Golfer Pacific NZ – February 2026

pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz

The real reasons I play golf — sunshine, friendship and taking the money

By Paul Gueorgieff Editor, Golfer Pacific NZ

Iplay golf for pleasure — not displea-

sure.

That point was struck home to me when I played a Wellington interclub match last month.

The weather was wet and there was a strong southerly wind.

If I was not playing an interclub match I would not have played. But because it was an interclub match I was obliged to play because the course was not unplayable.

I said to others afterwards I hated every minute of it.

Two days earlier I had played in wind and rain. I had become sick of playing in such conditions. There had been a

number of previous days of wind and rain in January in Wellington and I just wanted some decent weather.

I started thinking I am simply complaining about the weather? Then

I thought I should be thankful that Wellington had not encountered the atrocious weather some other parts of the country have had to endure in January.

I did some more thinking. Yes my brain was in over-drive.  I thought why do I play golf? I didn’t have to think long.

I play for pleasure and the good camaraderie of my golfing friends. Nothing else. If I play well that is simply a bonus. And if I win the money off my friends I might even raise a smile. Deep

down I am in stitches with laughter. Camaraderie is important to me. I have no interest in a playing a round of golf by myself.

I don’t mind practicing on my own as I am trying to improve my game. There is a purpose. But playing on my own, I find purposeless, if there is a such a word. I might play several holes by myself for practice but never 18 holes.

As I write this column I realise what I am really trying to say. I am praying that February brings some real summer weather and with it the pleasure of walking along the fairways with the sun shining on my back — and at the end of the round, the greatest pleasure of taking the money off my friends.

New Zealand Open carries prize purse of $2 million

The prize purse for this month’s New Zealand Open has been confirmed at $2 million.

The open continues to attract top international and local talent and is one of the Asia-Pacific’s premier events.

The substantial purse, which is the same as the previous two years, underscores the tournament’s stature on the PGA Tour of Australasia, Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour and reinforces its commitment to elevating elite competition in the southern hemisphere.

Open chairman John Hart said: “We are delighted to be able to maintain the $2 million prize purse despite the current difficult economic climate. This reflects the strong support of our sponsors and partners and it allows us to continue delivering a world class experience for players and fans alike.”

The New Zealand Open will also continue its professional player support programme by ensuring that every professional golfer who enters the field will receive a minimum payout —

even if they do not make the 36-hole cut. This initiative supports players in managing travel and participation costs, particularly for those journeying

from overseas.

Tournament director Michael Glading said: “Supporting the professional players is central to our tournament. We are proud to offer them not only world class golf against the stunning backdrop of Queenstown but some additional financial support as they ply their trade.”

Michael Hendry, the 2017 New Zealand Open winner, added:  “It’s great to see the New Zealand Open supporting players even if they miss the cut. Travelling and competing internationally can be challenging, physically, mentally and financially. Knowing there’s recognition for our efforts allows us to focus on playing our best golf and taking in the experience of this incredible tournament.”

The 105th New Zealand Open, presented by Millbrook Resort, will be held from February 26-March 1.

Michael Glading: Man for the moment

By Neville Idour

Michael Glading has proved to be the man for the moment throughout his working life, but especially in his involvement in the sporting environment and particularly golf in New Zealand.

His roles as a tournament director began at the New Zealand PGA Championships at The Hills, near Queenstown, in 2012 and 2013 and continued since 2014 at the New Zealand Open. With the 2026 New Zealand Open scheduled for February 26-March 1

this is the perfect time to talk about Glading and his life course.

With Bob, his father, being a twotime New Zealand Open winner, and Bob Charles a long time close friend, this was sure to be time well spent for this writer. The venue was the Hole in One Café at Millbrook, one of Glading’s favourite places, during one of his successful Coronet Golf tours.

Where did it all begin? His parents were living in England in 1953 and decided to return to New Zealand by boat.

“Mum was eight months pregnant with me when we landed after several weeks at sea and I was born in Hamilton,’’ Glading recalls.

“When I was seven we went to live in South Africa. Most of my schooling was completed over there. Dad, who was a good golfer, did not have much of a profile over there. I got to know Bob Charles over there. With Bob’s wife Verity being South African they used to come to Johannesburg a lot and we would hang out with them. We also got to know Gary Player of course.”

The family returned to New Zealand when Michael was 18. He gained his bachelor of commerce degree in commercial law, accounting and eco-

nomics in 1976 after a year overseas in 1975. He started his working life for a year as an accountant at an engineering company. Then he joined Sony (then CBS Records) as an accountant for eight years.

Then he continues: “I was appointed managing director and had the pleasure of running Sony Music Entertainment in New Zealand for 18 years. These were some of the best working times of my life, when men were men and people actually paid for their music. I worked with some incredible artists. My favourite and most loved signing was Bic Runga. It was also a great privilege to work with amazing talents such as Brooke Fraser, Boh Runga, Strawpeople, Dave Dobbyn and many more.”

Time to move on and with his experience he set up the New Zealand office for Australian concert promoter Andrew McManus Presents. For three years Glading would tour 12 world famous artists such as Pavarotti, Stevie Nicks, UB40, INXS, Simple Minds, Deep Purple, Kris Kristofferson and Russell Watson. He also personally successfully toured United Kingdom artist Paul Potts.

A complete change came next as

general manager for struggling Gourmet Food Publishing in 2006 for a little over two years. He oversaw a re-structure and a return to profitability for the business.

At this point one of his sporting loves would be his next challenge. Appointed chief executive  of the New Zealand Football Association (NZFA) in July 2008 he would lead the country’s football through a period of significant change. Essentially insolvent, a rebuild returned them to profitability in that same year. He is an unabashed fan of English football team Arsenal so his time with the NZFA resonates. Amongst other things he has served on the FIFA (International Association Football Federation) disciplinary committee, plus on the boards of Play it Strange (songwriting charitable trust), NZ on Air (funder of media content) and now the New Zealand PGA.

He left the NZFA in April, 2011. Glading continues: “When I left football I had no intentions of working in golf. But would you know it, I had an approach from Michael Hill. He asked me if I would be interested in getting the New Zealand Golf Open up and running at The Hills.

“It kind of coincided with John Hart and the NZPGA being run at The Hills. Michael connected John and myself and that was how I became tournament director for the New Zealand Open with John as chairman.”

So began this ongoing most successful partnership with this premier sporting event, which is now somewhat unique on the world scene.

We now focus on Michael and father Bob’s golf. What was it like having a father who was a prominent golfer?

“As a kid you don’t really know, he is just your father. I did not play much golf with dad as a child as he would always try to coach me and no child likes to be continually told what to do.

“He was only trying to help but halfway round I would say I’m not going to play with you anymore if you keep doing it. I played more with him in latter years when he had stopped coaching me. Of course all parents want their children to

do better and dad was no different.”

Michael’s handicap is now 18 but 20 years ago it was four, he said a little ruefully. In 2024 he had a battle with cancer which he won and is now in good fettle although it did affect his handicap which was 11 at the time. Asked if he ever caddied for his father Bob the answer was no. Bob Glading won the New Zealand Open as an amateur in 1946, turned professional and won it again in 1947.

Bob Glading was a remarkable person. He actually made his own clubs to win the 1946 New Zealand Open. How come?

Michael explains: “He was assistant professional under head pro Gerald Melvin at Hamilton. He was a club maker and taught dad how to make clubs. We actually still have a set of clubs that dad made for mum. Allan McKay, who worked at Millbrook and then at The Hills, restored them for us some time ago so they are at home safe and sound. Dad probably used the facilities at the Hamilton club to make these Bob Glading signature clubs, as we call them.

“Now that dad is gone my one big regret is, and many will say something similar, that I never asked him enough questions about his golf, especially his New Zealand Open wins. Questions like did you sleep well the night before or coming down the stretch did you get nervous. However, dad was never one to talk about himself. You would have to prise it out of him. Typical of his generation he never talked about the war till near the finish, having served on aircraft carriers as a pilot. In hindsight I should have sat down with him and talked those things through.”

This writer well remembers meeting Bob Glading who kindly invited us when we holidayed on the Gold Coast to stay with them. It was such a generous offer and a reflection of the wonderful person and character he was.

What about your Bob Charles connection? Of course these were precious times, Michael recalls.

“I caddied for him in 26 New Zealand Opens beginning in 1972 at Paraparaumu, with one win in 1973, while there were many other close calls. I would al-

ways take leave from work so I could be his bagman each year. It was also a real highlight to caddy for him at the New Zealand PGA at The Hills in 2007. This is an everlasting memory as he made the cut as the oldest player to make it on the European Tour.”

I well remember the occasion and the excitement watching Charles play so well. Michael has played golf in many places in the world so what courses resonate? In NZ?

“Tara Iti is a very special golf course. If I had to pick one it would be Wairakei. I have played it many times and always enjoyed it for it’s ambience, peaceful environment and the nature reserve which makes it a special place. There is no question that the three courses in Queenstown (The Hills, Jack’s Point and Millbrook Coronet) are all outstanding in that they each present different challenges. Jack’s Point is probably the most difficult and I love the challenge.”

“The Hills presentation is first class and you could play a major tournament there any day of the week. The Coronet 18 is a standout. I think the peaceful environment of Millbrook extends on to the two golf courses there. If you aren’t happy golfing at those courses you will never be happy.”

What about overseas courses?

“I have played St Andrews (jn Scotland). I liked and clearly remember Congressional in Washington as an outstanding layout. But go back to when I was young and New Zealand didn’t really have any courses rated as world class. Now we have several. Yes we are very fortunate in New Zealand.”

Michael pays tribute to his wife Lynley’s support over the years.

“We have been married 35 years and were privileged when I was in business, as she was able to stay home and bring up the children. In today’s society that is a rarity. We have three great children and that is a testament to her and the role she played in our family. Or course, as they say, behind every successful man there is a successful woman.”

With such a successful and varied working life Michael has made his mark and

left any business or organisation in better shape from his presence. The many people who have paid tribute to his leadership are proof of that.

Currently Michael continues to enjoy hosting his Coronet Golf Tours at Millbrook Resort, with another one scheduled for the end of March coming up. Glading has been running these tours since covid hit our shores and this will be his 16th tour since the first tour in December, 2020. These are four round events and are simply sensational. The March 22-27 event has three rounds at Millbrook and one at Jack’s Point.

Looking ahead to the this month’s New Zealand Open, Glading is upbeat about the field quality. In particular he is thrilled with the increased number of Japanese players coming which has been boosted by the new $A1.2 million ISPS Handa Japan-Australasia Championship event a week after the New Zealand Open. It will be played at Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club from March 5-8. Add to that the $A200,000 Quinovic New Zealand PGA Championship to be played at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, immediately before the New Zealand Open, from February 19-22.

This gives the Australasian Tour a three event New Zealand swing for the first time. In addition to the Japanese contingent, invites have been extended to players from the PGA Tour, the Korn Ferry Tour, LIV Golf and the Asian Tour. So an exciting three weeks are ahead.

So we close our time together asking: “Looking back on your life so far are there any seminal moments or vivid memories?”

Michael concludes: “I guess the reality is how fortunate I have been, in that most of my working life has been in fields that I love — music, football and golf — three of my greatest loves. Not too many people can look at their working career and say ninety five per cent of it has been spent in fields they have a passion for outside of work. It has been a real joy.”

