Golfer Pacific NZ – November 2024

pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz

How times haven’t changed in the last 10 years

By Paul Gueorgieff Editor, Golfer Pacific NZ

Ihad a look back to write this column.

I went back 10 years to the November issue of Golfer Pacific and found an amazing coincidence.

On the front cover of the November, 2014, edition was Mark Brown. On the front cover of this month’s edition of Golfer Pacific is Mark Brown. Has time stood still?

This month’s edition is about Brown winning the Taranaki Open in New Plymouth.

A decade ago it was about the Tauranga-based former Wellingtonian winning the Tauranga Open. The heading on the story read: “Mark Brown’s magic numbers of 26 and 59.”

The numbers referred to his amazing second round score of 59 which included a sensational 26 for holes one to nine (he started on hole No 11). He had seven birdies, an eagle and a par for nine under par.

It was such a feat that Golfer Pacific carried a photo of his scorecard.

The 26 was considered the second-lowest score for nine holes in world professional golf. The lowest had been 10 under par.

Well done to Brown to again making the headlines this month in Golfer Pacific.

Brown turns 50 next February. I wonder if he would consider trying to qualify for the PGA Tour Champions in the United States.

Moving on.

My column for the November, 2014, edition of Golfer Pacific referred to subscriber television broadcaster Sky TV losing its rights to cover the PGA Tour in the United States.

Coverage of the PGA Tour was to be taken over by internet-based provider Coliseum Sports Media and my column asked would you become a subscriber.

Upon reading this I could hardly remember the event and assumed Coliseum did not last long. I was thankful Sky TV is today covering golf along with many other sports.

The November, 2014, edition of Golfer Pacific also included articles about the New Zealand Open. One heading announced: “NZ Open up to $1 million; live TV cover.”

The story said the 2014 New Zealand Open had gone without any live television coverage but it would return in 2015 with Sky TV returning to the fray.

Isn’t funny how things come and go but essentially stay the same.

The New Zealand Open story also announced that prizemoney would be increased to $1 million. Prizemoney had been $850,000 in 2014 and it was confirmed that the New Zealand government had invested in the 2015 edition.

In case you were wondering, this year’s event in March carried a purse of $2 million.

Next month’s column will be a look back at the December, 2014, edition of Golfer Pacific. I am joking, or I think I am.

Mark Brown wins Taranaki Open after playoff

In a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 Charles Tour, seasoned professional Mark Brown claimed victory at the Taranaki Open following a playoff against Josh Geary.

Hosted at the New Plymouth Golf Club, the final round saw Brown and Geary locked in a battle for the title.

Brown began the final day with a one-shot lead, but it was Geary’s impressive six-under round that set the stage for an exciting finish.

Despite Geary’s commanding play, an unexpected bogey on the 18th opened the door, allowing Brown to force a playoff. Faced with a 20-foot birdie putt on the final hole to secure victory, Brown’s attempt missed, leaving him a challenging par putt, which he successfully made to send the contest into a sudden-death playoff.

On the playoff hole, Geary’s tee shot went out of bounds, and Brown capitalised to claim the title of the Taranaki Savings Bank-sponsored tournament.

Reflecting on his hard-

fought win, Brown commented: “It felt like I’ve been playing pretty well the last year or two, but it’s hard to win, especially

as you get a bit older. Josh is such a great champion, so I’m really, really stoked.”

Brown’s final round charge

included birdies on holes 14 through 17, which he credited as a turning point.

“I knew with the wind not

quite as strong, Josh was probably the man to go out and shoot low — he’s been playing so well. It helped in some ways, as I knew I had to make some birdies to win.”

Brown also expressed appreciation for the New Plymouth Golf Club and its storied history.

“New Plymouth is so special—a wonderful test with the weather conditions and the quality of the golf course. It’s a great championship course. We go back a long way, me and this golf course, and what a way to finish.”

While Geary narrowly missed out on victory at the Taranaki Open, his back-toback wins at the Mount Open and Tauranga Open earlier in the season secured him the top spot in the points’ race of the 2024 Charles Tour, sponsored by Jennian Homes.

With the season now concluded, the top 24 players look ahead to the Race to Tieke tournament in 2025, where they will compete for a $100,000 purse.

Ten minutes’ drive south-west of Hastings will bring you to one of the surprises of Hawkes Bay.

The youngest of the four major golf courses in the Bay, the Hawkes Bay Golf Club, formerly the Flaxmere Golf Club, still has room to accommodate new members.

Today the course looks magnificent, with wide, tree-lined, N.Z. browntop and fescue fairways and large Pencross greens. Hawkes Bay Golf Club was among the first in the country to use this cultivar for all 18 holes. The tranquil setting has attracted much wildlife to join the members on their way around the course. Tui’s can often be heard in the trees, while at ground level the doves are a picture as they gather to watch the golfers amble by.

There are also wild duck, plover, heron and the very noisy pied stilts, which regularly nest in and populate the water hazards about the course. In addition to the wild-life, the course offers magnificent views, with Te Mata peak to the east and the Northern Ruahines to the west.

Mark Brown who beat Josh Geary in a playoff to win the Taranaki Open in New Plymouth last month.

The hat’s hard.

The decision isn’t.

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New Zealand’s top 40 golf courses for 2024

By Andrew Whiley NZPGA golf professional and rankings coordinator

New Zealand is known as one of the world’s great golf destinations and it is time to recognise the best courses in New Zealand along with some of our great golf clubs.

New Zealand Golf Rankings has completed its 2024 surveys and analysis and now, with daylight saving and summer golf weather upon us, we want to share our results. We also want to encourage local golfers to travel around the country and play some of our many wonderful golf courses.

So, which golf courses have you played? And where will your next golfing road trip take you and your friends?

For the fourth time in eight years, Tara Iti ranks as the best golf course in New Zealand in our 2024 rankings. Yes, the golf course is extremely private, but it is truly something special. If you ever have the opportunity to play there, then you should jump at it.

The setting, the layout and how the course plays is unique and memorable, from the time you drive through the gates, through to holing your final putt on the 18th green. It is absolutely, magical.

New to the rankings are the Te Arai golf courses located a 90-minute drive north of Auckland. Te Arai South nearly knocked Tara Iti from its top spot.

The two courses, Te Arai South which ranked in second place, and Te Arai North, which came in third, really make the region a must play golf destination for golfers from around the world.

The flow of the two courses, with the scenery, accommodation and dining make it one of the best places in the world to stay and play golf.

The Queenstown pair of Jacks Point and The Hills were in the fourth and sixth spots with only .03 of a point separating them, while Wairakei managed

to squeeze into fifth position.  Meanwhile, its neighbour Kinloch moved to the No 8 spot.

Cape Kidnappers came in at No 7 and Kauri Cliffs moved to the ninth position. This year the rankings were extremely close with the No 4 Jacks Point through to No 9 Kauri Cliffs, being separated by only 0.28 of a point. This shows just how close the quality of these destination golf courses are and what wonderful courses we have.

Paraparaumu Beach snuck in at the No 10 position and is regarded as the number one traditional New Zealand golf club. The Millbrook Coronet course came in at No 11 and pipped its sister course, the Millbrook Remarkables course, by a small margin, narrowly followed by the Titirangi, Royal Wellington and Christchurch clubs.

The New Zealand top 40 golf rankings were last compiled in December, 2022. Therefore, this is the first ranking conducted with the new Te Arai golf courses and dropping the Gulf Harbour Golf Club after it was closed.

Russley and Mangawhai golf clubs returned into the top 40 rankings and the Waverley Golf Club made its inaugural appearance into the rankings.

This year, there were several golf clubs that dropped down the rankings and three dropped out of the top 40. However, Queenstown Golf Club was the biggest climber, rising seven positions to the 26th spot.  It was noted that the removal of the trees and improved conditioning of the course assisted in this significant rise.

The rankings were compiled from the results of 23 rankers submitting their top 12 courses in the North and South Islands. The ranking panel has over 800 years of combined golf experience, with rankers from the deep south through to North Auckland, with a diverse mix consisting of professional players, experienced amateur players, golf industry professionals and some club players with extensive play-

ing experience here in New Zealand and internationally.

This year, those who submitted included: Phil Aicken, Benn Ashford, Barry Brown, Hamish Campbell, Blair Dibley, Phil Ellison, Michael Glading, Simon Forshaw, Tolan Henderson, Tony Houpt, Denise Langdon, Jon McCord, Jamie McIsaac, Nigel Merrett, Patrick Moore, Willie Moore, Grant Moorhead, Kieran Muir, Hamish Robertson, Alan Rose, Duncan Simpson, Doug White and Fraser Wilkin.

The ranking system is based on seven criteria that cover the key factors that are essential in good golf course design, which are important to the golfers that play these golf courses. The criteria are risk/reward, playability, layout, design, scenic values, conditioning and ambience. A maximum of five points were awarded per category thus, the maximum any course could receive was a total of 35 points.

The points awarded were totalled up and then divided by the numbers of rankers so the average was calculated thus giving the overall result.

This is the seventh time that Andrew Whiley has coordinated the rankings. Rankings were previously conducted in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022.

Once again, as in previous rankings, there are some hidden gems that were mentioned by some rankers, but which didn’t quite make the final top 40. This included such courses as Waihi, Rangatira, Ohope and Roxburgh, all of which have some great features that make them fantastic places to stop and play a round. Tokarahi and Mahia Golf Clubs were mentioned as being memorable nine-hole courses and Waverley, Millbrook and Te Arai were all noted for their great 19th hole hospitality.

The Waipu and the Manawatu golf clubs were highlighted by respondents for their exceptional catering and food on offer.

So, the challenge for those of you who love golf, is to set a goal to try to play as many of the top 40 courses that you haven’t yet played on this year’s list.

Find the time to seek out and play those hidden gems; make a point of getting out there in our beautiful country and see if you agree with the ranking scores.

Again, as it’s been mentioned before, it’s not just about playing the famous or big name courses, but it’s about being able to enjoy our unique and amazing courses that have something to offer everyone.

Andrew Whiley is the past president of the NZPGA, NZPGA board member from 2008–2024 and was the former professional at Chisholm Links in Dunedin (2003 – 2015).

He was elected to the Dunedin City Council in 2013 and is currently in his fourth term on the council.

Andrew joined the NZPGA in 1984.  He was the assistant professional at the Miramar Golf Club in Wellington before going on to being the golf professional at Te Awamatu in Waikato.

He then lived in northern California for a period where he tried to play professionally before being a caddy at Pebble Beach. A three-year stint in Canada saw him working as assistant professional in Calgary and at Banff Springs before returning to New Zealand and taking up the role of golf professional at Whanganui Golf Club for a three-year period before returning to Canada for seven years in various roles in the golf industry.   Andrew first coordinated the New Zealand golf rankings in 2012 after various rankings of New Zealand golf courses were being undertaken with rankers who had very little knowledge of New Zealand golf courses especially in the regions.   The rankings have a strict ranking process that is modelled on the international ranking system that the Golf Digest magazine syndications use worldwide.

Risk/reward: How well does the course pose risks and rewards and equally test length, accuracy and finesse?

Playability: How difficult, while still being fair, is the course for a scratch player from the back tees?

Layout: How varied are the golf course’s holes in differing lengths, configurations, hazard placements, green shapes and green contours?

Design: How well do the design features (tees, fairways, greens, hazards, vegetation and terrain) provide individu-

ality to each hole, yet a collective continuity to the entire 18?

Scenic value: How well do the scenic values of the course (including landscaping, vegetation, water features and backdrops) add to the pleasure of a round?

Conditioning: How were the tees, fairways and greens on the day you played the course?

Ambience: How well does the overall feel and atmosphere of the course reflect or uphold the traditional values of the game?

New Zealand golfers embrace challenges at the Asia-Pacific Amateur in Japan

New Zealand’s top amateur golfers competed at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at the renowned Taiheiyo Club Gotemba Course in Japan last month.

Despite challenging weather conditions, including rain and fog, the tournament was an invaluable opportunity for the Kiwi athletes to test their skills on an international stage.

Representing New Zealand were Josh Bai, Jayden Ford, Robby Turnbull and Cooper Moore. Bai traveled from Canada after his appearance at the Junior President’s Cup, while Ford, Turnbull, and Moore arrived from a busy competitive stretch on the Charles Tour in New Zealand. The championship brought together the best amateur players from the Asia-Pacific region, and the picturesque course, set against the stunning backdrop of Mount Fuji, was expected to deliver an unforgettable experience.

The early practice rounds enjoyed beautiful weather, with clear skies highlighting the scenic landscape. However, as the tournament began, the conditions changed dramatically. Rain and fog quickly set in, delaying play and creating difficult conditions for the competitors. Round two, in particular, saw a fiveplus hour delay due to heavy fog, which pushed back the remainder of the tournament schedule. Despite these challenges, the players adjusted and persevered, making the most of the softened

greens in the later rounds, which aided scoring.

