pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz
By Paul Gueorgieff Editor, Golfer Pacific NZ
Ihave been whinging on about this for a few months and I am going to continue to do so.
Two of my columns this year have been about stroke indexes -- the numbers that supposedly indicate the difficulty of each hole and who gives what shots in matchplay and how stableford points are determined.
The problem I have is that world golf governing body The R&A recommends that stroke indexes for one nine of holes are odd numbers and even numbers for the other nine.
That, in my book, is unnecessary manipulation.
The R&A also recommends that the stroke one hole is not amongst the last few holes.
Once again that, in my book, is
unnecessary manipulation.
I can understand what The R&A is trying to achieve.
The odd and even numbers system is trying to spread the stroke indexes and avoiding a situation where a lot of shots in a matchplay event could all come together.
But I don’t have a problem with that.
Let’s take an extreme example. Let us assume that the last five holes are the course’s toughest holes and should carry strokes indexes of 1-5.
But under recommendations from The R&A they would have to be either 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 or 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. That makes no sense to me.
Also The R&A recommends that the stroke one index hole should not be near the end of a round.
Once again I understand what
The R&A is trying avoid -- which is a matchplay event being concluded before reaching the stroke one hole.
But in my book, if hole No 18 is the hardest then it should be the stroke one hole.
The trouble with all this manipulation of stroke indexes is we hardly ever play exactly to our handicap. The difficulty of a hole is more likely to dictate what we score rather than a manipulated stroke index.
I thought golf courses around the world were following The R&A recommendations but a recent golf trip to Sydney quashed those thoughts.
I played three courses in Sydney -- Muirfield, The Coast and Eastlakes -- and none of them followed The R&A’s recommendations.
All three courses had a mix-
ture of odd and even stroke index numbers for each nine -- the holes were simply rated to their difficulty.
But even more surprising is that all three clubs carried a completely different set of stroke indexes for matchplay as compared with stableford.
I have seen this before at other clubs in Australia and the stroke indexes for matchplay are basically the same at every course.
For example the matchplay stroke indexes are:
First nine: 18, 8, 12, 3, 14, 6, 10, 1 and 16.
Second nine: 5, 11, 2, 15, 7, 13, 4, 17 and 9.
I find that odd, very odd.
Surely the stroke index should indicate the difficulty of a hole?
Nothing else.
It has been described as one of the most inspiring victories on the Japan Golf Tour.
That being said euphoric would not overstate the feelings following cancer survivor Michael Hendry’s second win on the tour after a nine year hiatus.
His latest victory came at the For The Players, By The Players Championship in Gunma last month. His previous win came at the 2015 Token Homemate Cup.
Last month’s tournament carried prizemoney of about $NZ525,000 and the winner’s purse was about $NZ105,000.
Hendry said: “I’m really happy as it’s been a long time since I won at Token. I have had chances to win before (four second placings) but haven’t been able to seize them so happy to win this time.”
In reflecting on his last year he said: “The diagnosis of leukemia was devastating, bringing a fear of death, but I am truly grateful for this second opportunity in my professional golf journey. My current goal is to enjoy golf and cherish time with my family.”
Through it all Hendry said that knowing he still had a secure spot in the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon in Scotland in July was incredibly motivating during his recovery.
“It really gave me something to look forward to and was a huge part of my successful recovery so far.”
After some missed cuts earlier on the Japan tour he started to find his feet in the previous event the Chunichi Crowns where he lead after the second day before slipping back to 16th. This gave him a springboard and he hit the ground running with 14 points in the first round of the modified stableford event.
Players received eight points for an albatross, five for eagle, two for birdie, one point deduction for bogey and three point deduction for double bogey or worse. Top of the leaderboard he slipped in the second round with four points. However a stunning third round 14 points saw him race to a four shot lead going into the final round.
In the third round he mixed two eagles and three birdies with three bogeys. His eagles came on the 12th and 17th par five holes. Hendry explained:
“On the 12th I hit a good tee shot, then a four iron from 230 yards to the green and sank the 4.5 metre eagle putt. On 17 there was another good tee shot leaving a six iron from 203 yards to the green. Barely on the green I sank a 20 metre eagle putt. Considering the pin positions were difficult I am satisfied with my play today.”
So to the final round where he eagled
the second hole for the second time to consolidate his position. In fact the second hole was a big factor in his win giving him 12 points in total for the tournament.
He bogeyed the par three fifth then hit a quiet patch for eight pars through to 14 where a birdie gave him a three point lead. He bogeyed 15 then birdied 17, a par five, and had a four point lead. His closest challenger, Hideto Kobukuro, birdied No 18 but Hendry,
even with a bogey on 18, still had a one point lead.
“The main thing I was focussed on this week was how to avoid double bogeys and I think I controlled it well. I’m proud of myself.”
His four eagles were key plus 14 birdies offset by 10 bogeys over the four rounds. Interestingly Kobukuro could not score an eagle and that was the difference. All credit to Hendry.
By Neville Idour
Auckland 19-year-old Fiona Xu has announced herself as a star in the making.
The Titirangi Golf Club member last month scored a sensational record-breaking maiden professional win on the Epson Tour in the United States. The Epson Tour is the feeder golf circuit to the prized LPGA Tour.
The tournament was the $US250,000 Copper Rock Championship at Hurricane in Utah. The winner’s purse was $US37,500, which is about $NZ62,000.
It was just the sixth start on the Epson Tour for Xu and she scored 67,63, 64 for 22 under par, the lowest total in the tour’s history and in the Copper Rock Championship history.
Her second round 63 also tied the Copper Rock course record.
Xu blitzed the field by seven shots. After picking up the record she distanced the field with four birdies in the first five holes of the final round. Four pars were followed by birdies on 10,11 and 12 and she coasted home unchallenged.
She told the Epson Tour website: “It feels great. I didn’t expect to break the record. Everything was going great. A lot of birdies from 10 feet or less. My putting and approach shots were the biggest things. I’m happy to win but I’m not going to loosen up. I still want to play my best each week.”
The next Epson Tour event is in early June.
Xu’s best previous finish on the Epson Tour was a tie for second and she has not finished outside the top 25 in the first six events. This is merely continuing her remarkable consistency as an amateur where she was world-ranked as high as 12.
She has now won $US72,512 in the first six events.
The season runs for 20 events and the win has taken her to number one on the season-long Race For The Card with a comfortable margin.
The top 25 at season’s end earn their LPGA Tour cards. It will take a meltdown for the rest of the season for her to miss out on her card.
So how did Xu’s golfing journey begin? She says playing professionally and working her way up into the world’s top 10 has been her dream ever since she picked up a golf club. She has been coached by Auck-
land professional coach Marcus Wheelhouse since the age of seven and progressed steadily winning several age-group titles.
She looks back fondly on her amateur career with wins in the New Zealand Amateur Championship and at the Charles Tour’s Mount Open.
Her success has also extended internationally with a low amateur finish at the Australian Women’s Open and the Victorian Open. A highlight was winning the 2022 Australian Women’s Amateur plus top three finishes in three other events including the 2023 Queen Sirikit Cup and Asia-Pacific Championship.
“A special memory is wearing the silver fern at the World Amateur Teams’ Championship where we finished in the top 10. It was the perfect way to end my amateur career.” The ninth place finish was New Zealand’s first top 10 since 2012.
She gained her Epson Tour card after a top 50 finish at the LPGA Tour’s qualifying school stage two. She made her debut in fine style at the 2023 Women’s China Open in December. With rounds of 69, 70 and 67 she registered a most encouraging fourth place finish which augured well for her Epson tour debut …. and so it has proved.