For this writer chatting to Michael Glading, the man for the moment, was a real joy too.

All eyes on Wellington

Wellington has always carried a certain magic — a blend of big city sophistication and rugged, windswept beauty that few capitals can match.

But for golfers, the city offers something even more special: many courses that are so different in style, atmosphere and challenge.

From the likes of the world class Paraparaumu Beach on the Kāpiti Coast to the parkland club courses like Boulcott’s Farm, there is great variety and quality across the region.

On this trip we made a return visit to the Royal Wellington Golf Club, a place steeped in history, quality and tradition. This month it will host the

Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship (WAAP).

And another course that is close to my heart – the Karori Golf Club. It’s a hidden gem tucked deep in the hills, full of character and quiet charm. Together, they painted a picture of a golf destination rich in variety, history and adventure.

Royal Wellington - Walking in the footsteps of legends

Royal Wellington has always held a certain reverence for me. The last time I visited, the front nine was under construction, and the club generously offered for me to return once it reopened.

classical feel but now has a clarity of strategy and form that elevates every shot. It’s a championship course that is accommodating to their members.

The par five second hole is the perfect example: a beautifully shaped hole that forces you to think rather than simply hit. The fairway bends and narrows and placing your ball correctly is essential if you want a reasonable chance at negotiating the undulating green.

Then there is the par five fourth hole — another strategic masterpiece. A large lake guards the right side and the approach which presents a perfect risk and reward scenario.

There is simply nowhere to miss, and standing on that fairway, club in hand, you feel the full weight of a championship course demanding your best.

This hole and the stretch that follows is arguably the toughest part of Royal Wellington, a series of holes that look inviting from the tee but reveal their teeth the moment you go off line.

Stepping onto that first tee again felt like slipping back into a cherished memory. The opening tee shot is steeped in history; I can still recall watching Sir Bob Charles strike the ceremonial drive here to open the New Zealand Golf centenary event in 2010.

It was fitting — he won the New Zealand Open at Royal Wellington in 1954, as a teenage amateur, and there is something poetic about another tournament of true significance returning to this hallowed turf. Teeing off the first hole at Royal is always a moment full of hope and expectation.

The work that Greg Turner and Scott Macpherson carried out on the redesign is superb. The course retains its

There’s a great little par three to finish the front nine that shows once again that a hole doesn’t haven’t to be long to be full of intrigue. The eighth is only 153 metres from the blue tees but there is a small creek down the righthand side and bunkers and towering trees on the left to punish you if you miss with your tee shot.

The back nine is full of holes that linger in the memory long after the round is done, greens framed by mature trees, fairways that ripple gently like the surrounding hills and subtle challenges that will make the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific competitors earn every birdie.

Watching the best female players in the region test themselves here will be fascinating because Royal Wellington is the kind of course where you will see the best players rewarded. There are risk and reward opportunities all over the course. A good example is the 14th. It’s a short par four that you can score on, but it can also humble you if

you get the tee shot wrong.

And the 18th is a classic finishing hole. The par five has seen many big moments over the years and it will be no different this month with a prestigious title on the line.

Sitting in the clubhouse at Royal is an experience that all golfers will enjoy. It is grandiose and classic, the walls are lined with its history and legacy and it’s a beautiful setting to complete your day.

The world will be watching when Royal Wellington hosts one of the biggest amateur championships in the world – it is going to put the region into the spotlight and further the reputation of Aotearoa as a world class golf destination.

The coolest little city in the world

Off the course, Wellington only deepened the trip’s charm.

We stayed at the TRYP Hotel in the heart of the city, right down the road from Te Papa and steps from the waterfront.

Our room was generous in size, modern and comfortable. TRYP is possibly home to one of the best rooms in the city. Penthouse 601 is a hidden gem in Wellington – it is the largest luxury penthouse in the city centre, with four king bedrooms, a 360-degree balcony overlooking the city and harbour, an outdoor rooftop BBQ area, and more.

If you are coming to Wellington for the

WAAP this would be a great place for a group to stay in style.

My mornings began with a run through Oriental Bay and around the point — one of the most beautiful parts of the entire city, especially in the soft morning light. Evenings were a culinary treat. During my time living in Wellington, I had run around the waterfront 100 times and had always wanted to enjoy a nice meal at Dockside.

I never did, so to walk into the restaurant and look at the menu on this trip was a moment that felt like it was a long time coming. It well and truly lived up to its reputation as being one of the best restaurants in the city. With an ice cool Hazy IPA and a view out to the harbour I began with the calamari and scallops as a starter. It was cooked to perfection and the meal only got better with pan-fried snapper for my main and a delightful serving of Christmas pudding to wrap up the evening.

It’s a lovely feeling being out on a warm summer’s evening and it was nice to wander back to the hotel with the sounds and activity of the city as a background acoustic. Wherever you go, the city always has a good feeling about it. Take in the Wellington Market on the Sunday which is full of food trucks, fresh produce and vibrant tenders. Walk down Cuba Street and experience the street performers and ambience or escape to the Wellington Botanic Gardens which is a quiet oasis in the heart of the city. You can’t go wrong.

Karori Golf Club -- getting away from it all

And then, only a short drive away but a world apart in character, sits the Karori Golf Club.

Where Royal Wellington is polished and grand, Karori is raw, warm and wonderfully unpretentious.

Designed by the same architect who shaped Wairakei International, it carries a familiar sense of natural rhythm — fairways framed by bush, greens that sit exactly where the land wants them to be — but here it feels more rugged, more personal.

Playing Karori is getting away from it all, like stepping into a piece of Wellington that only locals truly know and love.

The second hole sets the tone. It is notorious. A huge tree stands right in the centre of the fairway, a towering guardian blocking your tee shot.  You pick your

line, take your swing —  and hope. But that’s part of the charm. Karori doesn’t hide its quirks, it celebrates them.

The third hole is a brilliant par four, a dogleg right to an elevated green where par always feels like an achievement. As a fader of the golf ball, I look forward to this tee shot and it is an awesome feeling seeing your ball land on the green in two.

And then comes one of the course’s absolute gems: the 102-metre par-three sixth. Short, sweet, and beautifully designed, it stands proudly among the best short par threes in the country. The green is small and the margin for error is even smaller. It’s simply a great golf hole.

My personal favourite is the ninth - a long, straight par four with a tee shot that seems to hang in the air forever before dropping to the fairway. It’s a hole that demands two genuinely good shots to reach the green, and when you walk off with par, you know you’ve earned it.

The back nine at Karori carries echoes of Wairakei: sweeping shapes, bold lines and clever risk-and-reward decisions. The 11th embodies that spirit perfectly — a tempting par four that dares you to bite off more than you should.

But it is the 12th hole that steals the show. A driveable par four from an elevated tee, it is a thrill from start to finish. Hit your drive well and you might just have a chance at an eagle putt; miss your line and you’ll be scrambling from slopes, rough, or worse. It is the kind of hole golfers talk about afterwards.

Karori’s finishing hole is no less memorable. A short par four that doglegs left, it invites the bold but punishes the careless. You can take driver, but you need precision, and the approach is fraught with danger. Walking off the green and up toward the clubhouse, you feel both tested and satisfied.

And sitting on the clubhouse deck with the sun spilling over the hills, cold beers disappearing all too easily, and stories being shared from another enjoyable round. Karori is the sort of experience every visitor to Wellington should have –genuine and filled with personality.

On our visit to the capital, we experienced two completely different courses, and one unforgettable golfing destination. They say you can’t beat Welington on a good day, and it’s also hard to go past this place on the golf course for history, character and variety.

Rising star Teresa Wang gets an early look at Royal Wellington

Auckland teenager Teresa Wang is leaving nothing to chance ahead of her Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship debut, making a special trip to Royal Wellington Golf Club to familiarise herself with the course that will host the region’s premier women’s amateur event from February 12-15.

The year 11 prodigy, who enjoyed a breakthrough 2025 season, recently travelled to Wellington to play two practice rounds at Royal Wellington –her first visit to the course since playing it in winter conditions last year.

“I think it’s really good prep for the Women’s Asia-Pacific because I get to see the course and see how it compares to when I played it last year,” Wang said after completing her rounds.

The reconnaissance mission proved valuable, with Wang quickly identifying the challenges she’ll need to overcome when the championship gets underway.

“I learned that I have to be quite long off the tee because it’s a pretty long course for me and it’s usually really windy here in Wellington so it’s going to be quite challenging,” she explained.

Introduced to the game at age nine by her golf-loving father, Wang’s natural competitiveness – honed across multiple sports in her youth – found its

perfect outlet on the golf course.

“I played a lot of sports when I was younger so I’ve always been a bit competitive and I really like that about golf,” she said.

“I like how you meet a lot of new people and it really challenges your mindset.”

That mindset has served her well.

In 2025, Wang captured three significant titles – the North Island Ama-

teur Strokeplay, Bay of Plenty Amateur Strokeplay and New Zealand under 16 championships – and finished runner-up at the New Zealand Women’s Amateur Championship.

She also earned the honour of representing New Zealand at the Junior World Cup.

“I’ve been able to represent New Zealand in a few tournaments this year and last year.

“I played in Japan last year with New Zealand and I think that was really fun and a good experience.”

Now ranked 537th in the world, Wang is relishing the opportunity to test herself against Asia-Pacific’s elite on home soil.

“I’m really looking forward to it because it’s my first year playing and it’s held here in our home country, New Zealand, so I think we have a little bit of an advantage because we know the conditions,” she said.

“I’m also really excited to see how I compare with other really talented amateurs in the world and see what I can learn from them.”

Wang will be one of a record nine New Zealand players competing in the 2026 WAAP, which features 84 players from 31 countries.

The winner will earn starts in three major championships – the Women’s Open in England, The Evian Championship in France and The Chevron Championship in the United States – as well as an invitation to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in the US.

The stakes are high, but Wang is drawing inspiration from the best in the game.

“I really like Nelly Korda and Tiger Woods,” she said. “I really like how they play and I really like Nelly Korda’s swing.”

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First four-time winner of China tour headed for Wellington

The winner of four tournaments on China’s ladies’ professional golf tour will be among those contest-

ing the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship in Wellington this month.

The golfer is Ren Yijia who racked up

her fourth win on the CLPGA Tour when taking our the Orient Ningbo Challenge in the province of Zhejiang last month.

Yijia led all the way over the three rounds to score by one shot from her final day playing partner Shi Yuli. The latter is a professional and claimed the first prize of 144,000 yuan which is about $NZ35,000.

The first two days of the tournament were played in bitterly cold conditions, dropping to as little as -1C, but warmed to 11C for the final day.

Yijia, who is aged just 16, held a oneshot lead after the first and second rounds and breathed a visible sigh of relief after sinking her final putt.

With Shi safely on the green in two and needing to hole a 15-foot birdie putt to force a playoff, Ren blasted her long birdie putt from the edge of the green 12 feet past the hole. After Shi narrowly missed her birdie attempt, Ren confidently holed her putt

for the win.

“I’m very pleased with that final putt because I knew then that I wouldn’t have to go into a playoff,” said Ren who becomes the first amateur to win four times on the CLPGA Tour.

“There were ups and downs during the round. Shi Yuli briefly overtook me at one point, but I managed my mindset well because I felt confident that I had already secured the low amateur award. In the end, winning this trophy made me extremely thrilled and excited.”