Performance Highlights:

Moore delivered an impressive performance throughout the week, finishing tied for eighth place with a score of four under par. Ford battled through the adverse weather to finish tied for 26th place at three over par, while Turnbull ended tied for 49th at 12 over. Bai, despite a difficult week, showed resilience, finishing in 59th place with a final score of 19 over. (All four made the cut)

Coach Jay Carter reflected on the tournament, calling it an “opportunity” for the players. “This week was great for Cooper and Robby to see how they stack up against an international field, and for Jayden and Joshua, it gave them a good indication of where they’re at in terms of competing for wins at this level,” said Carter.

Cultural Immersion:

The tournament wasn’t just about golf; it also provided the players with an enriching cultural experience. The team participated in two special dinners — one at the Fuji Speedway and another at the Taiheiyo Club — where they experienced traditional Japanese ceremonies, including tea rituals and a sumo wrestling exhibition. These cultural moments gave the players a deeper appreciation for Japan’s heritage and traditions, adding a unique layer to their tournament experience.

On the cusp of triumph or disaster — mini golf

By Peter Thornton

It all comes down to this. I am standing on the 16th tee in a share of the lead in our annual family mini golf

challenge. I hit my first putt solidly and it goes up and over the hump, past the hole and over another hump into no man’s land.

It takes a further three strokes until

time to come.

There is no other game quite like mini golf. At any time on the course, you are on the cusp of triumph or disaster.

For many families, mini golf is just a fun summertime activity. For others like mine – who take it way too seriously – it means bragging rights around the dinner table at Christmas. I am happy to say we have got better, but what will always remain is our love of the game.

Whether it is whacking a ball through a windmill, navigating a narrow pass or weaving through a water hazard, mini golf appeals to that big kid in all of us.

Playing a mini golf course for the first time is always a special experience.

The New Zealand Mini Golf Federation says there are 95 miniature golf courses across Aotearoa. From Action World Paihia in the Far North to Jump ‘N’ Fun in Invercargill, there is something for everyone across the summer months.

my ball finds the bottom of the cup and my hopes are dashed. I know what this means. I am shouting the after-match ice creams, but worse still, I will be hearing about this moment for a long

Taupō is a favourite holiday destination for many New Zealanders over the summer break and we take a tour of three of their best mini golf courses.

1. TAUPŌ MINI GOLF

An iconic mini golf course of the New Zealand landscape. Taupō Mini Golf is located in the heart of Taupō

An aerial view of the Taupō Mini Golf course which has been part of the local tourism landscape for 32 years and has been owned by the same family for that time.

overlooking the lake. On a fine day, you can take in a stunning view across the lake to the snow-capped Mt Ruapehu. This is a must play course if you are staying in Taupō or travelling through to your holiday destination and need to get the restless kids out of the car. The Taupō Mini Golf course has been part of the local tourism landscape for 32 years and has been owned by the same family for that time.

“We are still one of Taupō’s iconic attractions for visitors and locals alike,” said manager Kate Reed.

“Customers who enjoyed Taupō Mini Golf when they were children, are now returning with their own families, which is special.”

And you can see why. Kate was great to our family on our visit – even putting up with our out-of-control three-yearold and made us feel very welcome. The course is a great layout and an awesome challenge.

www.taupominigolf.co.nz

2. SOUTHERN LAKE TAUPŌ ADVENTURE MINI GOLF (TURANGI)

On the other side of the lake, this is a brilliant layout that mirrors the terrain of the Central Plateau with volcanoes, canyons and rivers. It’s an old school

course with features that are imbedded into the landscape. There are significant changes in elevation throughout the lay-

out and it is a popular spot in the local Turangi community. Like Taupō, this is a quintessential New Zealand mini golf course and has been around for a long time. There is something nice about the established feel of this place. Turangi is a place you often drive through but with this mini golf course and the main golf course down the road, it is a great spot for a few days on your holiday. There are a large number of people who have provided feedback on TripAdvisor on Southern Lake Taupō Adventure Mini Golf and they all recommend making the stop and giving this course a go. Some of the holes will test really test your ability to putt under pressure.

3. SWINGERS PUTT PUTT (TAUPŌ)

One of the newest and perhaps most innovative mini golf courses in the country. Swingers has made quite the impression since opening two years ago. On a warm sunny afternoon, there aren’t many places better than having a quiet pint on the landing deck surrounded by an artificial wonderland. Like the Turangi course, the layout highlights many of the attractions of the local tourism landscape. You’ll putt up and over Mt Ruapehu – complete with mini skiers on the mountain and on a chairlift, over the iconic Huka Falls, along-

side Lake Taupō and down Desert Road, and many more features.

The attention to detail is incredible. If you are coming to the Central Plateau this summer, it is a place you have to experience for yourself.

One of the best holes on the course is Mount Doom which has a big dragon that roars above your head.

Jeremy Smith, the manager of Swingers Putt Putt, said the thing that makes his courses special is each hole represents something in the Taupō region.

“My advice for people playing our course for the first time is make sure you go for the dwarf tunnel — it gives you a better chance of a hole in one.”

Each hole gives you facts and information about the Taupō region and its attractions. You can play as a family and answer the questions with your scorecard to go in to win prizes. Once you’ve played during the day, they suggest you come back to play round two under the multi-coloured LED lights once it’s dark. You can then enjoy a meal or a drink at Mavericks Gastropub that overlooks the course. It’s a great addition to Taupō. www.swingersputtputt.co.nz

Special thanks to Love Taupō for the images and their help to coordinate this story.

Swingers Putt Putt in Taupō has made quite an impression since opening two years ago. Photo credit: Robinson Studios.

The Landing Swingers Putt Putt. Photo credit: Robinson Studios.

The mini golf in Turangi is a brilliant layout that mirrors the terrain of the Central Plateau with volcanoes, canyons and rivers.

Ryder Cup money grab outrage

NBy Neville Idour

ext year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York is expected to draw 250,000 spectators during the week at this public course. For people outside the United States, travel costs will not be the only consideration. You may need a mortgage for the ticket prices.

Hold your breath. For an adult to take his two children on a competition day it will cost $NZ3711. That is $NZ1237 per head. There are no children’s prices. The prices for all days Tuesday to Sunday make breathtaking reading.

Tuesday September 23rd, practice day: $NZ372.

Wednesday 24th, practice day: $NZ372.

Thursday 25th, practice day, Junior Ryder Cup exhibition, celebrity matches and opening ceremony: $NZ700.

Friday 26th, Saturday 27th, Sunday 28th, match days: $NZ1237 each day.

Are you still with us? There is good news. The prices include food and non alcoholic beverages. Whoopee I hear

you say. Not. Many flabbergasted fans have taken to social media to vent their outrage. Some fans feel it is more than a joke.

Comments included: “We need to unify and boycott this. Then we can move on to groceries and housing next.” “It’s unfair, unjustifiable and unforgivable.”

Given there is no prizemoney or player payouts, comments are more than justifiable, especially when the affordable prices at the 2023 Italian-hosted Ryder Cup are compared. Practice days were $NZ82 and $NZ99. Friday $NZ435 and $453 for Saturday and Sunday. So the price jumps at Bethpage Black are horrendous.

The working class are being priced out and denied the opportunity to unwind and escape the daily grind in an  increasingly mixed up world. Of course this will deny most of tomorrow’s players (the kids) the opportunity to see their heroes, (maybe that is the intention) not to mention many passionate fans who quite simply cannot afford the eye watering prices. Who will want to take their couple of children to watch a group of multi-millionaires smacking a ball around a field to

eventually find a hole to rest in when it is going to cost an arm and a leg? No wonder some of the players want to be paid. I can just hear Patrick Cantlay crying to be paid when he sees the prices.

So what is the upshot of all the outraged fans responses, many of whom thought the PGA of America would see the outcry and put things right. They were dreaming. The championship director at the PGA, Bryan Karns, was wearing none of it saying: “The demand for the event was at an all time high.”

So was his high horse as he added: “We view ourselves as a tier one event, on a par with a World Series or an NBA Finals game. So when we look at pricing we are able to see what people pay at these other events. People have the Ryder Cup on their bucket list the same as a Yankees’ World Series opening game on their bucket list. So we wanted to make sure we priced it appropriately.”

Yes, a 400 percent hike for practice days and 300 percent for the weekend match days. That seems extremely appropriate. As for the sop of included food and soft drinks, if there are as many people at the event as the PGA of America hopes, it will

be difficult to get one’s money’s worth. Imagine the queues at so called concession lines away from the action, of which there are just four groups to watch other than singles day. Missing the action might be the choice.

Sport is nothing without fans who don’t feel ripped off. Using sport to fund corporate greed without considering the fans who pay to watch is mercenary practice at its worst. Test cricket has been badly affected as has football. Golf outside of VIP and hospitality areas has mostly been excellent value for money over the years. Is this Ryder Cup changing that?

The irony in all of this is the Ryder Cup is a non commercial competition being held again on a public course. However the organisers have decided the public should pay VIP course prices. Something isn’t right and the effects will be interesting to see when the action begins.

This should all make us appreciate our 2025 New Zealand Open at Millbrook all the more where fans  are welcome and not viewed as dollar signs to be fleeced.

Ryder Cup volunteers being fleeced

By Neville Idour

As if the inflated ticket price furore for spectators at the 2025 Ryder Cup weren’t enough, volunteers are also in the firing line for fleecing.

The PGA of America isn’t only hiking the ticket prices several fold, but there is now a hefty fee for those who want to generously volunteer.

According to golf.com, workers at next year’s match at Bethpage in New York, will be charged an inflated “volunteer package” fee for the privilege. The all up total fee including, would you believe, credit card fees and taxes, is close to $US400 ($NZ665).

However, it is not uncommon internationally for on-site volunteers to be charged at the biggest golf events in recent years. It seems that outside New Zealand, the days of volunteers getting free gear for their week-long efforts are a thing of the past – at least as far as the PGA of America is concerned. Incidentally at the last major at Bethpage, the 2019 PGA Championship, volunteers paid $US175 ($NZ291)

The good news is that for the hefty payment they will receive a uniform, a drawstring bag, a commemorative pin badge and food during shifts. But nothing else. There seems little doubt that this price hike to volunteer will cause more ructions for those fans who

want to join the action.

Once again this highlights how privileged we who volunteer for the New Zealand Open are. Volunteers every year are so well looked after and appreciated by the New Zealand Open organisers, led by chairman John Hart and tournament director Michael Glading.

Not only do volunteers receive a hat, shirt, jacket, lunches, buffet function with several invited celebrities, but also the cream on top of one or two rounds of complimentary golf at Millbrook. What more could one ask for? No wonder so many volunteer year after year. Long may it last.

Official world golf rankings well past their use by date

By Neville Idour

There was a time when the official world golf ranking (OWGR) served a useful purpose, but now it is just a commercial tool of the PGA Tour.

Sports agent Mark McCormick (IMG) developed a world golf ranking which spawned the Sony rankings in 1986. Back then the rankings allowed a fair shake of the dice for players throughout the world. In fact by September, 1982, Australia had six players inside the top 30. Not now. Not likely.

The OWGR is now heavily biased and significantly favours the PGA Tour ahead of all other international circuits, very much including the PGA Tour of Australasia.

A prize example is the 2023 West Australian Open won by Simon Hawkes. He received a miserly 1.13 ranking points. Meanwhile mega star Luke List received 28.92 points for winning the Sanderson Farms Champs on the PGA Tour. Australian Lucas Herbert finished T-28 and banked 1.27 points.

That same week Matt Fitzpatrick received 26.12 points for winning the Alfred Dunhill Links at St Andrews in Scot-

land while Paul Barjon (who?) banked 10.14 points for his Korn Ferry Tour win. In Japan the winner got 4.4 points and in Korea the winner received 3.36 points. Adrian Meronk earned a measly 10.26 points while 10th place got 1.15 points.

Jon Rahm said well before his move to LIV Golf that it was laughable that the winner of the 2022 DP World Tour Championship, which had seven of the world’s top 25 players, received less points than the winner of the concurrent RSM Classic which featured none of the top 25. Ridiculous.

The question is why, apart from a hefty appearance fee, would a top 30 ranked player bother to play one of these ``minor’’ tours. Without a win or top three finish at worst, their ranking would likely drop. The minimal points awarded to Australasian tournaments is certainly having a negative affect for our players.

But when you cut to the chase it is all about power and money. Phil Mickelson gave four reasons why LIV Golf has been denied ranking points.

1. It’s a monopoly run by a governing board of Americans and Europe-

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ans linked to the PGA and DP World Tours.

2. The PGA Tour television contract is based on the OWGR to get all their money.

3. They would lose leverage if LIV got points.

4. The PGA Tour has borrowed against the television deal so need to hit their benchmarks to get all their money from American broadcast television and radio network CBS.

Agree with him or not, Mickelson does make some valid points based on his experience with the tour. The 54 hole format and limited size fields are the main reasons given for denying ranking points to LIV players but surely some formula could be arrived at.

Fifty four holes? Why not 75% of the points for a PGA Tour event. Matt Fitzpatrick, a non LIV golfer, said: “There is no doubt in my opinion that if you were to win a major with LIV players not allowed to play, there would always be an asterisk next to your name. I think it is good for the game if they play.”

