New Zealand Long Blacks take the Win

The famous IGANZ Trans Tasman Clash (New Zealand Long Blacks vs Aussie Long Ballers) has been famous since December 2017 when the two teams took to the tee for the inaugural national teams event. The Darrren Wise Stingray (trophy) is a heavy set and stunning masterpiece that represents the mutual waters between the two countries. The TTC has been through any challenging times such as the major bush fires in 2019 (pushing the event into 2020) and most recently, with the global pandemic closing boarders and pausing all events. Fast track to December 2022 and we are back on track. The Trans Tasman Clash took place in Port Douglas, at the Mirage Country Club along side a very special event with Survivor Golf. The teams were delighted to see that they made the news on arrival and with this the atmosphere was electric. Turning up the heat for the locals floodlights were transported in for the first night event and the party at the tee was alive before the grid was clear with the fantastic support of our

Survivor Golf crew who were amazing. Both teams under pressure to deliver the fastest and most high-perfoming teams event ever with a win or lose point rather than a score system. The pace was crazy and the grid workers were delivering like never before to ensure our goal was met. The Aussie Long Ballers seemed to be taking the lead in the first round keeping the men in Black (who were one man down due to Covid) on the balls of their feet. Mr George Wardell (Captain for the New Zealand Long Blacks TTC 2022) had the crowd going wild with his BOMBS that ultimately took the New Zealand Long Blacks to Victory. George kept delivering, with his team Nick Hanna, Sam Jones and Alex Lunn also delivering big numbers to take a 6-4 win over the Aussie Long Ballers. Veteran, Jason Atkins from the Aussie Long Ballers certainly got the crowd cheering with his stand out personality that is aka ‘The JA Affect’, this is where Jason takes his attention away from the tee and into the crowd. Fellow team members Steffan Scutti (Captain of the Aussie Long

Ballers - TTC 2022), Karl Peters, Paul Mews and Ex New Zealand Long BlackIain Dick, brought the heat every round with great showmanship that made this TTC one of the best yet.

The Trans Tasman Clash win 2022 has placed the New Zealand Long Blacks in a third consecutive win against the Aussie Long Ballers which also nominates them for another Halberg (team of the year). Both teams celebrate the launch of the XDL Virtual Grid and landmarking sports history yet again.