Ren was looking forward to coming to New Zealand for Asia-Pacific tournament.

“What’s special is that this tournament is the major championship for amateurs in the Asia-Pacific region. If I win, I’ll earn entry into several major tournaments. I’ve already planned to turn professional late this year, but if I win I might wait a little longer.”

Lucas Herbert confirmed for New Zealand Open

Lucas Herbert of Australia will return to Queenstown for the New Zealand Open to be played across Millbrook Resort’s Coronet and Remarkables courses.

A proven winner on the global stage, Herbert brings extensive experience from the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf, and has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most consistent performers.

Known for his aggressive style of play and comfort on fast, firm layouts — qualities well suited to Millbrook’s championship courses, Herbert’s return to the New Zealand Open signals his continued affinity for the tournament.

Speaking about his return, Herbert said he was looking forward to once again experiencing everything the New Zealand Open and Queenstown have to offer.

“I’ve always loved coming back to Queenstown and playing the New Zealand Open,” Herbert said. “The New Zealand Open is always a highlight on the schedule.

“Queenstown is an incredible place to play golf; the courses are first class, and the support from fans is fantastic. I’m really excited to be coming back.”

Lucas Herbert of Australia has been confirmed for this month’s New Zealand Open at Millbrook. He was the runner-up in 2020. Photo credit: Michael Thomas/photosport.nz.

Previously ranked as high as 40th in the world, Herbert went close to claiming the New Zealand Open title in 2020, finishing runner-up to fellow Australian Brad

Kennedy and is aiming to go one better.

“I was close in 2020 and narrowly missing out like that sticks with you. I didn’t have my best stuff during that final round and Brad did, so fair play to him,” Herbert said.

“I know what it takes to contend at Millbrook Resort and I’m coming back with the aim of being the one lifting the trophy at the end of the week and playing myself into the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale (in England).”

New Zealand Open tournament director, Michael Glading, welcomed Herbert’s confirmation, noting the value his presence brings to the event.

“Lucas is a proven international performer, having won three times on the DP World Tour and once on the PGA Tour, and now starring on LIV Golf,” Glading said.

“Having him return to Queenstown reinforces the global standing of the New Zealand Open and the quality of field we continue to attract.”

The New Zealand Open returns to Millbrook Resort in Queenstown from February 26-March 1.

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The best of both worlds – a Northland adventure

It is always the hardest part of a golf trip with the family. You all head away and when I am out there on the golf course trying to make the most of these amazing places, your family are waiting at the hotel for you to finish. So, in our final golf trip for 2025 we tried a new approach. I began the trip with a couple of days of golf with the lads and then followed it with some family time in the paradise of Waipu Cove.

Early on Thursday morning, we headed north with my father Richard and good mate Jeremy White to meet North Golf’s club development officer David Mullan at the Northern Wairoa Golf Club.

Jeremy is a casual golfer in every sense, playing on a 36 handicap, but he is better than that. With Dave on a two handicap, the teams are an easy selection with Dad and I (both 20 handicappers) pairing up in a combined gross match play contest. The losers would buy the beers.

Northern Wairoa Golf Club is a course that I had heard a lot about and

we couldn’t wait to tee off with Northland putting on a perfect day.  But beforehand, there was a chance to take in some special local history.

Day one: A step back in time

We made a pilgrimage to The Kauri Museum—a tribute to one of New Zealand’s most iconic native trees and the people who helped carve the region’s history around them.

It’s one thing to know the kauri is special; it’s another thing to walk through a museum that reverberates with its legacy.

Towering displays, stories of gum diggers, an incredible selection of chainsaws — it’s an experience that hits you with awe and perspective. You need to take your time here.

We were only in there for a few minutes when Jeremy found his own special connection. His great grandmother Amy Adams (nee Cullen) donated a kauri organ to the museum in the 1960s and it is proudly on display.

The museum is a must visit destination for lovers of New Zealand history and our landscape. It quietly lays out the story of

a tree that shaped a landscape, an economy and an identity.

For us, it was the perfect way to ease into “Northland mode.” A gentle reminder that up here, the land itself is part of the itinerary.

Northern Wairoa Golf Club – a hidden gem

Around two hours north of Auckland is a hidden gem, the Northern Wairoa Golf Club. I know that’s an overused term in golf, but this place fits the tag perfectly.

Northern Wairoa is the sort of place you only find when someone tips you off.

Tucked away from the main tourist arterials, it’s a track that rewards those willing to venture a little farther.

The course is a parkland layout that measures 5061 metres from the white tees. It was lined by the beautiful sight of Pōhutukawa trees in the early summer bloom.

With views out to the Tasman Sea and Bayly’s Beach, it’s an idyllic spot. When we rock up for a game on a Thursday afternoon, we were the only ones on the course.

Ahead of the trip, a Bay of Islands cloth-

casion, he’s a handy golfer, encouraging and just great company.

My favourite three holes here were the par four seventh, which is rated the hardest hole on the course, the short par three ninth, which is only 113 metres but a fine hole from an elevated tee, and the par five 12th which is only 421 metres but you have to negotiate a valley to find a green at the top of a hill.

Getting out of Auckland, the golf is always good value for money and Northern Wairoa is a point in case at $50 for non-affiliated golfers. And the beers in the clubhouse afterwards were $6.

When we finished our round, the carpark was full of locals coming out for twilight summer golf. They may or may not know it, but their club is a beauty.

ing company Kaleo contacted us to see if we’d like to wear their golf shirts on our tour. Kaleo is proudly turning New Zealand art into wearable art you can live in. It is premier clothing, super comfortable and uniquely Kiwi.

It’s always good to support local businesses.  I went for the Pataki design; Dad was decked out in the Nikau design and Dave was in the Teal Silver Fern. The boys looked like golfers, and it was time to back it up.

Playing here is a quintessential Kiwi experience. It’s a country course with one greenkeeper and a dedicated team of volunteers who keep the course in great condition. You’ll find striped fairways, good greens and plenty of friendly locals.

From the white tees, there are a host of short par fours – like the sixth, 10th and 11th - that are driveable for the bigger hitters and the course can play harder than it looks.

Dave, still coming down from his Guinness World Record heroics (as recorded in last month’s issue of Golfer Pacific), was a brilliant host and showed us how to play his home track. He is a natural fit in his role. He has a story for every oc-

For the record, Dave turned on a masterclass from the white tees to go low and was well supported by Jeremy who belied his 36 handicap. They won comfortably 5 and 3 and we all had our moments on an enjoyable day. I left a few shots out there but was happy enough to sign for an 88. There was another battle waiting tomorrow.

Waipu Cove Resort

Our home for the next few days was a little slice of paradise. I had often driven past Waipu Cove but never spent any time here, so I was eager to explore the region.

There is so much diversity and quality in what you can experience here, and the Waipu Cove Resort was the ideal base for exploring the many walkways and beaches of the region.

Our three-bedroom apartment was spacious, modern and a great layout. Right on our doorstep was a heated pool and tucked away spa.

Within minutes, the jandals were on, and relax mode was fully activated. A matter of steps away, you open the back door and amble through the campground to arrive at Waipu Cove Beach. It is like someone pulling back the curtains to unveil a masterpiece. Seeing those sets of surf roll in and feeling the warm, salty air on my face, was a wonderful feeling.

GOLF NEWS

Day two: Waipu Golf Club – a world class links

This was the one I was looking forward to. Every time you get to play at the Waipu Golf Club, it is a privilege.

Located on State Highway 1, Waipu has forged a reputation as one of the finest links golf courses in the country and for good reason.

For three years, I was a member of the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club north of Wellington – the best links course in the country — and this place brings back good memories. I love everything about the unique challenge that is links golf.

The course was first designed in 1934 and has evolved over the years. It is firmly established as one of the mustplay courses in the Northland region.

Just down the road, the premier courses of Tara Iti Golf Club and Te Arai Links claim the spotlight, but it is courses like Waipu that are accessible and affordable for everyone.

Like most links layouts, the defence of the course is the wind. When we pulled into the car park just after 7am and had a few practice putts you could feel the wind growing in strength.

Dave was back for round two and dad and I were keen to square the ledger after our defeat at Northern

Wairoa.

Waipu is a great test. It is well maintained and the greens are a pure surface that would be up there with the best in club courses in Aotearoa.

The layout is pure golfing theatre. There is a plethora of great holes here that frame up like a postcard. My favourite holes were the short and tight par four fifth. It is driveable if you get it right, but there is also trouble everywhere.

Onto the back nine, there is a cool stretch with a short par four at the 10th, a long par four at the 11th with the ocean all down the right and then a beast of a par five at the 12th. It plays tough in a cross wind.

Throughout the round, the wind had a huge influence. Down wind you could drive it as far as you could see and then coming back – like the par fours 15th and 18th – it took two good hits and a chip to make the putting surface.

For the record, Dave again showed he’s a quality player, but Jeremy couldn’t back up his heroics from round one. We held on for a 3 and 2 win to claim the beers.

Sitting on the clubhouse deck looking out at that panoramic view with a frosty cold pint of the local Sawmill Hazy IPA and a bread roll from the ex-

cellent Oceanview Café, it was a special feeling.

We all had moments of triumph and disaster out there on the links, and we all agreed that it would be great to come back and take it on again.

If you haven’t played Waipu Golf Club, put in on your list of courses to play this summer.

A meal fit for kings

In the heart of the Waipu township is the McLeod’s Pizza Barn. It’s a place that is locally famous and absolutely deserving of the hype.

I said goodbye to the lads who were heading down to Auckland to take in charity golf event Chasing the Fox and welcomed in my family and my sister Katie and her family to Waipu. It’s great to see them.

McLeod’s is the perfect place to begin our time together. It’s chilled out, buzzing with energy and serves pizzas that sit comfortably in the top tier of anything you’ll find in New Zealand.

Paired with a couple of McLeod’s ‘Cove’ a Hazy IPA and the region’s pride and joy — it was exactly the meal we needed. The kids wait for their meal by running around the barn and making up games on the playground.

When the food arrived, there was a quiet hush of excitement as the pizzas were delicious and unique combinations. We could have stayed there for a few more hours, just chatting over the beers and wine, but it had been a big day for the little ones, and it was time for some sleep.

Day three: An adventure in waiting

We woke again to paradise — blue skies, sparkling water and a day begging to be filled.

Our morning adventure took us down the beach to Learn 2 Surf in Waipu Cove. These guys are the definition of local legends. Fun, patient, generous with tips and encouragement — they turned an ordinary beach morning into a highlight of the trip.

One of the owners Ellen, who hailed

from Western Australia, could not have been better with the kids as they learnt their craft in the waves.

There’s a sound parents know, pure laughter from your kids. The kind that spills out unfiltered, bright and effortless. That was the soundtrack of the morning. The moment the kids stood up on their boards — arms out, eyes wide — it felt like a little piece of magic. I feel like they will keep these skills for life.

But the day was far from over. That afternoon we ventured to the Milky Way Glow Worm Cave Tour, just down the road. One minute we were on a wide, sunlit beach and the next we were deep inside a dark cave illuminated by nature’s own starlight.

The contrast was breathtaking. Our guide Ian was knowledgeable, friendly and full of stories that had the kids hanging onto every word. Time felt different in that cave — slower and suspended.