The bottom line is the PGA Tour

and chief executive Jay Monahan has the whip hand and wants to keep it that way along with its now feeder DP World Tour, leaving the many other tours in the world, where most of the population live, as mere irrelevances. It is also clear the establishment hates LIV because it threatens its monopoly. The Saudi Arabian moral argument falls flat when the proponents of that argument are also knee deep in Saudi money.

LIV Golf chief Greg Norman has always hated the closed shop and advocated a whole world approach, as did Seve Ballesteros who had no time for the PGA Tour chief at the time. Average golf fans like you and I just want to see the best players in the world competing in the majors and any other significant events wherever that may be.

The time has definitely passed for the current world ranking system to be burnt alive and a new independent body made up of people from various tours assembled to formulate a fair and equitable ranking system that gives all players from all tours reasonable ranking points.

Meet the 30 players who have graduated to the PGA Tour

The top 30 players from the Korn Ferry Tour in the United States earned cards for the PGA Tour, which begins in January.

Some key numbers to know about the Korn Ferry Tour class of 2024:

23 – Players who will be PGA TOUR rookies for the 2025 season (Mason Andersen, Frankie Capan III, Ricky Castillo, Quade Cummins, Cristobal Del Solar, Taylor Dickson, Steven Fisk, Noah Goodwin, Matt McCarty, William Mouw, Kaito Onishi, John Pak, Jeremy Paul, Paul Peterson, Aldrich Pogtieter, Thomas Rosenmueller, Isaiah Salinda, Jackson Suber, Braden Thornberry, Kevin Velo, Karl Vilips, Danny Walker, Tim Widing).

8 – Countries and territories represented (Australia, Chile, Germany, Japan, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, United States)

20 – At 20 years and 23 days of age, Aldrich Potgieter is the second-youngest graduate in Korn Ferry Tour history, only trailing Jason Day, who was 19 years, 11 months, and 23 days of age upon graduating in 2007.

Below is a look at each member the Korn Ferry Tour class of 2024, with the graduates listed in order of their finish on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour points’ list.

No 1 – Matt McCarty

Finished No. 1 on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour points’ list off the strength of three victories in a stretch of six starts across July and August, with his wins coming at the Price Cutter Charity Championship (July 21), Pinnacle Bank Championship (August 11), and Albertsons Boise Open (August 25). Became the 13th player in Korn Ferry Tour history to earn the three-victory promotion, which was established in 1997, and the 24th player in tour history to win three times in a season. Co-led the Korn Ferry Tour with nine top 10s, eight of which were top-five finishes. Born, raised, and continues to reside in Scottsdale, Arizona. Played five seasons at Santa Clara University (2016-21), where he earned three All-West Coast Conference honours (2018, 2019, 2021) and two degrees (bachelor’s in finance,

master’s in marketing). Turned professional in 2021 and recorded back-toback top 75 finishes on the Korn Ferry Tour points’ list, finishing No 55 as a rookie in 2022, and No 35 in 2023.

No 2 – Max McGreevy

A three-time Korn Ferry Tour winner returning to the PGA Tour after victories at the Memorial Health Championship and Magnit Championship. Coled the Korn Ferry Tour with nine top 10s in 2024. Graduating from the Korn Ferry Tour for a second time, having previously accomplished the feat as a member of the class of 2020-21. Qualified for the 2022 FedExCup Playoffs as a PGA Tour rookie. Born and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma, and moved back to his childhood hometown in 2023. Played four seasons at University of Oklahoma (2023-17), helping the Sooners win the team national title at the 2017 NCAA Championship. Father, Brian McGreevy, played golf at University of Kansas and won the 1998 Oklahoma State Amateur Championship.

No 3 – Frankie Capan III

Native of Minnesota who secured PGA Tour membership for the first time with his victory at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship in Columbus, Ohio. Added a pair of runner-up finishes in 2024, his second consecutive season on the Korn Ferry Tour (finished No 51 on the points’ list as a rookie in 2023). Parred his last two holes as he tied the Korn Ferry Tour record for lowest 18-hole score relative to par with a 13-under 58 in the opening round of the 2024 Veritex Bank Championship, where he eventually finished solo fourth. Played two seasons at University of Alabama (2018-20) and two seasons at Florida Gulf Coast University (2020-22). Alongside Shuai Ming Wong, won the 2017 US Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Pinehurst No 2 (and No 8). Turned professional in 2022 and was one of eight players who advanced through every stage of the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour qualifying tournament (now PGA Tour Q-school presented by Korn Ferry), beginning with pre-qualifying.

Made his PGA Tour debut as a 16-yearold amateur at the 2016 Puerto Rico Open (won by Tony Finau). Grew up in North Oaks, Minnesota, but also spent half of his high school years in Phoenix, Arizona, where he won back-to-back individual state titles (2017, 2018) at Northwest Christian School. Claims to have made a 50-yard field goal while barefoot. Favourite sports team is the Minnesota Vikings, and he keeps the ticket from his first Vikings game (September 28, 2003 – a 35-7 win over the San Francisco 49ers at the Metrodome) in his bible. Last name is pronounced SAP-in.

No 4 – Steven Fisk

Born, raised, went to college, and won his first Korn Ferry Tour event in the state of Georgia, with his victory at the Club Car Championship at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club in Savannah propelling him to a PGA Tour card. Also recorded a pair of runner-up finishes, as well as pair of third place finishes in what was his third consecutive season on the Korn Ferry Tour. Entered 2024 with just one top 10 in his first 47 career starts on the Korn Ferry Tour. Has yet to make a PGA Tour start. Grew up in Stockbridge, Georgia, and spent his formative golf years at Rum Creek Golf Course, a par three course and driving range his father and a family friend built and continue to operate today. Played four seasons at Georgia Southern University (2015-19), where he amassed a school-record nine career wins and finished as the individual runner-up at the 2019 NCAA Championship. Immediate contender for most unique grip on tour.

No

5 – Tim Widing

A native of Jonkoping, Sweden, who earned his first PGA Tour card after back-to-back victories in April. Followed a sudden-death playoff victory at the  Suncoast Classic with a record-setting win at the Veritex Bank Championship, where he totaled 31-under 253 at Texas Rangers Golf Club to break the Korn Ferry Tour record for lowest 72-hole score relative to par; his winning score

of 253 marked the second-lowest 72hole score in Korn Ferry Tour history, only trailing Stephan Jaeger’s 250 from the 2016 Ellie Mae Classic. Also broke Korn Ferry Tour records for most birdies (33) and most birdies and eagles (34) in a 72-hole event en route to his win at the Veritex Bank Championship. Made his major championship debut at the 2024 PGA Championship, and later finished 41st at the 2024 US Open. Featured cast member of “One Shot Away,” the Korn Ferry Tour’s season-long, six-episode documentary series available on YouTube. Previously made his PGA Tour debut as a sponsor exemption at the 2021 Genesis Invitational. Played five seasons at University of San Francisco (2016-21), where he won three times and earned the 2019-20 Bill Russell Award, which recognised him as the University of San Francisco male student-athlete of the year. Alongside Ludvig Åberg, helped Sweden qualify for match play at the 2018 European Amateur Team Championship. Played hockey for 10 years and still dreams of playing in front of a full crowd at Madison Square Garden, the home of his favourite NHL team (New York Rangers). Resides in San Luis Obispo, California, where he and his wife, Jazmine, hope to live together for many, many years to come.

No 6 – Taylor Dickson

In what was his fourth consecutive season on the Korn Ferry Tour, earned PGA Tour membership for the first time off the strength of wins at the Astara Chile Classic and Wichita Open. Previous finishes on the Korn Ferry Tour points’ list were No 39 in 2023, No 95 in 2022, and No 77 in 2020-21. Made his PGA Tour debut at the 2024 Myrtle Beach Classic, finishing 69th as a sponsor exemption. Born and raised in Gastonia, North Carolina, where he picked up the game at Gaston Country Club. Resides in Charlotte, but still plays and practices at Gaston Country Club when at home. Played four seasons at Winthrop University (2011-15) in Rock Hill, South Carolina, less than 30 miles from his hometown of Gastonia. Not long

after turning professional in 2015, began employing an unconventional setup position. Huge fan of the Carolina Panthers and hopes to one day hit the drum before a Panthers game.

No 7 – Brian Campbell

Earned PGA Tour membership a second time, having previously graduated from the Korn Ferry Tour in the class of 2016. Logged a trio of runner-up finishes in 2024, including a sudden-death playoff loss at the Astara Golf Championship, which marked his first top three finish on the Korn Ferry Tour since 2019, and his first runner-up finish on tour since 2016. Attended Mater Dei High School.  Played four seasons at University of Illinois (2011-15), where he earned four victories and was the 2014 Big Ten Conference player of the year. Enjoys playing Rocket League, a vehicular soccer video game, to decompress outside of golf.

No 8 – Harry

Higgs

A three-time Korn Ferry Tour winner who retained PGA Tour membership and improved his status for the 2025 season. Won back-to-back starts at the AdventHealth Championship and Knoxville Open in May, capturing both titles in sudden-death playoffs. His victory at the AdventHealth Championship in Kansas City, Missouri, was deeply meaningful, as he grew up in nearby Overland Park, Kansas, and played in the inaugural event in 2009 as a 17-year-old amateur. Previously graduated to the PGA Tour via the Korn Ferry Tour class of 2019, and qualified for the FedExCup Playoffs in his first two seasons on tour (2019-20, 2020-21).

No 9 – Thomas Rosenmueller

One of five players from Germany to earn PGA Tour membership via the Korn Ferry Tour, joining Alex Cejka (2014, 2017), Stephan Jaeger (2017, 2018, 202021), Matti Schmid (2022), and Jeremy Paul (2024). Solidified his first PGA Tour card with a win at the NV5 Invitational, which he followed with back-to-back fifth finishes. Added finishes of second (Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, and fifth (Korn Ferry Tour Championship) in the Korn Ferry Tour finals. Previous finishes on the Korn Ferry Tour points list were

No 67 in 2023, and No 158 as a rookie in 2022. Played four seasons at University of North Texas (2015-19), winning two individual titles and earning All-Conference USA second team honours in 2016 and 2017. Turned professional in 2019 and won the 2020 Pro Golf Tour Order of Merit with three wins, which earned him Challenge Tour membership for 2021. Has yet to make his PGA Tour debut.

No 10 – William Mouw

Earned PGA Tour membership in what was his first full season on the Korn Ferry Tour, posting three runner-up finishes, two of which came in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals (Albertsons Boise Open, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship). Prior to turning professional, won the 2017 Western Junior Championship by eight strokes, tying the largest margin of victory in the event’s history; he also tied the 72-hole tournament scoring record previously established by Hunter Mahan in 1999. Later won the 2019 California State Amateur Championship at the age of 18, becoming one of the youngest winners in the event’s history. Played four seasons at Pepperdine University (2019-23) and helped the Waves win the national title at the 2021 NCAA Championship, which marked the programme’s first national title since 1997. Finished No 6 in the 2023 PGA Tour university ranking, accepted conditional Korn Ferry Tour membership, and finished No 98 on the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour points’ list in just 12 starts.

No 11 – Quade Cummins

Earned PGA Tour membership for the first time in what was his third consecutive season on the Korn Ferry Tour. Led the Korn Ferry Tour with 14 top 25s in 25 starts this season. Previous finishes on the Korn Ferry Tour points’ list were No 59 in 2023, and No 70 as a rookie in 2022. Played six seasons at University of Oklahoma (2015-21) and finished No 6 in the inaugural PGA Tour university class of 2021. Won the 2019 Pacific Coast Amateur, joining notable past champions Will Zalatoris (2016), Andrew Putnam (2010), Michael Putnam (2004), and Jason Gore (1997). Spent his formative years playing

and practicing at Prairie West Golf Club in his hometown of Weatherford, Oklahoma.

No 12 – Ryan Gerard

Secured a return to the PGA Tour, where he played the majority of the 2022-23 season via special temporary membership. Won the BMW Charity ProAm for his first Korn Ferry Tour title, and later added top 10s in two of the four Korn Ferry Tour finals’ events. Played five seasons at University of North Carolina (2017-22), winning once individually and earning 2022 All-America second team honours. Also broke Ben Griffin’s school record for career scoring average, exhausting his eligibility at North Carolina with a mark of 71.65. Graduated from Ravenscroft School in his childhood hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina.

No 13 – Kevin Roy

Earned a return trip to the PGA Tour, as he previously graduated via the Korn Ferry Tour in the class of 2022. Secured a spot in the Korn Ferry Tour class of 2024 with a second at the season-opening The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay, and a second at the Albertsons Boise Open in the Korn Ferry Tour finals. Featured cast member of “One Shot Away,” the Korn Ferry Tour’s season-long, six-episode documentary series available on YouTube. Grew up in Syracuse, New York, and played four seasons at Long Beach State University (2008-12), where he and nine-time PGA Tour winner Xander Schauffele were teammates for one season (2011-12). Resides in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, where he plays and practices out of Concession Golf Club. Father, Jim Roy, played the 1983 PGA TOUR season and the 2010 PGA Tour Champions season.

