Golfer Pacific NZ – October 2026

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Steve Alker’s remarkable trans-Atlantic hat-trick of wins PAGE 3 INSIDE // JAYDEN FORD PREVAILS IN MOUNT OPEN // ASIA-PACIFIC AMATEUR

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EDITORIAL

pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz

Nearest point of relief, not nicest point of relief

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By Paul Gueorgieff Editor, Golfer Pacific NZ

recently read what is the most frequently breeched rule of golf, even by the most seasoned club player. The article said it was when a golfer was entitled to free relief such as when the ball is on a cart path, on ground under repair or when the ball is in abnormal course conditions. There is free relief under such situations but the article stressed that the point of relief is the nearest point of relief — not the nicest point of relief. For example the nearest point of relief could be in thick rough,

behind a tree or in a bush. That’s an exaggeration but remains correct. Once the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole, is determined, that point is marked and the player still has one clublength in which to drop the ball. In a match I recently played, I thought I had witnessed a breech of such a rule but was not close enough at the time to say so. The player had hit his ball into a puddle just off the fairway and he dropped the ball to the right of the puddle. The main reason, I thought, he dropped the ball to the right was

because there was a tree to the left ahead of the puddle. However, once again, I was not close enough at the time to determine if that was actually the case. But once again I raise this situation to underline that relief is the nearest point of relief, not the nicest point of relief. Let’s take this example a bit further. Let’s say the ball is slightly in the right of the puddle. That does not necessarily mean the nearest point of relief is to the right — it could be to the left of the puddle or the back of the puddle. This is because you have to take into account the player’s

stance when taking relief. If the player is right-handed, the point of relief is where the player would place the club head on the ground which could be much further right of the puddle than if the player went to the left or behind the puddle. It must also be pointed out that the nearest point of relief can change depending on whether the player is left-handed or right-handed. But just a reminder, once the nearest point of relief is determined, the player still has one club-length into which the ball is to be dropped and this can help avoid an obstacle.

NEW ZEALAND EDITORIAL Paul Gueorgieff pgueorgieff@yahoo.co.nz Ph: 64 4 565 0385 Mob: 64 27 227 1038 Peter Thornton pete_thornton8@hotmail.com SOUTH ISLAND EDITORIAL Neville Idour 0274771423 pmidour@hotmail.co.nz SALES & CLUB PACKAGE GOLF TRAILS & NOTICEBOARDS Leigh Smith smith.sun@bigpond.com Ph: 0061 7 5504 6334 Mob: 0061 433 163 043 LAYOUT & DESIGN layout.golferpacificnz@gmail.com PUBLISHER Golfer Pacific NZ LTD PO Box 51338 Tawa, Wellington 5249, New Zealand ACCOUNTS Leigh Smith smith.sun@bigpond.com SUBSCRIPTION $60.00 per annum including GST smith.sun@bigpond.com Ph: 0061 5575 7444 Mob: 0061 433 163 043 NEW ZEALAND MAIL ADDRESS PO Box 51338 Tawa, Wellington 5249, New Zealand COVER PHOTO: Waikato golfer Steve Alker with his trophy after winning in Northern Ireland last month. Photo credit: Legends Tour. COPYRIGHT All material published in Golfer Pacific NZ is subject to all forms of copyright. Contents of this newspaper cannot be reproduced in any way, shape, or form without the permission of the editor. Views expressed in editorial contributions do not necessarily refl ect the opinions of this newspaper, its management. New Zealand Golfer Pacific is published Golfer Pacific NZ Limited. The company’s registered office is unit 10/7 Aruma St Chevron Island QLD 4217.

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Steve Alker in action at the Northern Ireland Legends last month. It was his third win in a row. Photo credit: Legends Tour. By Paul Gueorgieff, editor Golfer Pacific

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teve Alker’s remarkable run of top form continued in Northern Ireland last month. The Hamilton golfer racked up his third win in a row when taking out the Northern Ireland Legends at the Galgorm Castle Golf Club in County Antrim. His previous two wins had been on the PGA Tour Champions in North America in August. The first of those wins came in the $US2.5 million Rogers Charity Classic in Canada and the second win was in the $US2.2 million The Ally Challenge in Michigan in the United States. Alker earned $US375,000 for his win in Canada and $US330,000 for his win in Michigan. The Legends Tour website does not show the tournament purses but the Northern Ireland event is believed to have carried prize money of about 500,000 euros. The winner usually earns about 15 percent of

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the prize money which amounts to about 75,000 euros. That converts to about $US83,000 which means Alker earned $US788,000 from his trans-Atlantic hattrick of wins. That’s about $1.3 million in New Zealand dollars. And, talking about wins in a row, the Northern Ireland win was his second in a row on the Legends Tour, albeit nearly two years apart. His previous start on the Legends Tour had been in November, 2024, when he won the Mexico Open which oddly enough is part of the Legends Tour. The Legends and PGA Tour Champions are both for golfers aged 50 and over and have proved a transformation for the 55-year-old Alker. In addition to Alker’s two Legends Tour wins, there have been 13 wins on the PGA Tour Champions. When he won his first PGA Tour Champi-

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ons event, at his 10th start, he had already earned more money than his career on the world’s richest golf circuit, the PGA Tour. Alker lead wire-to-wire in Northern Ireland. He held the first round lead with a score of a five under par 67 and the same score on the second day. But that lead didn’t last long. In the third round on the Sunday, Alker bogeyed the first and playing partner David Drysdale rolled in a 20 foot curling birdie effort to claim the outright lead. And it wasn’t just Drysdale on the move early on – Anthony Wall of England birdied his first three holes to reach 10 under par, where he was quickly joined by Greg Owen (New Zealand), Thomas Gogele (Germany) and Mikael Lundberg (Sweden) who all had eyes on the trophy. But as the contenders bunched up around him, Alker eventually found his rhythm with a trio of birdies around the turn to re-establish a lead that he wouldn’t relinquish. In the end it was Otto who pushed him closest with a sensational round of eight under par 64 – following on from an equally spectacular 65 on the Saturday – that catapulted him into a tie for the lead midway through the back nine. Only a missed birdie putt on No 18 prevented him from setting a more challenging target. Alker was very proud at notching three wins in a row. “It’s pretty special, three in a row doesn’t happen very often so you’ve got to make the most of it,” Alker was quoted as saying on the Legends Tour website after his two-stroke victory. “It was a tough day — it got pretty close. The front nine, nothing was really happening, so to finish strong on the back nine, just hitting some better shots and making a couple of putts. That was really nice. There were some good players up there, guys who’ve played on the European Tour for a long time, so I knew I had my work cut out. “The birdie on 16 was huge for me. I hit a nice three wood and wedged it to four or five feet. That meant I didn’t have to birdie 18 — it’s always nice when you don’t need to birdie the last. Having that one shot cushion meant the heart wasn’t going as fast. It was nice to have that feeling. “I’ve had a blast on the Staysure Legends Tour this week — always do when we come over here. My wife and I stayed in the hotel, it’s been a special week for us, and one we’ll remember for a long time.”

GOLF NEWS

Steve Alker’s remarkable trans-Atlantic hat-trick of wins

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Jayden Ford prevails in shortened Mount Open GOLF NEWS Jayden Ford poses with the trophy after winning the Mount Open which was reduced to 54 holes because of high winds on the final day. Photo credit: BW Media.

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ayden Ford won the Mount Open after extreme winds forced Sunday’s final round to be abandoned and the tournament reduced to 54 holes at Mount Maunganui Golf Club last month. Ford was declared the winner at 10 under par following rounds of 67, 66 and 70, finishing two shots clear of Zachary May, Sean Towndrow and Mitchell Kale, who shared second at eight under par. The final round had already begun when worsening conditions brought

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play to a halt. Ford had continued his strong week, moving to 11 under par through four holes and extending his advantage, but all Sunday scores were ultimately wiped as the tournament reverted to the completed 54hole standings from Saturday. It made for an unusual finish to an otherwise impressive week for the Wellington golfer. “Not quite the way you want to win,” Ford said. “It’s a little bit of an anti-climax.

You’re in the thick of things, feeling all the feelings, going out there trying to sweat over your little two, three, four-footers. “A win’s a win, but it’s a little bit of an anti-climax right now. I’m not 100 percent sure how to feel.” Ford had steadily built his tournament across the opening three rounds. An opening four under par 67 put him in contention before a five under 66 on Friday moved him into a share of the halfway lead with Kale. Saturday ultimately proved decisive as strong winds swept across the course and made scoring increasingly difficult. Only eight players in the field managed to break par, but Ford produced a composed one under 70 and birdied the 18th to take a two-shot lead into the scheduled final round. Those conditions continued into Sunday and, despite the difficulty, Ford said he felt confident while play was underway. “It was a punish,” he said. “I reached out to my fellowship group back home the last couple of days and just asked for prayer, to be walking in boldness. “I definitely felt bold and confident out there. It felt good.” May finished alongside Towndrow and Kale at eight-under and claimed

October 2026

leading amateur honours after an excellent week. The Clearwater Golf Club player followed rounds of 71 and 66 with Saturday’s round of the day, a three-under 68 in the strongest conditions of the tournament. Six birdies, including four on his back nine, helped May climb into a share of second overall. Towndrow also handled the wind impressively on Saturday, carding a two-under 69, while Kale’s opening-round 63 remained one of the standout scores of the week. In the women’s amateur field, Sophie Yu took leading amateur honours at four over par following rounds of 71, 72 and 74. Yu finished one shot clear of Yuetong (Victoria) Xin at five over par, with Sarah Li third at 11-over. The All Abilities Invitational was won by Guy Harrison at nine over par. Harrison finished five shots clear of Tim Vogel at 14-over, with Andrew Woo completing the top three at 21-over. While the Mount Open, sponsored by Christie Floorings, ended earlier than planned, Ford’s work across the first three days had already put him in control, with his Saturday birdie at the last ultimately proving to be the final stroke that counted in a tournament shaped by some of the toughest conditions of the Charles Tour season.