Xu has expressed her thanks for all the support from Golf New Zealand, Titirangi Golf Club and her coaches especially personal coach Wheelhouse. It was appropriate to chat with Wheelhouse who of course was delighted with his protege’s win. We asked about her development and in her early years Wheelhouse said she was short off the tee, even a little through to the 14-17th years so he knew she needed to get longer.
Said Wheelhouse: “She had a bit of an injury setback through her 15 and 16 years which held her back a bit but when she came back it was like she had found another leg.
“She had missed it so much she was like a champion racehorse chomping on the bit and soon moved to New Zealand number one.”
We ask about her physical presence.
“Although not particularly tall, probably average height, she is strong and has done a lot of working out in the last three years and has good core strength.”
Her length off the tee and strengths?
“She is at about LPGA level now and carries about 220 yards and it would roll out to about 240 yards. She is accurate with her tee shots. She is a very good wedge player so she has an incredible short game with her chipping and very solid with the putter.
“But I think her desire is her biggest attribute. She is so driven to be great and that has been evident from the day dot. She practices non-stop and all the things around being a professional.”
We ask who is her caddie?
“I have a sponsor for her this year so we are working on that but her mum is caddying for her currently and has done so since early in the year. After all she is only 19 and probably not quite ready to be on her own out there. So that will be our mission for the near future.”
How much contact do you have with her?
“Whenever she is back home I would see her at least weekly. I haven’t travelled with her because she is not financially in a position to get me over there, but that might change.”
If she continues in the same vein that looks a possibility.
Is the United States Open on her radar?
“She is trying to play in a US Open qualifier which will fit well as it is three weeks until her next event.”
On that note we thank Wheelhouse for his time and look forward to following Xu’s progress towards her LPGA Tour card. Another win may bring it even closer.
Bay of Plenty golfer Harry Hillier scored a history-making 59 on his way to victory in South America last month.
The win came in Bogota, the capital of Colombia, in the Inter Rapidisimo Championship on the PGA Tour Americas.
On the second of the four-day tour-
nament, Hillier finished at a whopping 13 under par to post the first score under 60 on the PGA Tour Americas.
Hillier continued his good form over the final two rounds to win by a runaway eight shots with a score of 26 under par and pick up a winner’s purse of $US40,500, which is about $NZ66,000.
The 24-year-old from Te Puke now has a chance of earning a place on the Korn Ferry Tour which is the development circuit to the prized PGA Tour in the United States.
Hillier is now based in Kansas City, Missouri, along with his brother Charlie who is also a professional golfer. Charlie Hillier was amongst those mentioned by Harry Hillier after the win.
“I’m stoked, I’m over the moon. I cannot wait to get back to Kansas City and celebrate with my friend, my brother,’’ Harry Hillier was quoted as saying on the PGA Tour Americas website.
“I’m sure I’ll get a FaceTime from mum and dad here soon … this isn’t just me, this is my team, the guys that have helped me out, mum, dad, sponsors.
“I’m just the one hitting the golf ball, they’re the ones doing the most help. Yeah, I’m over the moon and I’m glad I get to share this one with them. It means a lot.
Harry and Charlie Hillier, no relation to Wellington golfer Daniel Hillier who plays on the DP World Tour, are just not golfers but also golf teachers. They teach golf at a performance academy called The Golf Stable located in Kansas City during their time off from tournaments. The Hillier brothers
are part of a community that teaches the game of golf to all ages, and is directed towards those who are looking to improve their game.
The PGA Tour Americas now heads to Canada in mid-June which Charlie Hillier is looking forward to.
“I’ve never been to Canada and I heard it’s beautiful,’’ Hillier said.
“I think it’s a lot like New Zealand, green. I’ve never been up there. I’m just looking to a new experience like coming down here (to South America) last year, it’s just a whole new experience. You get to see the world living out your dream, so I’m just excited for what’s to come.”
By Neville Idour
The PGA Championship in the United States appropriately went down to the last putt to end a thrilling final round and a week of drama — on and off course.
So rather than a review of all four rounds let us look at some takeaways from the week.
It would be churlish to suggest Xander Schauffele was not a deserving winner, especially after 12 top 10 finishes in his previous 28 attempts which included six top fives and two seconds. His first round 62 proved the difference in the end. His consistency on the greens saw him concede just two bogeys and one double bogey during the four rounds. His 21 under par was a new record for a major championship.
That Schauffele was able to fend off Bryson DeChambeau was testament to his temperament and concentration under pressure. Knowing he needed birdie on No 18 in the final round to avoid a playoff, his third shot to the green was
no simple one leaving him a knee wobbler from a few feet which he sneaked in.
Likewise DeChambeau, almost reborn since joining the LIV Tour, was remarkably consistent and conceded just one bogey in each of the first three rounds. His birdie on 18 in the last round to tie Schauffele almost brought the house down. The fans were loving DeChambeau’s connection with them.
The final round drama never let up as fortunes fluctuated in what was a three-horse race. Schauffele, DeChambeau and Viktor Hovland were trading blow for blow with the lead not always with Schauffele as they entered the final nine. After six birdies Hovland hit the lead on the 13th looking a winner but pars from there and a bogey on 18 saw him fall short.
The course at Valhalla in Louisville, Kentucky, produced many highlights. In the eyes of some it does not rate very highly as a major layout but it certainly appealed aesthetically to the naked eye. What appeared to be more in evidence were chip ins and the many long putts sunk and Schauffele’s putting was laser like at times. The greens appeared to be less challenging than expected and contributed to the good scoring.
Schauffele took one minute 45 seconds over his straight forward third shot a chip from some way off the green on the 17th. He nailed it close for par to avoid losing his one shot solo lead.
DeChambeau scored a remarkable birdie on 16 after his drive hit a tree and fortunately rebounded onto the fairway leaving a long shot in. He nailed it and sank the birdie putt. Likewise he produced a stunning birdie on 18. He
found the bunker off the tee leaving a long second on the par five. He found the green some way from the hole and two putted. On the 18th, in the third round, he found the greenside bunker then sank his shot for eagle to set up the pulsating final round.
Sahith Theegala was just a shot off the lead beginning the final round and a birdie at the first gave him hope. But it was all downhill with five bogeys until a birdie on 16, then after another birdie on 18 his emotions were let loose to the delight of all watching.
There was a nice moment as we saw DeChambeau on the practice green watching Schauffele’s winning putt. As it dropped he immediately turned and walked off briskly to offer Schauffele warm congratulations. Even more were his frank comments after it was over. He admitted it was definitely disappointing after playing so well but said: “I thought 18 under par would do it, but Xander was playing some unbelievable golf. Viktor (Hovland) was right there too. He played incredibly well and thoroughly deserved his major championship. I emptied the tank and loved doing it and giving the fans everything I could.”
He certainly did, regularly throwing golf balls to youngsters. He even took the time to admonish one adult who grabbed a ball meant for a youngster. He could be very happy with his efforts being a good follow up to his sixth at The Masters.
The Scottie Scheffler run-in with police on the way to the course for his second round shocked the golf world. The recording of an officer saying after he was handcuffed “he’s going to jail and there is nothing you can do about it”
seemed over the top and the whole incident brought back memories of similar ones against individuals of a different colour two or three years ago, one of which resulted in a tragic death. One can only wonder how it would have played out had Scheffler’s skin been of a darker colour.