No 14 – Cristobal Del Solar

Became the third Chilean in history to earn PGA Tour membership via the Korn Ferry Tour, joining Benjamín Alvarado (class of 2013) and Mito Pereira (class of 2020-21). Earned his first Korn Ferry Tour title this season at The Ascendant. Carded the lowest round in PGA Tour-sanctioned history, a 13-under 57, in the first round of the 2024 Astara Golf Championship at

Country Club de Bogota. The round also tied the Korn Ferry Tour record for lowest 18-hole score relative to par. Previously finished No 52 on the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour points’ list as a rookie, and finished No 2 on the 2021-22 PGA Tour Latinoamérica order of merit, which earned him Korn Ferry Tour membership for the first time. Moved from Chile to the United States in his early teens and attended IMG Academy, then played five seasons at Florida State University (2012-17). Spent nearly an entire year of his professional career redressing his swing mechanics through lengthy range sessions.

No 15 – Kevin Velo

Earned PGA Tour membership for the first time off the strength of his victory at the Astara Golf Championship. Advanced through first and second stage of 2023 PGA Tour Q-school (and finished 21st at final stage for guaranteed starts to begin this season) as he rebounded from a No 116 finish on the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour points’ list as a rookie. Previously finished No 4 on the 2021-22 PGA Tour Latinoamérica order of merit, which earned him Korn Ferry Tour membership for the first time. Played four seasons at San Jose State University (2015-19), which was the only programme to offer him a scholarship. Born in Redwood City, California, and grew up in nearby Danville, which is in the San Ramon Valley. Did not turn his focus to golf until his early teens. Huge soccer fan, with his favourite teams being Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, with his passion for both clubs stemming from his father’s Spanish heritage. Has yet to make his PGA Tour debut.

No 16 – Braden Thornberry

Clinched his first PGA Tour card with a final-round six-under 66 en route to victory at the season-ending Korn Ferry Tour Championship. In three previous Korn Ferry Tour seasons, recorded points’ list finishes of No 101 as a rookie in 2019, No 57 in 2020-21, and No 109 in 2022. Former No 1 player in the world amateur golf rankings who earned the 2018 Mark H McCormack Medal. Played three and a half seasons at University of Mississippi

(20115-18), where he set a school record with 11 career wins, with the crown jewel being individual medalist honours at the 2017 NCAA Championship.  Previously made his PGA Tour debut as an amateur, finishing fourth as a sponsor exemption at the 2016 FedEx St. Jude Championship, which marked the highest finish by an amateur on tour since Lee McCoy’s solo-fourth at the 2016 Valspar Championship.

No 17 – Paul Peterson

Globetrotter who earned PGA Tour membership in what was his second season on the Korn Ferry Tour. Solidified his first tour card with a win at the Simmons Bank Open in the Korn Ferry Tour finals. Previously finished No 61 on the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour points’ list as a rookie. Turned professional in 2012 and played predominantly on the international circuit until he earned Korn Ferry Tour membership for the first time ahead of the 2023 season. Earned international victories at the 2016 Czech Masters (DP World Tour) and 2018 Myanmar Open (co-sanctioned by Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour). Has travelled to six of the seven continents (only missing Antarctica) and estimates he’s travelled to 44 countries and flown well over one million miles. Born in Tucson, Arizona, but spent his formative years in Salem, Oregon, and eventually played collegiately for four seasons at nearby Oregon State University (2006-10). Currently resides in St. Simons Island, Georgia, having relocated there from Scottsdale, Arizona in 2018.

No 18 – Isaiah Salinda

Earned PGA Tour membership for the first time off the strength of a runaway victory at The Panama Championship, the third event of the 2024 season. Won by eight strokes, tying the fourth-largest margin of victory in Korn Ferry Tour history, in what was his first start of the season (missed the first two events as he recovered from an appendectomy). Previously finished No 80 on the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour points’ list as a rookie. Turned professional after

four seasons at Stanford University (2015-19), where he won twice individually and helped the Cardinal win the team national title at the 2019 NCAA Championship, which marked the programme’s first title since 2007. Grew up in South San Francisco, California and graduated from Junipero Serra High School – which famously counts Tom Brady (Class of 1995), Barry Bonds (Class of 1982), and Lynn Swann (Class of 1970) among its alumni – in San Mateo, California. Has a robust collection of fun socks. Currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

No 19 – Karl

Vilips

Finished No 10 in the 2024 PGA Tour university ranking after four seasons at Stanford University (2021-24) and posted top 15 finishes in each of his first four Korn Ferry Tour starts, culminating in a victory at the Utah Championship and Intermountain Health. Also finished solo second at the NV5 Invitational the week prior to his win. Earned his first Korn Ferry Tour start at The Ascendant via a sponsor exemption qualifying tournament; he played two PGA Tour Americas events as a fully exempt member prior to his run of top 15s on the Korn Ferry Tour. While at Stanford, lived with teammate and close friend Michael Thorbjornsen, and the two have since relocated to the same residential complex in Jacksonville, Florida. The two met for the first time around age seven or eight, and later attended prep academies roughly an hour apart in Florida. Decorated junior career included wins at the 2017 Southern Amateur Championship (a little under a month before his 16th birthday) and 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, runner-up finishes at the 2017 and 2018 Western Junior Championships, and five consecutive top 10s at the Junior Players’ Championship (2016-20).  Lone PGA Tour start to date was the 2023 US Open (missed cut).

No 20 – Jackson Suber

Posted back-to-back top three finishes in June en route to his first PGA Tour card, as he followed a second at the

Compliance Solutions Championship with a third at the Memorial Health Championship. Previously finished No 37 on the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour points’ list as a rookie. Finished No 9 in the 2022 PGA Tour university ranking and played the 2022 season on PGA Tour Canada. Played four seasons at University of Mississippi (2018-22), amassing five career wins and earning a 2022 All-America second team selection. Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, and attended the Valspar Championship a handful of times as a youngster.

No 21 – Jeremy Paul

One of five players from Germany to earn PGA TOUR membership via the Korn Ferry Tour, joining Alex Cejka (2014, 2017), Stephan Jaeger (2017, 2018, 2020-21), Matti Schmid (2022), and Thomas Rosenmueller (2024). Won the season-opening event, The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay. Previous finishes on the Korn Ferry Tour points’ list were No 56 in 2023, No 37 in 2022, and No 169 in just 12 starts as a rookie in 2017. Played just shy of four seasons at University of Colorado (2013-17); he finished 72md at final stage of the 2016 Korn Ferry Tour qualifying tournament (now PGA Tour Q-school) as an amateur, but he continued to play at Colorado until April 2017, when he was awarded a sponsor exemption for a Korn Ferry Tour event. Played three seasons on PGA Tour Canada (2018, 2019, 2021) before he regained Korn Ferry Tour membership via Q-school.

Has an identical twin brother, Yannik, who was born one minute after Jeremy and won the 2022 Mallorca Golf Open on the DP World Tour. Earliest golf memory is getting a golf ball from Justin Rose at the Deutsche Bank Open in Germany when he’d just started playing golf. Currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he plays and practices at Desert Forest Golf Club. Has yet to make his PGA Tour debut. No 22 – Mason Andersen Earned PGA Tour membership after back-to-back seasons on the Korn Fer-

ry Tour, securing his first tour card with an early-season victory at the 117th Visa Argentina Open. The victory in Argentina also earned him an exemption for the 2024 Open Championship (missed cut). Previously finished No 36 on the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour points’ list as a rookie. One of eight players who advanced through every stage of the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour qualifying tournament (now PGA Tour Q-school), beginning with pre-qualifying. Played five seasons at Arizona State University (2017-22), where he won twice individually and garnered a 2022 All-America third team selection. Born and raised in Mesa, Arizona. Earliest golf memory is shooting 116 in his first event and swinging at his golf ball six times because it was stuck in a bush.

No 23 – John Pak

Earned PGA Tour membership in what was his second season on the Korn Ferry Tour, securing his card off the strength of a victory at the Compliance Solutions Championship. Began the 2024 season with poor conditional status (finished 113th at final stage of 2023 PGA Tour Q-school) and played his way up the priority ranking with a third finish as an open qualifier at the Club Car Championship at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club, the seventh event of the season. Finished No 1 in the inaugural PGA Tour university class of 2021, but finished No 145 on the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour points’ list and played his way back on tour via a No 8 finish in the 2023 PGA Tour Canada order of merit. Highlight of his 2023 season in Canada was a win at the Saskatchewan Open. Played four seasons at Florida State University (2017-21), where, in 2021, he became the sixth player in history to sweep the three NCAA division one national player of the year awards (Jack Nicklaus Award, Ben Hogan Award, Fred Haskins Award). Grew up in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and currently resides in Tallahassee, Florida. Serves on the First Tee – Tallahassee board of directors in an advisory role.

No

24

– Kris Ventura

Two-time Korn Ferry Tour winner returning to the PGA Tour after three consecutive seasons on tour. Did not record a victory in 2024, but logged a runner-up finish at the Argentina Open and a fourth finish at the Suncoast Classic. Represented Norway in the 2024 Men’s Olympic golf competition, finishing 43rd in Paris. Followed a No 111 finish on the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour points’ list (had 16 missed cuts in 22 starts) with a No 87 finish on the 2023 points’ list. Previously graduated from the Korn Ferry Tour following the 2019 season, which saw him earn two wins in his first seven starts. Played four seasons at Oklahoma State University (2014-18), where he helped the Cowboys win the team national title at the 2018 NCAA Championship, which marked the programme’s first title since 2006.

No 25

– Kaito Onishi

Became the fourth Japanese player to earn PGA Tour membership via the Korn Ferry Tour, following Ryuji Imada (2004), Ryo Ishikawa (2013), and Hiroshi Iwata (2015). With his victory at the 2024 UNC Health Championship, followed Ryuji Imada (wins in 2000 and 2004) as the second Japanese player to win on the Korn Ferry Tour. Previously finished No 100 on the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour points’ list as a rookie, meaning he occupied the final spot on the points’ list which awarded conditional membership for 2024. Spent his first two years as a professional on the Abema TV Tour and Japan Golf Tour, earning a victory at the 2022 Fujisankei Classic on the latter circuit. Played four seasons at University of Southern California (2017-21), earning All-Pac-12 Conference first team selections in 2019 and 2021. Born in Chiba, Japan, but spent much of his youth in Nagoya. Moved to Los Angeles with his mother around age nine, and later prepped at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

No 26 – Ricky Castillo

Earned PGA Touor membership in his first full season on the Korn Fer-

ry Tour, with his season-high finish coming in August when second at the Magnit Championship. Finished No 9 in the 2023 PGA Tour university ranking and won his Korn Ferry Tour debut at the 2023 Wichita Open, which eventually propelled him to a No 53 finish on the Korn Ferry Tour points’ list; he was the youngest winner of the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour season (22 years, 3 months, 30 days). Played four seasons at University of Florida (2019-23), where he earned three individual victories and four All-Southeastern Conference accolades. Went undefeated (3-0) in matchplay as he helped Florida win the team national title at the 2023 NCAA Championship, which was the programme’s first title since 2001. Semi-finalist in back-to-back Western Amateur Championships (2019, 2020). Closed the season with his older brother, Derek, as his caddie. Derek played professionally, having made his last PGA Tour-sanctioned start in 2022, and caddied on the LPGA Tour. Resides in Jacksonville, Florida, but plays from his longtime hometown of Yorba Linda, California. Last name is pronounced cuh-STILL-ee-oh, as he is of Filipino descent.

No 27 – Trevor Cone

A two-time Korn Ferry Tour winner who earned PGA Tour membership for the second time in the last three seasons, having previously graduated after the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour season. Tallied 11 top 25 finishes and finished the season with as many top 10s as missed cuts (six apiece). Relegated to the Korn Ferry Tour following a No 174 finish in the 2023 FedExCup fall standings. Previously earned Korn Ferry Tour titles at the 2022 AdventHealth Championship and 2018 Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae. Followed Johnson Wagner, Brendon de Jonge, and Tim Collins Jr. as the fourth Virginia Tech alum to earn a PGA Tour card. Played four seasons at Virginia Tech (2011-15), where he earned co-medalist honours at the 2015 Atlantic Coast Conference Championship. Favourite golfer grow-

ing up was eight-time PGA Tour winner and 2003 Masters Tournament winner Mike Weir. Huge fan of donuts. No 28 – Danny Walker

Earned PGA Tour membership for the first time off the strength of a runner-up finish at the Pinnacle Bank Championship. Recorded his only other top 10 of the season at the Albertsons Boise Open (10th) in the Korn Ferry Tour finals. Entered the 2024 season with two top 10s in 41 career starts on the Korn Ferry Tour. Regained Korn Ferry Tour membership for the 2024 season (and came within two strokes of a PGA Tour card) with a seventh at final stage of PGA Tour Q-school last December. In two previous seasons on the Korn Ferry Tour, finished No 123 on the Korn Ferry Tour points’ list as a rookie in 2019, and finished No 121 on the 2023 points’ list. Became the fourth medalist of the Korn Ferry Tour qualifying tournament era of Q-school who earned PGA Tour membership via the Korn Ferry Tour, joining Brad Fritsch (2014 medalist, Korn Ferry Tour class of 2016), Adam Svensson (2015 medalist, class of 2018), and Curtis Thompson (2019 medalist, class of 2020-21). A two-time PGA Tour Canada winner who won titles in 2018 and 2022 en route to top 10 finishes on the former circuit’s order of merit. Prepped at Lakewood Ranch (Florida) High School and played four seasons at University of Virginia (2014-18). Aspires to be a Formula 1 driver, or a lead guitarist/ singer for a huge rock band, though he says humorously neither will happen.