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Tim Wilkinson wins by seven in Tauranga Open

Tim Wilkinson poses with his trophy after winning the Tauranga Open last month. Photo credit: BW Media.

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im Wilkinson has capped a commanding week at Tauranga Golf Club with a seven shot victory in the 20th Tauranga Open, closing with a four under par 66 to finish at 20 under par. Wilkinson began the final day Sunday

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with a two-shot advantage and ultimately pulled clear of the field, completing rounds of 63, 66, 65 and 66 for a 260 total. Defending champion Josh Geary and Kerry Mountcastle shared second at 13 under par, while South Africa’s Nash de Klerk secured leading amateur honours after finishing in a tie for fourth. Despite the eventual margin of victory in the tournament sponsored by Tauranga property and development company Carrus, Wilkinson’s final round was far from straightforward. A birdie at the second got him moving before consecutive bogeys at the fourth and fifth brought the chasing pack closer. But an eagle at the par five sixth immediately repaired the damage, followed by another birdie at the eighth. A double bogey at the par three ninth then saw Wilkinson make the turn in even par 35 and ensured there was still work to do over the closing nine. “A struggle. It was tough work out there today,” Wilkinson said afterwards. “I started off pretty solid, hitting the ball well, and then I struggled in the middle of the round. But the back nine, I had some

really solid shots, made a couple of good putts and it was good.” Wilkinson responded in the manner that had defined his week. He played the back nine in a bogey-free four under 31 par, making consecutive birdies at the 12th and 13th before adding another at No 16. With the tournament firmly in his control, Wilkinson still had one final target in mind. “I thought today, if I got out there and got to 20 under, which I eventually did at the very last, that it’d be tough for the guys behind to catch me, especially on a day like this. “My speed putting was terrible today, so it was a real struggle. But it was good to get it done because it was a tough day and you had to keep concentration.” A final birdie at the 18th took Wilkinson to 20 under par and put the finishing touch on a week in which he had been at the sharp end of the leaderboard from the opening round. Wilkinson, who shared the first round lead following a seven under 63, remained one shot off the pace through 36 holes and moved two clear with a third round 65 before completing the job on Sunday. Even with his advantage growing throughout the final round, Wilkinson said he never felt completely at ease. “I didn’t feel comfortable all day,” he said. “I didn’t play particularly freely today, which is something I’m a little bit disappointed in, but I hit some good shots and made some good putts when it mattered, so that was important.” Behind Wilkinson, Geary produced a two under 68 to climb into a share of second and complete a strong title defence at 13 under. Mountcastle joined him after a final round 71, having begun the day just two shots behind Wilkinson following rounds of 65, 66 and 65 across the opening three days. Jake Meenhorst closed with a three un-

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der par 67 to finish in a share of fourth at 10 under alongside de Klerk and Douglas Holloway. Holloway had shared the opening round lead with Wilkinson and led through 36 holes before rounds of 71 over the weekend saw him finish at 10 under par. James Hydes finished seventh at nine under par following a closing 68, while Zachary May made one of the biggest moves on Sunday with a six under par 64 to climb seven places and finish eighth at eight under. Tyler Wood also finished strongly, carding a five under par 65 to reach seven under and take ninth, with Dominic Brettkelly rounding out the top 10 at six under par. De Klerk claimed the men’s amateur honours after an impressive week against the professional field. The South African completed rounds of 67, 65, 68 and 70 for a 10 under par total of 270, finishing in a share of fourth overall. In the women’s amateur field, Chloe So completed a seven shot victory after a closing four over par 76. So began the final round with a three shot advantage and finished the championship at 11 over par following rounds of 75, 75, 73 and 76. Yeowon Yoon finished runner-up at 18 over par after a final round 80, while Sophie Yu climbed into third with a closing 76 to finish at 22 over. So had shared the lead through 36 holes before taking control with a one over 73 on Saturday and extending her advantage over the final round. The All Abilities Invitational was also decided across the weekend, with Daniel Robinson claiming the gross title. Robinson completed rounds of 82 and 86 for a 168 total, three shots clear of Guy Harrison on 171. Andrew Woo secured the net title after rounds of 79 and 72 for a 151 total.

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Asia-Pacific Amateur at Te Arai Links begins at the end of the month GOLF NEWS The beauty of Te Arai Links which hosts the Asia-Pacific Amateur at the end of this month.

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ew Zealand will take centre stage in world amateur golf this spring, with a six-strong contingent of Kiwi players confirmed to tee it up on home soil at the 17th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC), to be played October 29–November 1 at Te Arai Links’ South Course, a 75 minute drive north of Auckland. It’s the second time the R&A and Masters co-sanctioned tournament has visited Aotearoa following the 2017 event at Royal Wellington Golf Club, and marks the first major tournament to be hosted at the Te Arai since it was opened in 2022. The AAC carries some of the richest prizes in amateur golf: the champion earns an invitation to the 2027 Masters Tournament and an exemption into The 155th Open Championship at St Andrews in Scotland, while the

runner-up and top-three finishers also earn direct pathways into golf’s biggest stages. Leading the New Zealand charge is 20-year-old Zackary Swanwick, currently ranked No 19 in the world amateur golf rankings and one of only seven players inside the world’s top 50 in the 120-player field. A junior at the University of Florida, Swanwick finished 12th at the 2023 AAC at Royal Melbourne and was part of the winning International Team at this year’s Arnold Palmer Cup in Ireland. He’ll be joined by fellow New Zealanders Joshua Bai, Yuki Miya, Cooper Moore, Robby Turnbull and Ryan Xie. The latter was runner-up at this year’s Australian Boys’ Amateur and a United States Junior Amateur quarter-finalist in July, giving the host nation a strong contingent in a field drawn from 40

Zackary Swanwick who will be a leading New Zealand hope at the Asia-Pacific Amateut to be held at Te Arai Links, north of Auckland, at the end of this month.

golfing nations across the Asia-Pacific region. New Zealand’s charge will be tested by a strong regional field, headlined by Australia’s Harry Takis -- world No. 17 and the highest-ranked player in the Championship -- alongside reigning AAC champion Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand (29 world ranking), Vietnam’s Anh Minh Nguyen (No 30), and fellow Thai contender Josh Duagmanee (No 40). New Zealand golf fans need no introduction to what that pathway can produce. Reigning Open Champion Ryan Fox is among the AAC’s notable past competitors, alongside 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama — a two-time AAC winner -- and 2022 Open champion Cameron Smith, while rising Kiwi golf star Daniel Hillier finished sixth in the 2017 tournament in Wellington. In its 16-year history, AAC

alumni have gone on to claim 34 PGA Tour titles and more than 180 wins across the world’s major professional tours. While daily public attendance to the AAC will be limited due to the infrastructure required to accommodate large crowds, the event will be broadcast in over 150 countries, with Sky Sport carrying the New Zealand coverage from 2pm-5pm for all four rounds of the championship. Te Arai Links’ South Course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and consistently ranked among the world’s top 100 courses, will provide a fitting stage. The par-72 links layout features 16 ocean-view holes along the Pacific coastline and is home to The Playground, the largest putting green in the world.

New Zealand players overview

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Player

City / Club

Notable

Zackary Swanwick

Napier, Hawke’s Bay — Napier Golf Club, Taradale High School

World No. 19, University of Florida

Joshua Bai

Auckland — Akarana Golf Club

University of Florida

Yuki Miya

Christchurch — Golf NZ Academy

Charles Tour winner, led 2026 NZ Open at the halfway mark

Cooper Moore

Christchurch — Clearwater Golf Club, St Bede’s College

Runner-up, 2026 NZ PGA Championship

Ryan Xie

Auckland — Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club

Santa Clara University

Robby Turnbull

Auckland — Remuera Golf Club, Selwyn College

Eastern Michigan University, 2026 MAC Freshman of the Year

October 2026

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October 2026

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Internationals capitulate in singles By Neville Idour

GOLF NEWS 8

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ithout wanting to be too harsh, leading 10-1/2 to 7-1/2 going into the singles and then being thrashed 9-1/2 to 2-1/2 to be well beaten 17-13 overall, can only be described as a capitulation. That’s what happened to the International team against the United States in the Presidents Cup held at the Medinah Country Club, near Chicago last month. After maintaining that lead for a significant period on the final day it was gradually whittled away until the outcome became obvious with matches still on the course. It was something of a historic comeback to deny the International team its first win since 1998. This was its first time leading into the final day when playing in the United states. But International captain Geoff Ogilvy could only watch as his men were overwhelmed by the Americans who drove, chipped and putted better throughout the day. It was soul destroying stuff for the Internationals and their many fans.