The glowworms shone like a constellation within touching distance. For a moment down there, it was like the world outside didn’t exist. Our kids were full of questions and wonder as they learned about these fascinating creatures.

Day four: Signing off in style

On Sunday morning. I woke up first thing and went for a run along the Waipu Coastal Walkway that I had heard so much about. The start of the track was a few minutes from our accommodation and it’s a fun ride.

The undulating trail weaves along the coastline with an irrepressible view of the rugged coastline being hit by the sets of surf below.  It’s a cool and clear morning and it’s a lovely escape to get a sweat up and get ready for another day of adventure with the kids.

After a quick dip in the hotel pool –the kids’ second home in our time in Waipu – we walked down the road to a warm welcome at the Waipu Cove Café.

Much like the Pizza Barn, this place is one of the pillars of the local offering

and it is always full of people and life. We found our own corner of the restaurant and the kids were salivating at the menu. They couldn’t believe their eyes when the French Toast was placed in front of them along with some fresh apple juice.

I ordered my standard: Egg’s Benedict with bacon and a side of hash browns and it was delicious. The perfect compliment was a mango smoothie.

The vibe of Waipu Cove Café was relaxed and friendly. It is one of the region’s best cafés.

The excitement levels in the group were at fever pitch with the adventure they had been waiting for on the horizon.

One final adventure

The kids had been counting down to this one: Waipu Horse Adventures. Expectations were high. It delivered in every way.

Adele, our guide, was the embodiment of what makes Northland special— friendly, funny, patient and effortlessly good with kids. She welcomed us warmly and soon had the kids lined up on their horses, with a nice mix of nerves and excitement.

I didn’t make the 100kg weight limit which was a friendly reminder that on golf trips it’s not only the courses that can humble you. But I was happy to play

a supporting role.

Riding down the beach on horseback is the kind of moment that stops time. The ocean on one side, dunes on the other, hooves rhythmically thudding against the sand. It felt like a scene borrowed from a movie; the sort of memory you know your kids will bring up every summer for years.

Some experiences are difficult to capture in words. This was one of them. It was pure magic.

My 10-year-old daughter Charlie jumped off her horse and gave me a bear hug and said: “Thanks so much Dad, that was the best experience of my whole life.”

It’s always hard to go home

This is a golf and family trip I will never forget. We packed up the dusty car and our sun-kissed kids were asleep in the back seat within minutes of our journey south.

It’s on trips like this that you realise just how good other parts of Aotearoa have it. Beautiful landscapes, salt of the earth

people and great communities.

I would love to be a member of the humble and charming Northern Wairoa Golf Club or the highly regarded and revered links of the Waipu Golf Club. Both are fantastic courses that offer so much. And as for the rest of the trip, there were adventures and fun at every turn. From the laughter and smiles in the surf, to the exploration in the caves, the wonderment on horseback, and amazing meals, it was a tour that offered so much.

It’s little wonder that Waipu Cove has been long regarded as one of our premier summer holiday spots. There is something for everyone and the best thing was the people.  Everyone we met were genuinely good people who were so proud of their region and wanted us to have the time of our lives at their place for a few days. They succeeded on all counts.

A special thanks to Lisa Cunningham and Tania Henson at Northland Incorporated for coordinating our trip to Northland.

Is LIV Golf here to stay?

By Neville Idour

The news that Brooks Koepka was leaving LIV Golf and taking advantage of the convenient knee jerk “returning member programme” sparked delight amongst the opponents and haters of LIV Golf with cries of “the end is in sight.” “That is the beginning of the end.” “LIV is dead.”

But does it really mean the end? The facts would indicate otherwise despite many now suggesting the other big names will follow. The PGA Tour offered the “returning member programme” to Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith, obviously hoping they would follow but they didn’t and various expressions of satisfaction followed from those players. Koepka never really seemed fully invested in LIV or his team. Winning major championships are what he cares about most so, in reality, although he is a loss in firepower, his presence probably isn’t. In fact if Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith were to leave in the near future, indications are LIV is geared to continue for the foreseeable future.

Patrick Reed has followed Koep-

ka but will not be able to play on the PGA Tour until August 25, one year after his last LIV event. Kevin Na and Pat Perez have also chosen to return to the PGA Tour but will also face a significant wait time, and are hardly likely to be missed. Beong Hun An has replaced Na as captain in the newly named Korean Golf Club as teams increasingly take on a specific country look.

It is contended that even if DeChambeau, Rahm and Smith were to leave, LIV Golf is set up to continue for years into the future. While it would be a huge loss if all three were to leave, the organisation is run by smart business people and looks to be around for a long time.

It has a 10 year deal with the Asian Tour signed in 2022, having invested $US300 million, creating the International Series and pathways to LIV via the rankings. It has signed  with the Adelaide event until 2031, plus it has a multi year agreement for the new South African tournament, plus other deals. It has a television deal with Fox in the United States plus TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland, Sky Sport in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and with Viaplay in Sweden, Norway, Den-

mark, Iceland and Finland.

You can also see the long game in the recruitment roster. Tom McKibbin, Josele Ballester, David Puig and Caleb Surratt are some of the most talented newcomers who appear likely to join the world’s best players in the near future. Even if the aforementioned stars leave there are still plenty of well known names to attract the punters. Who wouldn’t cross the road to see Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Joaquin Nieman, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter amongst others?

Chief executive Scott O’Neil has stated that LIV will never usurp the PGA Tour as the premier golf tour in terms of viewership, player quality and interest and that was never the intention. It is all about growing LIV Golf into a sustainable business model. He said in October it had attracted half a billion dollars in sponsorship in 10 months and is optimistic about the potential for growth around the world. We can see that in the team franchises and the tournaments on the schedule.

Eight of the 14 events in 2023 were in the United States but just four of the 13 events in 2026 are in the US.

LIV now has an all Spanish team and a tournament in Spain, a South African team with a South Africa venue. The same applies in Australia, England and Korea. The Greg Norman vision for a genuine world tour is certainly taking shape and making steady progress, if not quite as he originally foresaw. LIV also now offers pathways into the US Open and The Open and by the time you read this, LIV may finally have the overdue world ranking points for its players.

Even in these times of wanting instant gratification, meaningful growth and progress takes time. Hard to believe LIV is in its fifth year, so its current strategy of global growth seems to be the sensible course. With a reasonably deep roster of quality players it appears to be well set up for the long haul.

Who really knows what lies ahead in this mixed up and fractured golf world? Whatever does happen with LIV Golf and this will cause grinding of teeth for those people vehemently opposed to LIV, the slogan “Long LIV Golf” is currently alive and well. Only the future will provide the answer to the headline Is LIV Golf Here To Stay.

Jon Rahm opens up on Ryder Cup abuse

By Neville Idour

Jon Rahm’s remarkable calmness during the Ryder Cup masked his emotions.

Many people wondered how he kept his emotions in check given the flood of abuse and insults he and his teammates endured.

He opened up on a SubPar podcast saying: “It was rough. It was a tough week. With me, Tyrrell (Hatton) and Sepp (Straka) all a bit overweight and two with a receding hairline and two of us being on LIV all I heard was traitor, terrorist, fat, ozempic (a prescription injectable medication primarily for managing type 2 diabetes) a lot, turkey and hairline appointment things.

“It’s not so much, you’ve got the usual thing where they say something about your wife and your kids which is expected but this was over the line. It was more the fact that from the moment we got to the range it started until we left the golf course —  10 to 12 hours non stop.

“The other thing I wasn’t ready for when I hit the opening tee shot 400 yards, was for it (the heckling) to keep going as we were taking the club back. We hit a lot of shots with them still talking and that was something we had to adjust to. On the first green I told Tyrrell I guess we are not going to hit a shot all tournament without it being rowdy.”

Rahm also explained that engaging with the crowd would have affected his concentration on his game.

“All of us had a really fun way to look at it. Whenever they called us fat, especially me and Sepp we would laugh. Like do they think we don’t own a mirror. I know, we know. We’re the ones eating I get it. Let’s move on. It was less original than expected.”

Rahm clearly decided to have fun amidst the mayhem. After he hit a wayward shot on the fifth hole, an argument broke out between two spectators when one tried criticising Rahm for moving to LIV Golf.

“I had this guy in my ear calling me a traitor, terrorist, and other things.

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After he said it enough times, there was a five second pause and there was a woman there who said for that amount of money I will do it too. Then they started arguing with themselves. I actually found it quite funny.”

Interestingly, Rahm’s approach was in direct contrast to that of Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.

McIlroy yelled “shut the f*** up to a fan chirping on his backswing, while Lowry also confronted some fans after sinking a putt by pointing towards a fan screaming ‘f*** you. On the 10th hole he even got a fan ejected.

However, it wasn’t so much what they were saying, it was the constant heckling from the time they arrived on course till they left that affected Rahm’s mindset. He expected heckles but for 10 to 12 hours it was a tough gig. That’s why he decided silence was the best response. This silence during the Ryder Cup spoke volumes for his humility and discipline both on and off course and shapes how fans view him.

As an example of his humility a content creator shared an Instagram post featuring Rahm which went viral last December without realising who he was. Rahm simply introduced himself graciously. When the creator asked Rahm about his golfing successes he said “I was very lucky” and also gave the credit to the people along the way for his achievements. His humble nature attracted many positive comments from fans. All kudos to Rahm.

This all says a lot about Rahm. He is seen as one of the most humble professional golfers. Rahm knew that trading words would hurt his play rather than help it. As he said: “You have to make a choice at that point. You either give it back to them or you don’t. You know what kind of person you are. Rory and Shane fed off that and did great. But I know if I start having banter with the crowd my golf will suffer. So the best I could do was just stay quiet and act like it wasn’t there. That was the best way to handle it.”

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Time to stamp out slow play NEWS

By Neville Idour

Is it time to, at least for the powers that be, to make meaningful efforts to stamp out the lingering disease of slow play that continues to blight the wonderful game of golf.

The time it took some professionals to play a shot and therefore a round was sadly a standout in 2025. As in most areas of life or organisations any changes or requirements for members or employees to follow must start at the top with a good lead or example.

The powers that be in this case are the various golf tours hierarchy and all club committees.

Let us begin with the “holy grail”, so they think, the PGA Tour in the United States. What a joke.

Did anyone notice that in the US Open at Oakmont in Pennysylvania rounds took almost six hours to finish, despite both the LPGA and PGA Tours introducing measures to combat slow play. Has there been any improvement amongst the men? The evidence would say no.

Admittedly the LPGA Tour’s measures were much more meaningful with penalties for any repeat offending players. Both tours need to implement LIV Golf’s standards and penalties for pace of play. They are seriously meaningful.

When we watch players like Patrick Cantlay, Padraig Harrington and many others the game becomes almost cringeworthy to watch. Watching Tommy Fleetwood recently I found even he seemed to take far too much time over some shots much to my surprise. Setting up behind the ball and taking three or four swings on occasions is just ridiculous as he did sometimes.

What is most annoying or unsettling though is that these examples have filtered down more and more into the amateur and club scenes. Especially culpable are those professionals with painfully repetitive and lengthy pre-shot routines. Of course for the pedantic this also extends to the greens and putting processes. I always think of Tiger Woods on the green where he always seemed to own the right to take the longest time of his group over his putts.