No 29 – Aldrich Potgieter

At 20 years and 23 days of age, became the second-youngest graduate in Korn Ferry Tour history, only trailing Jason Day, who was 19 years, 11 months, and 23 days of age upon graduating in 2007. Usurped Day as the youngest winner in Korn Ferry Tour history with his victory at The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club, as he won the title at 19 years, 4 months, and 11 days of age. The victory also made him the fourth teenager with a Korn Ferry

Tour victory, joining PGA Tour winners Akshay Bhatia (2022 The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic), Sungjae Im (2018 The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic), and Day (2007 Legends Financial Group Classic). Featured cast member of “One Shot Away,” the Korn Ferry Tour’s season-long, six-episode documentary series. Won the 2022 Amateur Championship roughly three months before his 18th birthday, which made him the second-youngest winner in the history of the event. Eschewed college and turned professional in the summer of 2023. Enjoys fishing while away from the golf course.

No 30 – Noah Goodwin

Earned PGA Tour membership in what was his second season on the Korn Ferry Tour, logging six top 10s en route to his first tour card. Previously finished No. 110 on the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour points’ list as a rookie, though he battled hip and lower back injuries throughout the season. Regained Korn Ferry Tour membership for 2024 with a 14th finish at final stage of PGA Tour Q-school last December. Won twice as he finished No 3 on the 2022 PGA Tour Canada order of merit. Played five seasons at Southern Methodist University (2018-22), where he broke the school record for career scoring average (71.14), and finished No 12 in the 2022 PGA Tour university ranking. Fell to Min Woo Lee in the 36-hole final of the 2016 US Junior Amateur Championship, but defeated Matthew Wolff as he won the 2017 US Junior Amateur Championship; he joined Mason Rudolph (1950) and Tim Straub (1983) as the only players in history to win the US Junior Amateur the year after losing in the championship match. Became the fifth player in history to win back-to-back Junior Player of the Year awards in 2016 and 2017, joining Tracy Phillips (1979-80), Phil Mickelson (1986-88), Tiger Woods (1991-92), and Brian Harman (2003-04). At age 16, shot a 59 at his home course, Oakmont Country Club in Corinth, Texas. Earned a black belt in Taekwondo in his elementary school years.

Asia-Pacific Amateur winner turns professional immediately

Tears flowed as Ding Wenyi added his name to the illustrious list of winners of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) in Japan last month.

Widely touted as China’s first male major championship winner in the making, the 19-year-old posted a typically clinical closing three-under-par 67 at the Taiheiyo Club Gotemba Course.

With a four-round total of 12-under 268, Ding triumphed by one stroke from fellow Chinese Zhou Ziqin, a freshman at the University of California –Berkeley.

Rintaro Nakano was the leading Japanese in third place on 270 with his countryman Reo Maruo one shot behind in fourth. Masato Sumiuchi and Korean An Seong-hyeon tied for fifth on 273.

New Zealand’s four players all made the cut. Cooper Moore finished eighth, Jayden Ford 26th, Robby Turnbull 49th and Joshua Bai 59th.

Ding is the fourth Chinese winner of the AAC, following in the footsteps of Guan Tianlang, Cheng Jin and two-time winner Lin Yuxin.

However, unlike his predecessors as AAC champions, he will not be taking up the prize reward of starting spots next year in the Masters Tournament in the United States and Open Championship in Wales.

Instead, he confirmed that would be turning professional immediately to take advantage of an enticing opportunity to gain playing rights on the 2025 DP World Tour via a Global Amateur Pathway.

“No matter whether I’m amateur or professional, I want to play The Masters and The Open.”

Defeated in a play-off at Royal Melbourne last year, Ding was determined to set the record straight in Japan and he did just that with four rounds of three-under 67.

While his father-caddie celebrated every birdie putt with vigour, Ding remained in control of his emotions throughout.

It was only at the very end that he finally let down his guard, letting out a scream, dropping his putter and pumping his fists after holing a knee-trembling three-footer for a par on 18 to secure the win.

The realisation of what he’d achieved hit him even harder at the prize-giving ceremony on live television when he broke down in tears. “It was then that I realised this was my last chance in the Asia-Pacific Amateur and my last tournament as an amateur.”

After weather-affected days on Friday and Saturday, Ding entered Sunday trailing pace-setting Nakano by two shots having completed just five holes of the third round.

On what proved a marathon final day during which he played 31 holes, he signed for a bogey-free third round 67 to share top spot with Zhou.

Birdies at third, ninth and 10th in the final round saw Ding open up a three-stroke lead. But his only dropped shot of the last day – at 11 – and a Zhou birdie saw Ding’s advantage reduced to one. While Zhou,

Admitting it was a difficult decision, he said: “I talked a lot with my coaches, with my friends, my agent. I think it’s really hard to get a tour card for a young player. This was probably the only chance (at the Global Amateur Pathway), and I should take it.

playing one flight ahead of his compatriot, battled away gamely, it was Ding who struck a huge blow, converting an eight-foot birdie putt after a towering tee-shot at the 230-yard 17th.

To his credit, 18-year-old Zhou made a fabulous up-and-down for birdie from behind the 18th green, forcing Ding to need a par at the last to avoid a second successive AAC play-off. He did it, but only just.

Among other things, Ding now joins an elite list of players to have won tournaments at Taiheiyo Club Gotemba that includes Tommy Nakajima, Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal, Jumbo Ozaki, Darren Clarke, Hideki Matsuyama and Takumi Kanaya.

International team’s questionable selections

By Neville Idour

Team USA made it 10 President’s Cup wins on the trot at Royal Montreal in Canada last month. Yet the big 18.5–11.5 margin was not all that it seemed.

One staggering statistic to emerge was that United States won just one more hole all week 117 to 116. The Internationals, after losing the Thursday fourballs 5-0, then reversed that with a 5-0 thumping of the USA in the Friday fourballs. Thus setting up for an intriguing Saturday.

However, three of the four pairings who had featured in the Friday wins were then sent out for both matches on the Saturday. All four pairings played both

sessions. Strange tactics from captain Mike Weir which backfired with both sessions lost 3-1.

Ben An, Jason Day, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Min Woo Lee were not required and sat out both Saturday sessions. Very odd as the first three had been winners on day two while Min Woo Lee only lost one down with Adam Scott on day one.

Lee was clearly not rated by Weir who seemed to favour fellow Canadians in the team. Okay, so it was good for the home Canadian fans but not for the team. Former major winner Rich Beem in his column for Sky Sports was quite forthright in critiquing captain Weir.

He said Weir made a crucial mistake with his pairings on the Saturday.

“I think Weir lost it by not mixing up

some of the pairings going into the afternoon foursomes. I think that was a mistake he will reflect on if it was a pre-determined game plan’’.

For 44-year-old Scott, four consecutive matches was a tall order with a fifth singles match on Sunday to follow. Scott himself admitted he was tired on Saturday night. Then faced with a Sunday singles he was basically wasted in one of the bottom groups when the cup was probably decided. Surely had he been rested on Saturday and fresh for the singles he should have been in one of the early matches.

So yet again it is back to the drawing board to find some answers. First and foremost getting the right captain will help. Who can forget the previous contest

when Trevor Immelman was a less than ideal captain with personal favouritism a problem. His non selection of Ryan Fox and Australian Lucas Herbert, who both qualified on rankings, was ridiculous and costly. Also having all of the best players available, including LIV players, will help the event.

Many of the matches were close with the Internationals losing six by just one hole, conversely winning only three by one hole. So as Scott has stated, the event is still an excellent one which doesn’t need making into a mixed event. As the latest version showed with the large crowds the President’s Cup is an entertaining spectacle that has a well earned place in the world of golf. Bring on Chicago in 2026 and Royal Melbourne in 2028.

Wenyi Ding of China with his trophy after winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur in Japan last month. Photo credit: Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.

David Feherty: Golf’s irreverent icon

By Neville Idour

David Feherty, of that instantly recognisable Irish brogue, has been involved in the golf world for 51 years since starting out as a caddie.

Amazingly the 66-year-old turned professional at the age of just 17. Feherty was for many years involved as a television analyst for American broadcasters CBS and NBC on the PGA Tour.

However, The Open Championship at St Andrews in Scotland in 2022, was his last for NBC because Greg Norman had made him an offer to join LIV Golf as lead analyst alongside former Golf Channel reporter Jerry Folz and commentator Arlo White.

In his own words Feherty said: “The decision wasn’t difficult at all. The offer was too good to refuse.” He is happy to admit money was the strong incentive.

Norman’s offer came out of the blue during The Open. So it all happened very quickly.

Feherty said: “Greg has been a friend for nearly 40 years and I knew about the vision he had for a world tour to spread the game globally since the late 80s. He asked me and I said yes.”

So instead of it being a secret and starting at the beginning of the 2023 season, a leak from someone at NBC saw him start at LIV Bedminster a few weeks after the Open.

Along with the players who made a move, there was much criticism of a “money grab”. Feherty doesn’t hide that as motivation for himself but doesn’t believe that was the only reason for many of

the players. He bristles at those who contend LIV is exhibition golf. “Try telling that to the players. They really care and especially about their teams. We have the same quality field each event with great players in contention. Occasionally an outsider will win.”

His contract is a five year deal with two left to go. He wants to continue. “What else would I do? I’m still in good shape.” He can see himself doing it into his 70s. He was with CBS firstly until his move to NBC in 2015.

Looking back he says he really enjoyed his time with both networks especially his time when the Tiger Woods’ phenomenon was in full swing and he was often assigned to walk with Tiger’s group. He said three amazing things happened to him about that time. Tiger turned pro, he met his current wife Anita and he got the job at CBS.

However, on his time at NBC he felt he was under utilised at that 2022 Open which Cameron Smith won. “I barely made the air being in one of the towers. It’s only when I look back that I feel I should have done more. There were times when I felt like commenting.” Now at LIV, serving as lead analyst in a five hour broadcast, his role and involvement has expanded considerably.

But for Feherty life has not been all wine and roses. In fact he has had dark times to negotiate. He lost a son to drug addiction in 2017. He had his own battles with depression, drugs and alcohol. He survived a “horrifying’ divorce’’. He says it was a hor-

rendous time in his life when, in a hotel bar, he was approached by two men from CBS and offered a job there. They wanted someone with a foreign accent who knew players on both sides of the Atlantic.

Before entering the broadcasting world Feherty enjoyed a reasonably successful playing career. Highlights were his five wins on the European Tour and also being part of the 1991 Ryder Cup team. This was the “War by the Shore” at Kiawah Island. He considers that Ryder Cup as his career highlight despite the USA prevailing 14-1/2 to 13-1/2 after Bernhard Langer missed a six foot putt on the final hole of the final match against Hale Irwin.

This scenario produced an amusing interaction with a photographer as they watched Langer sizing up his putt. Feherty is thinking “Bernhard is taking forever. He’d take an hour and a half to watch (television news programme) 60 minutes.” The photographer then says “You know, the last German under this kind of pressure shot himself in a bunker.”

Feherty said: “We lost and I helped us lose, but I love being a member of that club and it was very special to me. It still is and I have great memories of that week.” So he should as he beat Payne Stewart in a tense Sunday singles match.

Feherty has certainly gained a much deserved new lease of life with the LIV Golf tour and his talents are being fully utilised and used in various ways, much to the delight of viewers. He is still a welcome breath of fresh air amongst many of today’s broadcasters.

News in brief

By Neville Idour

Sponsor’s exemption should be canned

It is time to eliminate the use of sponsor’s exemptions according to many people. The debate about them came to the fore again at the recent Zozo Championship in Japan which had a limited field of 78 players.

Gary Woodland 137th and Joel Dahmen 129th in the PGA Tour standings were invited to play in the no cut field.

Players are battling to make the top 125 to earn their tour card for next season so losing a start to sponsors exemptions grates a little especially when it doesn’t happen in other major sports.

Putting coach Phil Kenyon, who has worked with Woodland, disagrees.

“Gary just had a top 10 in (Las) Vegas and has played the season recovering from brain surgery and is a major winner so I think that warrants a sponsor’s invite.

PGA Tour loses another sponsor

An 180-year sponsorship of the

tour’s only stop in Las Vegas, the recently completed Shriners Children’s Open has ended. No reason was given.

Vice president Bob Roller simply said: “We have enjoyed a tremendous 18 years as host and title sponsor.”