Three matches were won on the final hole by the US. A reversal of those would have seen the International team prevail. But there were too many slip ups and what ifs by the Internationals. Time and again they let advantages slip away when in position to win or halve a hole. I have never felt so frustrated watching Australia’s Adam Scott putt with that hideous broomstick putter. The holes simply weren’t big enough as he struggled to sink a putt of any length other than a tap in and one had to wonder whether he would have putted better with an actual broomstick. It was a shame another Australian Min Woo Lee, who had played so well with Ryan Fox of New Zealand in the pairs, missed critical short putts on Nos 16 and 17. Tom Kim and Sung Jae Im were early winners but Si Woo Kim gave up a two hole lead on the back nine to lose by that margin to outstanding 21-year-old Jackson Koivun. Surprisingly, Ogilvy had designated Presidents Cup rookie Fox to play Xander Schauffele in the final marquee match. Unfortunately it backfired as Schauffele showed his class, not allow-

ing Fox any window of opportunity. It may have been better to send Fox out against one of the lesser lights and used one of the much more experienced players against Schauffele. Fox should be happy with his efforts in his first big team event with two wins and two losses. He paired extremely well with Min Woo Lee for their two wins and it was nice to hear Fox wax enthusiastic about playing with his good friend Lee. One thing that emerged from the event was a confirmation that being world number one doesn’t guarantee particularly successful team event play. Scottie Scheffler in fact seems to be following in the footsteps of Tiger Woods’ unimpressive team play. Scheffler’s record in both cups is now seven wins, 12 losses and five halves. In foursomes his record is a dreadful one win and eight losses. Woods’ career Ryder Cup record was 13 wins, 21 losses and three halves.. In pairs matches he was even worse with 9 wins, 19 losses and one half. However, Scheffler was involved in one of the nicer moments of the whole event. Scheffler was on the 14th tee

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with a three up lead over Colombian Nico Echavarria in the singles. Scheffler hit his drive down the fairway and watched as someone in the crowd yelled “let’s go Scottie” just as Echavarria swung and consequently hit wildly off course. He dropped his driver and turned in disgust. Scheffler shouted in that direction “There’s no place for that.” However Scheffler showed real sportsmanship on the green. Echavarria had chipped to the back of the green in three with 32 feet left for an unlikely par and being four down with four to play. Scheffler narrowly missed his 15 foot birdie putt then told Echavarria to pick up his ball so they halved the hole, leaving him still just three down. The on course reporter said it was “an absolute touch of class from Scottie Scheffler.” “It’s just ridiculous somebody yelling in his swing off the tee. There should be silence.” Well said that Scottie showed impeccable sportsmanship. So the Internationals will have to wait yet again to break their now 28-year drought.

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Remarkable Presidents Cup statistics T

he United States won its 11th Presidents Cup in a row last month and remarkably, across both teams, just one player was unbeaten without a loss to his name. The youngest player in either team, 21-year-old Jackson Koivun from the US, won and tied his four ball matches then produced a stunning singles win over Si Woo Kim, the International team’s second best performed

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player. The Americans were always expected to win at the Medinah Country Club near Chicago and comfortably at that. However it really wasn’t until the final hour or so that the outcome was evident. Yes it was far from comfortable. The foursomes are the Americans’ achilles heel. They will be looking at how they can address the 5-0 whitewash they suffered on the Friday and two-all draw on the Saturday. For Koivun, to be the only unde-

feated player on either side spoke volumes about the youngster’s maturity and ability. Chris Gotterup, Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Young scored three points each for the US. Young, Sam Burns and Wyndham Clark were the only players to play all five matches, Burns managing two wins and Clark just one. Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele both distinguished themselves with being put on the clock for their pedantic slow play. What’s new? Tom Kim was the best of the In-

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ternational team with four wins and one loss, while Si Woo Kim had three wins and two losses. Sungjae Im, Min Woo Lee who teamed well with New Zealander Ryan Fox, and Nick Taylor all scored 2-1/2 points. Fox, making his Presidents Cup debut, could feel satisfied with his return of two points. Adam Scott was disappointing gaining a solitary point from his four appearances. His putting was a

GOLF NEWS

By Neville Idour

constant battle.

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There’s nothing quite like returning to a golf course you have a lot of history with. Golfer Pacific writer and former Titirangi member Peter Thornton found his happy place in west Auckland.

GOLF NEWS 10

A walk down memory lane at Titirangi Golf Club

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t’s an amazing feeling to drive through the gates at Titirangi Golf Club. Some golf courses transport you back in time, and for me Titirangi is one of them. The moment you roll through the gates, the noise of Auckland falls away, the trees close in, and there is that familiar sense you are somewhere that has shaped a good part of your golfing life. I was a member at Titirangi for six years when I was producing the Phil Leishman television golf show on Sky Sport, and those years remain some of my favourite memories in the game. Back then, golf was part of the rhythm of life. We had time, energy and access to one of the best golf courses in New Zealand. Titirangi has always had a different feel. It is the only Alister Mackenzie-designed layout in New Zealand and his

fingerprints are everywhere: the natural routing, the angles into greens, and bunkering that looks beautiful and intimidating at the same time. New Zealand designer Chris Pittman has carried on that work, modernising parts of the layout while restoring lost Mackenzie design elements. The result is a course that still feels like a work of art. Pittman led some of the redevelopment work at Titirangi around 20 years ago. This work has since been carried on by Clyde Johnson, who has been the Titirangi Golf Club consulting course architect for around 10 years. The course is not long in a modern sense, but it is not straightforward. People often call Titirangi “the longest short course in Auckland”, and that seems to make more sense every time you play it. Titirangi in Māori translates to “fringe

of heaven” or “long streaks of cloud in the sky”, a name often associated with the Waitākere Ranges.

Golf with good mates

Today’s line-up felt fitting. First up was James Dunlop, part of the old Sportsinc team. Jimmy and I played here every week in those Sky Sport days, usually with no great plan beyond getting around as often as we could. It was before life became more complicated and before a spare afternoon felt rare. We would finish work, head to Titirangi, and wander around one of the country’s finest courses as if it was simply what you did. Second was good mate Kris Moses. We became mates at kindergarten pick-up, where his daughter Bella was good friends with my boy Toby. Every time we met, we talked Warriors, All

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Blacks and the next game of golf. The third was Warren Marshall, one of the most affable blokes you could meet. He is relaxed, always up for a laugh, hits driver forever, and is the master of talking it down. I once asked if he played much golf. He said, “a bit” and then shot 78 around Helensville. The teams were an easy choice. Kris and Warren would take on Jimmy and I in a matchplay battle for the beers. The stage was set: an old favourite course, three good mates and a perfect excuse to walk down memory lane.

Every corner of Titirangi holds a memory

You quickly remember what Titirangi is about. The opening holes are straight forward on paper. If you are in position, they are fair. If you get offline or find the bunkers, you will be scrambling on fast, sloping greens.

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NEWS

Bunkers abound on the fifth hole at Titirangi. Photo credit: Ricky Robinson.

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Every corner seems to hold a memory: a tee shot I hit well, a match that turned on a long putt on the par three seventh, and endless laughter with the old team at the highs and lows of playing this course. The par four third is one of the best holes in Auckland: long, honest and demanding, asking for two proper golf shots. Make four there and you feel like you have earned something. The par four 18th was currently out of play for some irrigation work, so the fifth hole has been revised into a par four and par three. As we moved deeper into the front nine, the memories kept arriving. The sixth is a good test, where position matters most. The goal was always to find a flat lie down the right-hand side of the fairway and try to hit the elevated green in two. Then comes the par three seventh, one of the iconic holes on the property with

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the clubhouse as the backdrop. Titirangi’s par threes are one of its great strengths; each asks a different question, especially in changing Auckland weather. The eighth feels like pure Titirangi: a beautiful short hole loaded with risk and reward. The green is small, guarded by water front left, and the temptation is always there to take on more than you should. That is what Mackenzie courses do so well. They create options. It is not always driver; it is about placement, precision and choosing the right angle. Titirangi is a thinking golfer’s course, and if you get it wrong it can punish you quickly. When we got to the turn, the eighth in the revised layout, Kris and Warren were in control. They were five up and we needed to respond. I made three pars in a row from 9–11 to try and turn it around, but there were more losses to come on the back nine.

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GOLF NEWS The sixth green at Titirangi. Photo credit: Ricky Robinson.

The signature stretch of Titirangi

Onto the back nine, and this is where Titirangi really leaves its mark. The stretch from 11 through 14 is the one that always stays with me. The par three 11th is an awesome hole, beautifully framed and more demanding than it first appears. You stand on the tee knowing the target is there, but also knowing a loose swing will not be treated kindly.

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Then comes the 12th, the longest par four on the course, with nowhere to hide. Trouble waits on both sides and even after a good drive the second shot can feel a long way from home. Pars on 12 should be celebrated like birdies elsewhere. When Warren and Kris won the 12th, it was already time for handshakes. They claimed a comfortable 6 and 5 win, and it was a humbling moment.

