Getting into the swing of it
Kinloch and Wairakei Golf Courses will host the Entelar Group Invitational in a few weeks.
Taupō is hosting two big golf tournaments, kicking off a new national, three-event golf series — the Entelar Group Invitational, plus hosting the TORO New Zealand Speedgolf Open.
The Invitational will be hosted at Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary on April 19 and Kinloch Club on April 20. Fifty professionals and 50 amateurs will play 36 holes.
The Taupō event forms part of the Cisco Series, a premium pro-am format designed to combine elite competition with high-quality visitor experiences at leading golf destinations around New Zealand.
The two other events will be held later this year at Te Arai in October, and Queenstown in December.
The professional field will include top domestic players, invited Kiwi professionals and selected international entrants, competing for a $125,000 prize purse.
Both Wairakei and Kinloch courses are recognised for their championship quality, contrasting layouts and destination appeal.
Destination Great Lake Taupō general manager Patrick Dault says the championship is high level endorsement of the premium golfing available in Taupō.
“Wairakei and Kinloch are among New Zealand’s top golf courses so, naturally, we’re not surprised to see them hosting this new event.”
“With two very different championship venues in the same district, Taupō offers something few golf destinations in New Zealand can match,” said PGA of New Zealand Tournament’s Coordinator Peter Witton.
Background provided through PGA of New Zealand suggests around 100 players will travel to Taupō for the tournament, with additional support teams and visitors contributing to local accommodation, hospitality and visitor activity.
“It is about creating a premium experience for players and amateurs, while also putting destinations like Taupō in front of golfers who may return again for their own trips,” Witton said.
The event sits within a wider period of golf activity for Taupō, with the TORO New Zealand Speedgolf Open and the New Zealand Men's Mid Amateur Championship also taking place across the same fortnight.
The Speedgolf Open takes place at Taupō Centennial Golf Club on April 18-19.
Speedgolf, as the name suggests, is the fastest version of the sport where players complete a round of golf as fast as possible. Time and stroke count is combined into a single score.
Headlining the men's field is defending champion Harry Bateman, who recently broke the 18-hole world record score with a 106.14 (70 golf score + 36 minutes 14 seconds).
He will face plenty of opposition from the likes of former world champions Robin Smith and Jamie Reid.
In the Women's competition, champion Amy Linton will be back to defend her crown after making history last season by becoming the first player to beat former champion Liz McKinnon in an event. McKinnon and Linton are also World Teams Champions together and McKinnon is the current individual World Champion.