It is not known if the event will continue without a title sponsor. It is the latest in a string of sponsors to sever ties with the tour. Founded in 1983 the event has had nine different naming sponsors since then.

LPGA pros unhappy with transgender policy

Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson began the second stage of LPGA qualifying amidst reports that 275 female players had signed a letter asking top golf organisations to repeal policies that allow people assigned male at birth to compete in women’s events.

The LPGA currently allows players who have undergone gender-affirming surgery after puberty and meet hormone therapy requirements to compete. Davidson missed out on the US Women’s Open this year in a qualifying playoff.

Charles Barkley tells it how it is

Charles Barkley recently pulled no punches when he ripped into the PGA Tour and LIV Golf for the delay in reaching a deal.

“I wish these fools would quit screwing around. I don’t know what the hell they are doing. They are so stupid. These guys are so idiotic. They need to be playing against each other more than in the majors.”

That’s sure telling them.   LIV supporting breast cancer patients and families

Charles Schwartzel’s wife Rosalind was diagnosed with breast cancer early this year aged just 39, while Charles was playing in LIV Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

Eight weeks later his Stinger team including caddies and management, shaved their heads in support. Caught in the early stages the prognosis was good. Raising awareness is something LIV Golf has at its core. Having teams within LIV has formed pockets of support quite naturally.

Morgan Pressel’s mammovan Major champion Morgan Pressel,

January at her annual Morgan and friends charity event. Over the years her foundation has raised $US12.5 million for the fight against breast cancer. Her mammovan bus is an impressive prescence in the fight and she is looking to get a second mammovan onto the streets of Florida after the success of the first vehicle. A total of 18,000 mammograms have detected 60 cancers. Nice work Morgan.

Zach Johnson’s Ryder Cup captaincy under fire

Wyndham Clark, in his debut in the Ryder Cup, was one of the more successful players for the United States team with a record of one win, one loss and one half. However, team captain Zach Johnson got no kudos for his team management. Unlike the President’s Cup where he knew weeks in advance who he would be paired with, at the Ryder Cup it was a mystery.

“One of the biggest shocks in Rome was just that I didn’t know who I was playing with,’’ Clark said.

“I would be out there on the range and somebody would come up and say okay Wyndham you are going with so

We welcome you to the New Plymouth Golf Club and most sincerely hope you enjoy playing “Ngamotu”, make many friends, and accept the challenge that this famous course offers.

An on-line booking sheet operates at weekends, on Wednesdays and public holidays, and by telephoning the Golf Shop on 06 755 0424 and booking a time, you will be able to get a game with other members and make new friends.

disjointed. Being able to prepare with your partner sounds like a no-brainer to me.”

Charley Hull a proud Golf Saudi ambassador

The Aramco Team Series is proving a boon for women’s golf and Charley Hull is leading the way with her appointment as a Golf Saudi ambassador this year. Since the inception of women’s professional golf in Saudi Arabia in 2020, Hull has competed there eight times. She has racked up nine top 10s in her 10 appearances, including a title win in 2021.

She has noticed the remarkable growth of golf since her first appearance.

“The sport has grown in leaps and bounds. Golf Saudi’s continuing to introduce more women and girls to the game through these events is inspiring. The legacy they are creating is one I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of.”

No Bradley/Mickelson bromance at the Ryder Cup

“I don’t think he is interested in doing it” said Bradley. “I owe a lot to Phil and he’s done so much for the American side but I’m not sure he is looking to be a vice captain.”

They played together at the 2012 and 2014 Ryder Cups and that led to Bradley’s admiration.

“He mentored me before the event. Took me to dinner. He talked to me throughout the year about the pressures and what to expect so I learned a lot.

“He created a relaxed atmosphere saying don’t worry about putting four or five feet by. I’ll make them coming back. It hasn’t been until now that I have realised what an incredible thing he did for me.”

It will not surprise if Bradley turns to Mickelson for advice if needed or if he has him somewhere in the backroom just in case.

LIV looking for new chief executive

In a move that will please all the haters, LIV Golf has reportedly been searching to replace Greg Norman at the helm of the league for some

Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson were a potent pairing for the United States, but despite it seeming logical for Mickelson to be one of Bradley’s vice captains it simply isn’t likely.

Regarded by many as one of the greatest links courses in the southern hemisphere, Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club is a world renowned layout on the undulating dune land of the Kapiti Coast.

Located just 45 minute’s drive from New Zealand’s Capital City, Wellington, the course has hosted the New Zealand Open 12 times. A record unsurpassed by any other course. In 2002 it hosted the worlds number 1 golfer, Tiger Woods. Designed in 1949 by Alex Russell, whose design credits include the world-famous Royal Melbourne golf course, Paraparaumu Beach is a regular inside the World Top 100 Golf Course lists and is considered one of the best links courses in the Southern Hemisphere. Modelled on some of the best links courses of Britain and Ireland, the challenging layout threads its way through magnificent linksland, and once you’ve experienced it, you’ll understand just why golf played at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Course is golf at its purest.

months with the aid of London-based recruitment firm Odgers Berndtson.

LIV has made a number of executive appointments in recent weeks. However, Norman is expected to take up a different role in the league’s senior team.

LIV has so far announced the four tournaments to begin the 2025 season, which includes Hong Kong, Adelaide, Singapore and a new venue in Saudi Arabia.

Camerson Smith loving more home time

Cameron Smith is loving the extra home time he has since joining LIV Golf.

The benefits for the Australian golf season are huge. He will play four tournaments on the Australian circuit before Christmas, the Queensland PGA, the New South Wales Open, the Australian PGA at Royal Queensland and the Australian Open  from November 28 when he will try to win the Stonehaven Cup for the first time at his 12th attempt.

“I’ve been close a couple of times, lost in a playoff to Jordan Spieth, so there is definitely some motivation there,” Smith said.

Beau Hossler tries to bend the rules -- and fails

Beau Hossler birdied the 17th hole in the final round of the Sanderson Farms Championship in Mississippi to take the lead. But he then pulled his tee shot to nestle cosily up against a tree. With no chance of finding the green with his second shot he asked a rules official for temporary immovable obstruction relief. This allows a player to take relief if it interferes with play, which in this case it didn’t.

He asked: “Don’t I get relief if that’s between me and the pin, the grandstand and that scoreboard?”

The official didn’t buy it so Hossler unbelievably asked for a second opinion. Another official turned up and delivered the same edict. “Play the ball as it is.”

Afterwards Hossler said: “I’m a little disappointed with the outcome” after losing in a playoff to Kevin Yu.’

“It is one I have always wanted to win, prepped well for it but not been able to do it yet. I think it is good to give back to Australian golf wherever I can. Also with extra time off I can get to do really cool things in Australia I haven’t been able to do, as well as prepping for the big ones coming up and leading into next year.

Those pesky sprinkler heads

By Neville Idour

How often have we played golf with mates or even in a club event or tournament and one of the group finds his ball sitting inches or more behind a sprinkler head that is just off the green and is directly between his ball and the hole?

How often does that player assume he can take relief by moving the ball to one side of the sprinkler head creating a clear path to the hole?

Over the years I have encountered that on several occasions and in most cases the player has assumed he can move the ball as in the case of a mov-

able obstruction. However, that is not the case.

Sprinkler heads are an immovable obstruction covered by Rule 16 in the rules of golf. You are only entitled to relief from an immovable obstruction if your ball touches or is on the immoveable obstruction, in this case the sprinkler head. You can also get relief if the sprinkler head interferes with your intended stance or swing, such as if your foot is on it or the follow through of your putt would clip the sprinkler head.

You would get a free drop so you would establish the nearest point of relief no closer to the hole where there

is no interference. You then have one club length from that point to create a relief area in which to drop the ball no nearer the hole.

However, if your ball is lying in the general area off the putting surface as aforementioned and the sprinkler head is on your line of play, but not affecting lie, stance or swing you are not entitled to free relief under rule 16.1a.

The only option is to play it as it lies and decide will I chip over it, putt through it or go round it.

The only time you would get relief from a sprinkler head in your line of play is if your ball is on the putting green and because of the unusual

shape your line to the hole necessitates you putting over the fringe where a sprinkler head is located. No doubt we all have encountered greens where we need to putt off the green to take the slope to the hole.

There is an option for clubs to implement a model local rule (MLR)(F-5.1) which allows a player to drop away from an immoveable obstruction on the line of play that is within two club lengths of the putting green and within two club lengths of the ball. However no local rule, no relief.

Those pesky sprinkler heads! Happy golfing.

Scottish government backs major championships

The R&A, one of world golf’s two governing bodies, has agreed a new 11-year partnership with the Scottish government and tourism organisation VisitScotland who will contribute a combined £11 million towards staging The Open, Women’s Open and the Senior Open in Scotland between 2024-2034.

The investment in the championships will drive tourism and showcase Scotland as a world class stage for major events, as well as delivering significant economic and social benefits to the country and the host regions. A total of 14 championships will be held in Scotland across various venues during the term of the partnership.

The announcement coincides with the results of an independent study commissioned by The R&A which show that The 152nd Open at Royal Troon – attended by a record-breaking 258,174 fans in July – generated over £303.3 million in total economic benefit for Scotland.  The championship provided a total economic impact of £87.3 million to Scotland – new money entering the economy – according to the study conducted by Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC). Independent research led by YouGov Sport also showed that £216 million of destination marketing benefit was delivered for Scotland as a result of it being broadcast worldwide through linear television and digital platforms.

Today’s figures bring the total economic benefit generated by the ten stagings of The Open in Scotland since 2005 to £1.36 billion. More than two million fans have attended in that time, including 250,000 from overseas,

while The R&A’s kids go free initiative has resulted in 230,000 young people under the age of 16 being able to access tickets at no cost.

As well as bringing economic benefits and global profile to Scotland, the agreement will also help drive positive social impacts for the country through the delivery of inclusive and responsible events, which are key priority areas outlined in the national events strategy: Scotland the Perfect Stage 2024-2035.

Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said: “The partnership with the Scottish government and VisitScotland ensures continuing support for staging our championships at renowned venues around the country, reinforcing Scotland’s international reputation as the home of golf and for providing a world-class stage for hosting major sporting events.

“Independent studies have proven that major championship golf delivers significant economic benefits to Scotland by driving tourism, showcasing the country to a global audience and generating income for local communities and businesses. The results produced by The 152nd Open at Royal Troon reinforce this and we look forward to working with our partners in government over the next ten years to stage a number of outstanding major championships in Scotland.”

Minister for business, Richard Lochhead, said: “Golf is intertwined with Scotland’s identity, economy and global reputation. This agreement ensures some of the world’s most prestigious golfing events are hosted in Scotland until at least 2034.

“The R&A’s championships bring thousands of visitors to wherever they are hosted. Research shows that the most recent Open, held in Troon, brought millions of pounds to the local economy, providing a transformational boost to businesses and communities. So, it is vital we continue to maximise Scotland’s reputation as the home of golf to secure the significant economic impact associated with these championships.

“And these events showcase Scotland on the world stage, highlighting the varied landscape and sporting excellence Scotland offers.”

The economic impact study for The 152nd Open at Royal Troon concluded that Ayrshire alone received a £43.8 million injection of new money as tens of thousands of visitors travelled to the region to attend the Championship.

Over half of the spectators who attended The Open (51.1 percent) travelled from outside of Scotland. Nearly 10% of spectators had travelled from the United States of America. Around 61 percent of spectators from outside Ayrshire expected to return to South Ayrshire for a short break in the next year. 66 percent of UK residents residing outside Scotland expected to revisit South Ayrshire in the next year. For overseas visitors, the corresponding figure was 56 percent.

Prior to this year, 68 percent of surveyed spectators had attended at least one Open before, whilst 55 percent had attended an Open since 2012.

The way for golf courses to reflect their true value

Across the world, golf clubs and courses continue to experience record demand.

In the United States, the world’s largest market with 14,000 green grass courses and nearly 27 million customers, rounds were up in 2023, on-course participation was up and female engagement was at an all-time high, according to the National Golf Foundation.

Yet golf is hitting headwinds with accusations of complacency, failure to retain new customers and to demonstrate its environmental credentials in

It’s back to

Nthe face of growing online opposition.

But could the emergence of a new ‘Well-Being Economy’ – where businesses are measured not solely on the bottom line but also their benefits to people and the planet – enable golf course businesses to reflect their true value?

Syngenta’s new multi-media feature Golf and the New Well-Being Economy highlights golf’s big opportunity to demonstrate to government and local communities the important role clubs and courses have to play in sustainability.

Dubai

ext year’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships (AAC) will be held in the United Arab Emirates.

The venue will be the Majlis course at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai and the dates are October 23-26.

This will be the second time the championship will be held in Dubai since debuting in 2021.

The field is comprised annually of the top male amateurs in the Asia-Pacific region representing the 43 Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC)-affiliated organisations.

The champion of the 2025 AAC will receive an invitation to compete in the following year’s Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in the United States and an exemption into the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale in England. The runner(s)-up will gain a place in final qualifying for The Open.