The par five ‘Wrecker’ comes next, and the name feels right. The shot over the bush is intimidating, even when you have played it many times. You pick your line, try not to look too long at the trouble, and make the best swing you can. The par three 14th is one of my favourite par threes in Auckland, if not New Zealand. A good shot is rewarded, but the margins are fine, and that is why the hole works so well. Kris came

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up with his best moment of the day here – well struck five iron to eight feet from the hole. The closing stretch is a treat. Sixteen is a great par four where you need to carry the bush from the tee and then find a narrow green. It asks for bravery first and precision second. Warren saved his best for last with a 50 metre pitch to within six feet of the hole and he converted the putt to claim the three hole challenge -- $10 each and the player who wins the final three holes claims the pot. And then there is 18, the dogleg par four back up the hill, a finisher that has made and destroyed scorecards for generations. It was out of play on our visit, but Jimmy and I still walked up the last and shared one of our favourite old memories. Well one of my favourite memories. It came during a three-hole challenge over 16, 17 and 18. Jimmy had a five-shot lead standing on the 18th tee. In a three-hole shootout, that should have been enough. He proceeded to make an 11. I drove the green and was left with about five feet for eagle. The putt dropped, and somehow I went from five behind to winning by four. Some golf moments become part of the folklore of a friendship, and that

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A drone shot of the 14th hole at Titirangi. Photo credit: Ricky Robinson.

was one of ours. Every time I walk up 18, it comes back. You are not only playing the holes in front of you. You are playing every version of yourself that has been there before: the younger version with too much time and not enough appreciation; the friend who laughed through countless rounds with Jimmy and the Sportsinc crew; and the golfer still trying to solve a course that never stops asking good questions.

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By the time we walked up the last, I felt grateful. Grateful for the course, for the memories, for the company, and for the fact that some places remain special no matter how much time passes between visits. Titirangi is one of New Zealand’s great golfing experiences. It has history, incredible design and quality throughout, and for me it will always feel like a second home.

The eighth green at the Titirangi Golf Club in west Auckland with the pond and bunker making for a beautiful setting. Photo credit Ricky Robinson

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Andrew Whiley’s new book celebrates the courses, characters and stories that make New Zealand golf so special.

Inside New Zealand’s Best Golf Courses GOLF NEWS 14

New Zealand’s Best Golf Courses is a book edited by former New Zealand PGA president, Andrew Whiley. The book is due for release this month.

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or more than 40 years, Andrew Whiley has been immersed in New Zealand golf – as a PGA professional, club professional, administrator, golf writer, course reviewer and passionate advocate for golf tourism. Now he has brought that experience together in a new book, New Zealand’s Best Golf Courses. Due for release this month, the 200page hardcover book is more than a collection of course rankings. It is a celebration of the places, people and stories that have shaped golf in New Zealand. Whiley is perhaps uniquely qualified to tell the story. A New Zealand PGA member since 1984 and former NZP-

One of the pages from Andrew Whiley’s book titled New Zealand’s Best Courses.

GA president, he has worked in the golf industry in New Zealand and overseas, including at Chisholm Links in Dunedin. He has also coordinated the New Zealand golf rankings since 2012, giving him an unusually broad knowledge of the country’s golf courses. The book features 40 of New Zealand’s leading courses, together with 10 honourable mentions, taking the

reader on a journey from dramatic coastal layouts and rugged links to beautiful inland and alpine courses. But what sets the book apart is the way Whiley looks beyond the scorecard. Each course has its own story – its landscape, history, design and the people who helped make it what it is today. Readers will discover the vision of architects and designers, the personalities behind major

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developments and the often-unheralded people whose passion and persistence have helped create some of New Zealand’s golfing treasures. There is also plenty for the golfer. Whiley provides an overview of the course and identifies some of the strengths of the courses and offering thoughts and strategies that make the book more than something to admire

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Millbrook Resort and Country Club in central Otago is amongst the courses in the book New Zealand’s Best Golf Courses. This photo is of the par three second hole of the Remarkables course looking back from behind the green back to the tee.

Waipu Golf Club in Northland is another golf course included in the book New Zealand’s Best Golf Courses. This is a photo of the par four third hole, looking from behind the green back down to the tee and out across Bream Bay.

on the coffee table. And then there are the photographs – a major feature of New Zealand’s Best Golf Courses. Ricky Robinson, widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s leading golf course photographers, has contributed a stunning collection of images showcasing many of the country’s marquee courses. His photographs capture the scale, character and beauty of some of New Zealand’s most spectacular golfing landscapes. Adding a different perspective is Rodney Donaldson, a professional photographer and PGA golf professional at Castlecliff Golf Club in Whanganui. Rodney spent

ing farmland and beautifully manicured parkland, the photography brings the courses to life and gives readers a genuine feel for what awaits them on the first tee. New Zealand’s international golf reputation has grown enormously over the past 25 years, with courses such as Tara Iti, Cape Kidnappers, Kauri Cliffs and Te Arai attracting worldwide attention. But Whiley’s book is not simply about the famous names. It is about the character of New Zealand golf – the variety, the scenery, the history and the people. For golfers planning their next New

more than three weeks travelling around New Zealand, visiting courses and capturing more than half of those featured in the book. His unique “golfer’s approach” provides an on-course perspective that puts the reader behind the eyes of a golfer arriving at each hole. Together, the two photographers give the book a wonderful visual balance – from dramatic aerial and landscape images that showcase the grandeur of New Zealand’s courses, to photographs that capture the experience of actually playing them. From windswept coastal links and towering cliffs to alpine backdrops, roll-

Zealand adventure, New Zealand’s Best Golf Courses is an invitation to explore. For those who have already played many of the courses, it provides a chance to revisit them through fresh stories and stunning imagery. And for anyone who simply loves golf, it is a reminder of just how fortunate New Zealand is to have such an extraordinary collection of courses. New Zealand’s Best Golf Courses by Andrew Whiley is available from 12th October 2026. Suggested Retail $79 and can be purchased from leading golf shops and Paper Plus Book stores.

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Scheffler needs to come out of his closet GOLF NEWS

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By Neville Idour

cottie Scheffler, the undisputed world number one, has come in for criticism for his refusal to leave America for more than a couple of weeks a year for tournament play. He has a great talent and reputedly is a nice guy. However he is not as charismatic or gregarious or as engaging with the fans as many would like. You can’t really find too much fault with who he chooses to be. However as world number one that does come with, and always has, some responsibility to be an ambassador for the game. His stay close to home approach at all times is proving hard to understand for many. It is quite understandable to play mainly in America from January to August. However, after the Tour Championship finishes there are no significant PGA Tour events for four months. So as custodian of that world number one spot surely some effort to promote the game globally would not be unreasonable, at the same time giving

back to the sport that has given him so much. Not everyone will agree I’m sure. But there are other American golfers who aren’t keen on leaving their homeland and there is no question this is detrimental to the global game. Some will say, as the father of two children, he has family commitments. However he rarely travelled before having children and plenty of others play around the world while having families. Scheffler’s family could easily join him if he travelled and he is more than wealthy enough to take a private jet and any home comfort he required. One American who is a great example is Patrick Reed and he also has two children. But that doesn’t stop him from being a regular player in Europe and globally. Every European golfer seems to be able to manage a two circuit schedule so why not pampered Americans. The recent PGA Championship at Wentworth in England was a perfect event for the top Americans to travel for, but not Scheffler. He has never played there. Golf legend Gary Player makes some

valid points. “What I admire about Scheffler is he’s very much a family man. But I would like to see him travel and promote golf internationally more than he does, because we have a debt incurred. “Golf has done so much for us and I wish Scottie would travel and play just a little more. I would say five tournaments a year, like Nicklaus, Palmer and Sam Snead did. Like Trevino and Tom Watson did.” Apparently The Open, the Scottish Open, the Ryder Cup and the Olympic golf tournament are the only non PGA Tour events he’s played in since he joined the circuit full time in 2020. Hard to believe. He hasn’t played a single DP World Tour event that wasn’t co- sanctioned by the PGA Tour. Never played the Australian Open or set foot in Asia or South Africa. Did he compete in Europe before the 2023 Ryder Cup? No. Did that contribute to him winning a solitary point? Probably. It is no wonder European fans have a lot of time for Billy Horschel and Patrick Reed. Because they are prepared

to travel, they have respect for the fans and they recognise the magnitude of the tournaments. They are not sheltered and closed off to the golf world beyond the United States. So given all of that the question remains. Can you truly be considered a great of the game if you haven’t travelled and won around the world? Tiger Woods was not a regular traveller but won events in several countries outside of the majors and world golf championships. Jack Nicklaus won the Australian Open six times. Arnold Palmer won titles in England, Spain, Australia and Latin America. Tom Watson won in Japan, Hong Kong and Australia, while Gary Player won on every golf playing continent. Rory McIlroy has won in seven different countries. Scheffler isn’t alone. Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele are also stay at homes. But it is magnified with his top of the world ranking. Is Scheffler a great golfer? Yes. Is he a great of the game? Because of his closeted approach to international golf the answer is probably no.

