the Tauranga Golf Club. In September 2024 she holed out on the fourth hole during the Carrus Pro-Am, then in February, 2025, playing in the men’s opening day competition, she holed out again on the fourth hole with the same club from the same blue tees. To say there was euphoria with her male partners was an understatement. One of those nice feel good happenings.
However there is one 67 million to one Kiwi story. On May 28, 1983, James Angus holed in one twice at Russley in Christchurch. He holed out on the third and 10th holes using borrowed clubs. Add to that he had previously holed in one on the 15th three years earlier.
Maybe I will close this piece very close to home. I am rather proud of my wife Philippa and her remarkable five holes in one. Four were at Avondale in Christchurch and one at Cromwell within a time span of 10 years, having only taken the game up after retiring from squash. So to all those readers who have yet to enjoy that euphoric feeling of that one in 12,500 hole in one chance don’t despair. The more you play the more chance it might just happen. On the other hand it may just need that one bounce and roll the next time you play.
Canterbury golfer Amelia Garvey who, in Florida in 2024, became the first golfer, male or female, to score an eagle, albatross and a hole in one in the same round.
Driving distance comparisons NEWS
By Neville Idour
So how far do you drive the ball? Where do you fit in to the scheme of things?
Let’s find out and let’s start at the top.
The scratch golfer drives the ball on average 279 yards (255 metres). A 10 handicapper reaches 253 yards (231m) and a 20 handicapper 222 yards (203m).
Comparing those numbers with the professionals we find the average on the men’s PGA Tour is 294 yards (269m). On the LPGA
Tour the average is 256 yards (234m).
The longest driver on the PGA Tour is South African Aldrich Potgieter who averages 313 yards (286m). His longest drive is a massive 401 yards (367m). However the longest drive so far in 2025 belongs to Jake Knapp at 444 yards (406m). At the other end of the spectrum the shortest hitter on the PGA Tour averages 273 yards (249m).
The longest hitter on the LPGA Tour is German Polly Mack who wallops it an av-
erage of 289 yards (264m). Second is Julia Lopez Ramirez averaging 286 yards (261m) while Austin Kim comes in third with an average 284 yards (260m). The shortest hitter in 2025 averages just 238 yards (218m), so the difference is significant.
How does age affect the averages for amateur golfers? We are talking here about single figure handicappers and those aged 30-39 is 256 yards (234m) on average.
Those aged 40-49 is 252 yards (230m), 50-59 is 243 yards (222m) and 60-69 is
230 yards (210m) which is still higher than a 20 handicapper or higher irrespective of age.
On the PGA Tour 112 of the 176 average 300 yards or more, while 40 of 54 on LIV Golf exceed 300 yards. Ryan Fox averages 306 yards and has a longest hit at 382 yards. Danny Lee averages 301 yards. However as we all know accuracy is just as, if not, more important than distance. Off line bigger hitters get into much more trouble usually than an average hitter.
Great numbers from the latest New Zealand Open
GOLF NEWS
The 104th New Zealand Open, held earlier this year, has cemented its status as the Asia-Pacific region’s premier pro-am golf tournament by delivering significant economic and tourism benefits to New Zealand and to the Queenstown region in particular.
In delivering its independent postevent results, the New Zealand Open reports that the event generated $12.3 million in net economic impact for New Zealand and over $23 million in direct economic impact for the Queenstown region. The tournament saw a 48 per cent growth in attendance figures with 34,199 fans turning out at Millbrook Resort delivering over 45,000 bed nights for the Queenstown region.
The pro-am format of the New Zealand Open continues to attract a global mix of professional and amateur participants from 23 countries, creating a festival of golf that extends beyond the fairways and deep into the regional and national economy.
Tourism and hospitality minister Louise Upston was pleased the event was such a resounding success, highlighting its positive impact on New Zealand’s economy and international profile.
“I’m thrilled to hear the New Zealand Open provided a strong boost to the economy,” Upston said.
“We’re proud to support world-class sporting events like this through the major events’ fund. As well as contributing to the local and national economy, major events attract international visitors and strengthen our reputation on the world stage.”
Supporting the economic impact of the event, a record global television audience tuned in to view the 2025 New Zealand Open with at least 7.4 million viewers to more than 90 countries. The broadcast featured sweeping views of the Wakatipu Basin and numerous world-class golf courses throughout New Zealand, showcasing the country’s golfing pedigree to a huge global audience. The broadcast reach was complemented by over 130 million social media impressions, a record for the event.
With the biggest viewership in Chi-
na, India, North America and Australia, the media outcomes delivered by the New Zealand Open align with the wider tourism objectives of New Zealand.
The record reach of New Zealand’s flagship golf event supports ongoing growth of the burgeoning high-value golf tourism industry in New Zealand.
New Zealand Open chairman John Hart said the tournament’s ability to attract both passionate spectators and affluent international guests was key to its long-term success.
“We’re proud to have built an event that is driving growth on multiple fronts — raising the bar for sporting events in New Zealand and attracting high value visitors to our country. The support from our international players and partners alongside the engagement from kiwi spectators has been phenomenal.”
Cho Minn Thant, commissioner of the Asian Tour, praised the tournament’s continued rise in the golfing world saying: “These results show that the New Zealand Open has truly cemented its place as the pre-eminent pro-am event in the Asia-Pacific region.
“The tournament has successfully blended the history and prestige of a
national open with a unique pro-am experience that is a drawcard for professionals and amateur players from throughout the region. It’s an event that the Asian Tour is proud to have on our tour calendar and one our players are always eager to be a part of.”
Building on this momentum, Brian Howie, director of operations at Millbrook Resort, reaffirmed the venue’s commitment to the tournament’s future.
“We’re thrilled to announce Millbrook Resort’s continued relationship with Golf New Zealand to host the New Zealand Open through to 2032. This long term commitment reflects our belief in the value that the New Zealand Open brings to Queenstown and New Zealand as a whole.”
The 105th New Zealand Open will be played at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown from February 25-March 1.
Key statistics from the 104th New Zealand Open (as measured by YouGov)
* In 2025, the New Zealand Open generated:
• $12.36 million in economic impact for New Zealand.
• $23.34 million in economic impact
for Queenstown.
* The total number of spectators across the four days of the New Zealand Open increased by 48 per cent to 34,199 total attendees.
* 74 per cent of attendees came from outside the Queenstown Lakes District area.
* The New Zealand Open attracted 1,114 international attendees in 2025.
* Over 45,000 bed nights were generated in the Queenstown region as a result of the New Zealand Open
* At least 7.4 million viewers from over 90 countries tuned in to witness history unfold and the latest champion of the New Zealand Open to be crowned.
* In 2025, the New Zealand Open gained elevated global significance with the champion (or leading non-exempt player) earning direct qualification into the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
* Over 50,000 plastic bottles saved from landfill through removal of plastic water bottles on-site.
* 13.7 tons of waste diverted from landfill through waste stream sorting and management on-site in 2025.
* A total of 523 volunteers played their part in the success of the New Zealand Open in 2025 and over 75 per cent of these have indicated they will volunteer for the 2026 tournament.
* The 2025 New Zealand Open reached over 111 million social accounts and gained over 130 million social media impressions.
* Millbrook Resort will be the home of the New Zealand Open through to 2032.
A professional field at the 2025 New Zealand Open will play the first two rounds alternately at Millbrook Resort’s Coronet and Remarkables courses. The final two rounds will be played on a composite course including holes from both courses.
The tournament also hosts 156 amateur players, each partnering with a professional in a two-man best-ball event, competing for the New Zealand Open Pro-Am Championship.
Some of the fans at this year’s New Zealand Open which proved highly successful. Photo credit: Addison Rudicil.
Women second fiddle to men — still
By Neville Idour
The final women’s major championship of 2025 concluded a year which showcased the excellence and burgeoning depth of the women’s game. No one dominated but many shared the spoils.