However, despite those comments all golfers should have a pre-shot routine they can repeat for each shot. But it should be simple, brief and fluent for all club golfers. Even professionals can do that and I suggest our own Ryan Fox is a beacon and shining example for his fellow professionals and all other golfers. If we want to emulate the pros make sure the time is short. Just remember they have honed and repeated their routines for many years, even decades. Copy Fox and we won’t go wrong.

Keep in mind if we are in a group of four and we take a minute over each of our 90 shots and our partners do the same that adds up to six hours. Ouch. Thankfully those offenders are the exception so we wouldn’t want to be one of them.

The other major hindrance to enjoyable golf is those groups who think they have the right to play at their own pace even if it is holding up those behind them. Especially if the course isn’t busy ahead just let them through. If it is busy and you fall behind even more so let them through. Unfortunately it is sometimes the more experienced individuals who demand

their right to play at their own pace. For various reasons not everyone plays at the same speed because of age, ability or in some cases physical limitations. So if we are a little slower walking we need to find ways in the other aspects of golf to keep an acceptable pace. Things such as when we are on the fairway waiting for a partner or partners to play, if possible go through the pre-shot routine while they play and then we can play our shot immediately. Don’t wait for the green to clear if we can’t reach the green with our shot. Leaving bags or carts on the wrong side of the green is another time waster. Agree with your partners that if we reach the green first, if it isn’t serious competition and we have time, putt first. This is basically ready golf on the green, which of course should be agreed on for all play. Golf is a game to be enjoyed, not rushed, so it really boils down to being aware of our surroundings and what is happening and respecting the feelings of others on the golf course, not just your group. So if we are holding up the flow let them through and then we will contribute to stamping out slow play.

Central Vietnam aims to consolidate its rise as Asia’s leading golf destination

The Vietnam Golf Coast (VGC) is gearing up for another milestone year as central Vietnam continues to strengthen its position as Asia’s premier golf destination, building on sustained momentum across tourism, connectivity and international market engagement.

The outlook for golf mirrors wider economic confidence in Vietnam, which has recently featured in international business headlines amid forecasts that the country’s growth trajectory could see it rival, and potentially surpass, regional peers.

On the fairways of central Vietnam, a similar trend is emerging, as the region increasingly becomes a preferred vacation choice for visiting golfers from key long-haul markets. And with a multifaceted range of draws from luxury resorts, legendary beaches and cultural highlights allied to world class infrastructure that includes an ever-expanding list of air links into Danang International Airport, the VGC is planning for another massive year.

Simon Mees is the general manager at the Ba Na Hills Golf Club which opened in 2016.

Mees said: “Central Vietnam has built strong, sustained momentum over recent years.

“As we head into 2026, there’s a real sense that the destination is entering a new phase of maturity and international recognition. For Ba Na Hills Golf Club, it’s especially meaningful as we mark our 10th anniversary, a decade of contributing to the region’s growth and helping establish central Vietnam on the world golf map.”

Ba Na Hills Golf Club has played a central role in elevating the destina-

tion’s international standing, earning five consecutive world golf awards for Asia’s best golf course, six Vietnam’s best golf course titles and three successive Asia’s best golf course honours at the World Luxury Travel Awards.

Together with Montgomerie Links, Ba Na Hills anchors a collection of

from a position of strength, having captured 17 per cent market share in 2025 to retain its status as the mostplayed course by rounds in the Hue–Da Nang region. Growth was driven primarily by the European, United States, Australian and New Zealand markets, providing a strong platform

championship venues designed by some of the game’s most respected figures, including Luke Donald and Colin Montgomerie, alongside courses by Sir Nick Faldo, Greg Norman and Robert Trent Jones junior.

Montgomerie Links enters 2026

for the year ahead.

Montgomerie Links club manager Le Vo Hoang said: “Our appeal lies in offering a more intimate, personal experience. Golfers value places where they feel genuinely cared for. Montgomerie Links delivers a boutique, home-away-

from-home environment, with championship golf, on-course accommodation, dining, practice facilities and privacy all integrated in a single destination.”

That positioning will underpin the club’s 2026 strategy, which includes continued promotion in core markets such as Australia and New Zealand, alongside expanded outreach into Chinese-speaking markets, India and Japan. Improved air connectivity into Danang is expected to further support inbound demand from these regions.

The destination’s appeal will be enhanced by a strong calendar of cultural and sporting events in 2026, including the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, expected to run from May to July, alongside the Vietnam–Korea festival and Vietnam–Japan festival later in the northern hemisphere summer months, adding depth and seasonal interest to golf itineraries.

Australia and New Zealand remain priority markets for the Vietnam Golf Coast, supported by ongoing trade engagement and targeted marketing activity.

Mees added: “With world class courses, improving connectivity and a growing international profile, Central Vietnam is well positioned for the year ahead. As Ba Na Hills looks beyond its first decade, the focus is on sustaining quality, deepening global relationships and continuing to elevate the region’s standing as one of Asia’s great golf destinations.”

World news in brief

By Neville Idour

PGA Tour’s new direction

New chief executive Brian Rolapp suggested big changes coming when he appeared on American news broadcaster CNBC and a focus on fewer but more important events to increase competitiveness.

He also signalled a lack of desire for a unification deal with LIV Golf unless it strengthened the PGA Tour. He wants tournaments bigger than the star players and more events that matter.

“Every event should really matter.”

On a LIV deal he said: “It depends what the terms are. We’re doing pretty good as we are.’’

On Bryson DeChambeau’s absence he said: “Bryson is a star, but people don’t see him on television because the other league doesn’t really draw a lot of viewers.  Everyone wants to see the best golfers compete, but it is a complete misconception that a tournament matters if the same three or four people are in it, otherwise it’s a circus.

“The PGA Tour is a compelling athletic contest with the deepest reservoir of professional golfers on the planet.”

A fuller transcript of his CNBC appearance simply confirms the feeling that the tour is going to increase the exclusivity of many events to fewer players.

Woods’ TGL announces WTGL for 2026-27

Forgive my feeling completely underwhelmed by Tiger Woods announcing the launch of women’s indoor golf league WTGL for the northern hemisphere winter of 2026-27.

Nelly Korda and her fellow players have been vocal about it since the men’s circus began. It is only fair that the women should not be left out of the money handouts. It is set to debut at the completion of the 2026-27 LPGA season as a stand alone event. Several players expressed the desire for a women’s version or a women’s team.

However the top voice in all of this is underwhelmed like myself. Korda told Golfweek: “I have mixed feelings. I think it’s a huge and unbelievable miss that we are not playing alongside the men. It would have been revolutionary. It would have been the first time that men and women were on the same playing field, playing for the same amount of money. But I also think this opportunity is great.”

Top players already committed to playing are Jeeno Thitikul, Lydia Ko, Charley Hull, Lexi Thompson, Brooke Henderson, Rose Zhang and Lottie Woad. However, Korda’s name is conspicuously absent at this stage.

Said Korda: “I’m still weighing up the time commitment and haven’t thought about it too much.”

LPGA Tour enjoying increased prize money

The LPGA Tour has enjoyed deserved significant growth in prizemoney . In 2021 the total at stake for the season was $US73 million. In 2023 it was $US108 million and 2024 it was $US118 million. Then there was a big jump to $US131 million last year and this year there is $US132 million on offer for 33 events.

Koepka exits LIV for family reasons

Brooks Koepka’s exit from LIV Golf was accompanied by much conjecture about LIV’s future. In reality there was a lot of hot air. Koepka made it clear the primary factor was based on the wants and needs of his family. They went through tough times last year and he was keen to spend more time with them as they will be able to travel to many more tournaments with him.

“I won’t get into too much detail about the family issues we had,’’ Koepka said.

“It was September, around Ryder Cup week, and we had to be in New York for a bit. Circumstances changed in my family a little bit. That’s when

things started to change and we started to have those conversations of what’s best for the family. So we took it from there.”

The good aspect of his exit was that he left with the blessing and understanding of LIV.

Ben Campbell retains LIV place

The Range Goats LIV team, captained by Bubba Watson, announced the re-signing of Ben Campbell of New Zealand along with Peter Uihlein and Matthew Wolff for the 2026 season.

Watson said: “Injury and illness hurt our momentum last year, so we’re excited for a fresh, healthy start in 2026. We have all the talent we need. We just have to step up and compete all season long.”

Campbell will be looking for a repeat or better on his third place at LIV Golf Singapore, the best result of his team. He was second to Watson in the season rankings, so consistency will be a goal for the 33 year old.

McIlroy wins 2025 BBC Spoty for the first time

Nominated several times in the past but always missing out, there was much celebration across the golf world when Rory McIlroy was finally awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year (Spoty) for 2025. He received glowing praise from Tyrrell Hatton, Luke Donald, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and others. Fleetwood was the first person McIlroy hugged after the announcement revealing both their personal friendship and professional admiration.

McIlroy said: “2025 has been the year I made my dreams come true. From Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything in between, it’s the year dreams are made of.”

McIlroy was overcome with emotion as he accepted the award. “I feel truly honoured”.

He is only the third golfer in the 71 years of the award to win it and the

first since Nick Faldo in 1989. Significantly the award winner is determined by public vote from a formidable six person shortlist. It was a welcome uniting moment for players and fans.

American Express TV coverage lambasted

Golf channel coverage of the American Express Championship came under copious fire from grumpy fans, and no wonder.

Admittedly, with the action spread over three courses before the cut it was going to be a challenge to cover. So you couldn’t expect to see everyone at some stage.

One fan said: “When is the PGA going to use a network that shows more than five-six players out of 100 plus. Is Rickie Fowler even playing? Sitting at 14 under par and tied fifth he was never seen.” There was also a mixup midway through the broadcast after an hour when SW and SH Kim were mixed up, showing one with the others score. Worst of all was 18-year-old Blades Brown on eight under par through eight holes and 12 under after 16 holes, tied with Scheffler, and he was nowhere to be seen. Apparently there were no cameras following him this day. You had to rely on the leaderboard to follow his progress. This may have been a history making event so this was unacceptable.

Another aspect pointed out by one fan was “Seems like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have invested heavily in advertising during the coverage. If you’ve been watching PGA Tour live/ ESPN+ you’ve seen the Justin Rose TGL simulator albatross 150+ times now. Enough!’’

Another fan said the same thing. Unbearable watching. Beyond belief they would show that penny arcade rubbish repeatedly during a tour broadcast. Mickelson’s Hyflers LIV team signs amateur star

Phil Mickelson said he was thrilled to have signed 21-year-old amateur

star Michael La Sasso, the 2025 NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) division one individual men’s golf champion. He will therefore forfeit his remaining college eligibility and a Masters invite earned from his NCAA win.

La Sasso said: “I’m incredibly excited to join HyFlyers GC and take this next step in my career. It’s a rare opportunity to learn from one of the greatest players in the history of the game, and I don’t take that lightly. LIV Golf allows me to compete at the highest level on a global stage, and I thrive in a team environment.”

He will make his debut in the Saudi Arabia capital of Riyadh, joining Brendan Steele and Cameron Tringale in the lineup.

Mickelson said: “Michael is one of the most exciting young players in the game today. He combines tremendous power and speed with an exceptional feel for the game. He is a terrific addition to HyFlyers GC.”

His progress will be a fascinating watch

as LIV Golf adds to it’s stable of burgeoning young talent.