Hong Kong Open returns to the DP World Tour T

he return of three historic tournaments – two in Asia and one in Europe – headline next year’s DP World Tour’s global schedule. Two national opens – the Singapore Open (April 15-18) and the Portugal Open (May 13-16) – will feature in the Asian swing and European swing respectively. Also returning to the schedule from October 21-24 is the Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club. The Hong Kong Open and the Singapore Open will both be co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour as part of the new tri-partite partnership, including the PGA Tour, which was agreed in July. One of Asia’s most historic tournaments, the Hong Kong Open returns to the DP World Tour’s schedule for the first time since 2019. Established in 1959, the event was co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and Asian Tour

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18 times in total after first featuring on the DP World Tour’s schedule in 2002. Rory McIlroy, winner of the event 15 years ago, said: “I think it’s great with this partnership with the Asian Tour again, we have the Hong Kong Open back.” The Hong Kong Golf Club said: “Like 2011 champion Rory McIlroy, we’re very pleased and excited that next year’s Hong Kong Open will once again be co-sanctioned by both the DP World Tour and the Asian Tour.” Similarly, the Singapore Open is one of Asia’s most prestigious national opens, having been established in 1961. The event was previously co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour between 2009 and 2012 and will be played at Sentosa Golf Club. In total, the global schedule will feature 42 tournaments in 24 different countries as part of the sea-

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son-long Race to Dubai. Additionally, along with the 2027 Ryder Cup, team match play will also feature at the start of the calendar year, with the Team Cup taking place from January 15-17. Next year will see a five-stop early season Asian swing comprising the Singapore Open, two events in China – China Classic in Hainan (March 5-8) and China Open in Shanghai (April 22-25) – Turkish Open in Antalya (April 29-May 2) and one event to be confirmed (March 18-21). Asia will also be the focus in October with the Hong Kong Open following on from the DP World India Championship (October 14-17). According to the released schedule there’s another event ‘to be confirmed’ the week of October 28-31.

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Stanford’s Solheim Cup sour grapes; Europe deserved winners

Charley Hull of Europe lifts the Solheim Cup following victory at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands last month. (Photo credit: Kate McShane/Getty Images) By Neville Idour

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urope’s deserved 15-13 victory in the latest edition of the Solheim Cup in the Netherlands drew sour grapes from the grumpy United States captain Angela Stanford as she blamed everything but her team’s play for their defeat. While she acknowledged they didn’t make enough putts and the Europeans played really well, she certainly indicated the green speeds were too slow and they expected better. “When we were here in July they were faster and I don’t think it had anything to do with the rain either,” Stanford said. Sorry Angela, your opposing captain, the classy Anna Nordquist wouldn’t have a bar of it. Shortly after in the winning team’s press conference Nordquist simply said: “We’re in Europe in September and we know how the weather can be. I know how

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hard Neil and the course staff worked. I have never seen a golf club in the world with such a large staff. I’m not sure I believe in setting up a way to fit Europe because these girls play the same golf courses week in week out. They were probably playing a little bit softer than we all thought they would. But obviously that’s the weather which we can’t control.” The opening Friday foursomes ended with both teams tied but the afternoon fourballs turned sour thanks to the human snail, Europe’s Carlotta Ciganda. Fans grew angry at her snail like pace of play, which she is well known for. She was paired with the unfortunate rookie Julia Lopez Ramirez against Nelly Korda and Lauren Coughlin. It was the marquee group which teed off at 12.50pm. When Ciganda sank her putt on the 18th to tie the match, more than five hours and 30 minutes had passed. Fans were not impressed, targeting her slowness. The Golf Channel

commentator quipped: “Thought the sun was going to set before Ciganda hit her approach shot.’’ Social media’s No Laying Up joked: “Only another hour or so of daylight left so I’m not sure if Ciganda is gonna try to finish 18 or just come back tomorrow.” Korda was noticeably looking bored as well. So they entered the final day tied eight all and the singles would decide the outcome. Charley Hull set the pace winning the first match against Megan Kang. Europe quickly led in the first three matches and won six of the first eight matches to establish an advantage the United States couldn’t bridge despite one amazing comeback from Alison Lee. Lee was four down after 11 holes against Esther Henseleit, but stormed back to win after the largest comeback in Solheim Cup history and also the first player to go 4-0 or better for the losing team. Hull gave Lottie Woad a celebratory hug when it was clear Europe was going to win. They had been paired in all four pairs matches on the first two days, earning just a half point, prompting Hull to

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say “We finally got some points didn’t we Lottie.” Hull, surprisingly had a one win, three loss, one tie record for one and a half points. The strongest performer for Europe was Linn Grant with four wins, the only unbeaten player. Natasia Nadaud and Maja Stark, with three wins and a loss, were the other top performers. For the United States, Alison Lee was best matching Grant with her unbeaten four wins. Lauren Coughlin was next best with a three wins, one tie, one loss record. Korda finished with 2-1-1 record. Speaking after the win, Nordquist said “There has been so much hard work this week and in the last two years leading up to this from not only me, but all the background team. The helpers have been amazing this week, making it easy for the players just to play, and we just had a really good vibe all week. “Everyone’s been really good teammates. Leaving the course yesterday, we were really excited for coming here today and, wow, was I impressed with every single player and caddie showing up to that first tee ready to play.”

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World news in brief By Neville Idour

GOLF NEWS

Coughlin’s seven in a row record

The United State’s 17th world ranked player Lauren Coughlin achieved one of the most remarkable nine hole stretches of golf in LPGA history at the Arkansas Championship. It came during the second round following an opening round 73. Starting on the back nine she birdied the 10th then proceeded to reel off nine straight birdies for a second nine score of 26, an LPGA record for the lowest nine hole score, bettering the previous record of 27. On the front nine she recorded a respectable 35 to total her career best 61. A tidy third round 66 left her in a tie for 12th. She had already notched a win this year at the Aramco Championship, which was her third LPGA Tour title. No doubt she will remember her extraordinary 26 as long as she lives.

Thompson’s 19 year streak ends

After 19 years of competing in the US Women’s Open, firstly as a 12-year-old in 2007, Lexi Thompson called time on that streak withdrawing from qualifying this year. “It’s hard to believe that in 2007 as a 12-year-old girl with big dreams, I qualified for my first US Women’s Open,” Thompson, 31, said on social media. “I never could have imagined that week would be the beginning of a career that would take me around the world, allow me to compete against the best players in the game and live out my dream of playing professional golf. “I’m incredibly grateful for every year I had the opportunity to be part of it, and for all the fans, family, friends, volunteers and supporters who have been with me along the way. Thank you US Women’s Open for being where the dream began and who knows maybe I’ll be at another one in future.” We hope so Lexi. You have been a breath of fresh air and an adornment to women’s golf.

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He’s a great guy — Trump on Woods

Well there you have it. Did I feel the Earth move? The 45th and 47th president of the United States of America, one Donald Trump, alias keen golfer, has uttered the immortal words about Tiger Woods. “He’s a great guy.” He even revealed he had previously told Woods to get a driver instead of getting behind the wheel himself. “I know Tiger very well. He’s a great guy (tell us again). He’s unique in so many ways, as an athlete but also as a man. “But because of his horrible back -he had, in my opinion, a bad doctor. It’s tough when you are taking a painkiller. I think he’s going to have somebody drive him. He’s just a very special guy. I’m glad that was resolved.” The other good news for him is he will be allowed to drive a golf cart despite losing his driver’s licence. I guess all PGA Champions Tour players should be warned.

Shane Lowry’s anger knows no bounds

Irishman Shane Lowry endeared himself to no one at the Irish Open. His anger, which is usually on display at some point during a tournament, was in free flow at his home event. He cursed the course, cursed the wind, cursed the innocent ball, cursed the rules official, even cursed himself. But he hit rock bottom at the 18th hole while leading when his drive went way left heading towards where a small group of volunteers, spotters and the broadcast crew were standing. Lowry was heard to say callously: “They deserve to get hit.” He was miffed that some people stood too close to the fairway. Yet his drive landed well wide of the fairway near some cars and trucks. When the footage was seen live fans were outraged at his crude utterance. One fan said: “Shane Lowry is one of the most unlikeable players on tour.”

This was no isolated example of Lowry’s behaviour. Profanity has been a regular occurrence following a missed putt, wayward drive or an unfortunate ruling. “F… this place” has been one of his favourite expressions. Notably after two penalties at two 2025 major championships. Sadly fans do not see him in a good light. “Not surprised” is the reaction to some of his outbursts and some descriptions of him are not printable here.

J J Spaun the “odd man out”— Why?

J J Spaun showed United States captain Brandt Snedeker his folly in leaving him out of the Presidents Cup team with his fine win at the PGA Championship in England which followed his earlier Texas Open win. Spaun, ranked 10th on the rankings for the Presidents Cup, could have expected to be chosen at least as one of the six captains picks. But no, Snedeker felt differently. He informed Spaun with a 45 second phone call which Spaun recalled as: “I wasn’t on the team and I was the odd man out. I wished him luck and that was it.” It is no wonder Spaun added: “I played with a huge chip on my shoulder. I definitely had something to prove, that I deserved to be on the team.” While it was disappointing to miss out, Spaun said he “wanted to end the year right and it just worked out perfectly.”

Global series planned

The PGA Tour and DP World Tour are apparently planning a nine event global series that could reshape the golf calendar as early as 2028. Just a day earlier before the report, Sir Nick Faldo had said it was “a shame” that the United States had never let golf go truly global and expand beyond the US. The series is expected to run into the northern hemisphere autumn through into the new year. Nine locations have been identified.

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They are England, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, France , Spain, Italy, Australia, South Africa and the Far East. However they would likely stay as DP World Tour events. Rory McIlroy called it “positive and good for golf worldwide.”