That he was able to then score 66 was quite remarkable and no wonder he said when it was all over: “I am more tired than usual after a tournament and wonder what time bedtime is. I am trying to figure out how quickly I can get home.” Under the circumstances his tie for eighth was impressive.
Shane Lowry shot a record equalling 62 in the third round and described it as disappointing. Why? Because he had an 11 foot putt on the 18th for birdie which would have given him the first 61 in 164 years of men’s majors. Nevertheless he said he enjoyed every minute until maybe the last minute. It left him on 13 under par, just two shots from the lead, but he couldn’t keep up with the pace in the final round and finished a creditable sixth.
One piece of good news
was the PGA Tour finally had a ratings increase. American television broadcaster CBS reported a 10 percent increase in viewership numbers on Brook Koepka’s 2023 win. There was an average of 4.958 million viewers. However this paled next to Mickelson’s 2021 blockbuster with 6.583 million viewers. One commentator attributed the increase to Scheffler’s arrest incident but that is dubious as he was always off the pace. It is more likely that the leading group, especially DeChambeau, may have driven that.
For the New Zealanders there was some disappointment. Ryan Fox was happy to make another major cut but his ultimate 75th placing could have been much better. A bad patch in the first round, when he dropped four shots in three holes on the second nine, then bogeying his final two holes of the tournament, made the difference. Other than those five holes he was consistent. For Kazuma Kobori it was a bridge too far but no doubt it will have been a good learning curve for him as he contemplates a shot at The Open Championship.
Just a short drive from state highway one, Putaruru golf course is another central North Island gem in south Waikato, south east of Hamilton.
The layout is undulating and well groomed to provide ideal conditions for good golf. At 5641 metres from the blue tees and 4918m from the yellow tees, it is not daunting in distance but will still provide a challenge.
The first two holes play uphill with out of bounds right on hole No 1. The third, a drop down par three of 150 metres, requires good club selection with the green sloping from back to front. Five, six and seven all require accurate drives as there are no go zones on each.
Nine is a long par five while 10, a par three, is a good start to the back nine. No 12, a par five, has out of bounds left, a tree line right and bunkers either side of the green. Hole 15 is a nice par four from an elevated tee. The par four 16th has ruined many a round as you can’t see the green from the fairway so enough club is key. The short 249-metre 17th is a birdie opportunity while the 273 metre 18th is a sharp left dogleg to a two-tier green. A nice finishing hole.
The Putaruru Golf Club, one of the longest existing organisations of any kind in Putaruru, has had many homes during it’s 100 years. A golf club was formed in 1921 and nine-hole courses were the homes in 1923, then 1925 and finally the present site in 1938. Land was leased from G F Bayly and a nine-hole course was formed along with building a clubhouse. The greens were protected by fences which had to
be played over without relief.
Membership declined during the World War II but by 1946 it recovered with 40 men and 17 ladies. In 1951 the club bought 90 acres from Bayly, sufficient land on which to build another nine holes. An entirely new layout playing in the opposite direction was the result, and that 18 hole course is the one the club plays today.
On Wednesday night, December
11,1968, a devastating fire destroyed the clubhouse, furnishings and honours’ board. Action was required and the decision to rebuild came to fruition when the new clubhouse was officially opened in October, 1969.
Then in 1970 a long held dream was realised when the sheep and green fences were removed from the course. The sheep farming activities had been profitable for 18 years until the sheep were sold. Over the years, improvements have been ongoing at this picturesque, park-like course.
We spoke with Vic O’Rourke, the club captain who proudly boasted of his Irish ancestry amongst much laughter with a couple of other members.
O’Rourke said the club would be celebrating its 100 year centenary in November. The course is well looked after by one full time greenkeeper and one part-time.
“The rest is done by volunteers,’’ O’Rourke said.
“Membership is around 150 all up with only 15 women. A full subscription is $720 while a first year member, with some qualifications required, will only pay $360 for that year. Affiliated green fees are $40. Non-affiliated is $50. Cart hire is $40. Definitely put Putaruru on your calendar if you are in the area.
WORK SMARTER
Have your team work smarter, learn up-to-date skills.
TRAIN AN APPRENTICE
ALREADY HAVE THE EXPERIENCE?
GROW YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH TRAINING
Help them learn the skills and become qualified.
Get skills recognised with a formal qualification.
ARCHITECTURAL ALUMINIUM JOINERY
BRICK AND BLOCK LAYING
CARPENTRY
CONCRETE
EXTERIOR PLASTERING
FLOORING
FRAME AND TRUSS FABRICATION
GLASS AND GLAZING
Training an apprentice is an investment in your business and the industry.
INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION
JOINERY
KITCHEN AND BATHROOM DESIGN
PAINTING AND DECORATING
RESIN FLOORING
STONEMASONRY
SUPERVISOR
TILING
By Neville Idour
Afew months ago we reviewed the somewhat iconic and unique nine hole Cairns golf course. It proved to be a must play gem with its almost rustic and unmanicured natural appearance, unspoiled by any earthworks. However there is so much more, as the golf course is part of The Cairns Resort, the ultimate five star retreat in Tekapo in the Mackenzie Basin in Canterbury.
Golfer Pacific was invited to sample the delights with a two-night stay and it proved to be an utter delight. From the moment we arrived and being greeted by The Cairns general manager Andy Perry and his staff the feelings generated were of eager anticipation. Don’t expect any luxury check in building, just a rustic building in keeping with the whole experience plus a warm welcome.
We were shown to our lodge, Friday The Collie. Each lodge has the name of a character of the Mackenzie’s history.
Others included Lexis Lodge, James Mackenzie, the trail blazing settler, Billy Hamilton, the jet boat inventor, and Freda du Faur, the first woman to climb Mt Cook to name a few. Mt John Homestead provides accommodation for larger groups.
The exterior of our lodge is in keeping with the rustic feel but on entering, it is modern home luxury. The open plan kitchen, dining and lounge area is perfect and the two nice bedrooms are ideal for your group of four.
The wood-lined interiors give a cosy and homely feeling. The heating is great with a heat pump to complement the log burner. There is lots of firewood outside the door so even on the coldest nights you
will be snug as a bug. Outside we also had the luxury of a stainless steel private hot tub. Bellissimo.
The property is quite unique for a so called resort. With several lodges, plus the Mt John Homestead, it is the perfect getaway for a couples’ romantic treat, a family or a larger group. The 110-year-old Mt John Homestead, full of Mackenzie character, has been refurbished to amplify that feel, with five bedrooms, several living areas, a private hot tub and a crackling fireplace. Add to all this the more recently constructed Bunker House provides high end luxury accommodation. All up The Cairns can accommodate about 50 guests at a time.
The Bunker house is situated away from the main resort on a sloping hill site with panoramic views. It is a remarkable concrete building buried in the slope. Tussock that is planted over the top of the house obscures it from above. It is so well camouflaged that a local town planner needed help to find it.
The property is nice to wander around with one of the features being the farmyard and various animals. The ducks and Kune Kune pigs get on just fine. There are also rabbits and pet lambs and alpacas. Interaction with the various animals was great to watch for people of all ages. Nothing is out of place at The Cairns.
The Cairns is proudly owned and operated by the Simpson family — Andrew and Karen and their three children Ben, Amanda and Sam. The family has been farming Balmoral Station in Tekapo for three generations and came to the area when Andrew’s father was 17 years old.
In 1928 he answered an advertisement for a shepherd. The family cultivated the land, specialising in
merino wool farming and with their undying love for the Tekapo region they have ridden through droughts, crippling snowfall and uncertain wool prices over the years. Through it all they love welcoming visitors to their home.