More TV coverage for LIV Golf

A new multi-year deal will see LIV Golf tournaments broadcast live in the United Kungdom and Ireland by TNT Sports. Along with its streaming platform Discovery+, its coverage will begin with this month’s opener LIV Golf Riyadh. TNT is promising comprehensive coverage to augment its stable of premium sport including the FA Cup, Gallagher Prem Rugby, UFC, Moto GP, the Premier League and UEFA Football competitions.

All involved with the deal on both sides are extremely excited about the agreement and feel it will have huge benefits all round, including of course sports fans.

DeChambeau and Rahm reveal their

plans

Bryson DeChambeau has said negotiations about his contract with LIV Golf are

confidential but “are progressing”.

“It is getting to a place that makes sense for both sides. I think that can happen. I think Scott’s (chief executive O’Neil) has done a fabulous job with the year that he has had. The goal is a solution that makes sense long term. If not we will play this year and see what happens.”

Rahm echoed saying: “I’m not planning on going anywhere.”

Greg Norman refutes revenge accusations

Greg Norman has faced all sorts of accusations and criticism, even bordering on hateful accusations during his last few years but still comes out smiling and ready to refute anything untrue.

He blatantly rejects the idea that he associated with LIV for revenge on the PGA Tour because of long standing resentment towards it dating back over 30 years.

Norman shares how he feels he has long been misunderstood. He has called

out quiet opposition, more so because he believes open conversation makes one more accountable than choosing whispered criticisms. Therefore he is disappointed as to why both Woods and McIlroy chose never to confront him directly during the sport’s civil war.

“They couldn’t say to me, Greg, you’ve hurt the PGA Tour.”

To which he could have replied.

“Hey Tiger, how much did you make out of the player impact programme? Oh Rory, how much did you make the last couple of years. Everything new they’re getting is because of what I put in place (with LIV)”

Norman’s take on Brooks Koepka’s decision to leave LIV is refreshing and in line with his mantra for players.

“I love it. Brooks had an option to stay with LIV or go back to the PGA Tour. He’s an independent contractor who can go wherever he wants. Look at Bryson…. God bless him. I hope he becomes a billionaire out of it.”

Scottie Scheffler: Mr Consistency

By Neville Idour

World number one Scottie Scheffler is showing no signs of relinquishing that title any time soon, especially after his comprehensive four-shot win at his first 2026 tournament, the American Express Championship.

Tied for the lead after three rounds he quickly assumed control to claim his 20th PGA Tour win and take his earnings on the PGA Tour past the $US100 million mark.

Scheffler is fast accruing Tiger Woods like statistics on the golf course, particularly since a seemingly innocuous equipment change. More on that later.

First lets look at the overall stats. He has joined Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus with four majors and 20 wins before the age 30. After Woods, 97 starts and Nicklaus 127 starts, Scheffler, at 151 starts, is the third quickest to 20 PGA Tour wins. Arnold Palmer is fourth with 178 starts.

Overall, including the Olympics, Scheffler has won 23 of his last 86 starts up to and including the American Express. He had won in each of his pre -

vious 10 starts where he was leading or one shot back after the third round. He had won nine times by four or more strokes, three of which were majors.

But this is where it gets really interesting with the seemingly innocuous equipment change.

Prior to this change Scheffler had six wins in 113 starts on the PGA Tour, a record most professionals would be very happy with. However, his putting was considered his achilles heel as in 2023 he ranked 162nd in strokes gained putting.

So it was time for change and interestingly it was Rory McIlroy who may have been a catalyst for that. McIlroy turned adviser at the 2024 Genesis Invitational when he suggested a change to a mallet designed putter to solve his putting problems.

Scheffler followed his advice and had his club fitter send him four different putters of different lengths and lie angle. He finally settled on a TaylorMade Spider Tour X with an extra half inch in length.

The rest is history as following the change, which was famously debuted at the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational, he has won a remarkable 14 times in

just 38 events, a 37 per cent win rate. As for his putting, in 2025 he rocketed up to 22nd in strokes gained putting. All of this led to McIlroy labelling Scheffler as “Inevitable”.

Scheffler’s club fitter Adrian Rietveld said: “The difference between a blade putter and a mallet putter for someone like Scottie is that your bad days are just that much better. That’s probably the biggest equipment project I’ve ever been involved with.”

Let’s drill down a little further into those last 38 events. In the first five tournaments with the new putter he placed first, first, second, first and first. As mentioned there were 13 wins, three seconds and 26 top fives.

Inevitable is an apt description by McIlroy. For all his drive to win, Scheffler comes across as somewhat detached and nonchalant as his words convey.

“I don’t spend too much time thinking about the milestones or anything like that.”

Certainly a refreshing attitude by the inevitable Mister Consistency.

Record golf participation in the United States for 2025

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has unveiled the 2025 golf scorecard, an annual data report that uses information from scores posted under the world handicap system to highlight golf participation trends in America.

A total of 3.68 million golfers with a handicap index posted a record 82 million scores in the United States in 2025, providing a unique macro snapshot of how the game was played last year.

New to the 2025 scorecard is America’s golfiest state, which considers the total number of scores posted by golfers in the state with a handicap index, as well as days in the active posting season window, to provide a look at which state truly plays the most golf.

With one of the shortest active post-

ing seasons in the country, Maine takes home the title of America’s golfiest state in 2025, with the most golf played when taking each factor into account. Across the country, Florida leads the southeast based on these metrics, Wisconsin paces the Midwest, Colorado heads up the central and Arizona carries the torch for the west.

Comparing the 82 million-plus scores posted in 2025 to data going back to 2020, notable trends and stats include:

* Continued growth in nine-hole score posting: For the fifth consecutive year, there was a record number of ninehole rounds played with 14,998,824 scores posted in 2025 – a five per cent increase over 2024 and up over 46 peer cent since 2020.

* More golfers with a Handicap In-

dex: 3.68 million golfers in the US maintained a Handicap Index in 2025 – up more than 8.2% year over year and up over 46% since 2020.

* New golfers posting more nine-hole rounds: Those who established a Handicap Index in 2025 were more likely to play and post nine-hole rounds. Among these golfers, 50.2% of scores posted by females and 26.7% of scores posted by males were nine-hole scores.

* Short-course posting trend continues: Building on the success of score posting at short courses in 2024, over 290,000 scores were posted at more than 470 short courses nationwide.

* Most rounds posted are recreational: A widely held notion that a handicap index is only for golfers who are playing in elite competitions continues to be

dispelled by the data, as 94.4 per cent of the 82 million rounds posted were recreational, and over 75 per cent of all golfers with a handicap index were playing and posting purely for fun.

Steve Edmondson, USGA managing director of handicapping and course rating, said: “We were thrilled at the positive response to last year’s inaugural snapshot of the recreational game and enjoy using world handicap system data to help tell these compelling stories about golf in the US.

“Alongside our Allied Golf Associations, we have seen another record year of score posting and golfer engagement and are all excited to see trends continue to evolve.”

The longest hitters on the PGA, DP World and LIV tours

By Neville Idour

A2025 survey has revealed who are the longest hitters on the three main men’s golf tours.

Some of the results for the top five were a little surprising being based on average driving distances.

Starting with the PGA Tour the first surprise was Rory McIlroy not claiming top spot with his 323 yard average. He was pipped by South African Aldrich Potgieter with 325 yards.

The other three spots went to Nicolai Hojgaard 318.8 yards, Jesper Svennson 318.6 yards and Kurt Kitayama

318 yards. Notably three of them have played significantly on the DP World Tour.

Moving to the DP World Tour, McIlroy with 323.18 yards, was good enough for top spot, but only by the barest of margins from Hojgaard with 323.14. Filling the other three places were Wilco Nienaber 321.17, Mikael Lindberg 319.41 and rookie Marco Penge 319.26.

However, LIV Golf was where the biggest numbers are, and not led by Bryson DeChambeau.

Joaquin Niemann led the way with a huge average of 330.4 yards, topping DeChambeau’s 328.8, both comfortably ahead of the other tours. Rounding out the

top five were Dean Burmester with 327.6, David Puig 325.3, again both ahead of the other tours. Fifth, Peter Uhlein with 324.6 was only headed by Potgieter from other tours.

Interestingly, and showing how much the driving in golf has moved ahead is Tiger Woods longest driving distance in 2005 of 316.1 yards, which would have gained him ninth spot on the 2025 PGA Tour driving statistics.  So there we have it and what does it prove? Only a few of the very best players are the longest hitters as accuracy overall is the key factor.

The planned rollback on the distances golfers can hit the golf ball looks set to be delayed by up to two years.

In a notice to manufacturers, the world’s two governing bodies, the United States Golf Association (USGA) and The R&A, have announced that they are considering revising the timeline for rolling back how far the golf ball is going for the strongest of hitters to 2030.

Originally, the rule that changes the test for golf balls to set back elite distances by 15 or more yards, was scheduled to go into effect in 2028. That year, the rollback balls would be the rule for elite competition, most likely the main professional tours. The phased approach would then apply that rule to all golfers beginning two years later in 2030.

However, the “Area of Interest’’ notice to golf ball manufacturers, published on the USGA website  indicates that golf’s ruling bodies are considering comments to do away with that interim period, implementing the rollback rule for both elite golfers and average golfers starting in 2030 instead.

Delay in golf ball rollback timeline

The announcement said: “The governing bodies adopted this phased approach in response to contributions made during the decision-making process. The later implementation for the recreational game was intended to allow manufacturers more time to develop their full product lines, and to provide an opportunity for retailers and golfers to exhaust any existing stock.

“Since that announcement, The R&A and USGA have been progressing plans to support the implementation of this decision, including engaging with stakeholders on a range of issues. During this engagement, several stakeholders have expressed concerns over the potential challenges that could come from the twophase approach to implementation.

“Based on this feedback, The R&A and USGA are interested in soliciting views on a possible change from the phased implementation to a single date across the whole game effective from January 2030.”

Comments about the implementation date for the update to the overall dis-

tance standard test for golf balls have to be submitted to the USGA and R&A by February 15.

Under the USGA and R&A’s planned revised golf ball testing protocol, new conforming golf balls will fly shorter distances, especially for faster-swinging players, with expected losses of 13-15 yards for elite professionals and five yards or less for most recreational golfers.

Historic Milestone for New Zealand Long Blacks Juniors: A New Legacy Begins

On 20 December 2025, New Zealand Long Drive celebrated a historic moment with Krishnav Chand and Izaro Williamson Sasia officially named as the first-ever New Zealand Long Blacks Juniors — paving the way for the next generation of elite athletes and setting a legacy for years to come. This announcement was made even more special with a video call from the New Zealand Long Blacks Women’s Team, who created sports history that morning with the official signing of the first ever women’s National Long Drive Team which was landmarked at SkyCity, Auckland. The welcoming of Krishnav and Izaro into the Long Blacks family and officially recognising them as the trailblazers of the New Zealand Long Blacks Juniors program has generated new fundamental business for the sport both locally and globally for XDL.

Krishnav Chand was per-

sonally scouted by Founder Olna Ford at the New Zealand XDL Championship in Kerikeri, where his natural talent, sportsmanship, and leadership stood out. Beyond his Long Drive talent, Krishnav’s achievements include: Red Belt with Black Stripes in ITF Taekwondo, representing Taranaki in Futures Finals, entry into the XDL Junior Long Drive Nationals, completion of the RYPEN Leadership Camp, 7 awards at the Year 11 Annual Prize Giving, leading the school Haka for the Year 13 farewell.