WTGL to start in November

The indoor golf league Tomorrow Golf League (TGL) will be joined by the women’s equivalent WTGL next month in Florida. It is described as a global stage to showcase LPGA Tour stars. Honestly, who really wants to pay money to go watch the best women players hitting balls into a screen and onto a contrived layout. The indoor league will feature 25 players including Charley Hull, Lottie Woad, Jeeno Thitikul, Lydia Ko and the retired Michelle Wie who must need some easy money. However the big news is world number one Nelly Korda will not be part of the charade. WTGL say the “door is still open.” Korda earlier criticised the league for not having a combined competition for men and women. “I think it’s a huge unbelievable miss,” she said.

Solve the Presidents Cup problem

Does the Presidents Cup have a problem? Some pundits feel it does as it has become too one sided. Stewart Cink who has played in it four times believes the International team does not have enough cohesive desire to beat the United Stares, despite the pride that the players have. So how do you fix it? The solution is to turn it into a mixed team event, according to some pundits. European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald backed plans to create a combined Ryder Cup-Solheim Cup match. One has to ask how do we fit all these ideas into an already full calendar of events? Maybe it is time to take stock and consolidate and improve what we already have.

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Ciganda’s snail like pace angered fans C

By Neville Idour

arlotta Ciganda is the LPGA Tour’s equivalent of the PGA Tour’s snail Patrick Cantlay. For all the joys of the Solheim Cup in the Netherlands last month, on the Friday, with the two teams tied after the foursomes for just the third time in history, it had all turned sour in the afternoon as the fourballs progressed. Many fans reacted angrily as Ciganda impersonated a snail playing with partner, rookie Julia Lopez Ramirez against Nelly Korda and Lauren Coughlin in the marquee afternoon match. The group teed off at 12.50pm but by the time Cigan-

da dropped her putt on the 18th hole to tie the match, more than five hours 30 minutes had dragged by. Understandably fans targeted her for her ridiculous pace of play. It took nearly three hours to complete the first nine holes. On the 18th Ciganda’s drive went right of the fairway and she took so long to assess her second shot that the Golf Channel television commentator said: “Thought the sun was going to set before Ciganda hit her approach shot.” Another joked: “Only an hour or so of daylight left so I’m not sure if Ciganda is gonna try to finish 18 or just come back tomorrow.” Korda looked suitably bored. Ciganda has history with deserved slow play penalties, once being disqualified.

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She lashed out at the rules official saying “very poor from the LPGA rules official. They don’t understand what professional golf is about. They only look at their stopwatch as if 20 seconds is going to make a difference. I had family and friends watching and they all said it was impossible I took that long to hit that putt.” She further moaned she was targeted time and again. “I wish they didn’t pick on the same players all the time.” Her ridiculous refusal to face the facts win her no friends. Nelly Korda simply said: “The rules of golf are the rules of golf and they should be enforced. If I was a spectator out here for up to six hours it’s a tough watch.” Fans simply want to see this pun-

ished especially as pace of play does not seem to matter for Ciganda. She is a law unto herself and the time has well passed for her to be severely penalised. Rules officials need to shape up and enforce the rules about pace of play because they certainly aren’t currently on the LPGA Tour. Players like Ciganda should be barred from competing for a period of say one month as punishment. Then given strict parameters they be allowed to play for say a couple of tournaments then reassessed for their progress. Then and only then will players like Ciganda take the disease of slow play seriously.

Rules that need changing By Neville Idour

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recent story in the world’s oldest golf magazine Golf Monthly piqued my interest as it touched on various rules that could do with tweaking or change that would both improve the standard and pace of play on professional golf tours and for everyday golf. First and foremost was to remove the temporary immovable object rule where we see players hitting deliberately into grandstands and taking free drops from some temporary structure built just for the event. Really, players should have to take a penalty drop as they are part of the course and players should know how to avoid them. How about putters? Is it about time professionals had to use similar putters? Blade putters or mallet putters with a length of 36 inches is the suggestion. This will bring back the essential skill required to find the best

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putters. Possible anchoring needs to be closely scrutinised. How about a thirty second time limit for those putting after the first putt has been holed. A one shot penalty would soon sort out serial offenders like Patrick Cantlay, Padraig Harrington and Carlotta Ciganda. Another obvious one is banning ball marking of virtual tap ins. Professionals should have to putt out anything within two feet without boring everybody by marking and painstakingly realigning and placing their ball. Also do the tours really need to play two balls (groups of two players) on the weekends? How about three balls for all rounds? Much more interesting and it will speed up play as well. Players who lose their cool with a temper tantrum deserve to be punished. Smashing the turf, whacking your bag or snapping a club should bring a one shot penalty. A second episode, a two shot penalty and anything further, disqualification. For the everyday golf club members nothing is more frustrating than tee times too squeezed close together,

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leading to long waits on the groups in front and leading to five hour and more, rounds. To help flow of play, clubs should also ensure the course conditions are conducive to allow that to happen. Narrow fairways with long rough will kill enjoyment and pace of play. The season and weather conditions should always be the barometer. Pace of the greens is also important for enjoyment. If they are too difficult then pace of play will be a problem. After golf it is time for adjourning to the clubhouse. But hopefully it will be a welcoming experience without stuff over strict rules. Guidelines regarding clothing and footwear are fine but just leave it at that. Golf before, during and after your round is to be enjoyed. If things are not up to scratch, constructive feedback from members is essential to maintaining high standards. The bottom line is we all, I assume, want what is best for golf whether it is professional or club golf so if we all play our part there will not be too much to complain about.

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First woman captain of the Royal and Ancient officially takes office GOLF NEWS Claire Dowling, the new captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, presents a gold sovereign to caddie Dillon McCarron who successfully returned the ball to Claire. Photo credit The R&A.

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laire Dowling, the first woman to be captain of the world’s most prestigious golf club, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in Scotland, was officially welcomed at a traditional driving-in ceremony last month. At precisely 8am on September 25, a cannon fired and Dowling launched her opening drive on the first tee of the Old Course at St Andrews to officially commence her term. A large gathering of members, former captains and members of the public assembled to share in the time-honoured tradition. As captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Dowling will be an ambassador for the club and one of golf’s world governing bodies The

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R&A, engaging with members at events around the world and championing the sport as The R&A brings its new opening golf to the world strategy to life. Throughout her year in office Dowling will represent the club at many of The R&A’s professional and amateur championships and international matches, meeting those who contribute to golf at every level. After hitting her tee shot, Dowling said: “To begin my year as captain here in St Andrews, surrounded by friends and fellow members, is a very special moment. It is a huge privilege to serve as captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and I am honoured to be the first woman to take on the role. The club has such a remarkable history and tradition but it is con-

tinuing to evolve which is so important for any institution. “I am really looking forward to representing the club and to everything the year ahead will bring. I’m also excited to be supporting The R&A as it continues its important work to develop and promote golf around the world while celebrating everything that makes our sport so special.” A distinguished amateur golfer, Dowling represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup on four occasions and was part of the team which made history in 1986 by securing the first GB&I victory over the United States on American soil, winning 13-5 at Prairie Dunes in Kansas. Born and educated in Dublin, she won five Irish Championships, the first

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in 1983, as well as the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship in 1986 and the Spanish Amateur Championship in 1987. After a successful playing career, Dowling captained the GB&I Curtis Cup team in its narrow 10-8 defeat to the US at Ganton, England, in 2000. She was among the first women to become members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club in 2015 and has served on several committees. An experienced referee, she has officiated at The Open on seven occasions, including at Royal St George’s in 2021 when she and her husband Peter, a retired district court judge, became the first married couple to referee at the same championship. He handicap index is 7.6. In the past, the club captaincy was bestowed on the winner of the annual Challenge for the Silver Club but by the early 19th century the captaincy had become an elected office. Part of the tradition is that the new captain buys her golf ball back from the caddie who retrieves and returns it with a gold sovereign. The sovereign bears the head of His Majesty King Charles III. Caddie Dillon McCarron successfully returned the ball to Dowling. “It’s pretty cool to collect the ball,” said the 30-year-old who is from Nova Scotia, Canada. “With Claire being the first female captain, it’s quite an honour. I didn’t really know where the ball was going to go but it came over my buddy’s head and then came right to me. “This is my second season caddying here so I learned about this tradition last year. I was excited to come down this morning and I didn’t think there would be much chance of winning with there being so many caddies so it’s quite the honour for sure.” The retrieved ball will be cast in silver and displayed on the Silver Club.

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XDL — Xtreme Drivers League — has officially named The Windy Tee LONG DRIVE

exactly what has happened with Mark and Jules from day one of our conversations.” “We feel incredibly fortunate to have them as part of this journey. They are a powerhouse team, and their passion for what this can become for Wellington is something we are genuinely proud to have alongside us.” That shared belief is what makes the Wellington announcement significant. The Windy Tee is not simply a location for XDL. It will be the home for the sport in Wellington.

XDL HAS A HOME IN WELLINGTON

The Windy Tee becomes the first and exclusive home of Wellington XDL Indoor Long Drive — creating a new pathway from the region to the world

A HOME. A PATHWAY. A LEGACY FOR WELLINGTON.