The word cairn comes from a Gaelic term meaning “heap of stones” and these small mounds of stones, which you might see on the golf course, have been used for thousands of years to show the way along trails. Scattered as these cairns are, throughout the Mackenzie area, the family has chosen the name and shape as it’s emblem because they share the same purpose. Like a cairn showing you the way on a track their purpose is to show you the way to the Mackenzie. Once there the family promise guests an experience like no other.
Andrew Simpson said The Cairns continues to evolve in developing more options for people to enjoy. Having operated for many years he said they get lots of returning clients because they love the place. The versatility of the resort is evidenced by the wide range of events and group sizes it can cater for.
Because the family owns both Balmoral Station and Mt John Station, family members oversee various specialised experiences such as Mackenzie Alpine Horse Trekking while Go Tekapo offers guided fishing tours, hunting safaris, 4WD tours, guided hikes, guided mountain biking, guided Merino sheep farm experience and nightly Silver River stargazing tours.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stargazing experience and were quite surprised at the numbers, which required two full van loads at three different times in the evening. Each group had it’s own guide. With maximum groups of about 12 there was ample opportunities to use the telescopes. Our guide Sam was a fund of knowledge and with his laser pointer it was easy to see where to look skywards.
There is so much to enjoy in Tekapo with the hot pool complex always popular and the other tourist haunts. Unfortunately we didn’t find time for another round of golf at The Cairns but that will keep for a future time. Our two night stay was one to savour and appreciate.
A perusal of the visitors book in Friday The Collie was an eye opener as a majority of the comments were from overseas visitors and the world map on the wall in the check-in area revealed the amazing number of countries represented. The Cairns should be on a golfer’s bucket list to stay and play. Don’t drive through Tekapo without checking out The Cairns.
Surrounded by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, South Africa contains some of the most breathtaking scenery on earth. Most widely known as the best place to see Big 5 on Safari, South Africa has so much more to offer with its amazing beaches, gorgeous weather, fantastic coastal drives, enticing cuisine and accessible national parks.
It’s also described as one of the top 5 golf destinations in the world, with some incredible golf courses, which you can play!
Guy Harrison almost died when he was three years old. Harrison had a seizure and as a result he suffered cerebral palsy. He was told that if he didn’t get into sport he would likely be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. But with the help of his parents, he never looked back and now a lifetime goal is within reach.
By Peter Thornton
Guy Harrison says taking up the game of golf saved his life.
The 22-year-old from the Hawke’s Bay is a talented sportsman.
He plays off an eight handicap and most weekends you’ll find him on the Napier Golf Club fairways working on his game or having a haggle with his dad.
“If I hadn’t kept my body moving, it was likely that I would have spent the rest of my life in a wheelchair,’’ Harrison explains.
“Sport has literally saved my life.”
His dad signed him up to be a junior member at the Awatoto Golf Club and he went onto Maraenui Golf Club. He now plays at Napier and competes at the highest level in New Zealand against other golfers with disabilities.
In 2022, he was named as the All-Abilities Golfer of the Year by Golf New Zealand.
“Golf has always been my true love,” Harrison continues.
“I love being outside with mates and traveling around playing different golf courses. It was a huge honour to be All-Abilities Golfer of the Year after winning three events during the year.”
He has nothing but fond memories of learning the game with his father.
“For me, the ultimate goal was beating dad. The goal I was always trying to achieve was beating him and catching up to him.”
His father played off an 18 handicap and when Guy got his handicap, he played off a 36. By the time he was 11, he had already achieved his goal.
“I have such a good relationship with my dad. We still play today. I play off an eight and he plays off a 28 at the mo-
ment, which means he’s always changing the rules.
“I used to give him five shots, then it went to 18 shots, now we have a rule if he beats me on a hole he wins, which adds a lot of pressure on myself.”
He hopes that one day golf will be included in the Paralympics so he and many other golfers with disabilities can participate in one of the world’s most prestigious events.
“I love my golf. The problem with golf at the Paralympics is how can you make it fair? There are so many disabilities out there, hopefully in 2032 or 2028 they can have it, but trying to make a classification system to make it fair and equal is hard.
“My ultimate goal is to make the Paralympics, but there is a lot to be done before I have the opportunity to try and go.”
Harrison is also an accomplished swimmer and lately he has committed himself to a long-term goal of qualifying for the Paralympics as a swimmer. He’s targeting the 100m freestyle and backstroke.
“It would mean everything,” he says. “I’ve always dreamed of representing New Zealand at the Paralympics. So, to get that number and to be included in that legacy would be a special achievement. It’s something I’m working towards.”
Harrison is focused on qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics.
“It would be an awesome achievement for everyone in the Hawke’s Bay who has helped me along the way and supported me in achieving my goals.”
Trying to qualify for the Paralympics is a long way from where Harrison has been.
When he was three years old, he had a seizure lying on his couch at home.
“My eyes rolled back into my head, and I was unconscious. I was dead for 10 minutes as they raced me to hospital and tried to resuscitate me. I was lucky to survive.”
Harrison suffered cerebral palsy because of the seizure. He was encouraged to get into low-impact sports like golf and swimming, to regain his mobility.
Growing up, he needed to do five years of speech therapy just to talk.
“I had to relearn everything. It all changed in a moment.
He was also a talented runner. He won silver at World Junior Para Athlete Championship in Switzerland in 2017 in an 800 metre race. But in 2021, he had Achilles surgery which ended that dream and he has got back in the pool.
“I’d always loved swimming and had used it to keep me moving. I thought to myself, I have always been a good swimmer, I just needed to commit myself to give it a crack.”
Harrison was part of the first cohort of the Para Sport Collective and is chasing higher honours.
“It’s so cool to be part of a group of athletes who are all aspiring to do the same thing. It has been awesome to be able to gain some more knowledge to help my own development but also have connections which will help further down the track.”
The Para Sport Collective, a Paralympics New Zealand initiative supported by community partner Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), is for those in the pre-high performance stage of the Para sport pathway, where a need was uncovered for greater sup-
port and community.
Away from his sport, Harrison is in the final year of studying a bachelor of sport and exercise science.
“It has been great bringing a diversity and inclusion lens to all of this work.”
He said the support of his parents has helped him throughout his life.
“They instilled in me early on that mentality that anything is possible and encouraged me to chase my dreams. If you love what you are doing, and work hard then you can achieve great things.”
He has good advice for any young people living with a disability and are unsure about their future.
“Find your passion. Whatever it is, invest in some sort of recreational activity to keep your body moving. Enjoy life and do the things that you love to do.
“I know that you have gone through heartache and pain but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Take small steps and keep moving forward.”
What is the Para Sport Collective?
The Para Sport Collective, a Paralympics New Zealand initiative supported by community partner ACC, is for those in the pre-high performance stage of the Para sport pathway, where a need was uncovered for greater support and community.
A total of 20 coaches and 22 Para athletes were selected for the first cohort of the Para Sport Collective.
ACC believes participation in Para sport has a positive impact on wellbeing and rehabilitation.
The aim of ACC is to motivate and inspire people to lead active lives, through positive role models and opportunities to try Para sport – at any level.
Volunteer registration numbers for the 2025 New Zealand Open are growing rapidly and at time of writing they are already over 300, well over halfway to the target of 520.
So, anyone wanting to be part of this unique event as a volunteer, don’t delay. It would be a shame to miss out. I can wholeheartedly recommend being a volunteer. There are many different areas and roles to suit all ages and fitness levels.