The Open Championship in Wales was a triumph for Miyu Yamashita who showed impressive temperament in holding off the popular final round charge from Charley Hull in particular.
The attendance of in excess of 47,000 over five days at Royal Porthcawl made the 2025 Women’s Open Championship the largest women’s sporting event ever held in Wales. Families and children were there in force, television viewership mirrored that popularity as the event drew its highest ever television audience for the first two rounds on Sky Sports. Plus there was a massive 144 per cent increase on YouTube and a 93 per cent increase in hours watched. When the women’s game gets the attention it deserves, but doesn’t always get, it shines in ways the men’s game doesn’t. The problem is the women’s majors consistently play second fiddle to the men’s. The women’s seem to be set up for a second fiddle to the men’s full blown string section.
The men grab the big buildup for weeks ahead and the headlines throughout, during and after the
event. You just have to look at the schedule to see the challenge the women have to grab similar attention.
This year the Women’s PGA Championship in the United States clashed with the men’s Travelers Championship signature event and the US Women’s Open went head to head with the men’s signature Memorial Tournament. Bonkers scheduling. The women can’t achieve the level of interest they deserve.
Okay, it’s a given that the men will draw a larger audience so broadcasters will favour them. But surely they could give more consideration to the LPGA schedule, especially as the LPGA Tour, unlike the PGA Tour, does its best to avoid clashes with men’s big events.
Back in 2014 the United States Golf Association held the men’s and women’s US Opens in consecutive weeks at Pinehurst No 2 in North Carolina in a move to raise the profile of the women’s game, and it did just that.
Despite the success, that scheduling will not be repeated until 2029 at Pinehurst. Following that there will be a much longer wait until 2036 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Shame some of us won’t be alive to see them.
US hall of famer Julie Inkester summed up the widely held frustration succinctly, right on the nose
saying: “I don’t think the PGA Tour care less where they add stuff, they don’t look at our schedule. They don’t call the LPGA Tour and say, hey, we’re gonna schedule this, is it okay?.”
This exposes the selfish decision making that leaves the women’s majors in the shadows despite their growth in interest. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan take note of this.
The sponsors also deserve better when you consider their input into the women’s game. After all they don’t grow on trees in the women’s game. It takes much hard work to encourage sponsor participation.
KPMG has invested huge capital into women’s golf. The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship offered a US$12 million prize purse which equals the US Open as the largest in the women’s game. You have to wonder how they and other women’s sponsors feel about their investments when they look at the respective tour schedules and see the imbalance.
The LPGA Tour has no option other than pulling out all the stops, as well as avoiding head on clashes. They could begin by taking a lead from LIV Golf. Bring on some colour, some music where appropriate and fan inclusive concerts to end each day. Wind up the fanfare. These women are exciting to watch, period. Who knows what might be achieved? As former US President John F Kennedy once said “Don’t say why, say why not.”
Espirito and Eisenhower teams announced NEWS
Golf New Zealand has named the squads for the World Amateur Team Championships.
The women’s event is the Espirito Santo Trophy (October 1–4) and the men’s is the Eisenhower Trophy (October 8-11). Both are played in Singapore at Tanah Merah Country Club.
The women’s team comprises Vivian Lu, Eunseo Choi, and Emma Zheng while Robby Turnbull, Zack Swanwick and Cooper Moore will represent New Zealand in the men’s competition.
The biennial championships bring together the best amateur golfers from around the world and are organised by the International Golf Federation. Teams of three compete over 72 holes of strokeplay, with the best two scores each day counting toward the team’s total.
Golf New Zealand high performance manager Gregg Thorpe said: “Congratulations to each of these World Amateur Team Championship representatives. They are now part of a long line of proud players who have represented New Zealand at this level. I look forward to seeing what they can achieve in October.”
Following are profiles of the team members.
2025 Espirito Santo Trophy Team
Vivian Lu
Vivian brings to the team a wealth of experience at the international level. As a standout member of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) team that clinched the Patsy Hankins Trophy victory over Europe in the United Arab Emirates, she has demonstrated calm under pressure and skill in high stakes matchplay.
Lu transferred to the University of Texas after a successful freshman year at the University of Washington, where she received First Team All-Big Ten honours and is anticipated to make impact at Texas with five top-11 finishes and one collegiate win at Washington. At No 65 in the world amateur golf rankings, Vivian combines precision and poise on course -- qualities that will be invaluable at the Espirito Santo Trophy.
Eunseo Choi
A runner-up finish at the Canadian
Women’s Amateur Championship has Choi in hot form heading into the World Amateur Team Championship. Choi won both the New Zealand Women’s Strokeplay Championship and the New Zealand Women’s Amateur Championship in 2024 before heading to Pepperdine University in the United States. Choi secured her first collegiate title at the Silicon Valley Showcase in March this year. Choi has previously represented New Zealand at the Espirito Santo and Queen Sirikit Cup events and the team will call on her experience as it prepares to tee it up against some of the world’s best amateurs.
Emma Zheng
Emma has steadily risen through the ranks and secured her place in the Golf New Zealand academy, phase three of the talent development programme. Emma’s powerful ball striking and strong short game make her a rising force on New Zealand’s amateur circuit. Her upward trajectory in winning theNew Zealand Women’s Strokeplay, experience at the 2025 Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan followed by winning the 2025 NexGen Atlantic Championship in Canada, will give her great momentum heading into the Espirito Santo tournament.
2025 Eisenhower Trophy Team
Robby Turnbull
A steady performer with international experience, having represented New Zealand at the Nomura Cup in 2024, where he led the team to a bronze medal, picking up third place on the individual leaderboard. Turnbull once again took home the St Andrews Salver for the leading men’s amateur at the 2025 New Zealand Strokeplay Championships after also winning the title in 2024. He has three wins on the domestic circuit in 2025 and recently secured a top 10 as the leading New Zealander at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup. The ability to call upon vast international experience despite his age will be invaluable for the New Zealand team.
Zack Swanwick
Swanwick won the Bledisloe Cup for low amateur at the 2024 New Zealand Open and has since thrived after heading to the United States for college. The University of Florida freshman made an im-
pressive start to collegiate golf, winning the championship-deciding final match in the 2025 SEC Championship and displaying an aptitude for high-stakes golf with a further two top-10 finishes. At the 123rd Western Amateur Championship in August, Swanwick emerged from the strokeplay rounds as joint top medalist and was narrowly defeated on the 19th hole of the knockout matchplay in the semi-finals by the eventual champion.
Cooper Moore
As reigning New Zealand Amateur champion, Moore began a prolific period in winning the Australian Junior Boys’ Amateur Championship this year as well as the South Island Under-19 title and then claimed the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) Junior Championship Boys’ title at Hong Kong Golf Club to firmly establish himself as one of the premier amateur talents in New Zealand. Valuable experience at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup and most recently at the US Junior Amateur Championship will stand Moore in good stead to perform for the team.
About the Espirito Santo Trophy
The Espirito Santo Trophy is golf’s leading global amateur team championship for women, contested biennially since 1964 under the governance of the International Golf Federation. Each national team of three
plays a 72-hole strokeplay format, with the best two scores counting each round -- culminating in a team total over four days of elite competition. New Zealand finished second in the Espirito Santo Trophy in 1982 and 1990 while hosting the tournament at Russley Golf Club in Christchurch.
About the Eisenhower Trophy
The Eisenhower Trophy is the world’s leading men’s amateur team championship, played biennially since 1958 and governed by the International Golf Federation. Each country fields a team of three players, with the top two scores counting toward the team total over four days of 72-hole strokeplay competition.
New Zealand lifted the title in 1992 with a team featuring Michael Campbell, Grant Moorhead, Stephen Scahill and Phil Tataurangi in a split venue event across Capilano Golf & Country Club and Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver, Canada. New Zealand won the Eisenhower Trophy for the first and only time that year, finishing seven strokes ahead of the Unites States. New Zealand hosted the 1990 edition of the World Amateur Teams Championship, with the Eisenhower Trophy held at Christchurch Golf Club, and placed second behind Sweden with a team of Steven Alker, Michael Long, Grant Moorhead and Brent Paterson.