Taimur Hassan Amin, chairman of the APGC, on behalf of the Founding Partners, said: “We have a proud

for

“Golf’s post-pandemic surge highlights the game’s enduring appeal, offering not only a sport, but a refuge where people can connect socially, enjoy the outdoors and enhance their well-being,” said Mark Birchmore, global head of marketing, turf & landscape at Syngenta.

He added: “Clubs must look beyond the traditional focus on history and competition, embracing the emotional connections that modern players seek.

“From an environmental sustainability perspective, technology offers

promising solutions, from water management innovations to enhanced customer experiences; but investment and foresight are key.

“If we can continue to foster inclusivity and ensure the sport is welcoming to all, while addressing the sustainability issues head-on, golf’s future will be as bright as its present. And this is what this insightful feature underlines.”

To read this feature, Syngenta market studies and to listen to the podcast visit: www.syngentagolf.com .

next year’s Asia-Pacific Amateur

tradition of hosting the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at world class venues and are continuing that with the hosting of the 2025 edition at Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course.

“Dubai and the United Arab Emirates have a rich history of golf in the region, including the 2021 Asia-Pacific Amateur won by Keita Nakajima, and we are thrilled to watch some of the best players in the world return next year.”

Notable past competitors include Hideki Matsuyama, a two-time winner of the AAC and the 2021 Masters champion, and Cameron Smith, champion of The 150th Open.

Other top players that have used the Asia-Pacific Amateur as a springboard to a notable professional career include Australians Cameron Davis and Min Woo Lee, Chinese Taipei’s CT Pan, Koreans Kim Siwoo and KH Lee Kyoung-hoon, Japanese Takumi

Kanaya and Nakajima and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox. Collectively, alumni of the AAC have gone on to win 27 tournaments on the PGA Tour to date and more than 130 events across major professional tours.

Designed by Karl Litten and established in 1988 as the first grass course in the Middle East, Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course is located south of downtown Dubai and enjoys views of the city’s skyline.

The Majlis course annually serves as host of the DP World Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic, an event won by the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Ernie Els, the latter of which owns the course record of 61.

Australian Lucas Herbert won the Dubai Desert Classic in 2020 to become the first alum to win the event five years after his final appearance at the Asia-Pacific Amateur. Emirates Golf Club will host the AAC for the first time.

Philippine Open returns to the Asian Tour

The Asian Tour will welcome the Philippine Open back onto its schedule next year in the best way possible –by positioning the historic event as the season-opening tournament.

The Philippine Open, the region’s eldest national open and one of the longest running events in professional golf, will be played at Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club, near Manila, from January 23-26.

It will be the first time the event will have been played in six years. It was last played on the Asian Tour in 2015 – when the country’s number one golfer Miguel Tabuena was the winner.

Cho Minn Thant, commissioner and chief executive of the Asian Tour, said: “The return of the Philippine Open is an outstanding development for golf in the region and we thank our friends at the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) and Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club for clearing the way for its return.

“The Asian Tour has a long-standing relationship with the tournament and the golf community in the Philippines as a whole, and we have been looking forward to the day when we could welcome

it back.

“It is a tournament that brings with it history, excitement and an extremely important responsibility as the flagship event for one of region’s golfing strongholds.

“We will announce details of our full schedule in due course, but we could not ask for a more appropriate event to start the season than the national Open of the Philippines.”

The Jack Nicklaus-designed Masters Course will host the tournament, which has been played at Manila Southwoods on four occasions before — in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1999.

Tabuena said: “As a professional golfer, your national open is a tournament that always holds a little more weight than the others. It just feels different to win on home soil, and I’m so blessed to have been able to win our Philippine Open twice.

“We travel all over, playing in different stops on the Asian Tour but it’s been a hope of mine to, at some point, enjoy a home stop again. So, this is awesome news. Thank you to everyone that helped make this happen.”

The Philippine Open was first played in

1913 and was won a record 12 times by Filipino Larry Montes – the first occasion in 1929 and the last in 1954.

A wealth of famous names from the Asian Tour have raised the trophy, including Tabuena (2015 and 2018) Steve Lewton (2017), Mardan Mamat (2012), Berry Henson (2011), Angelo Que (2008), Frankie Minoza (1998 and 2007), Felix Casas (2001), Gerald Rosales (2000) and Anthony Kang(1999).

Celebrating the official launch of XDL Worldwide

Xtreme Drivers League is about to announce its biggest developments in the sport since its conception in 2020. Founder and Intellectual Property owner, Olna Ford, began her journey investing in Long Drive after her first Celebrity Golf Tournament in 2016. Olna comes from a diverse background in sports and fitness promotions, with her own International accolades representing New Zealand on the world stage. Her passion and drive to make the sport standout for the athletes was innate and now she is recognised as a Global Leader in sport.

During the pandemic, the sport of Xtreme Drivers League and its founder, Olna Ford, was elated with recognition from the New Zealand Sports Minister, for her commitment and investment in sport. The mission and Olna’s dream came true when XDL was classified as a high-performance sport in 2020. Furthermore her New Zealand Long Blacks were in the media,

nominated for Team of the Year with the Halberg Foundation. Walking the red carpet at the Halbergs is a memory that also landmarked sports history.

The following year in 2022, Olna had nominated her top athlete, Phillis Meti for a Queen’s Honour and with this another historic moment noted when Phillis and Olna stood in the Governor’s House to receive this most prestigious honor. The Post lockdowns hit this non-funded sport was hit hard, yet the New Zealand Long Blacks won their 3rd Consecutive Trans Tasman Clash 2022 in Port Douglas, Austra-

lia. Captain, Paul West got struck with Covid the morning of flying so the traveling national team was down a man proving a mighty feat by the players to bring home the Darren Wise Stingray.

In 2023 Olna was starstruck with winning BEST Sporting League New Zealand, an International Business Award and this year has picked up another 4 International Awards that will be revealed this December.

The DRIVE to take an underrated sport that isn’t Golf to the International Sports Stage has pushed founder Olna

Ford to unpaved territory which is why she is proving to be unstoppable as her determination to go above and beyond can’t be underestimated. Proven to be results driven for the athletes she believes in. This year’s objectives for XDL was to allow players from the Pacific to travel and experience all the International events associated with partners of XDL. This year’s back-to-back Trans Tasman Clash also moved to accommodate the players who are attending an event abroad. Olna’s mission has always been to respect the great game of Golf, and has been a major sponsor to 4 PGA events and sponsored local Pro-Ams. For a woman who isn’t a Golfer she has a heart for all sports and wants the best opportunities for all athletes. Having been an Ultra Endurance Athlete (runner) for show, Olna has been sponsored by many International brands such as Nike, Puma, Saucony, Ray Bans, Oakley to name some. The year 2025 is set to be the Official NEW Chapter for the sport which will see the Xtreme Drivers working with an official qualifying system and major changes to engagement. All to be re-

Founder - Olna Ford Kissing the Time Capsule

Olna Ford creates sports history for New Zealand with the first International Long Drive Event at Remuera Golf Club.

Sports History with the first North Island vs South Island for New Zealand Title.

Where it began - Gulf Harbour Country Club in 2016.

vealed this December so let’s take a look back at a few pics to celebrate the sport that has put New Zealand and Australia in the limelight of upcoming media.

Landmarking sports history for the sport and the National Teams – Our athletes are celebrities Xtreme Drivers League is going into a

NEW zone to elevate the sport and its athletes from the launch of the 2025 season. In reflection, Olna has achieved what no-one in Golf nor Long Drive has ever before. Her pure passion for the athletes has driven her to depths and she is now being officially recognised for her achievements, dedication and investment. The future of the sport is looking bright and the upcoming announce-

ments will be the game-changer for the sport globally. Olna has brought International players and media to our shores, formed two National Teams for Australia and New Zealand to provide opportunities for players that weren’t getting attention for their athleticism and provided sponsorship to take our athletes abroad with success, bringing the victory home to the Pacific. Olna is dedicated beyond

the tee and is a woman driven for others. She is now listed as a Global Leader in sport and in the next few months Olna will announce the future plans and current developments for XDL worldwide. XDL is relaunching all digital platforms in December so stay tuned and see you on the TEE!

#XDLWorldwide #NewZealandLongBlacks #AussieLongBallers #OlnaInc

The ORIGINALS - First teams for the Trans Tasman Clash at Stonecutters Ridge, Sydney Australia.

Onekakā Links Golf Club

AMAZING GOLFING EXPERIENCE AT ONEKAKĀ IN GOLDEN BAY

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

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

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

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

* Golf cart and electric trundlers, laser distance finder

* Provision of two free golf balls per player

* A course guide – the course designer and club champion

* Hosted free drinks and snacks after the round

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- Barry Johnston, Wanaka

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGIONS

NORTH HARBOUR

PlaceMakers 2024 Auckland

Men’s Masters Championship

Brent Paterson recently won the PlaceMakers 2024 Auckland Men’s Masters Championship! Brent delivered stellar rounds of 74 and 66, finishing 2 shots ahead of runner-up Scott Thrupp.

The victory played at Maungakiekie Golf club marks Brent’s 4th Men’s Masters Title, tying him with Michael Barltrop and Arthur Parkin at the top with 4 wins each!

WAIKATO

2024

Men’s Garrard Shield Winners!

The 2024 Men’s Garrard Shield team, who after 8 long years have brought back the converted Garrard Shield to Waikato.

The team played outstanding golf all weekend and every player contributed a half or a point at some stage during the 3 matches. With wins first up against Bay of Plenty 5-3 and Auckland 5-3 a win against Northland on Sunday morning would bring the Shield home. The team responded with a emphatic 6-2 victory to start the celebrations and a very happy van ride home.

Some outstanding performances from Jason Boobyer, George Hodgson and Sam

Towers to win all 3 matches, and Keenan Membery to have 2 wins and a half.

Left to Right Back Row, Terry Booth (Team Manager), Keenan Membery, Jason Boobyer (Captain), Sam Towers, George Hodgson. Front Row Left to Right: Hunter Ussher, Joshua Stevens, Bryce Taylor, Baxter Smith.

2024 Prebble Cup winners: Paeroa Golf Club

Teams were greeted to an overcast day at Piopio Aria Golf Club, for what shaped up to be a fantastic battle between the two clubs.

Paeroa was looking to win the Prebble Cup trophy for the 7th time having won it for the first time back in 1968, then again in 1976, 1997, 1998, 2011 & 2012. Paero were up against a Hauraki team looking at making history in claiming the converted Prebble Cup trophy for the first time

in its clubs history.

Paeroa had a great start in the morning foursome with 2 wins and 2 halves to take a 3-1 lead into the afternoon singles matches. Hauraki came out strong in the first singles match with Karl Mapson beating Stephen Morrison to bring it back to 3-2, but in the next 5 matches

Paeroa was able to get 4 wins and a half to have the trophy locked away for 2024.

Final score Paeroa 7.5 - Hauraki 4.5.

By Franz Wetzel

After gloomy predictions of heavy rain for Sundays Interclub Challenge at Te Teko Golf Club, in fact the day was mostly warm and sunny with only a short period of cool breeze towards the end of the round.

The volunteers at Te Teko had put in a lot of work in and the course was in the best condition many of us had seen for some time although some of us found the greens a little slow and quite challenging!

All the players there from the 5 Clubs

Maree Messenger from the Inglewood GC shows off the spoils for the Top Club Golf tournament that her and her team

in the Eastern Bay enjoyed themselves immensely with plenty of gentle niggles as to whose teams had performed the best!

At the end of the day, once again home advantage is certainly hard to beat, so that Te Teko’s team comfortably took out the Trophy with Kawerau in 2nd place, Opotiki 3rd, Whakatane 4th and Ohope 5th.

Next year the host Club will be Kawerau, their Captain promised a strong challenge by the home club and that all the visiting Clubs will need a good team to best them!

mates Peter Joseph, Callum Smith, Ian Hayton won.

Inglewood 1st, Opunake 2nd and Manukorihi third.

TARANAKI

Paeroa Golf Club 2024 Prebble Cup Winners: Left to Right standing: Stephen Morrison, Richard Baker, Miah Williams, Mike Cotter, Ted Mallowes. Left to Right Front Row: Mike Hallett, Darren van der Wetering and Terry Williams.

Waikanae Club championship finals Masters Men defend their title in the deep south

The Waikanae Club championship finals were played recently.

Mens Championships

Senior - JJ Love

Intermediate – Simi Singh

Juniors – Brian Geddes Womens Championships

Silver – Carolyn Hawe

Bronze – Mary Howard 9 hole Ladies Champion – Anne Ricketts

The Canterbury Men’s Masters have come away with the Masters South Island Interprovincial title after overcoming their South Island counterparts in Invercargill. Playing at the venue that will be hosting the NZ Freyberg tournament in mid-November the event provided a great opportunity for all teams to familarise themselves with the course against competitive opposition.

Round 1 saw Canterbury take on Aorangi Golf, who we had played just a few weeks earlier in Ashburton coming

on Forsyth winning in style 7/6 playing at number 3. Jason Sincock, James Howard, Andrew Green, and Glenn Coughlan also winning to make it 2 from 2 for all on the day.