All volunteers receive a quality tournament shirt and cap and are well fed with lunches and a volunteers’ buffet dinner alongside many of the celebrity
ambassadors who will entertain with much repartee. The other big bonus is complimentary golf. Two-day volunteers receive one round at the Remarkables course at Millbrook, near Queenstown, with a cart. Four-day volunteers receive two rounds. One at Remarkables and one at Coronet, again with carts. It is interesting to look at some of the statistics from the 2024 volunteer survey.
* 2024 there were 471 volunteers
* 119 golf clubs were represented with the largest contingent from the Cromwell Golf Club with 49 volunteers.
* Over 74 percent of the 2023 volun-
teers returned in 2024.
* 2055 volunteer lunches were consumed during the week.
* 145 volunteered for the first time at a New Zealand Open.
* 126 have volunteered at the New Zealand Open for five years or more.
* 96 percent who completed the survey were either satisfied or very satisfied with their experience in 2024.
* 82 percent of those who completed the survey said they will return for 2025.
* 8.9 out of 10 would recommend the New Zealand Open as a volunteer experience to others. While we can’t expect perfection, my
wife and I, who have been volunteers at every event in Queenstown and others previous to that, can’t remember any instances when or where we could find significant fault. Volunteer headquarters will always listen to any concerns raised and address them.
So if you have never been a tournament volunteer and have thought about it previously, now is the time to give it a go before it is too late. The geographical spread of where volunteers come from is amazing. From the top of the North Island to the end of the South Island which speaks volumes. The camaraderie and friendships that are made are priceless.
Steve
Alkerputs family first
The first senior major championship of the season for Alker was the Senior PGA Championship played late in May. When I saw his name missing from the player list I immediately thought he may be injured so I contacted him to find a simple explanation. It was just a case of Steve showing where his priorities lie despite leading the Champions’ Tour rankings and possibly increasing his position.
His daughter, 17-year-old Skye, was having her high school graduation on the Friday of the major and there was no way he was going to miss that.
A team of 12 juniors from Australia will travel to play the United States national junior team of 12 in July for a match in Wisconsin. This will be the first such match and is a world amateur golf ranking sanctioned event. It will be played over three days in a mixed Ryder Cup style format.
Harrington’s perfect solution to PGA/LIV divide
Padraig Harrington, who missed the cut at the PGA Championship, thoroughly enjoyed watching the final two rounds and offered some very pertinent thoughts. He said he loved what he saw saying.
“I realised god we miss Bryson. He was box office last week. He really helped that tournament pushing Xander. It was fantastic, interesting, exciting watching.”
Of course he wasn’t alone as the Kentucky fans seemed to be firmly supporting DeChambeau despite Schauffele being a PGA Tour loyalist.
Harrington believes the PGA Tour is not as strong without the LIV players. He wants a fix to bring everyone back together more often. It is pretty simple really. His fix involves LIV being here to stay. Then he says he would have the two tours with some crossover “like we did back in the day. A few invites, something like that with some players going back and forth.”
Then tellingly he said “everybody’s got a bit of a chip on their shoulder. Rivalries are good in sport but we need a solution.”
Monahan cuts McIlroy adrift
Rory McIlroy, after all his staunch support for both chief executive Jay Monahan and his PGA Tour, has been cut adrift in no uncertain terms. His anticipated return to the PGA Tour board was blocked by other players on the board who made it clear he wasn’t welcome.
Now with McIlroy favouring a peace deal and more of a global schedule the worm has turned and Monahan said Rory’s exclusion was “simply a matter of
adherence to our governance process.”
Monahan was happy to have McIlroy take the heat as spokesman while he was in harmony. Words of peace changed that. So McIlroy has gone from anti LIV to a sacrificial lamb, to arbitrator and peacemaker to outcast. Sad to say he is the only prominent figure endorsing a compromise.
What seems to be emerging is that many of the PGA Tour players, and of course Monahan, are intent on protecting their own patch first and last.
Five golfers have made the 2024 top earners in sport.
Leading the way, not surprisingly is Jon Rahm after his LIV deal with $US218 million. Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo is way in front with $260 million. In 19th place is Rory McIlroy with $80.1 million. Tiger Woods is 23rd with $67.2 million.
Scottie Scheffler is 29th with $59.2m. Cameron Smith, 43rd, netted a tidy $48m. In 2023 Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson were in the top 10, but have dropped out of the top 50. It is notable that no women are in the top 50.
Jimmy Dunne, who was instrumental in negotiating the framework agreement with the Saudi Public Investment Fund last year, resigned citing the lack of meaningful progress towards unification.
Therefore he felt his vote and his role had become “utterly superfluous” with the fact players outnumber the independent directors on the board of the new PGA Tour Enterprises.
Mark Flaherty has also resigned and waxed lyrical about his time on the board, but interestingly gave no reason for his move.
Tiger Woods says plenty but says nothing
Tiger Woods has been in the public eye for 30 years and through it all has in the words of one commentator “remained a corporate cipher,” meaning nonentity or secret messenger. He is on the PGA Tour policy board which Jimmy Dunne resigned from in obvious frustration.
A perfect example of Wood’s gobbledegook was his response a day after Dunne left when asked how optimistic he was about a Saudi deal being concluded.
His response: “I think (surely he knew) we’re working on negotiations with PIF (Saudi Public Investment Fund). It is ongoing, it’s fluid, it changes from day to day. It is an ongoing negotiation, so a lot of work ahead with this process, so we’re making steps and it may not be giant steps, but we’re making steps.”
The only thing fluid with that lot is that verbal diarrhoea. Further he hasn’t said what resolution he would like to happen or if he wants one at all. Plenty said but basically plenty of nothing.
Oberholser rips into Rahm
Arron Oberholser watched Jon Rahm on Golf Channel saying he would play PGA Tour events if allowed and that he felt he was still a member of the tour.
Oberholser said: “He doesn’t get it. He wanted a position or to be heard on the policy board before he went to LIV. I’m incensed by the level of naivety. I wanted to wring his neck through the TV.”
McIlroy files for
After seven years of marriage, Rory McIlroy has filed for divorce from Erica Stoll.
They have one child, three-year-old Poppy. Erica often attended tournaments.
They met at the 2012 Ryder Cup in Chicago where Erica was working for the PGA of America and arranged a police escort to the course after he misread his tee time for the Sunday singles. Rory broke the divorce news at the PGA Championship.
Richard Lee for the US Open
Aucklander Richard Lee will join Steve Alker in the 156-man field for the third senior major championship, the US Senior Open from June 27-30 after winning a qualifying event he entered at the last minute. It was a conversation with Peter Fowler at the Muriwai Open that influenced him to make a last minute entry.
He travelled to Oregon in the United States and won one of the 33 qualifiers across the US with a score of 71. Only the top two would gain spots. He made eight pars and a birdie on the front nine. Out of bounds on 11 he saved bogey then two birdies got him back on track to lead by two shots by the 18th. His second shot went into the penalty area by the green, but again made a brilliant up and down for bogey to win.
Gary Player says Tiger had too many coaches
Gary Player, never slow to offer his take on anything, has come out with his view on why Tiger Woods hasn’t passed Jack Nicklaus’ winning major tally.
“His career was completely ruined by golf coaches.” Player recalled Woods’ 15 shot win at the 2000 US Open.
“That is like running a seven seconds 100 metres. Next week he is having a lesson from a man who I doubt could break 80 in the Masters. Then he goes to another who couldn’t break 85 in a major.
“He was so good but I understand he wanted to get better. We all do. But if
he had never changed he would have won at least 22 majors, maybe more.”