Miyu Yamashita’s perfect birthday present at Women’s Open
Miyu Yamashita held off a Charley Hull charge to win her first career major championship in the Women’s Open in Wales last month.
The 24-year-old from Japan celebrated her birthday on the Saturday of the tournament and earned the best possible belated gift courtesy of a final-round 70, finishing two shots clear of Hull.
Hull could hardly have done more to end her own wait for a major title, five birdies applying serious pressure on the leader and raising the noise levels around the Royal Porthcawl course.
But back-to-back bogeys at 16 and 17 dented her ambitions and Yamashita, who had led since Friday morning, kept her nearest challenger at arm’s length with three birdies of her own and a succession of nerveless putts to save pars.
Yamashita is the 14th consecutive different open winner and the third Japanese golfer
to lift the trophy, following in the footsteps of Ayako Okamoto and Hinako Shibuno.
Hull shared second, her fourth runner-up finish in a major, with the fast-finishing Minami Katsu after both carded three-under-par 69s in the final round.
Yamashita and Hull were playing in separate groups but the race to be crowned champion soon became a twohorse one.
Yamashita briefly shared the lead with her playing partner in the final pairing, A Lim Kim, who birdied the second hole, but a turning point came at the fourth when the Japanese birdied and Kim recorded her second straight bogey, putting three shots between them.
It was around this time, two groups in front, that Hull began to make her move. Birdies at five and six got her moving and a superb uphill putt on the par three eighth took her to within one of the lead, Yamashita having missed a four-footer for birdie at No 5.
But not for the first time in this championship, when it looked like the tide might be turning against Yamashita, she responded.
She rolled in a five-footer after a brilliant tee shot at eight and followed up with another birdie at nine, two-putting from the front edge of the vast green to head to the turn at 12 under par, three shots clear.
Blows continued to be traded down the stretch. Hull got to within a shot again with birdies at 12, her third in succession at a par three, and No 14, just the fourth birdie on the hole all day.
The 25-foot putt at the latter had her hordes of fans daring to dream. No one has won a women’s major from more than 10 shots back at halfway – Hull was 11 adrift at that stage – and their belief in that run ending would have grown when Yamashita found a fairway bunker at the 13th.
But a clutch 15-footer saved par for the leader, keeping her narrowly in front, and she could begin to breathe more easily when Hull found trouble at 16.
A visit to a bunker, then the rough, was followed by Hull going through the back of the green. She ultimately did well to get away with a bogey, draining a 20-footer, but received another blow when she dropped a further shot on the penultimate hole.
Yamashita largely avoided similar blemishes. At 14, an uncharacteristically lax birdie putt left her with a tricky six-footer, but it found the heart of the cup.
Her only blip came at 17, a bogey dropping her to 11 under par, but she approached the last only needing bogey or better to add her name to the
trophy.
No one had double bogeyed on the par five 18th all week and Yamashita was never in danger of breaking the trend, a close-range putt sealing her par and the trophy.
Having been laser-focused for four days, only then did the emotions show. Tears flowed and Yamashita was mobbed by her compatriots in the field, who ran on to the green spraying bottles of champagne.
They were justified celebrations after a remarkably consistent four days from the new champion, who delivered a pacesetting masterclass over the weekend.
On a memorable week for Japanese golf, Minami Katsu was another to impress.
Having carded a brilliant seven-under 65 on Saturday, Katsu’s putter was on fire in her final round.
A long putt saved par at No 4 before two more monster efforts were drained for birdies on 9 and 11. She picked up another at 18 to move into a share of second with Hull and record her best major finish.
Katsu’s compatriot Rio Takeda finished on seven under par alongside Kim, whose challenge in the final pairing faded with six bogeys.
Megan Khang was unable to make inroads from her overnight position at six-under and finished where she started, while Andrea Lee carded a four-over 76 to drop outside the top 10.
Lottie Woad, meanwhile, continued a hugely impressive start to her professional career by finishing her first Women’s Open in a share of eighth on four-under.
Mimi Rhodes called her debut at the Women’s Open magical and saved her best
moment for the last day.
The 24-year-old recorded a remarkable hole-in-one at the par three fifth, with a bit of assistance from playing partner Steph Kyriacou.
The Australian, who hit an ace herself at the eighth on Friday, came within centimetres of another with an excellent tee shot.
Rhodes followed her line and her ball deflected into the cup off Kyriacou’s ball, leaving the Englishwoman bemused and delighted in equal measure.
“I wasn’t expecting it to go in, so I just picked up my tee, and I heard everyone going crazy,” Rhodes said.
“It was extra loud, so I knew something had happened. Then we just walked up to the green and it was in the hole.
“I had no idea it hit Steph’s ball until I just saw the video, so that’s unbelievable.”
Paula Martin Sampedro sealed the Smyth Salver for top amateur in style with a brilliant Sunday 68, the best round of the day.
The 19-year-old Spaniard backed up her Women’s Amateur Championship success with another piece of silverware after responding superbly to back-to-back opening bogeys.
Five birdies on the spin between 11 and 15 were followed by another at 18 as she conquered the back nine in 30, finishing inside the top 10 after a round her playing partner, defending Champion Lydia Ko, called amazing and unbelievable.
Sampedro said: “I couldn’t imagine a better ending of my Women’s Open, six-under in eight holes and birdie on the last. Truly a dream come true.”
Women’s Open enjoys bumper attendance numbers
The Women’s Open enjoyed a bumper attendance last month and hit some new peaks in terms of broadcast audience share and digital
reach and engagement.
More than 47,000 fans attended the five days of the championship at Royal Porthcawl, making it the largest women’s sporting event ever in Wales. Families and children attended in large numbers with almost 2500 children (around five per cent of the total attendance) coming along through The R&A’s longstanding kids go free initiative.
The Women’s Open made significant progress in capturing greater television audience share in the United Kingdom with the first two rounds attracting the championship’s highest ever average au-
dience for first and second days on Sky Sports.
Digital fan engagement was also strong with a 144 per cent year on year increase in YouTube views, a 93 per cent increase in the number of hours watched and a 133 per cent increase in engagements. On social media, the Women’s Open Instagram account achieved its highest ever day of engagement on Saturday. There has been a 221 per cent year on year increase in social media impressions/views across the week compared to 2024 and the growth in social followers was up by 316 per cent compared to
last year.
Mark Darbon, chief executive of The R&A, said, “The AIG Women’s Open is making significant strides across the board. We are delighted with how many fans have attended this week and the numbers of fans who have tuned in on television and engaged with our digital platforms. This championship is a globally significant event and is hugely important to women’s sport and golf in particular.”
The 2026 Women’s Open will be played at Royal Lytham & St Annes at Lancashire in England from July 29-August 2.
Miyu Yamashita of Japan acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green, during the trophy presentation, after winning the Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales last month. Photo credit: Oisin Keniry/R&A/ R&A via Getty Images.
Women’s Open leaderboard and prize money
July 31 - August 3, 2025 | Royal Porthcawl - Porthcawl, Wales
Par: 72 | Yards: 6748 | Purse: $US9,500,000 | Previous Winner: Lydia Ko, New Zealand
World news in brief
By Neville Idour
Charlie Woods on the improve
Tiger Woods much heralded son Charlie has turned in one of his better finishes at the United Stares Junior PGA Championships. Rounds of 70, 66, 66 and 74 for 276 earned him a tie for ninth, 10 shots behind the winner.
Money, money, money
It was raining money before, during and after the FedEx Cup finale $US40 million Tour Championship. That is double the $US20 million individual prize money each LIV Golf event offers. But that is only the half of it. Even before the three mega money playoff events had begun the top 10 players at the end of the season shared a $US40 million bonus pool, thanks to the Comcast Business Tour Top 10 begun in 2021 with a $US10 million payout.