Izaro Williamson Sasia most recently captured sports history by winning two national titles — Open Women’s Longboard and U18 Longboard — becoming the first-ever female to achieve a double win in Longboarding, and earning the Most Outstanding Performance Award for her exceptional efforts. Her dedication, skill, and competitive spirit exemplify the standard for fu-

ture juniors.

Krishnav Chand and Izaro Williamson Sasia now carry the torch for the next generation, inspiring young athletes across the country to pursue excellence, leadership, and innovation in Long Drive. As 2026 ushers in exciting new developments for the sport, the future starts here — with the New Zealand Long Blacks Juniors leading the way.

Welcome Krishnav Chand and Izaro Williamson Sasia.

We are proud to begin this journey with you and look forward to growing the New Zealand Long Blacks Juniors program together.

The future of Long Drive starts here — and this is only the beginning.

#XDL

#NewZealandLongBlacks

#NewZealandLongBlacksJuniors

#LegacyInTheMaking

#FutureOfLongDrive

#2026NewEra

New Zealand Long Blacks Women’s Team Makes History at SkyCity Auckland

On 20 December 2025, the New Zealand Long Blacks made history once again with the official signing of their first Women’s Team at SkyCity Auckland, marking a major milestone for Long Drive in New Zealand. The inaugural squad includes:

* Katie Dixon, XDL New Zealand Champion, named team captain

* Jessie Mercer, youngest member at 17 and a record-breaking talent

* Hannah Jamieson, Auckland and North Island XDL Champion

* Monica Chau, our resident golf professional

These athletes are not only champions on the course but are also trailblazers in the sport’s commercial development, with endorsement opportunities and partnerships already in the pipeline. The ladies also made two other champions dreams come true with the video call to our first New Zealand Long Blacks Juniors being named on this special day. With 2026 set to be the official arrival of XDL in New Zealand, the team is perfectly

positioned to lead the sport into a new era. Adding to the momentum, Xtreme Drivers League has been awarded “Best Sporting League 2026” by Global 100 Awards, highlighting the league’s international recognition and growth trajectory.

This historic signing reinforces the Long Blacks’ commitment to innovation, excellence, and legacy-building, establishing a foundation for the future of Long Drive in New Zealand and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

Founder Olna Ford commented:

“This signing marks another historic milestone for the New Zealand Long Blacks. These incredible women are the embodiment of talent, dedication, and leadership. With 2026 set to be our official arrival, this team — alongside our juniors — represents the future of the sport, a new era of opportunity, and the legacy we are building for generations to come.”

The New Zealand Long Blacks Women’s Team are not just competitors — they are the faces of a new era in sport and busi-

ness, shaping both performance and opportunity on and off the course.

#XDL

#NewZealandLongBlacks

#LongBlacksWomen

#FutureOfLongDrive

#2026NewEra

#XDLLegacy

WHAT’S

Ping Tour-winning s259 wedges deliver more spin and control

Engineered to bring golfers of all skill levels more spin and control into and around greens, PING introduced the s259 wedge to New Zealand. Exclusively distributed by Sports Network NZ LTD. It’s next generation of customfit and custom-built specialty wedges.

The Tour-proven s259 wedges are offered in 25 loft/grind combinations in two finishes (Chrome and Midnight) and are available for custom fitting and pre-sell beginning today at authorized PING golf shops around the world.

“The new s259 wedges are already winning on Tour and they continue to find their way into players’ bags around the world on a weekly basis,” said John K. Solheim, PING CEO & President. “The pros love the clean look, versatility and, most importantly, the ability to launch and spin their shots with precise control. The s259 wedges represent our on-going commitment to advancing wedge performance and expanding fitting options for golfers of all skill levels. We’ve refined two of the grinds and added some loft/grind combinations to better fit more golfers with an emphasis on proper gapping. With six grinds designed to perform in a variety of playing conditions and techniques, we’re confident we have a wedge to fit every golfer.

“We’re also excited to announce we’ve updated our WebFit Wedge app to help golfers find the s259 wedges that best fit their games,” Solheim added. “The reliable and easy-to-use fitting tool has been used by hundreds of thousands of golfers since we introduced it two years ago. The app doesn’t require downloading, logging in or signing up for anything. It will continue to be accessible via a QR code in golf shops and on ping.com. We strongly encourage golfers to use the app in their wedge-buying process.”

High Friction, High Spin

The s259 wedge’s wheel-cut grooves and machined face combine with an advanced face-blast technology to enhance the surface texture

and maximize friction at impact, generating higher spin and control for a lower, more penetrating launch. The 54-to62-degree options feature more tightly spaced MicroMax grooves. The 46-to-52-degree wedges are milled for greater control on full shots. Extensive player testing indicates exceptional performance in wet and dry conditions.

“Our wedge-face technology has earned a strong reputation for its ability to not only create high spin with control, but retain it in all types of conditions,” said Solheim. “Considering it’s rare when a shot doesn’t encounter some level of moisture or loss of friction, this type of control provides a clear and convincing shortgame advantage.”

All loft/grind combinations are available in two performance-enhancing finishes. The proven Hydropearl 2.0 Chrome is hydrophobic, helping repel moisture for control and consistency. The darker Midnight finish provides an attractive, anti-glare appearance.

Tour-Inspired Performance

The 8620 carbon steel head is cast and combines with a larger, re-shaped elastomer insert behind the face to produce a Tour-preferred feel.

The eye-pleasing head shape captures the ball at address and a refined hosel transition and full-length bottom groove help create a clean, square look. Progressive hosel shaping and refined heel height provide a smooth transition from wedges into short irons. The CG locations vary by loft to match the performance intent of the wedge.

“A lot goes into the wedge design that’s not readily noticeable,” said Solheim. “Everything from CG location to offset can vary by loft to optimize the primary role of the wedge. For example, our lower- lofted wedges are designed for full shots, so we position the CG to increase ball speed and improve gapping. In higher-lofted wedges, there is more visual offset to provide the player more confidence when manipulating the clubface. It’s a perfect example of what we call custom engineering.”

Find Your Grind

The new s259 wedge series continues PING’s extensive offering of six grinds (S, H, B, T, W, E), with refinements to the “E” and “T” options and the addition of 50°W and 52°W lofts, which incorporate a wider, more forgiving sole and blend seamlessly into the entire PING iron lineup.

The E-grind was re-shaped in the s259 to give it a more familiar look at address while maintaining high performance from the sand and slightly-open-faced shots. The s259 T-grind features a steeper trail edge, allowing the face to sit very low on open-faced shots.

“Fitting for the ideal sole grind remains a key to unlocking improved wedge performance in the new s259 series,” said Solheim. “We work closely with our Tour staff to ensure their needs are met and at the same time, we’re focusing on a selection of grinds and lofts that will help all golfers improve their short games. That includes grinds that are more forgiving and grinds that are more versatile. It’s one of the reasons getting custom fit for wedges is so important.”

Sole Grind Descriptions/Loft Options:

“S” Grind: Fits a wide range of players and conditions. A mid-bounce design supports square-faced and full shots, while heel and trail-edge relief offer added greenside creativity. Available in 46°, 48°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°.

“H” Grind: Inspired by the PING Wrx half-moon grind, the H ensures versatility in softer conditions. It accommodates various face and handle positions and supports steeper swings with excellent control and turf interaction. Available in 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°.

“B” Grind: Tailored for shallow attack angles and a square setup, the B grind features a low bounce profile that sits tight to the turf. Its wider sole provides forgiveness in firmer conditions, for full and finesse shots. Available in 58°, 60°.

“T” Grind: Has the lowest effective bounce at 6°. It’s the most versatile option and features steeper trail-edge relief to make open-face shots easier and more controlled. Performs exceptionally well on tight lies across medium to firm conditions. Available in 58°, 60°, 62°.

“W” Grind: Maximum forgiveness through the turf. Best fits a player with a steep angle of attack who might have a lot of shaft lean and prefers the look of a specialty wedge with more forgiveness in their scoring clubs. Available in 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°.

“E” Grind: Eye2-style dishing in the mid-sole delivers softer, more controlled shots from tightly mown areas around the green. Wider backedge bounce preserves reliable, confidence-building performance for bunker shots. Available in 58°, 60°.

New Dyla-Grip

The new Dyla-Grip advances wedge performance through hand-placement indicators for more versatility around the green. The proprietary grip is ¾” longer with a reduced taper and marked with indicators for gripping down, leaning the shaft and manipulating the face to play with more precision. “We look at every club as an entire system,” said Solheim. “This is especially important in wedges due to the variety of shots you’re hitting. With the PING Dyla-Grip, we’re providing subtle markings on the grip to give you the versatility and confidence to grip down, open the face or lean the shaft in either direction. All three of those techniques can lead to a better short game.”

s259 Specifications

Material/Manufacturing Process: 8620 carbon steel head; elastomer insert; precision-milled face and grooves; Hydropearl 2.0 Chrome or Midnight finish

Stock Shafts: PING Z-Z115 wedge; PING Alta CB Blue (SR, R, S)

Optional Stock Shafts: PING AWT 3.0 (R, S, X), Dynamic Gold Mid 100 (R300, S300), Dynamic Gold (S300, X100), Dynamic Gold 120 (S300, X100), KBS Tour (R, S, X), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 105 (R, S, X), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 115 (R, S, X), Elevate MPH 95 (R, S), UST Recoil Dart 65 (A), 75 (R, S), ALTA Quick (35, 45)

Stock Grip: PING Dyla-Grip in three sizes (Aqua -1/64″, White-Std, Gold +1/32″)

Get Custom fitted today .For your nearest Ping Dealer contact Sports Network Ltd 0508 776 786.

G440 K driver sets PING MOI record; advances forgiveness and speed to new highs

Arecord-setting MOI for a PING driver makes the new G440 K the company’s straightest and most forgiving model to date while delivering golfers faster ball speeds and CG-shifting adjustability for more distance, PING CEO & President John K. Solheim announced recently.

The G440 K driver is available for custom fittings and pre-order at authorized PING golf shops in New Zealand - exclusively available by Sports Network NZ.

“We’re hearing a lot of great comments about how forgiving and straight the new G440 K driver is, which ultimately leads to more distance for the golfer,” said Solheim. “It’s fun to hear that feedback, and we’re excited to get the ‘K’ into the hands of more golfers.”

“Our record-setting combined MOI in the G440 K driver is primarily attributed to the new carbon crown and sole called Dual Carbonfly Wrap, which provides significant weight savings that are optimized elsewhere in the club. Among the key advancements from our previous highest-MOI driver, the award-winning G430 MAX 10K, is a heavier, adjustable back weight that positions the CG location for higher ball speeds and the ability to influence ball flight by moving the weight into one of three locations. Refinements to our T9S+ face structure provide higher, more consistent ball speeds across the face, leading to greater distance.”

G440 Driver Family Grows

The G440 K driver joins the G440 family of drivers (MAX, SFT, LST), each custom fit and custom built to fit a variety of skill levels.