NZ talent development programme refreshed
Kazuma Kobori, Sam Jones and Fiona Xu, who are all making waves as professionals, have been moved into phase four of New Zealand development programme. They will now receive support as rookie professionals over the next year.
Robby Turnbull, Jack Van Prehn and Cooper Moore join Eunsio Cho, Jayden Ford, Joshua Bai and Zach Swanwick in phase three where the talent development team will work with them to identify opportunities for improvement and refine their individual plans. All have had success locally and overseas.
Longest hole in Open history at Royal Troon
Royal Troon’s sixth hole has been extended for the 152nd Open Championship and will be the longest in The Open history. Already a whopper at 601 yards, this year it will be 623 yards. Overall the course will be 196 yards longer than in 2016 when Henrik Stenson edged Phil Mickelson in one the most pulsating duels in Open history.
Greg Norman welcome this time — if he pays
The petty actions of the R&A “choosing not to invite” Greg Norman to the 150th celebrations and champions’ dinner at St Andrews in Scotland saying it wanted ``to ensure that the focus remains on celebrating the championship and its heritage” have thawed slightly. But really?
Norman is a two-time winner and Mike Woodcock, the director of corporate communications for the R&A, said he was not aware Norman had bought a ticket when asked if he might turn up as he did at Augusta.
“I don’t think there is a G Norman on the list. Obviously there are tickets still available on the re-sale platform or hospitality. He’s very welcome to look there.” Thanks Mike.
PGA of America chief executive Seth Waugh believes men’s professional golf is not big enough for two elite level tours to co-exist and says both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf must come to a merger deal if golf is to thrive.
While both are competing for players and fans, neither business will provide a worthwhile return on investment. He says he is optimistic an agreement will be reached.
The LIV Golf individual finale will be played at Bolingbrook Golf Club in Chi-
cago from September 13-15, a month after the final regular event of the season. The results will dictate the team seedings for the 2024 team championship to follow at a venue yet to be named.
Growth in New Zealand continues
Golf is alive and well and continues to grow in New Zealand. In the month of April the number of rounds recorded were well up on 2023 when 448,759 rounds were recorded. This year the number surged to 473,678 an increase of 5.6 percent.
Brendan Steele thanks Mickelson
The win of 41-year-old Brendan Steele’s at LIV Adelaide was his first in more than six years. He last won in October, 2017, so this one shot victory ahead of Louis Oosthuizen at the Grange Golf Club was very sweet. With the $US4 million in his pocket he talked about his close relationship with his HyFlyers captain Phil Mickelson. He said he relies on Phil for both his golf and mental game and leans on him pretty hard with everything.
“All the work I have put in over the
off season with Phil in his backyard and the help he gave has really paid off. Prior to the final round he reframed my thinking and mindset. If I play freely I’ll have a good chance …. no, I will play freely. I think it will be good enough … no, it will be good enough. I will play freely.” So it proved.
After the announcement of grandiose plans to elevate Pegasus in North Canterbury, and with it escalating annual member subscription costs in anticipation, it was revealed that the investment group’s directives would lead to radical changes to the membership offering. This conflicted with the open to all every day policy. So the investment will not go ahead.
General manager James Devlin says they were going to review the membership pricing and structure in relation to renewals and category options. They will also revisit the very unpopular decisions made excluding junior membership subscriptions and free personal cart use. All this being said the owner has listed the property for sale and members will be waiting with bated breath to see what transpires in the months ahead.
Many months ago I extolled the enjoyment of the club challenge where you deduct the number of clubs in your bag from your final stableford score. Well, I came across another novel format for an ambrose style event in an overseas publication. It is simply called a yellow ball comp.
While there are variations of the format, the basics are the same. It uses stableford scoring for three or four player teams. There is decision-making on each of the first three or four holes where one player is designated the yellow ball which means their points will count double.
Once that order is established it repeats and can’t be changed. It should be marked on the scorecard before play begins. Each player must have an even number of holes as the yellow ball. Obviously, in a four man
team, two players will have a fifth hole. A yellow ball is not essential although it could add to the drama. The scores of all players are added together to make the score for each hole. The players, other than the yellow ball, use normal scoring. Unlike normal stableford where each shot enables a player to hit the big shot this variation gives each player the opportunity to be that extra hero when double points are on offer.
Of course it also brings extra pressure on the yellow ball player to give his team that extra double point boost. So it can also add to the fun and camaraderie, especially if there is a little ribbing on the tee. “Come on yellow ball.” One can imagine the extra concentration and effort he/she will bring to the tee shot. I am looking forward to promoting this format at my club as it looks like a lot of fun.
A14-year-old became the youngest winner on the China LPGA Tour last month.
The golfer was Ren Yijia who defeated veteran Pan Yanhong on the second hole of a play-off in the Beijing Women’s Challenge.
In a rain-soaked final round, both players closed with fiveunder-par 67s over the Beijing Orient Pearl layout to finish on nine-under 207.
On the first play-off hole, the 499-yard 18th, Pan and Ren both made birdie fours. Returning to the same hole, 41-year-old Pan, a six-time winner on the China LPGA Tour, found trouble on her second shot when she landed in a greenside bunker. Ren, who was about 32 yards out in the rough, hit her third shot to within a few inches of the pin with a 58-degree wedge.
After Pan’s bunker shot landed 20 feet from the pin and she missed her par putt, Ren tapped in for birdie and the championship.
At 14 years, 10 months and
15 days, Ren becomes the China LPGA’s youngest winner, bettering the previous mark set by Ni Zixin who won the 2022 Golf Liquor Challenge at
14 years, 11 months and six days.
Ren said afterwards; “Ni Zixin became the youngest winner in Nanshan in 2022 where
I made my debut on the CLPGA Tour. I knew she broke the record. At that time, Ni’s mother told me that I could be the youngest winner one day. I am
proud of myself since I did it today.”
Ren, who began the final day one shot off the lead, got off to a solid start in her bogey-free round when she carded three birdies over the front nine. The Dalian teenager picked up another stroke at the par-five 14th to get to eight-under.
As Pan, playing in the final group, three-putted the 176yard 17th for bogey, Ren playing in the group ahead got up and down for birdie on the final hole for a two-shot swing to lead by one stroke. Pan then answered with a twoputt birdie at the last to force the play-off.
Ren added: “Pan Yanhong is nearly the same age as my mother. She’s a great player. In the play-off I just looked at her as another rival and tried my best to beat her. It was a tough battle.”
While Pan missed out on the honour of victory she collected the winner’s purse of rmb 75,000 (nearly $NZ17,000), as the winner is an amateur.
The first houses at The Greens, Fairview Estate are now complete, available for viewing and ready to move in.
The Greens is the latest residential subdivision at Fairview Estate and features 25 architecturally designed, freehold, townhouses with off-street parking – perfect for motorhomes or caravans – making it an ideal base for lifestyle and retirement adventures.
Fairview Estate has an outstanding café/ restaurant with indoor and outdoor bars, as well as a Country Club which boasts a wealth of facilities that currently includes a health studio, tennis courts, golf course, and an indoor
pool and spa complex for sport, fitness, and socialising. This is community living at its best.
Centrally located in the sunny Bay of Plenty, Katikati is a thriving hub with supermarkets, a medical center, library, and all levels of schooling.
With house and land packages all including Country Club membership, the remaining high-quality packages won’t last long so get in touch and chat to our expert team today.