Scottie Scheffler locked away $US18 million while second placed Rory McIlroy banked a measly $US6 million, while 10th received a minuscule $US2 million. Potentially, had Scheffler continued his winning ways in the playoffs he stood to earn another $US22.2 million. Losing the Tour Championship put the kybosh on that but he still earned another $US5 million after the BMW Championship, the second playoff event.
Scheffler has just passed Phil Mickelson on the PGA Tour money list with $97 million plus. He is fast closing in on McIlroy second with $107 million and Tiger Woods first with $120 million. The figures are eye watering and it seems a little ridiculous for Scheffler to express any criticism of LIV Golf and their players. It is thanks to LIV that all the PGA Tour’s money chests have been opened, to result in a flood of money for Scheffler to wallow in. Thanks should be in order.
Scheffler can’t understand LIV’s simple system
Scottie Scheffler was clearly not
happy missing out on the big one especially after his double bogey on the par three 15th hole. As for the playoff system without the starting handicap and then a grand final Scheffler said: “I think they’re two different things. You’re trying to strike a balance between rewarding great play throughout the regular season and rewarding great play in the playoffs.
“To win the FedEx Cup you have to put together a great body of work. To qualify for the Tour Championship, especially without winning a tournament (read Tommy Fleetwood) means you had a great consistent year. It’s pretty difficult. Look at what LIV is doing with their final tournament. I still can’t figure out what they’re trying to do. I think we’ve got it down pretty good. Thirty weeks to prove yourself then it’s game on.”
Sorry Scottie, LIV’s system would have seen you win the FedEx Cup. Points accumulate throughout the season and the highest scorer wins. There is still everything to play for ahead of the final individual event. Too easy to understand — and why on Earth did Scheffler need to bring LIV into the subject and denigrate it. Totally unnecessary.
Tommy at last
Hooray, the clouds were smiling. After 164 starts on the PGA Tour, popular Englishman Tommy Fleetwood scored his first win at the Tour Championship eclipsing the efforts of all the big names in the field. It was heady stuff watching Fleetwood gritting his teeth and maintaining a cushion over the last four holes as Patrick Cantlay bogeyed 16, Russell Henley bogeyed 15 and Scheffler double bogeyed 15. Fleetwood’s bogey on 15 was not costly.
Fleetwood’s pockets were bulging as he filled them with $US10 million.
Cantlay and Henley, tied second and won $US4.3 million each while Scheffler tied fourth only took away a measly $US2.6 million. Thirtieth placed Sepp Straka won a healthy $US355,000.
Hands up anyone who was disap-
pointed that Fleetwood was able to overcome the handicap of a final pairing with the glacial Cantlay and hold off a brief surge from Scheffler.
Cantlay preferred to “Captain America”
Was it a surprise to see “Captain America” Patrick Reed not one of Keegan Bradley’s captain’s picks for the USA Ryder Cup team?
For some, no, as Reed is not the most popular player. However many feel he should be there given his excellent record and inspiring passion for the team.
But no, Cantlay was preferred by the equally glacial and twiddly Bradley. So their common style of play may have won the day. We can’t rush things can we?
When is a hole in one holed?
Before the 2019 rule changes if a ball was wedged against the flagstick but not completely below the surface of the putting green it would not have been holed.
However since 2019 Rule 13.2c has changed the game. It reads: “If any part of the ball is in the hole below the surface of the putting green, the ball is treated as holed even if the entire ball is not below the surface.”
So there you have it. So if your ball is only partially below the surface of the putting green, it is holed.
Is it always a stroke if you miss the ball?
In a nutshell, no. The rules say that a stroke has not been made if a player stops during the downswing before the clubhead reaches the ball, a la Tiger Woods. But us amateurs are hardly able to match Woods’ physical abilities. What if we can’t stop but can deliberately miss the ball swinging over the ball or to either side of it? Again a stroke has not been made. Honesty will come into play here of course, as to whether it has been missed on purpose or accidentally. Miss it on purpose and you will be playing your second shot.
LIV Indianapolis a dramatic finale
Some stunning golf was in evidence at LIV Golf’s individual finale. The ultimate winner at Indianapolis was Sebastian Munoz in a playoff over Jon Rahm. Munoz had set the standard in the first round with a blistering 59 while Rahm bookended procedings with a final round 60.
Rahm’s second place was still good enough to clinch the season long individual title despite not winning a single event, and the $US18 million bonus. Rahm edged out Joaquin Niemann who won an impressive five events in 2025. However Rahm’s outstanding consistency won the day. He was a four time runner-up and only finished outside the top 10 once in 13 events and that was a tie 11th.
Players who finished ranked 49 or worse were relegated, including Henrik Stenson, Anthony Kim and Mito Pereira. New Zealanders Ben Campbell (36th) and Danny Lee (43rd) are in the open zone and should be able to lock up a place for 2026.
Drug testing more rigorous on LIV
Bryson DeChambeau, on drug testing, said: “It’s actually a lot more rigorous than the other (PGA Tour) side.”
He is not the first player to comment. Last August Graeme McDowell was the first LIV player to violate LIV’s anti doping regulations.
He had innocently used a decongestant medicine that included a banned substance during the LIV Nashville event. He was suspended for one event and fined $US125,000. Apologising on social media McDowell claimed: “Unlike some other tours, LIV enforces these rules rigorously.
“However I accept the rules and penalties – they are essential for maintaining the integrity of the sport. As a professional golfer I understand the importance of checking all medications and applying for a therapeutic use exemption. Unfortunately I didn’t due to
it being over the counter medicine.
“I deeply regret the oversight and I fully accept the sanctions imposed by LIV.” Well said.
McIlory pilloried for missing first playoff
PGA Tour player director Peter Malnati was not impressed with Rory McIlroy deciding to miss the first FedEx Cup St Jude playoff event.
With the even playing field this would not affect McIlroy too much as he planned his end of season, guaranteed a place in the Tour Championship. Many supported his right as an independent contractor to compete when and wherever he wishes.
Not Malnati. Asked if he was concerned he replied “Very concerned.”
Then asked if anything would be done to stop this happening in the future he said: “I think there is stuff in the works and I’ll leave it at that.”
However fellow player director Webb Simpson takes the opposite view saying: “I think it’s too hard to force guys to play. We are still a sport where you can play when you want to.”
This is not the first time it has happened. Tiger Woods and Simpson have done it previously and for very good reasons. Malnati should cool his heels instead of waving an imaginary big stick.
2026 NZ Open volunteers target already exceeded
Great news for the New Zealand Open volunteers.
Despite it being some six months before the event the target of 520 volunteers has already been passed. The SBS Bank volunteer programme continues to grow beyond expectations. However because things can change registrations remain open and a buffer beyond the 520 will be allowed before adopting a waitlist.
Some of the details are: An incredible 71 per cent of 2025 volunteers are returning for 2026 while 11.4 per cent have volunteered for over eight tournaments previously. Nineteen volunteers from outside New Zealand have registered and volunteers come from 140 different golf clubs.
Ryan Xie edges Cooper Moore at NZ Under-19s
Ryan Xie (Royal Auckland) prevailed over Cooper Moore (Clearwater) at the New Zealand Under-19 Championships at Boulcott’s Farm in Wellington.
Xie scored 69, 71 and 69 for 209. Moore
scored 70, 72 and 71 for 213. Archie Thompson (Pakuranga) was third with 216. Moore trailed by five shots with nine holes to play but picked up five shots in the next six holes to tie it up with Xie. But bogeys for Moore and three birdies in the last three holes for Xie made the difference.
Lottie Woad: A new star in women’s golf
golf. She finished third, just one stroke behind the winner. This was her best finish of the seven majors she has played after her previous best at the 2024 British Open where she finished 10th.
At this point it was not a case of if but when to go professional. She wasted no time and did so for her next event the Scottish Open on July 27. Another stellar performance with rounds of 67, 65, 67 and 68 and again 21 under par saw her a comfortable winner by three shots from Kim Hyo-joo.