“The ‘K’ is a great addition to the G440 driver line, providing another custom-fitting option loaded with innovations,” said Solheim. “We encourage golfers to experience a PING driver custom fitting with one of our expert fitters around the world who’ve been trained in our fitting techniques and are equipped with our fitting tools. They’ll analyze your launch-monitor results to help find the G440 driver that best fits your game. Whether it’s the new K, the MAX, the LST or SFT, there’s a PING G440 driver for every golfer.”

Dual Carbonfly Wrap Technology

Weight savings from the carbon crown and sole in the G440 K driver are re-allocated within the design, mainly into a high-density tungsten back weight, which drives the CG lower and deeper for faster ball speeds and helps achieve the record-setting MOI for a PING driver. In addition to being four grams heavier than the G430 MAX 10K, the back weight is movable to one of three positions (Draw, Neutral, Fade) to shift the CG and achieve the desired results.

“The combined MOI of the G440 K driver surpasses our previous mark and continues our pursuit of engineering the highest-performing drivers in the world,” said Solheim. “It’s a remarkable accomplishment for our engineering team to offer golfers this new level of forgiveness with the benefits of weight adjustability.”

Fast, Forgiving Face

The proven T9S+ forged face of the G440 K driver continues to evolve and brings golfers faster ball speeds for longer and straighter drives. The com-

bination of a shallower face and refinements to the VFT shaping provide more flexing, retaining consistent ball speeds across the entire face, especially in the high heel region. Spinsistency, our variable-face-curvature innovation, helps ensure consistent spin and maintain ball velocity.

“We continue to rely on our proprietary T9S+ face technology as it gives us the highest performance and consistency for overall flexing and ballspeed retention,” said Solheim. “We don’t sacrifice speed for forgiveness. Golfers can have both. The G440 K driver is a prime example of that. It provides exceptional ball speed, delivers extremely tight dispersion and launches high with optimal spin. That translates to longer and straighter drives.”

Sound Design

Joining the Ti-811 body to the carbon crown and sole of the G440 K driver while ensuring a pleasing sound required PING’s engineering team to develop a composite crown bridge and sole ribs to stiffen the crown and sole during impact, resulting in a solid and slightly muted impact experience.

“With the addition of the carbon sole, we knew the sound characteristics of the G440 K driver would be different than previous models,” said Solheim. “Through finite element analysis (FEA), sound testing and player feedback, our engineers developed the lightweight crown bridge and sole ribs to combat any undesirable frequencies. The G440 K driver has a very pleasing and confident sound.”

G440 K HL (High Launch)

The lighter overall weight of the G440 K HL driver is an ideal build for slowerswing-speed golfers who don’t generate sufficient clubhead speed and ball velocity from traditionally weighted clubs. Custom engineered and cus-

tom built at 46” with a lighter back weight (28g), ultra-light shafts (PING Alta Quick 35/45) and grip (Lamkin UTx Lite, 41g), the result is a lower overall system weight so golfers can swing faster and generate more ball speed for higher-launching, longer-carrying and straighter tee shots. Available in 9°, 10.5°, and 12° lofts.

G440 K Driver Specifications

* Head volume: 460cc

* Head weight: 203g

* Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12° (adjustable ±1.5°)

* Std. swing weight: D3

* Std. length: 46” (Alta CB Blue 50); 45 1/2” (PING Tour 2.0 Chrome/Black and optional stock)

* Stock shafts: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) Blue 50 (SR, R, S), PING Alta Quick 35/45 (HL build)

* Optional stock shafts: PING Tour 2.0

Chrome 65 (R, S, X), PING Tour 2.0 Black 65 (S, X), Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 65/75 (S, X), PRJX Denali Red 50 (5.5, 6.0), PRJX Denali Red 60 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5)

* Stock grip: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16″, Red -1/32″, Aqua -1/64″, White-Std, Gold +1/32″, Orange +1/16″)

Get Custom fitted today. For your nearest Ping Dealer contact Sports Network Ltd 0508 776 786.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGIONS

Cardinal Logistics Whitford Park Pro Am

MTaranaki Golf Manukorihi Golf Club A Century of Rivalry: Nelson vs Marlborough – 100 Years On

anukorihi Golf Club recently held the Corson Tyers 2 day tournament.

Top winners over the 2 days wereGross over the field Arapeta Hodgkinson 144

Men’s division 1 best nett Bruce Taylor 132 & best stableford Ivor Sarten 75

Men’s division 2 best nett Martin Nobbs & best stableford Zac Andrews 78

Ladies best nett Shelly Cleal & best stableford Hayley Walls 73

On 21 February 2026, Nelson Golf Club and Marlborough Golf Club will celebrate a truly special milestone — 100 years of uninterrupted interclub competition between two of the region’s most historic clubs.

First played in 1926, the Nelson–Marlborough interclub fixture is widely regarded as one of the longest continuously contested interclub trophies in New Zealand, a rare achievement that speaks to the strength of tradition, rivalry, and mutual respect between the two clubs.

For a century, players from Nelson and Marlborough have met annually to contest this trophy, creating generations of stories, friendships, and memorable contests. While the game itself has evolved over time, the spirit of the fixture has remained constant — competitive golf played in good faith, followed by camaraderie and connection off the course.

The centenary match on 21 February 2026, to be hosted by Nelson Golf Club, will be a major highlight on the calendars of both clubs and an important moment in Tasman golfing history. The day will include competitive play, centenary recognition, and an evening function celebrating the players, volunteers, and members who have sustained the fixture for 100 years.

In a sporting landscape where few traditions endure for a century, the Nelson–Marlborough interclub stands as a proud example of the role golf plays in strengthening regional ties and preserving history.

As the two clubs prepare to contest the trophy once again, this centenary occasion promises to be a fitting celebration of 100 years of rivalry, respect, and shared golfing heritage.

The 2026 Canterbury Age Group Championship

The 2026 Canterbury Age Group Championship was held at Russley Golf Club recently with a new record of 82 participants taking part across the multiple divisions and 10 different club teams in total taking part. With 3 different age group divisions with u13’s, u16’s, and u19’s across both Boys and Girls’ there was a great representation across the junior game with the players playing over 36-holes across the two days.

In the u19 Boys division, 16 players entered with many possible overall champion candidates. It was Thomas Clayson who set the early pace with his -2 round of 70, he was followed by a shot further back by Etienne Collier with his -1 round of 70, with the chase pack a couple of shots further back. On the Sunday, Alfie Bell made a strong charge shooting a -2 round to finish in 3rd at +1 overall, but it was Clayson who backed up his day one performance with an improved -3 under round to finish at -5 total of 139 to win by 4 shots from Etienne Collier.

In the u19 Girls, this was a competition that went down to the final green. Day 1 saw Subin Bae shoot an impressive -2 round of 70 to lead the pack, she was followed by Sophia Park some 6 shots back

to hold a demanding lead. Day 2 brought a lot of drama with Junie Chang fighting back in style, having made 3 birdies on the back 9 to sit at -3 under for her round, and with Bae sitting at +4 in her second round, the two were tied playing the last. Both players found the green in 2, but in dramatic style Chang rolled in a monster eagle putt to claim the title with a final -5 round of 67. Bae herself birdied the last to claim the runner-up spot.

The u16 Boys was biggest division with

31 players in all taking part. The best scores on Day 1 went to Siwoo Kim who shot 69, Seiji Dimitrov who shot 71, with Austin Wills, Maadi KiriKiri, and defending u16 champ Kobe Hart all shooting 73. Day 2 saw plenty of movement in the table with Donghee Kang having a much improved day shooting a 71. His Harewood teammate Siwoo Kim fell off the pace however, which was followed by Maddi KiriKiri charging home with a birdie on the last to shoot 72 and force a play-

off with Kang after both finished at a total of 145. The pair then played the 18th in front of a large crowd of spectators, and it was KiriKiri who held his nerve to sink a 10-foot putt for birdy to claim the title. The u16 girls was in the end a rather one-sided contest with defending champ Vanessa Lim shooting a day 1 round of 75 to lead by four shots over teammate Alice Fry. She then backed up that performance on day 2 shooting another 75 to finish at a 150 total, winning by 6 shots over Seoyeon Kim, with Fry back in 3rd. In the u13 Boys, Junwoo Kim claimed top spot shooting rounds of 74 and 75 to win by one shot over Alex Kimber, with Tristan Bi finishing in 3rd. Finally, in the u13 girls Aisha Lee proved too strong leading throughout. Lee shot an impressive even round of 72 on day 1 and matched that performance again on day 2 with another even round score to finish at 144. 5 shots further back was Olivia Guan at 149 total, followed by Yana Ye in 3rd at 150. The Teams event was taken out by the Christchurch team, which consisted of Thomas Clayson, Ethan Lam, Subin Bae, and Sam Hammond who finished at a team total of +2 to win by 2 shots over Waimairi Beach.

North Island U16 Boys Championship New Zealand Maori Golf Nationals at Bay of Islands Golf Club Kerikeri

Otago’s Raphael Anderson who has taken out the North Island U16 Boys Championship with a 54 hole

score of 3 under.

A 2 under final round led Raph to a 3 shot victory.

Hunter Edwards and Mike Toeke have emerged victorious at the New Zealand Maori Golf Nationals at Bay of Islands Golf Club Kerikeri to win the Wahine and Tane national titles respectively.

The Nationals played recently, Edwards completed the back-to-back in defending her 2025 title and Toeke’s emotion on the final hole was evident as he went one better than his runner-up placing last year to earn an invitation to the 105th New Zealand Open.

Edwards made a commanding start to her match play campaign with a dominant 8 and 7 victory over Jessie Mercer in the opening round. The result was one of the most emphatic of the tournament and saw Edwards quickly establish momentum.

In the semi-final, Edwards came up against Stevee Biddle-Tai, who had advanced comfortably through her side of the draw. Edwards again proved too strong, closing the match out with a 4 and 3 win to progress to the final.

The final paired Edwards with Chantelle Cassidy, winner of the Stroke Play title, who had edged through a tight semi-final. Edwards saved her best for last, delivering a controlled and clinical performance to claim the championship with a 5 and 3 victory and complete an impressive match play run.

Toeke opened his match play campaign with a tight victory over Ryan Lucas Wakarua, edging the contest 1 up on the 19th hole. The extra hole finish underlined how closely fought the opening

round was, with Toeke holding his nerve when it mattered most.

In the next round, Toeke faced Ivan Adams, who had advanced with a commanding win earlier in the draw. Despite the momentum Adams carried into the match, Toeke again produced a composed performance, securing another narrow result with a 1 up victory to progress deeper into the tournament.

The semi-final saw Toeke shift gears against Rueben Rahui-Turi. In contrast to his earlier matches, this encounter was far more one-sided, with Toeke asserting control early and closing out the match decisively, winning 6 and 5 to book his place in the final.

In the championship match, Toeke came up against Reid Hilton, winner of the Stroke Play title earlier in the week. It was a hotly-contested matchup deserving of the mana of the tournament, with Toeke at one stage 3up on the back nine before Hilton made a trademark comeback to draw within one. Toeke however held firm and drained an impressive putt on the 17th hole to get past Hilton 2 and 1 and cap off an impressive week of golf.

Beyond the results, the tournament was a reminder of the deeper values that underpin the NZ Maori Golf Nationals, with mana and whanaungatanga evident throughout the week. From the way players supported one another to the connections shared on and off the course, the event reinforced its role as more than a championship, instead standing as a celebration of community, respect and shared identity within the game.