From the first event in 2016, the vision to grow the sport of Long Drive for the kids has been at the forefront of the founder - Olna Ford’s, vision. With the kids give - it - a - go concept to Champs on the tee at national events, our little drivers certainly are the focus in 2024. With continued thanks to FRUIT GUYS who have sponsored our kids event since 2016 and delivered fresh fruit to events all around the country, we are forever
create a fruitful outcome for all with a local for locals mindset. Our Juniors Championship program is at the core of our 3 year plan to grow participation and build our sports backyards. XDL will be working with pros and clubs all around the pacific to incorporate the Long Drive factor. Home clubs will be host to the regional or state championship where our little champs will take to the tee with sights on the podium for the regional tro-
The XDL Juniors Championship will be part of the XDL schools program with plans to take the promotion of Long Drive on-road, in the DRIVEPOD trailers, set to unfold over the next 8 months with a target to have trailers in every region. The regional focus means local sponsors will be part of a plan to not only DRIVE sport, it will be a real priority to keep business
circling within the region through concentrated business (locals for locals mindset). Since the pandemic, the lack of available sponsorship has made the XDL think out of the box. With two international business awards for BEST Sporting League New Zealand 2023 and winners of Sporting Initiative of the Year 2024, XDL is feeling excited about it;s NEW chapter that focuses on the Juniors and Building the XDL backyard, nationwide.
Launching our Official Juniors Championship with some important Landmark Locations
Papamoa - Location of our first North Island Champs and the landmark location for our Time Capsule
Christchurch - Location of our first South Island Long Drive Champs (Iain Dick - winner) and the North vs South playoff for New Zealand title (Sam Jones - Wins 1st New Zealand Long Drive Champion title with announcement of the New Zealand Long Blacks national team)
Auckland - Home to the North Island
Champs (Pupuke Golf Course)
Taranaki Region - Home to our Golden Cap, 1st New Zealand Long Drive Champion & 1st New Zealand Long Black (Sam Jones)
Nelson - Home to the South Island Champs
Wellington Region - Home to our 2 x Champion and youngest New Zealand Long Black ( Thomas Woods)
Arrowtown/Queenstown RegionSouth Island Champs 2019
XDL New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific
With other landmark locations being secured over the next 6 weeks. Our Juniors will be stepping up onto locally made tee-boxes with their sights on
the podium and the opportunity to win some coaching tips from our National Champs. XDL is taking the expansion seriously with a business development crew being appointed in every region and state. Plans for our project to get underway in Australia have begun with the announcement of appointed Australian Crew being made in August. XDL has some incredible developments within the sport that will see a real DRIVE in the Pacific region that will support the Long Drive Community worldwide. The year 2024 started with a second international business award soon to be seen in the media. Business plans are unfolding with the XDL Juniors Championship now the focus
so that we can see our aspiring New Zealand Long Blacks and Aussie Long Ballers make their way to the podium with a professional sports focus. Promoting the great game of Golf and its venue along the way, it’s a good time to show how XDL respects associations with our clubs and together we DRIVE inclusivity. Our website will be updated over the next 8 weeks to showcase the XDL Juniors (region champs) which will be promoted in a special upcoming media edition.
To all our supporters, we thank you for helping us grow this great sport of Long Drive for everyone.
Getting ready to announce the two national teams at the forefront of sports history for Long Drive. The New Zealand Long Blacks and Aussie Long Ballers are destined for NEW heights taking to the Skies with Auckland Skydive and teeing it up on the tarmac at West Auckland Airport in Parakai for a special back to back Trans Tasman Clash (TTC) with their sights on the ultimate prize the Darren Wise Stingray. The Aussie Long Ballers are historically noted for the win of the first TTC dating back to December 2017 at the famous Greg
Norman’s Course - Stonecutters Ridge Golf Course. Both teams on the wall of fame there and this took the landmark location for the 1st IGANZ Australian Long Drive Champs in 2018. Fast track to 2024 and the New Zealand Long Blacks have won the Darren Wise Stingray for 3 consecutive years, with a nomination of a Halberg Team of the Year in 2021, the New Zealand Long Blacks are hyped to keep the Stingray on home turf and equally the Aussie Long Ballers are hyped to take the Stingray back to OZ.
Our national teams have been selected to celebrate the 8 year journey. This June both teams will be named with our Captains Mr Paul West (New Zealand Long Blacks) and Mr Jason Atkins (Aussie Long Ballers) already on the jerseys. The first Golden Cap and Sam Jones (New Zealand Long Blacks) and Karl Peters (Aussie Long Ballers)
are automatically through. Getting ready to make some noise on the tee and bring the biggest extravaganza to the runway this 23rd and 24th of November when the New Zealand Long Blacks take on the Aussie Long Ballers for the Darren Wise Stingray with the back to back Trans Tasman Clash. #ThisAintGolf
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
WELLSFORD GOLF CLUB
NZ ladies recently won the National Team’s Day District event!
Second place equal was Mangawhai Golf Club and the wonderful hosts for this event, Waipu Golf Club.
MEN’S PENNANTS RESULTS HOSTED AT NORTHLAND GOLF CLUB
Sherwood Park Golf Club beat Waiotira Golf Club 5-4 to win the 2024 18 hole pennants title.
Hikurangi Golf Club/Paparoa Golf Club beat Mangawhai Golf Club 6.5-2.5 to win the 36 hole South Zone final.
Bay Of Islands Golf Club beat Carrington Golf Club 6.5-2.5 to win the 36 hole North Zone final.
AUCKLAND
AUCKLAND GOLF BETTY FAESEN
Royal Auckland and Grange recently won Betty Faesen Shield after an intense season! Tying with Pakuranga and then sealing the deal in a playoff – Also, Titirangi for their impressive win in this year’s A Pennant.
WAIKATO WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP PENNANTS
DIVISION 1 WINNERS FROM CAMBRIDGE!
After Ngaruawahia 1 had beaten Hamilton 1 to move to 8 points on the ladder, Cambridge 1 knew they had to beat North Waikato 1 to claim the title.
All players brought their A games to win comfortably and take home the Division 1 trophy.
L/R: Debbie Carney (WGA Women’s Vice President) Sian Stevenson, Jill Morgan, Suwanna McPhee, Karameli Vitale & Gaylene Bunn (WGA Women’s President)
THE BOP ASSOCIATION PENNANT FINAL
The BOP Association Pennant Final was played at the Te Aroha Golf Club recenttly in great golfing conditions.
An exciting finish with the 9 holers having a playoff between the Number 1 players from Paeroa & Tairua with Susan from Paeroa coming out on top after the first playoff hole.
In the 18 Hole section Thames took out the 2024 title.
PATUTAHI WHANAU 7-1 WIN OVER POVERTY BAY PLAYED RECENTLY
HAWKES BAY GOLF - THE FINALS OF MEN’S PENNANTS
The Finals of Men’s Pennants took place recently at the Maraenui Golf Club. With beautiful blue skies greeting the players it was a great day to have the finals after not having pennants in 2023 due to Cyclone Gabrielle.
Even though the results look pretty clear cut. Most of the divisions were alot closer than it shows with many matches going to the last holes on the back 9.
The results for 2024 were as follows:
Championship #1 - Onga Onga 6 - Napier 3
Championship #2 - Hastings 6.5 - Na-
pier 2.5
Championship #3 - Napier 6.5 - Wairoa 2.5
Handicap #1 - Wairoa 6.5 - Maraenui 2.5
Handicap #2 - Napier 5 - Wairoa 4
Handicap #3 - Napier 7 - Hastings 2
Handicap #4 - Napier 6 - Waipawa 3
MANAIA WINNING BACK TO BACK THE MID WEEK PENNANT TITLES
They beat Inglewood in the final at Stratford, Patea came 3rd and Urenui 2 were 4th.