It was all the more impressive in that the 21-yearold played with world number one Nelly Korda for the first two rounds. Korda was most impressed with Woad’s maturity after being up staged.
Sunningdale Golf Club in 2021 when just 17 years old. In 2022 she won the Girls’ Amateur Championship at Carnoustie in Scotland. She enrolled at Florida State University that year and majored in sports’ management.
Her biggest amateur win of nine came at the 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur where she birdied her last four holes for a one shot victory. Following this she gained the world number one amateur ranking. She finished 23rd in her major championship debut at the 2024 Chevron Championship, qualifying for four of the five majors that year. In a big year she also qualified for the Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup team.
By Neville Idour
Charlotte Woad, born January 17, 2004, in Surrey, England, has seemingly burst on to the women’s golf scene out of the blue with two tour wins on the biggest stages.
However, on closer examination her amateur career gave every indication that anything was possible. In fact, she brings back memories of Lydia Ko’s explosion on to the world scene.
Since venturing onto the professional scene in July, Woad’s impact has been dramatic.
First up was the Irish Open while still an amateur. She blitzed a classy field finishing 21 under par six shots clear of Madelene Sagstrom. It was the first win by an amateur on the Ladies’ European Tour since 2022.
Next up she played in the Evian Championship in France, one of five major championships in women’s
“Absolutely amazing,” said Korda. “I was very impressed with her composure, her process and shot routine, especially when under pressure in the heat of the moment. She’s put a ton of hours in as everyone out here has, but her putting is solid and she hits pretty far off the tee.”
So on to the Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl in Wales where she was pre-tournament favourite and was in the marquee grouping for the first two rounds with defending champion Lydia Ko and 2023 winner Lilia Vu. She again put in a strong performance to finish eighth.
Her golfing story began at the age of three, yes that is not a misprint -- three years of age when her grandfather gave her a first set of golf clubs. She also
Other notable wins as an amateur include the 2019 Surrey Ladies’ County Championship as a 15 year old, the 2022 Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters and the 2023 Florida State Matchup. She won several other accolades in her time at university. She has also built an impressive record in international girls’ and women’s team events, representing England, Europe, Great Britain and Ireland and an international team in the Arnold Palmer Cup which they won in 2025. She was in winning teams seven times.
Reacting to Korda’s praise, Woad said: “It was great to play with her on my pro debut. I have always looked up to her. She is obviously an amazing player and a great competitor and to hear she said something like that is really nice.”
ŌTĀKOU GOLF CLUB INC
Woad has long been tipped for stardom since her Augusta win in 2024 and is certainly playing well enough to fulfil those predictions. She is a more than welcome injection of personality on the women’s scene and it will be fascinating to watch her career unfold. Her world professional ranking is already number 18.
Ōtākou Golf Cub is located on the beautiful Otago Peninsula an approximate 20km drive along the picturesque Portobello Road, from the
The Course is 9 holes with separate tees for the front and back nine holes. So you get an 18-hole experience on a nine hole course. There are three different tee colours, white, yellow and purple. The recently added purple tees are for our juniors, seniors and beginner players. Off the white tees, the 18 holes measure 5696 metres. The course is a links course, so has a sandy base. A recently added irrigation system has greened up the fairways and made this a challenging course.
33 Golf Course Road Ōtākou. Dunedin 9077
otakougolf@outlook.co.nz
Ōtākou Golf Cub is located on the beautiful Otago Peninsula an approximate 20km drive along the picturesque Portobello Road, from the
of
The Course is 9 holes with separate tees for the front and back nine holes. So you get an 18-hole experience on a nine hole course. There are three different tee colours, white, yellow and purple. The recently added purple tees are for our juniors, seniors and beginner players. Off the white tees, the 18 holes measure 5696 metres. The course is a links course, so has a sandy base. A recently added irrigation system has greened up the fairways and made this a challenging course.
Our regular competition day is Sunday all year, with a twilight competition on Wednesdays during daylight saving time. We do not have regular tee times during the week and all are welcome to come, pay green fees, and play any day of the week. The Clubhouse is open on Wednesday and Friday evenings and from 3pm on Sunday.
All are welcome.
9077
otakougolf@outlook.co.nz
Our regular competition day is Sunday all year, with a twilight competition on Wednesdays during daylight saving time. We do not have regular tee times during the week and all are welcome to come, pay green fees, and play any day of the week. The Clubhouse is open on Wednesday and Friday evenings and from 3pm on Sunday. All are welcome.
Lottie Woad of England poses with the trophy following her victory in the Scottish Open at Dundonald Links Golf Course in Troon in July. Photo credit: Paul Devlin/Getty Images.
centre of Dunedin City.
Granddad, grandson: one ball, two holes in one
By Neville Idour
One of the more unusual occurrences on a golf course happened recently in Kaikoura, as reported by Olivia Judd.
Pat Smith scored a hole in one at the Koura Bay Golf Resort. So what did he do with the special ball? He gave it to eight-
year-old grandson Jimmy Horton. The youngster regularly plays on Sundays in junior club day at Kaikoura Golf Club.
So we can imagine the excitement two weeks later, when Jimmy gets to the 18th hole at Kaikoura Golf Club and boldly says to his partner I’m going to get a hole in one and promptly holed his un-
erring tee shot much to his excitement. His grandad rewarded him with $50 and the family dined out that night to celebrate his ace.
Jimmy is going to save his $50 for his family’s camping holiday at Christmas.
As for the ball it occupies a special place on his bedroom shelf waiting for it’s next
challenge. Jimmy’s father wants to use it next. Jimmy says: “I’ll let him play with it, but I don’t think he will score a hole in one with it.”
Jimmy is thankful to his dad and grandad for getting a golf club into his hands, especially so young. Now he just loves the game and playing with his friends.
Additional opportunities to qualify for The Masters and The Open
Winners of the Australian Open, Hong Kong Open and Japan Open are to be granted starting places in the Masters Tournament in the United States and The Open in Britain.
In a huge boost for prominent national opens around the world, Augusta National Golf Club and The R&A have jointly announced plans to align aspects of the qualification criteria for the Masters Tournament and The Open, awarding invitations to winners/top finishers of
select national opens beginning immediately.
This approach builds on The R&A’s long-standing and successful open qualifying series and will ensure strong international pathways into both major championships from several professional tours, recognising the global strength of elite professional golf.
In addition to Australia, Hong Kong and Japan, the winners of the national opens of Scotland, Spain and South Africa can look forward to making appearances
at arguably the two most prestigious championships in the world.
“The Masters Tournament has long recognised the significance of having international representation among its invitees,” said Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament.
“We, along with The R&A, have a shared commitment to the global game and are proud to work together. Today’s announcement strengthens our organisations’ collective vision
of rewarding top talent around the world who rise to the top of historic national Open championships. We hope this formal recognition shines a bright light on these players and the events they will represent at the Masters and The Open, beginning next year.”
The Open Qualifying Series has been in operation since 2013 and offers players entry into The Open through prestigious tour events across the world. Beginning later this year, players can qualify for The 154th
Open at Royal Birkdale through 15 events in 13 countries.
Mark Darbon, chief executive of The R&A, said: “We take great pride in the range of qualification routes we offer to players around the world through the open qualifying series. We share the same goal as Augusta National to offer places in both The Open and the Masters to players competing in national Opens and by doing so to help to showcase and strengthen our sport in those regions.”
Charles Tour’s welcome return to Pegasus
By Neville Idour
The Jennian Homes Charles Tour will make a welcome return to the Pegasus Golf and Sports Club in north Canterbury with the staging of Club Car Classic from October 8-10.
It will be a 54-hole event from Wednesday to Friday, with a pro-am taking place on the prior Tuesday.
The last time the event was held at Pegasus was in October, 2020, when Daniel Hillier of Wellington won. It was supposed to be held at Pegasus in 2022 but had to be moved to Clearwater because of the condition of the course.