Onto day 2 and the final round, we came up against an always strong Otago outfit, who with themselves being undefeated on day 1 fancied themselves to take the title if they could prevail. Canterbury’s strong form continued however with the men rising to the occasion to win out 4-2. Aaron Forsyth again with a strong showing winning 7/6 with both Jason Sincock and James Howard coming away with narrow 1up victories alongside Glenn Coughlan’s solid 3/2 win. The team win rounding off a successful three from three during the tournament to claim the trophy with by 1.5 points alongside 15 individual wins.

away with a narrow victory on that occasion, however the margin was far more convincing this time around with the team coming away with a clean sweep opening 6-0 win. Leon Yee and Andrew Green recording 2/1 wins at the top of the order with Glenn Coughlan winning well 4/3 at the bottom of the order. In round 2 on Saturday afternoon we faced the hosts Southland who would be looking to use home course advantage to their favour. However, the Canterbury men came away with another convincing victory coming out 5-1 winners with Aar-

Eagles Under 17 champs – Cromwell

For the first time in its 43-year history an Otago player has won the annual Eagles National Under-17 Boys Championship.

And with a bit of luck an Otago teen might have won the girls champs for the first time since the current Otago Golf Club professional Shelley Duncan won the first girls’ championship in 1984.

The event, which is made up of 3-person mixed teams all representing 15 Eagles provinces, plus 12 invited Otago golfers was held over 54 holes in Cromwell played recently.

Connor Howes and Chery Lee with Otago Eagles rep - Murray Nyhon.

Conditions were cool with often blustery winds making low scoring difficult, though it was Cromwell’s more challenging greens that caught a few out.

After 36 holes on Tuesday the best of the boys was Auckland representative Oscar Guo with rounds of 78,71 by one from Futures Dunedin club member Connor Howes who scored 72, 78. Otago’s Ricky Kang was in third overnight with rounds of 76 and 75 while Canterbury’s Jonathan Fry was fourth with 79, 73.

However Howes turned up the heat on Wednesday morning with a solid 72 to take the title with a combined gross score of 222, while Guo, not helped by an Out of Bounds tee shot on the18th finished 5 shots back on 227.

Best gross : Connor Howes 222 – 72,78, 72 Fry (77) had a slight edge on Kang (79) to reverse their placings in the final washup.

Keelan O’Neill from Northland had a 3 round nett score of 216 closely followed by Blake Novak from Waikato and Jayme Bremner from Manawatu/Wanganui, both on 217.

While the boys had a clear winner the girls championship went down to the wire and was decided on the 54th hole.

After 36 holes on Tuesday Auckland’s Cherry Lee (73, 76) and Otago’s Yoonae Jeong (76, 73) from the Millbrook Club were tied and a tight tussle ensued in round 3. Lee was one better by the 53rd hole.

Jeong had an opportunity to force a playoff on the 18th but her 3-4m birdie putt slid just past the hole, while Lee chipped close from off the green and sunk her par putt. Lee’s 3 round total was 222 and Jeong’s 223.

Canterbury’s Junie Chang completed the 3 rounds in 226 as did Elise Barber from Wellington, a great effort for the young 12-year-old who played on a scratch handicap at Cromwell.

In the Girls’ nett competition Southland’s Xanthia Piggott found the conditions to her liking with scores of 66, 63 and 70 (199), followed by Josie Keast from Poverty Bay on 207 and Niamh McGillicuddy, Hawkes Bay on 212.

Teams winners.

The teams’ event was won by the Southland trio of Xanthia Piggott, Will Carson and Cooper Boyce with a combined 54 hole stableford score of 328.

Among the invited players Toby Gallie a member of the Future’s Wakatipu club

had a 54 hole gross total of 225 (77, 74, 74), six shots clear of Chisholm Links’ Kairangi Koni on 231.

RESULTS OF EAGLES NATIONAL UNDER 17 TOURNAMENT

Girls 54 Holes

Best Gross: Cherry Lee 222 (73, 76, 73)

Runner up: Yoonae Jeong 223 (76, 73,74)

Best nett: Xanthia Piggott 199 (nett 66, 63, 70)

Runner up Nett: Josie Keast (nett 72, 64, 71)

Best Stableford: Niamh McGillicuddy 112 Runner Up Stableford: Junie Chang 101 18 holes:Tues Am: Ava Rose Mimmack 35 cb

Emilee Venables Zhou

Tues Pm: Mary Yim 33 on cb Elise Barber

Wed Am: Amelia Storey 35 on cb 3 others

Boys 54 holes

Best gross : Connor Howes 222 – 72,78, 72 Runner up Gross: Oscar Guo 227 - 78, 71, 78

Best Nett: Keelan O’Neill 216 – Nett 73,72, 71

Runner -up : Blake Novak 217 Nett 73,70, 74

Best stableford : Watene Brown 109 – 39, 38, 32

Runner up stableford : Jayme Bremner 107

3rd Stableford: Divan Denton 105

4th stableford : Michael Hoyle 103

5th Stableford: Cooper Boyce 103

6th stableford: Flynn ter Beek 102

Team winners: Southland Xanthia Piggott, Will Carson and Cooper Boyce 328

Boys 18 holes

Tues AM: Ned Butler 36 R/UP Hugo Sidford 35

Tues PM: Jonathan Fry 37 R/UP Chrisjan Senegal 37

Wed Am: George Pogson 36 R/UP Tawa Thomsa 35

Invited Otago Players 54 Holes

Boys Best Gross: Toby Gallie 225 – 77 74 74

Best Nett : Toby Allan nett 214

Best Stableford Boy or girl: Kairangi Koni 102

Girls Best Gross: Sophia Park 240 - 80, 82, 78

Girls Best Nett : Anahera Koni 231 Nett 78, 74, 79

18 holes Boys and Girls Tues am: Josh Harris 31 on cb Albie Reed, Carter Muldrew

Tues pm: Carter Muldrew 39, Wed AM: Riley Gill 37

Team: Kairangi Koni, Sophia Park, Toby Allan 320

Best Gross: Cherry Lee 222 (73, 76, 73)

Otago team

The 2024 Otago Pennant finals

The 2024 Otago Pennant finals were held at Alexandra and Wanaka Golf Club recently.

Senior B, Intermediates and Junior A were hosted by Wanaka Golf Club, while Senior A, Junior B, Women’s and Presidents were played at Alexandra Golf Club.

Women’s

A new champion was to be crowned in the Women’s division, after last year’s

winners Kurow failed to make it to the finals. Waikouaiti and Oamaku couldn’t be separated after 18 holes, finishing at 2.5 each. However Waikouaiti would go through on countback 6-5 thanks to Nicholls and Kelly who both won 3/2. In the other semi-final Taieri Lakes proved too strong for Clinton, beating them 4-1. Taieri Lakes continued their strong form in the final beating Waikouaiti 3.51.5.

Presidents

In the first semi-final Waikouaiti beat Arrowtown 4-2, with Clinton defeating Taieri Lakes in the other 4-2. In the final, Waikouaiti’s Barrett, Vallely, and Smillie all secured big wins. Clinton fought back with Forrester winning 5/3 and Copland 4/2. With Waikouaiti leading 3-2 with the No.1’s to come in, all they needed was a half and it came from Gary Hancock finishing all square with Bennett securing the title for Waikouaiti 3.5-2.5.

Junior B Tokarahi beat Wanaka in a tight match 2.5-1.5. Heriot and Port Chalmers couldn’t be split but thanks to Ashton’s 5/4 win, Heriot went through on count back. Heriot’s Ashton was first to strike in the final with a 4/3 win, but Tokarahi’s Ballantyne and Murray won their matches 4/2 and 4/3 respectively, with Keown securing the deal on the last 1 up to take Tokarahi to a 3-1 win.

Junior A

It was all tied up in both semi-finals for the Junior A teams. Roxburgh couldn’t be separated from Tokarahi but thanks to Malcolm and Conlan’s 2/1 wins they would go through on countback. Clinton would beat Gladfield on countback thanks to the Holland brothers who won their matches 5/4 and 3/2. Clinton wasn’t taking any chances in the final with all four members winning their matches leading to a four-nil victory.

Intermediate Cromwell and Tokarahi were all tied up after 18 holes but thanks to Jillings 7/5 win, Cromwell went through on count back. St Clair came out of the gates fast and beat Balclutha 4-0 in their semi-final. In the final it was Cromwell to draw first blood, winning the first 2 matches, however, St Clair quickly responded when their 1 and 2 both won their matches 6/5 and 6/4 respectively. St Clair would go on to win on count back 12-6.

Senior B

North Otago dealt to Arrowtown beating them 3-1. While the other semi-final went the distance between Taieri Lakes and Balclutha. Taieri Lakes went through

on countback 8-6 thanks to Haig’s 5/3 win. Taieri Lakes weren’t going to rely on countback in the final with the family duo of Josh and Ian Boath both winning 4/3. Haig won his 2nd game of the day 5/4 before Mitchell add the icing to the cake with a 4/3 win securing the title for Taieri Lakes. Final result Taieri Lakes 4 North Otago 0.

Senior A

It would be a new team to win the Senior A title this year after the previous winners’ Otago failed to make it to the final. A triangular format would mean that all 3 teams would be required to play two rounds. It was relatively tight for the morning matches, Queenstown held a 2-1 lead over St Clair with Bruce Grant and Sam Davis securing strong wins for the team. Logan Clarke came back from being down early to winning his match 2/1 keeping St Clair’s hopes alive. It was all tied up between Queenstown and North Otago at 1.5-1.5 with Steven Jensen and Gray Creedy going the distance. St Clair held a strong 3-0 lead over North Otago with McMullan, Bleach, and Aluesi’ securing wins.

With all to play for in the afternoon, it was St Clair who put the foot down. The winning trio of McMullan, Bleach, and Aluesi’ continued their form from the morning, all securing their 2nd point of the day against Queenstown taking their total to a 4-2 win. North Otago’s hopes were kept alive when Richard Knight beat St Clair’s Logan Clarke on the 18th Green, but it was all over when Tony Giles and Connor Howes secured wins on the 17th to take St Clair’s total to 5-1 over North Otago. Queenstown proved too strong for North Otago, Bruce Grant secured his 2nd point of the day beating Lachie Coutts 1 up, Sam Davis and Stephen Waby couldn’t be split and James Sowerby beat Wayne Todd 5/3. Final score Queenstown 4 North Otago 2.

St Clair breaks their 8-year draught taking the Senior A title for the first time since 2016. Queenstown finished in 2nd place followed by North Otago in 3rd.

Martinborough Golf Club

Established over 100 years ago the Martinborough Golf Club has an established course with mature trees, well-kept greens and fairways, and is a full 18 hole, par 72 course, 5546 metres in length. We are currently operating from a temporary clubhouse, with slightly limited facilities but a reliably warm welcome. The members are proud to welcome new members, affiliated players and green fee players.

Aorangi Ladies - Champion of Champions Results 2024

PLEASANT POINT AND ANNIE SHEARER RISE TO THE TOP AT CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS.

The Champion of Champions event was played recreantly at Fairlie Golf Club Where Pleasant Point took out the team gross title and Annie Shearer claimed silver honours.

Gross Stableford Rosebowl

Pleasant Point – 48 Gross Stablefords on a countback from Fairlie - Bev Green, Rachel Styles, Cath Boothroyd

Prue Sanders Rosebowl

Temuka – 218 Nett - Sharon Patrick, Jenny Bolitho, Anne McSweeney

Gay Henderson Tray

Pleasant Point – Nett 189 - Helena Love, Margaret O’Neill, Jenny Moynihan

A D Reid Trophy - Silver Champion – Best

Gross

Annie Shearer (Fairlie) 82 Gross

Silver Champion - Best Nett

Kangmi Kim (Gleniti) Nett 70

Peg Lister Tray - Bronze A Champ – Best

Gross

Sandra Quinn (Rakaia) 92 Gross (On Countback)

Bronze A Champion – Best Net

Jenny Bolitho (Temuka) Nett 71 (On Countback)

SCWGA Trophy – Bronze A Runner up Di Bell (Tinwald) Nett 75, 2nd Pam Niles (Gleniti) Nett 76

Buttons

Bronze B Champion - Valmai Prendergast (Tinwald) Nett 75 (On countback)

Bronze B Runner Up - Katrina Mensen (Mayfield) Nett 71 (On countback)

9 Hole Champion - Glenda Hamilton (Geraldine) Nett 36 (On countback)

50th Anniversary Salver – Best 18 hole nett (not already in prizes, Silver & Bronze A Grades)

Helen Rapsey (Mayfield ) Nett 74

Two’s

Sandra Quinn

The Millenium trophy was played recently between Aorangi in Canterbury in the annual match.

Aorangi had held the trophy for quite some time before Cantebruy claimed it in 2023, but with it being Aorangi’s year to host, players were motivated to defend home soil. More Hogan from Timaru was the pick of the bunch as she ammassed a mammoth 41 stableford points for the day! This contributed to Aorangi’s total of 704 stableford points which clipped Canterbury’s total of 678 points.