XDL — Xtreme Drivers League — has officially named The Windy Tee in Upper Hutt as the first and exclusive home of Wellington XDL Indoor Long Drive, es-

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tablishing a permanent regional base for competition, athlete development and the pursuit of national and international representation. And for XDL, it is about much more than securing a venue. XDL is feeling truly blessed to have such passionate and involved venue owners in Mark and Jules Powell. “It’s not just about a venue being secured,” says XDL and New Zealand Long Blacks Founder Olna Ford. “It’s about the owners believing in the vision and getting involved — and that is

MORE THAN A VENUE — A HOME FOR THE REGION

The significance of The Windy Tee becoming Wellington’s XDL home goes well beyond providing somewhere to hit a ball. It creates a place where athletes can start, compete, develop, represent their region and aspire to something bigger. For people across Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Wellington City, Porirua, the Kapiti Coast and surrounding communities, Long Drive can now become a sport that can be discovered and developed locally. A young athlete can enter through the

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junior divisions. Adults can compete alongside them. Families can become part of the competitive environment. Local emerging athletes can begin pursuing a place on the New Zealand Long Blacks pathway and proudly represent the great region of Wellington. This is how a regional sporting culture begins — with a place for people to belong.

FROM WELLINGTON TO THE NEW ZEALAND LONG BLACKS

From January 2027, Wellington athletes will enter the XDL ESWF World Series qualifying pathway, with The Windy Tee providing the local stage for athletes seeking selection to the XDL Wellington - New Zealand Long Blacks Indoor National Team. The Wellington pathway will feature seven divisions: * Junior Boys * Junior Girls * Women’s Open * Men’s Open * Masters Women * Masters Men * Legends Open

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The timing is significant as XDL enters its next phase of international development. Following a decade of investment in Long Drive and celebrating 50 events across eight countries, XDL is building towards the announcement of the XDL ESWF World Series, with official qualifying commencing in January 2027 across more than 20 countries. Wellington will now have its own place within that international pathway thanks to The Windy Tee! LOCAL COMPETITION > WELLINGTON REPRESENTATION > NEW ZEALAND LONG BLACKS > INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATION For Wellington athletes, the interna-

Local Legend & New Zealand Long Black - Thomas Woods

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tional stage now has a pathway that begins in their own region.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR WELLINGTON

The development of a permanent XDL home creates opportunities well beyond competition. It provides a platform for junior development, community engagement, local partnerships, regional events and future sporting programmes. It creates another opportunity for Wellington to identify and develop athletes who may go on to represent their region and country. But perhaps most importantly, it creates continuity. Long Drive is no longer simply something that comes to Wellington for an event. It now has a home in Wellington. A

home allows relationships to develop. Athletes return. Juniors to grow. Families to become involved. Local businesses to connect. And future generations to inherit something that has already been built.

BUILDING THE LEGACY

For Ford, establishing regional homes is part of a much bigger vision for the future of Long Drive. “I’ve invested in Long Drive for 10 years because I believe sport needs more than events,” says Ford. “It needs homes. It needs pathways. It needs people who believe in the next generation.” “Wellington now has that — and having Mark and Jules believe in it from the very beginning makes this even more special.” The true legacy will not necessarily be measured by the first competition

or the first winner. It will be measured years from now. By the athletes who came through, the juniors who found their sport, and by the families who became involved. Highlighting the Windy Tee will be home in Wellington where New Zealand Long Blacks are named and they will look back to and remember where their journey began.

THANK YOU TO THE WINDY TEE

To Mark and Jules Powell, thank you for believing in the vision, getting behind it from day one, and opening the doors to what we believe can become something very special for Wellington and for the future of Long Drive. We are incredibly proud to have you with us on this journey!

LONG DRIVE

A PATHWAY WITH AN INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION

Local from Wellington, Thomas Woods - 2 x XDL Champion and New Zealand Long Black

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XDL HQ teams up with Smile Golf Academy LONG DRIVE

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DL HQ has teamed up with Smile Golf Academy to create new opportunities for Auckland’s junior golfers. The partnership is focused on getting more young people excited about golf while creating pathways to develop their skills, compete and dream bigger. Smile Golf Academy already has coaches working across West Auckland, the North Shore, and now ex-

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pands into East Auckland, connecting more young players with quality coaching and the XDL pathway. For XDL Founder, Owner of the New Zealand Long Blacks and Aussie Long Ballers, Olna Ford, developing the next generation is an important part of the future of the sport. “Promoting golf to our youth is incredibly important to me. We want young people to enjoy the game, but also discover the skills involved in hitting a long shot — speed, power, accuracy, confidence and technique.”

2027: THE OFFICIAL XDL GROWTH CALENDAR

The partnership comes as XDL prepares for its official 2027 Growth Calendar, with expanded opportunities across Indoor Championships, Grid Championships, junior competition, qualifiers and the XDL In-Schools Programme. The vision is to create a genuine pathway where a young player can

start locally, develop their skills and ultimately aspire to represent their region, their country or compete on the international stage. In Schools > On Range > Indoors > Qualifiers > Championships > National Pathway

FROM THE SCHOOLYARD TO THE WORLD STAGE

The XDL In-Schools Programme will be a major focus for 2027, introducing students to speed, distance and accuracy while developing skills including focus, coordination, confidence and competitive mindset. You don’t need an 18-hole course to discover the thrill of hitting a great shot.

THE NEXT GENERATION STARTS HERE

XDL believes the future of Long Drive starts with participation — a young person picking up a club, a school creating an opportunity, and a coach helping an

athlete discover their potential. With Smile Golf Academy, the XDL DRIVE Trailers, the In-Schools Programme and the 2027 Indoor and Grid Championships, XDL is building a pathway designed to take young players from their first experience through to genuine competition opportunities. “2027 is our growth calendar,” says Ford. “We’re opening up the schools programme, expanding our Indoor and Grid Championships and creating pathways for juniors to compete. We want to give kids the opportunity to discover what they can do — and perhaps one day, to pull on the New Zealand Long Blacks shirt.”

2027 IS THE YEAR OF THE NEXT GENERATION.

Indoor Championships. Grid Championships. XDL DRIVE on the road. Smile Golf Academy coaching. Schools opening their doors to Long Drive.

The next generation is ready to TEE it up!

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GOLF TRAILS

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGIONS

AUCKLAND

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Auckland’s Men’s Masters Quad

uckland’s Men’s Masters Quad has once again claimed the annual title against Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and North Harbour — extending an incredible winning streak to 12 consecutive years. Played in, at time near gale conditions, at an immaculately presented Pakuranga Golf Club, the team battled through two hard‑fought matches yesterday to secure top position heading into the final day. Today’s clash with Bay of Plenty proved

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a true see‑saw contest, with BoP finishing strongly in their #1 and #2 matches to take the day’s result 4.5 – 3.5. But Auckland’s earlier dominance ensured a greater overall match‑point total, securing the championship once again. Scott Thrupp, who delivered a spectacular hole‑in‑one on the tricky 13th — a standout moment on a weekend that serves as a perfect lead‑in to the national Freyberg tournament in November.

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WAIKATO

Te Awamutu Crowned 2026 Women’s Weekend Pennants Champions tu held a 14-shot lead at the top of the points table, with a three-round total of 925. Stewart Alexander were in second place on 936, with Walton a further three shots behind on 939. With all four team scores counting, Te Awamutu’s final-round team of Karen Te Huia (74), Sylvia Gooch (77), Toni Coleman (81) and Raewyn Coleman (82) combined for 314 nett. Walton finished the final round just one shot behind Te Awamutu, with LeeAnne Pitcon (73), Tania Scott (80), Tania Frederiks (80) and Kate Davidson (82) combining for 315 nett.Stewart Alexander, who had started the day in second place, recorded a final-round total of 325, allowing Walton to move into second place overall.

Te Awamutu Take the Title

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he final round of the 2026 Women’s Weekend Pennants was played at Morrinsville Golf Club was played recently

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with gale-force winds making for challenging conditions for the 17 teams competing. Going into the final round, Te Awamu-

Pictured Left to Right: Sylvia Gooch, Karen Te Huia (captain), Raewyn Coleman, Toni Coleman, Gwenda Meeke (back) & Celeste Satter, Women’s President. Te Awamutu finished the four-round competition with a total of 1,239, taking

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the 2026 Women’s Weekend Pennants title by 15 shots from Walton, who finished on 1,254. Stewart Alexander completed the top three on 1,261. It was a strong and consistent campaign from Te Awamutu, who held the lead after three rounds and maintained their advantage when it mattered most in the final. There was also some excellent individual scoring in the final round despite the difficult conditions. LeeAnne Pitcon (Walton), Karen Semmens (Morrinsville) and Wendy Thompson (Waitomo Golf & Country Club) shared the lowest nett score of the day with 73. Congratulations to Te Awamutu Golf Club on winning the 2026 Women’s Weekend Pennants title, and to Walton Golf Club and Stewart Alexander Golf Club on their second- and third-place finishes. A big thank you to Morrinsville Golf Club for hosting the final round, and to all 18 teams and players who competed throughout the 2026 Women’s Weekend Pennants season.