The Kristine Kerr-designed Pega-
sus course is no stranger to world class golf, and deservedly so. After all it previously hosted three Women’s New Zealand Opens and many of the world’s best women. Who can forget the year Laura Davies won after a battle with then teenager Lydia Ko?
Add to those the 2019 PGA Championship won by Kazuma Kobori and two Charles Tour events. Therefore it is fitting it will again host many of New Zealand’s best golfers.
The world class facility will provide both a stern but fair test. The course is notable for providing choices on several holes from the tee. The standout is the par four 15th, almost unique in
its design, with water right of the fairway and a hazard left, over which is the green. It is a challenging stunner of a hole. The thoughts of many will be shall I hit straight or go for the green over the hazard.
Dave Mangan, general manager of championships and golf operations at Golf New Zealand, is enthused about the return to Pegasus.
He said: “Golf New Zealand is excited about returning to Pegasus for the Club Car Classic. The Pegasus Golf Club in it’s short history has established itself as a great championship venue. We know the players will enjoy the club’s excellent facilities and an excit-
ing few days of golf.”
James Devlin, the general manager at Pegasus, expressed his pleasure: “We are delighted to host this prestigious golf event once again in Canterbury. Our course at Pegasus, recently ranked in the top 30 in New Zealand, offers a formidable challenge for all golfers.” Pegasus is this writer’s home course and I can certainly say it is always a delight to play, with the fairways and greens always in good condition. But most of all, in the variety of design you can almost feel a woman’s touch. Thank you Kristine Kerr.
Kauri Cliffs to close for two months while fairways are re-grassed
Kauri Cliffs Golf Club in Northland will re-grass its fairway corridors with a less thirsty Bermuda grass starting on October 6, under the direction of course manager Andy Wood. The course will reopen for play on December 10 in time for the high summer season.
Kauri Cliffs first opened in 1999 and made its worldtop-100 debut in 2003. To-
day Golf Digest today ranks it No 55. Designed by Nicklaus protégé David Harman, the clifftop 18 and the adjoining lodge, Rosewood Kauri Cliffs, are widely acknowledged to have created the luxury stay and play model that, 25 years later, has transformed New Zealand into the world’s most popular golf destination.
Over that quarter century, however, the course has not un-
dergone renovation or comprehensive regrassing. What’s more, shifting climatic conditions in New Zealand’s sub-tropical “winterless” north have made wallto-wall bentgrass less and less practical from environmental and agronomic standpoints. The choice of transcontinental Bermuda grass on the fairways will conserve water while provide golfers a more lush, hardy playing environment.
Said Wood: “Truth is, while Kauri is among the most beautiful courses on Earth, our Bentgrass fairways never looked or played their best in high season — our summer months of November, December, January, February and March.
“With those months getting warmer and warmer, the move to Bermuda grass is something of a no-brainer, especially with the introduction of modern,
drought-tolerant, high-performing strains like transcontinental.
“We take our environmental stewardship very seriously here. Switching over to Bermuda will require far less water. It’s the responsible choice — and the truth is, Kauri will look and play better during those months when everyone’s flying halfway across the world to play it.”
Canterbury awards night
By Steph Peploe and Neville Idour
The 2025 Canterbury Golf awards and dinner held recently at the Christchurch Golf Club were a celebration of excellence both on and off the course.
The fabulous clubhouse was the perfect venue for the many golfers, supporters and volunteers from the many clubs across the region. Apparently this is the only dedicated awards evening for golf in New Zealand.
The event honoured standout performances from the 20242025 season, celebrating rising stars, category winners and acknowledging the volunteers and clubs whose behind the scenes work keeps the game thriving across the region. The evening was not only a celebration of results, but of people, recognising the quiet achievers and community champions who bring passion, pride and purpose to the game.
A highlight of the night was a keynote speech from the New
Zealand Professional Golfers’ Association PGA coach of the year, Rodney Yee who operates at the Russley Golf Club and is also the head professional coach at the Sir Bob Charles Golf Centre at Clearwater.
Yee shared insights and stories from his journey in golf, inspiring the packed audience.
Christchurch-born Yee’s golf involvement began at the age of six and his story is a fascinating one. Yee currently coaches outstanding junior and national representative for the Eisenhour
Trophy, Cooper Moore.
Canterbury Golf general manager Blair Minton said: “Tonight is about more than just trophies – it’s about the people and moments that make our game so special. From grassroots to elite level, golf in Canterbury is thriving thanks to the efforts of so many. We are proud to bring the community together to recognise that.”
The awards dinner capped another successful season for the region, with participation, performance and community sup-
port all on the rise. In all there were 17 awards made. These included:
* Women’s golfer of the year: Lannie Inoue - Rangiora GC
* Men’s golfer of the year: Cooper Moore – Clearwater GC
* Junior boy golfer of the year: Alfie Bell – Russley GC
* Junior girl golfer of the year: Junie Chang – Russley GC
* Vardon Trophy: Cooper Moore – Clearwater GC
* Promising junior girl of the year: Alice Fry – Russley GC
Japan experiencing a “third golf boom” NEWS
The cost of being a member of a private golf club in Japan has reached a new 15-year high as the country experiences what is being called a third boom.
According to news reports, Japan’s stock market index, the Nikkei, has revealed that the average price of membership at 150 leading golf courses on the Kanto Golf Membership Exchange rose 0.8 per cent from the previous month to 2.98 million yen (about $US20,400).
Japan’s golf population, which had steadily declined since the collapse of the economy in the early 1990s, is showing a revival in the wake of the covid pandemic. According to membership trading company Sakura Golf, 87.9 million people visited a golf club last year in Japan, exceeding the 86.5 million in 2019, the year before the pandemic.
Industry commentators have described the surge in interest in golf in Japan as the third golf boom, following the first in the late 1960s and the second during the bubble economy from 1985
to the early 1990s.
Korea’s Maeil Business Newspaper said there are currently about 2200 golf courses operating in Japan – down from a high of 2,800 – and there has been no significant change in course development since 2020.
As the golf population increases and the number of golf courses stagnates, there has been renewed interest in individual and corporate club membership, leading to a rise in prices across the board.
Interest in the game in Japan is also being generated amongst the younger demographic following a new wave of home-grown players performing well at the top of the professional game.
They include former world number two Hideki Matsuyama, who won the Masters in 2021, and who has been joined by the likes of fellow former Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship winners Keita Nakajima and Takumi Kanaya, as well as recent DP World Tour winners Ryo Hisatsune, Yuto Katsuragawa and Rikuya Hoshino,
in flying the Japanese flag on the men’s global tours.
Japanese women are enjoying even greater success in the professional game, with six currently inside the top 30 in the world rankings – and 17 in the top 100 – including this year’s Women’s Open champion Miyu Yamashita and recent LPGA Tour winners Rio Tasehda, Mao Saigo and Akie Iwai.
Building great homes, building great dreams
LONG DRIVE
Cambridge Homes Northland is not only building great homes but now backing the dreams of XDL athletes as the local hero saving the Northland Regional Championship. On the verge of postponement, the championship has been given new life thanks to Ethan and Laura, proud Whangarei locals and business leaders. Already well known for their community focus and their commitment to sport, the couple have stepped forward as Title Sponsors to ensure the Northland Regional Championship 2025 goes ahead — just in time for registrations to open — and are already committed to backing the Whangarei Championship 2026. Cambridge Homes Northland now positioned for the next 3 years as part of our local community focus to grow sport and
business.
Your One-Stop Go-To for All Things Building - Through Cambridge Homes Northland, Ethan and Laura have been creating modern, quality homes across the region. But their vision goes beyond homes — they are a complete solution for every stage of your project, with a family of businesses that make them your one-stop go-to for building conversations:
Build-Sense – trusted construction and project delivery across Northland.
Archisense – smart, innovative architectural design services.
Electrical-Sense – expert electrical solutions for residential and commercial builds.