MANAWATU WANGANUI GOLF
Feilding golfclub recently won the final against Foxton GC with a 3-0 in the foursomes and 3.5-2.5 in the singles. The events were played at Lincoln Golf Club.
Feilding Black also took out the Championship pennant against Feilding White with a 1-1 singles match and 1-0 foursomes.
Wanganui golf club are champions of the Weekend pennant by beating Rangitikei GC in both singles and foursomes 2-0 and 1-0 respectively.
Maton GC A warm day and a very relaxed field of golfers produced high scores and loads of twos in our annual 6x6x6 played recently.
The top 9 teams all scored at least 39 stableford points and there were 11
pairs that scored twos!
Many thanks to all the visitors including a number of golfers from Foxton Golf Club, and Feilding Golf Club who made the trek to Marton to be part of the fun.
Here are the results:
1st - Helen Stafford & Sarah McVerry 48 points
2nd - Alan & Nick Simmons 46 points
3rd - Campbell & Ali Bary 41 points
4th - Stu & Dee Amor 41 points
5th - Tony & Sharon Boxall 41 points
Nearest to the pin #6
Ladies - Sharon Boxall
Men 0-17 - Tony Boxall
Men 18+ - J.Best
Nearest to the pin #12
Ladies - Jenny Ritchie
Men 0-17 - Troy Calkin
Longest Drive
Ladies - Jean Thompson
Men 0-17 - Liam Bremner
Men 18+ - Stu Amor
TWOs #3
Jean Thompson + Jenny Ritchie
Steve Muir + Caroline Watson
R.Best + J.Best
G.Morgan + Paora O’Donnell #6
Nigel Belsham & Graham Marshall
Tony Boxall & Sharon Boxall
Vicky Morgan & Lance Knowles
Helen Stafford & Sarah McVerry #12
Troy & Jarrod Calkin
R. Best & J.Best
Liam & Ryan Bremer
The Final round of the Riverside Cup interclub competition was held recently at Riversdale Beach Golf Club. Eketahuna were the winners for a 23rd time in the events 72 year history.
Past winners include Greytown, Alfredton and Featherston.
CANTERBURY GOLF WOMEN’S SILVER INTERCLUB COMPETITION
The Final of the Women’s Silver Interclub Competition was held at Waimairi Beach Golf Club recently in fine sunny conditions with the course in great order. Fittingly it was the top two teams from round robin play competing in the Final with top seed Russley playing Tai Tapu. In a very close match Tai Tapu managed to edge Russley winning 3.5-2.5. For Tai Tapu, Carol Bates and Helen Byrne had wins and Lesley Martin for Russley, while Liz Reed (Tai Tapu) and Louise Hegan halved their match. Both teams registered a win and a loss in the team ball format.
The victorious Tai Tapu team, from left are Adrienne Shadbolt, Sharon Screen, Liz Reed, Helen Byrne and Carol Bates. CANTERBURY GOLF WOMEN’S NATIONAL CLUB TEAMS DISTRICT FINAL
The National Women’s Club Teams District Final was played at Waimairi Beach Golf Club on recently where 19 Canterbury clubs were represented in the annual Four Ball Stroke Play event. The weather played its part being fine and sunny and the Waimairi Beach course was in great condition.
As has become the norm for this event, the scoring was again very close with just 12 shots covering the entire field (5 shots covered the top 11 teams) before the Tai Tapu team of ,from left Adrienne Shadbolt, Liz Reed, Sun Han and Pearl Park took out the National Women’s Club Teams District Final for the second time in the past three years with a total of 130, edging out the Kaiapoi team of Diane Brown, Marion Shelton, Brenda Li and Michelle Anngow on a countback.
Third, a further shot back were the McLeans Island team of Sue Collins, Judy Smith, Haley Evans and Aileen Lacey on 131.
The 9 Hole Mixed Interclub Final was played at Harewood Golf Club recently in cold, bleak conditions with the course in great order, especially with the course renovations that are currently happening at Harewood.
The match was a very close affair with all players contributing well to the team score, and played in a very friendly and encouraging manner throughout the final. The Tai Tapu team of, from left Rosie Holmes, Fran Price, Pam Schruers and Laurie Gould continued their great round robin form, going through the competition unbeaten and defeated Coringa’s Janice McPhail, Graeme McPhail, Leigh McEwen and Nicola Preece 67 stableford points to 65.
The Final round of the Canterbury Central Shield Interclub competition was held at Weedons on 21 April in fine conditions and the course in great order.
As has been the case throughout the competition it was always going to be a tight finish, with just six points covering the six teams in the competition at the end of round-robin play.
Last year’s Champions Ellesmere did everything they could to try and go backto-back, defeating Greendale / Burnham 6-0 in their final match to finish second, however the Lincoln team of Mike Boshoff, Sam Ballantyne, Richard Weaver and Dave Shannon held their nerve in a very close match defeating Weedons Red 4-2 to take the title.
In the other match of the day Weedons Black defeated Hororata 3.5-2.5.
The Grant Lethaby Trophy was won by Ellesmere’s Mike Berry who remained unbeaten throughout the competition with a perfect 5-from-5 record.
The Aorangi Women’s Silver pennant final was played between Timaru/Temuka & Gleniti 1 at the Waimate Golf Club on Monday 6th May 2024 in cold and challenging conditions as winter starts to show its teeth.
The Gleniti winning Team on the day was Jenny Austin Christine Bowman, Barbara O’Connell & Trish Knight. The result was 10 - 2 to Gleniti in what was a dominant show-
ing for the club and an internal battle for South Canterbury bragging rights!
from left (Jenny Austin, Christine Bowman, Barbara O’Connell, Trish Knight)
All Gleniti players contributed points whether through their single, fourball or both, with Frances Mulvey making the lone point for the Timaru/Temuka side. Jenny Johnson had played in previous rounds of the competition also, contributing in their journey to the final.
Cromwell Golf Club hosted the 2024 Otago Country vs Southland Country fixture.
Both teams would compete in morning foursomes matches and afternoon singles matches to decide who would take home the Glennie Tray.
Southland were the first to poke their noses in front in the morning foursomes matches. O’Brien and Froger took down Devlin and Larsen 6/5, claiming Southlands first point. The match between Otago’s Henshall and Booker against Fraser and Young couldn’t be decided in 18 holes and ended in a tie. Otago’s Marnane and Shaw beat Southland’s Russell and McColl 3/2 to even up the scores, until McRae and Boyce beat Milne and Baird
5/3 to secure another point for Otago.
Otago held a small lead after the morning foursomes matches, setting up for an exciting finish with the afternoon singles. It was Otago who continued to grow their lead in the afternoon singles, with the first three matches going their way. Otago’s Larsen beat Young 3/2, before
being joined by teammates Booker and Devlin, who won their matches 3/1 and 4/3. Southlands Russell and O’Brien struck back, winning their games 6/5 and 3/2, meaning Southland would need to win the remaining three matches to take home the trophy. However, when Otago’s Shaw beat McColl 4/3, it would seal the win for Otago. Southland’s Baird beat McRae 5/4, with Otago’s Boyce claiming the last point, winning her game 3/1 over Milne.
The final results saw Otago claim the Glennie Tray for 2024. The fixture will be back down in Southland next year where it will mark the 60th anniversary of the Glennie Tray donated by Mrs GE Glennie in 1965.
Overall scores: Otago 7.5 – 4.5 Southland