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BAY OF PLENTY

Thames Golf Club By Shaun Fay

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olf on the Coromandel. It’s not the far north or the far south, it’s different. An intriguing mix of small club courses maintained by passionate volunteers to well-staffed professional pro shop service. Full of views and bush the courses offer variety and will challenge any golfer. And every town on the way has its own story. So, let’s get cracking. Thames. Thames Golf Club is easy to find. It’s right by the Kopu Hikuai (SH25A) turnoff. What a course this is. Started in 1910 at the Thames Racecourse this classic club course moved to here in 1938. One green keeper, he’s a 2nd year ap-

prentice with several passionate volunteers. I meet a few including 90-year-old, Tom Handley who has shot his age 101 times. We had a closest to the pin on number 8, and I needed luck to be victorious - lucky we only played 9 as he was warming up them old bones. It’s mid-winter but the course is in superb condition. Greens in great condition albeit a bit slow as you’d expect this time of year. It’s Ladies Day and we are careful not to disturb those that braved the cold. Upstairs the boards reveal champs for over 100 years including a big gap for World War Two. It’s a club steeped in history with a fun, tight layout and some real challenges. What a great way to start our A

Round Around The Coromandel. Lots of membership options including age group and Country memberships if not a local. Green fees $40 affiliate, $50 non-affiliate, less if you’re a reciprocal club. That must

be one of the cheapest golf fees in the country for an 18-hole round. Next stop Coromandel. Thanks Thames it was wonderful and I’ll be back soon. Thames Golf Club – 18 hole golf

Coromandel is a nine-hole course By Shaun Fay

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oromandel is a nine-hole course tucked behind Coromandel Town and its historic CBD. It’s meat pack day and I’m playing today with President Paul Lawrence, Secretary Marilyn MacKenzie and local gun golfer Darryl O’Keeffe from Mussel Barge Snapper Sa-

faris. The course is proudly maintained by volunteers, and is always open to visitors, including on club days. No bookings required. Built on gold mine tailings with holes named after mines it’s a pity my golf was anything but gold. Darryl O’Keeffe hits a great long ball and takes out first prize for the day and takes me out on our closest to the pin on the 176-metre par 3. If you’re travelling

the west coast of Coromandel Peninsula or travelling over on the ferry from Auckland, make sure you check out this little gem. Annual Sub $520 and $30 for 9 or 18 if you go round twice. And if the bar is open check out their prices, $19 for two beers, a glass of wine and a soft drink. We stayed for a couple of those. www.sporty. co.nz/coromandelgolfclub

Matarangi – The Dunes Great take up in viewing from Matarangi. By Shaun Fay

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atarangi - The Dunes. What a pleasure this one was to play. A beautiful layout built on sand; The Dunes is playable year-round and attracts golfers from far and wide. Nicky

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Fanning is operations manager, and her partner Ray Fanning is the green keeper from Country Tipperary. These two have got this once troubled course humming along beautifully and the members are clearly very happy to be there. The 10th hole, par 4, stroke hole one has a new green and it’s a beauty. Diana, the wife, is with me today, she’s new to golf and happily takes a 7 and with my 5 we halve

it. The views from this hole are impressive but it’s about to get even better. The Par 5, 13th is 454 metres long and runs beside the beach. Spectacular visuals and a true challenge to par which neither of us do. I asked Ray which hole is his signature hole- the one you use to show off the course. He suggested the 18th, 142, par 3 right in front of the restaurant. Loving a crowd, I managed to drop it on the dance

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floor which earned a round of applause. The club has more than 500 members, with an affordable membership, and a great-value green fee of $90, making it one of Coromandel’s best golfing experiences accessible to visitors year-round. If you’re looking for one of Coromandel’s finest golfing experiences, this is it. Dollars well spent. www.thedunes.co.nz Next up Mercury Bay then Purangi.

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BAY OF PLENTY

The 2026 Bay of Plenty Open

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our rounds, three days of golf and a final day spent battling the wind — the 2026 Bay of Plenty Open Stroke Play provided a proper test at Whakatane Golf Club, with George Hodgson and Victoria Xin finishing on top of the men’s and

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women’s fields. The championship began with the opening two rounds, played in great weather at Whakatane Golf Club as the fields settled into the challenge of the course.

With 36 holes still to come, the leaderboard was beginning to take shape, but there was plenty of golf left to be played. Players faced 36 holes on the final day, with Rounds 3 and 4 played back-to-back. The wind was a factor throughout the day, adding another layer of difficulty as players tried to manage both the course and the physical and mental demands of playing two rounds to decide the championship. George Hodgson, playing out of Tieke Golf Estate, started Round 3 strongly. “I started off really hot in Round 3, which helped me settle into the round,” Hodgson said. “Then I struggled through the middle, but my putter kept me in it.” After already completing 18 holes, Hodgson headed back out for the final round knowing there was still another 18 holes between him and the title. The wind continued to make things difficult, and Hodgson described the final round as a battle from start to finish. “In the final round, I battled the whole way and managed to just scrape through in the end. It wasn’t pretty, but I got it done.” After 72 holes, Hodgson had done enough to claim the 2026 Bay of Plenty Open Stroke Play title by one stroke over local player, Nathan Clark (Tauranga Golf Club). For Hodgson, the win also comes at a good time, with more Summerset Charles Tour golf in the Bay of Plenty following the championship. “It’s really cool to get over the line and get it done. Feeling all the pressure and the emotions down the stretch is cool,” he said. “This gives me some good momentum heading into the two upcoming Summerset Charles Tour events in the Bay of Plenty.” In the women’s championship, Victoria Xin of Pupuke Golf Club also handled the demands of the final day to secure her first Bay of Plenty Open Stroke Play title.

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Xin found plenty of positives in her game across the final two rounds, particularly from the tee and around the greens. “Off the tee worked really well, and also around the green, like my chipping and putting was pretty good,” Xin said. “My putting saved me a lot today.” After 36 holes on the final day and 72 holes for the championship, Xin finished at the top of the women’s field. “It means a lot. It’s really cool to win a district stroke play, and it’s really exciting.” The Bay of Plenty Open Stroke Play is always a test of consistency, but the 2026 championship brought an added challenge on the final day. Thirty-six holes in the wind meant there was little room for a poor stretch, with players having to reset and refocus before heading straight back out for their final 18. In the end, Hodgson and Xin were the ones who managed to put together four rounds strong enough to finish on top. Congratulations to George and Victoria on their 2026 Bay of Plenty Open Stroke Play titles.

The Chris McAlpine Trophy

The 2026 Bay of Plenty Open also saw the introduction of a new trophy in memory of Chris McAlpine, the former CEO of Bay of Plenty Golf, who sadly passed away earlier this year. The Chris McAlpine Trophy was introduced to recognise the lowest finishing Bay of Plenty player in the championship, creating a new tradition within the Open while providing a fitting way to remember Chris and his contribution to golf in the region. The inaugural recipient was Nathan Clark of Tauranga Golf Club, who finished second overall in the men’s championship at even par. It was a fitting addition to the event and a special way to acknowledge Chris’s connection with Bay of Plenty Golf and the wider golfing community.

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TARANAKI

TASMAN

The Novotel Sloan Cup – Ngamotu Taranaki Takaka Crowned Masters 2026 Champions

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he event was played recently at Fitzroy and Ngamotu! 2026 champions: Taranaki Masters Men — Andrew Searle Going BACK-TO-BACK and defending his title!

Taranaki Masters Men’s Senior — Blair Dibley Taranaki Masters Women — Chanelle Probett Taranaki Masters Women Senior - Joanne McDonald

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he final round of the 2026 Sloan Cup was played recently at Nelson Golf Club , bringing another successful representative season to a close. Congratulations to Takaka, who were deserved winners of this year’s Sloan Cup after another strong performance in the final round.

Tasman Juniors 7 – Nelson 2

The Tasman Juniors completed a successful Sloan Teams campaign with a 7–2 victory over Nelson, claiming the Sloan Teams Trophy by the narrowest of margins. The Juniors opened their campaign with a win over Greenacres before going down to Motueka in their second outing. That meant everything came down to Sunday’s clash with Nelson, with the overall title still up for grabs. The Juniors

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rose to the occasion, doing just enough to edge home 14–13 in the aggregate Sloan Teams standings and claim the trophy by a single point. Despite the overall result, Nelson had several strong individual performances. Returning to the top of the order, Tony Watkins led from the front with a convincing 4&2 victory over Kahu McPherson. Luca Barney continued his excellent representative form, securing a hardfought 1 up win over Kees Russell in one of the closest matches of the day. The remaining matches went the way of the Tasman Juniors. Reese Elmiger edged James Watson by 1 up, Dave Harley defeated Martin Croft 3&2, Aaron Webby overcame Richard Bell 4&2, and Bill Coman finished strongly to beat Carl Snelgrove 3&2.

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AORANGI

Aorangi vs Canterbury – Golf Annual Event A

shburton Golf Club hosted recently the annual Aorangi vs Canterbury Match. There were plenty of hardfought battles across all four divisions against a strong Canterbury side, with Canterbury taking the wins in the Senior Men, Women’s and Masters Men divisions. Aorangi Junior Boys came away with the win! This could be the first time Aorgani Junior Boys have defeated Canterbury in this match, making it a particularly special achievement for the team.

Results

Senior Men Aorangi 4 – Canterbury 16 Women Aorangi 2.5 – Canterbury 13.5 Masters Men Aorangi 6 – Canterbury 14 Junior Boys Aorangi 4.5 – Canterbury 3.5

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