Excavation-Sense – site preparation and groundwork done right from the start.
Together, these businesses form a powerhouse of expertise — giving Northlanders everything they need, from design to dig-out, wiring to finishing touches.
Backing Sport, Backing Northland
Now, that same entrepreneurial drive and community spirit are backing Xtreme Drivers League (XDL), ensuring Northland athletes and fans have their own championship pathway. The mission of XDL is to position as many regional championships as possible before the 2026 season, when the 4
our sport for generations to come.
Pillars Growth Plan will launch, including a nationwide franchise program. Thanks to Ethan and Laura, the Northland Championship will remain a key part of that journey.
In a year when sponsors have been harder to find than ever, Ethan and Laura have stood tall as true community champions — stepping up not only for sport, but for Northland itself. With their leadership, the region is set to shine on the XDL stage, creating opportunities for athletes, families, and fans for years to come with local scouting now open to make the New Zealand Long Blacks.
Growing
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
Golf on the Paradise Coast
Introduction
Just two hours southeast of Auckland lies the Coromandel Peninsula, a region renowned for its pristine beaches, lush native bush, and laid-back coastal charm. Nestled in its southern corner is the aptly named Paradise Coast, home to the vibrant towns of Whangamata, Tairua, and Pauanui. While this area is famous for summer escapes and natural beauty, it also offers a hidden gem for golf lovers: three distinctive courses, each with its own character and appeal. This is your invitation to discover a different kind of New Zealand golfing holiday—one that combines scenic fairways, warm hospitality, and easy access to some of the country’s most iconic attractions.
The Three Courses
The Paradise Coast sits at the heart of New Zealand’s most populated triangle—Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga—making it an easy and appealing getaway for city dwellers. While the region is best known for its beaches and baches (holiday homes), it also boasts three distinctive golf courses, each offering a unique experience that blends natural beauty with local charm.
Whangamata Golf Club
Whangamata is the southernmost town on the Paradise Coast and home to two very different golfing experiences. The Titoki Course is an 18-hole, par-70 layout that winds through native bush and alongside the tranquil Wentworth River. It’s a thinking golfer’s course, where every tee shot presents multiple options and strategic placement is key. After extensive upgrades following the 2022 cyclone, Titoki is now in top condition and a true local gem.
Just minutes from the town centre is the Williamson 9-hole Course, a par-3 layout perfect for beginners, families, or anyone looking for a relaxed round. Despite its shorter length, Williamson offers a fun and surprisingly challenging experience, making it a favourite among locals and visitors alike.
Lakes Resort, Pauanui
For those seeking a championship-level challenge, Lakes Resort in Pauanui delivers. This 18-hole, par-72 course is consistently ranked among New Zealand’s top six, thanks to its immaculate fairways, pristine greens, and breathtaking setting. The course meanders through a secluded valley of native wetlands and lakes, creating a peaceful yet demanding environment for golfers of all levels.
With a full-service pro shop, modern clubrooms, and a reputation for excellence, Lakes Resort offers a premium experience that contrasts beautifully with the more laid-back charm of Whangamata and Tairua.
All three courses are within half an hour drive of each other and while each town has its own attractions, they are also the gateway to several world-renowned spots.
Tairua Golf & Country Club
Located just off the main road north, Tairua Golf & Country Club is a classic country course with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. This 18-hole, par-71 course is known for its stunning views whether you’re looking out over the harbour, the bush-covered hills, or the charming township itself.
One of the course highlights is the picturesque Wilson’s Pond, a par-3 hole that demands precision to avoid the water hazard and a well-placed tree guarding the green. With over 55 years of history, Tairua blends tradition with natural beauty, offering a memorable round in a relaxed setting.
The Coromandel
When you’ve had your fill of golf or if your partner prefers a bush walk to a golf course, the Coromandel offers a wealth of activities. From scenic bike trails and waterfall hikes to canoe trips, fishing, and natural hot pools, it truly has something for everyone. Don’t miss Cathedral Cove, one of New Zealand’s most iconic attractions, or the nearby Hot Water Beach, where you can dig your own hot pool at low tide. Other highlights include the famous left-hand surf break at Whangamata and the peaceful seclusion of Opoutere. A drive around the peninsula takes just half a day or longer, if you’re happy to soak in the serenity.
Paradise Coast Stay and Play
New Zealand is already well known for its unique golf experiences with several international millionaires creating stunning courses all round the country. However, that acclaim comes at a price, not only on the golf courses but also surrounding facilities. In other words, Queenstown ain’t a cheap holiday. With Paradise Coast Play and Stay we are creating an affordable and fun golf destination surrounded by some of New Zealand’s most beautiful natural attractions.
Details
* Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
* Pick-up: Hamilton or Auckland Airports
* Drop-off: Breakers Motel, Whangamata
* Transport: Daily transfers to/from golf clubs
* Golf: Course bookings and cart fees included
Transport:
* BlackCab Co NZ
Accommodation:
* Breakers Motel - Whangamata Accommodation, New Zealand
Studio Unit: 1 x King Bed (lounge), Private hot tub on deck
Courses:
* Whangamata Golf Club
* Tairua Golf & Country Club
* Lakes Resort Pauanui
Cost:
* $2,600 single. $4000 twin share.
* Own Transport from $2,000 p.p. Payment details provided upon booking. shaun@besidetheseaside.co.nz
The Organisers
Diana and Shaun Fay returned from Australia in 2013 and built a home on family land in Whangamata. Their links to Australia are very strong with their two children, Rosie and Jackson still living and working in Sydney. The couple both have marketing backgrounds and together they run “Beside The Seaside,” a local company with strong community ties and a passion for showcasing the best of The Coromandel. Shaun has been a golfer most of his life and was a presenter on Channel Ten’s Golf Getaway. He brings deep knowledge and enthusiasm to the experience. Diana, a keen beginner, is quickly falling in love with the game. Their local network ensures your Paradise Coast Stay and Play will be seamless and unforgettable.
Paradise Coast Golf Classic
Held annually across the three featured courses, this tournament runs from 27–29 November 2025. As the original creators, Beside The Seaside has exclusive access to entries. Booking a Stay and Play package guarantees your tournament entry and covers entry fees.
Note: This event sells out every year—secure your spot early!
Summary
Like to know more? Want to include other activities? You may want to hire a car to extend your stay, arrange your trip round other golf tournaments or courses, go big game fishing. Whatever you need we can make it work for you. Drop Shaun an email on shaun@besidetheseaside.co.nz or give him a call on +64279317157.
Diana and I look forward to welcoming you to our special slice of Paradise.
Two hours southeast of Auckland lies the Coromandel Peninsula, a region renowned for its pristine beaches, lush native bush, and laid-back coastal charm. Nestled in its southern corner is the aptly named Paradise Coast, home to the vibrant towns of Whangamata, Tairua, and Pauanui.
World famous for summer escapes and natural beauty, it also offers a hidden gem for golf lovers, three distinct courses, each with its own character and appeal. Courses, Accommodation, Transport, The Coromandel, www.besidetheseaside.co.nz
COST
PARADISE COAST GOLF CLASSIC
• Tournament runs from 27-29 November 2025
• Booking a Stay and Play package guarantees your tournament entry and covers entry fees
Note: This event sells out every year - secure your spot early!
NZ $2600 - single
NZ $4000 - twin share
Deposit and payment options please contact Shaun shaun@besidetheseaside.co.nz
He will take you through everything you need to know and tailor make your trip to paradise
Stay and play on the
PARADISE COAST
Auckland
Hamilton
Paradise Coast
NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGIONS
Back-to-Back Winner 2025 Pro Drive Hamilton
Waikato Men’s Masters Champion Ben Westgate!
The 2025 Pro Drive Hamilton Waikato Men’s Masters, hosted at Waikare Golf Club. Ben Westgate, from Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club, who has done it again — successfully defending his title and securing back-to-back wins as Waikato Men’s Masters Champion! Ben opened his day with a solid 69 (-1) in the morning round — a respectable score, but with the bar set high by others in the field, he knew he’d need to turn up
the heat in the afternoon. And that’s exactly what he did. Delivering a composed and clinical performance, Ben carded a 68 (-2) in the second round, giving him a two-round total of 137 (-3) to take the title with a 4-shot victory.
A tight battle played out behind him, with Blair Clark and Stuart Baird finishing tied for second on 141, with Blair claiming runner-up on countback. Stuart, who had fired a phenomenal 65 (-5) in the
morning to lead all scorers, rounded out the top three — a fantastic effort by all. Thankfully, the weather played nice, and the full field was off promptly at 7:45am for a shotgun start. As the morning progressed, the sun broke through and warmed up not just the air but the atmosphere — setting the stage for an incredible day of golf. — a great result for a 36-hole day.
Waikato Golf Wills Cup and Jug Finals: Close Contests Manawatu Whanganui Golf
Wills Cup and Jug Finals
WILLS Cup and Jug Finals were played recently at Te Awamutu Golf Club.
The final results came in we ended up with a draw in the Jug Final between Walton and Tieke 119 each. As in the rules it was a play off of the No 1 players of each team over 3 holes.
The organisers chose 1, 2 and 3. Alex Drent (Tieke) vs Debbie Ring (Walton).
Played down 1 with a group of supporters following. Alex won the 1st hole.
They both had 2 good shots down the par 4 2. Alex on the green and Debbie
just short. Debbie chipped up past the hole and Alex putted across past the hole. Debbie had a downhill putt which was a great pace but just slipped past. In for 5. Alex still had a tricky putt with a bit of turn. With lots of concentration Alex binned it for a very happy win for Tieke.
Prizegiving WILLS CUP
Rup: Hamilton
Winner: Ngahinepouri
JUG:
Rup: Walton
Winner: Tieke after play off
Buckley Golf Club have won the 2025 Glendinning Cup played at the Foxton GC.
The team consisting of Scott Purcell, Bernie Wildbore, Dave Giddens and John McKenzie shot a combined 134 points on countback over last year’s winners Hawkestone GC.
The Glendinning cup is played for every year by clubs within the district. Club teams are made up of employees, board/ committee members and volunteers and is a great opportunity to connect and support the many people who keep our clubs open. Each club may enter 2 teams and it is a combined stableford competition.
WELLINGTON TASMAN
Waikanae Golf Club Golf Marlborough Women
The Final of the Men’s Pairs Handicap Matchplay were held between Peter Venner & Norm Picken verse Simon Amos & Paul Keno.
In tough conditions with a cold southerly, Simon & Paul proved too strong win-
ning the Trophy 4/3, as photo below.
A record number of 52 players entering the Shop Comp, Monthly Medal (sponsored by Elite Fence & Decking), GOTY, Shootout 2025, 54 Hole Strokeplay & 1st qualifying round of Club Champs.
With players everywhere, beautiful course and perfect calm conditions, everyone had lots of fun and especially Philip Carthew who shot a very good Net
North vs South – Inaugural Match!
Golf Marlborough Women held the very first North vs South at Awatere Golf Club, and what a day it was! The course was in stunning condition. Thank you to
Ryan MacDonald RJMac Contracting for donating a beautiful family teapot as the trophy.
All 8 clubs were represented, with 4 players each battling it out. This year’s winners. The South team! (Wairau Valley, Marlborough, Awatere & Kaikoura).
69 to win the Monthly Medal photo below - Paul Keno (photo-bomber!) was the runner-up on count-back.
Canterbury Town
Canterbury Town extended their unbeaten run over Canterbury Country with victory in both the men’s and masters’ representative matches at Waimak Gorge Golf Club recently. Town’s men secured a 12–6 win, while the masters came through 8–4, continuing a streak that Country haven’t broken since 2018.
The morning foursomes set up the contest, with the men’s matches tight as Town edged ahead 3.5–2.5. The masters were slightly more comfortable, taking a 3–1 lead into the afternoon.
The singles brought plenty of drama. Country made an excellent start, with Mike Toeke and Andrew Green leading the way and several matches showing blue on the scoreboard early. For a time, the prospect of an upset looked possi-
ly taking 9 of the 12 singles points to seal the men’s result.
The masters’ contest followed a similar pattern. Country fought hard and kept matches close, but Town’s consistency through the middle order proved decisive. John Rademakers, Glenn Coughlan, Riki Borrell and Andrew Dufton all picked up key wins to close out the 8–4 scoreline.
While Town’s dominance continues, the early pressure applied by Country showed they are not far away from breaking their seven-year drought.
A big thank you goes to Waimak Gorge Golf Club, who hosted the fixture in fantastic winter conditions and provided an excellent test for both sides.
Men: Town 12 – Country 6
Masters: Town 8 – Country 4
The 2025 Men’s Champions of Otago
The 2025 Men’s Champions of Otago was held recently at Lower Waitaki Golf Club.
A fresh dusting of snow on the hill tops didn’t hold back the 87 man field.
In the gross stableford division, the team from Otago Golf Club consisting of
Duncan Croudis, Mike Burrows, and Bruce Grant proved too strong with a team score of 79. They beat runner-ups Taieri Lakes (Josh Boath, Craig Stringer, and Darren Smeaton) by just 2 points on 77.
Island Park’s Michael Minty recorded the low round of the day with even par
72 and 36 Gross Stableford points. In the nett division, Allan Grange (Toby Allan, Stu Benington, Graham Brown) finished in third place with a team score of 98. In second place, just one point ahead on 99 was the team from Twelve Oaks (Brendon Cross, Matt Butcher, John Stringer). Local favourites Lower Waitaki (Carter Muldrew, Dylan Winter, Gordon Greaney) arose to the top with a score of 100.
Lower Waitaki’s Gordon Greaney and North Otago’s Allan Lindsay lead the way with 38 stableford points each.
ble, but Town steadied when it mattered most. Strong wins from Alfie Bell, James
Mordaunt, Sam McGill and David Zohrab helped turn the tide, with Town ultimate-
Mid Canterbury vs South Canterbury golf match
The annual Mid Canterbury vs South Canterbury golf match delivered a fiercely competitive encounter over 36 holes, with South Canterbury emerging victorious for the first time in several years.
Players were met with a light frost and tough early conditions in the morning round, testing their patience and shot-making. Despite the chilly start, the day gradually cleared to offer more favourable second-round conditions, though the course remained a challenge throughout.
Among the standout performers was South Canterbury’s Daniel Perham, who was rock solid across both rounds, firing consecutive 71s (-1), for 74 gross Stableford points, to finish as the most consistent individual on the day. Fifteen-year-old Thomas Clayson also impressed, carding a superb first-round 70 (-2), followed by a 74 (+2) in the afternoon (total 72 gross Stableford points), to fall just short of Perham’s total. On the women’s side, Angela Gerken was the top performer, showing good form with rounds of 79 and 81 (total 59 gross Stableford points) in the testing conditions.
The team result went the way of South Canterbury, a hard-earned and satisfying win after several years in Mid Canterbury’s hands. The match was played in great spirit, with all players embracing the competition and the camaraderie for which the event is known. Tinwald Golf Club was an excellent host, providing friendly hospitality to the players and supporters, alongside a course in great condition for the event.
LAKEVIEW GOLF & COUNTRY
Green Fees
18 Holes – $50 affiliated | $60 non-affiliated
Membership Special
First-time membership only $500 per year
After your game, relax in the Bay of Plenty’s newest clubrooms – open Fri–Sun 12–5 and Tues 12–3.
Play a unique free-draining 18-hole, par 71 course featuring undulating fairways, challenging greens, and hazards including bunkers and native bush-clad gorges. Along the way, soak up spectacular views of Lake Rotorua, Mokoia Island, and the surrounding countryside. Sharpen your skills at our driving range, then head out for a round you’ll remember.
