Spa Park in a spin
Almost 200 disc-golfers, including 64 professional players will have Taupō’s Spa Park in a spin next weekend for the 2026 Discraft Australasian Open.
The Australasian Open, presented by OTB, will serve as the feature event for the annual Tour Down Under tournament series and is expected to bring some of the best players from around the world.
Tournament director Steve Lawson says it is a “natural progression” for the Taupō Disc Golf Club after the success of its last two major events.
"We will do our best to keep raising the bar to elevate and bring disc golf to the platform it deserves."
Lawson has created several “exciting tweaks” to last year's Taupō Classic event, which was already a huge jump in difficulty from the standard course.
Set to take place over the weekend of January 15-18, the brand-new tournament also serves as the feature event of the annual Tour Down Under tournament series.
The club has brought on international disc golf sponsors, which is attracting new players and elevating competition standards.
It will be the biggest professional field ever to play at Spa Park, which is rated number 1in the Southern Hemisphere.
There will be almost 190 players competing, with 64 professional player, including both past and current world champions, like New Zealand's most famous young disc golfer, Sarah Wadsworth (Christchurch).
Club president Ken Harris, says there is plenty of room for growth in the Taupō community, but it has been incredible to see the uptake “from the most unexpected places”.
“Casual players across the Taupō district are taking up the game for so many positive reasons. Our club is here to foster that love for our sport by having every visitor to Spa Park wowed by one of the best disc golf properties in the world, and for this particular weekend, by the best disc golfers in the world."
The action kicks off at 11am on Thursday, January 15, with several side-events to provide a warm-up to the big weekend.
The OTB Tour Series ‘Skins Down Under’ will see five of the world's best players vie for big prize money.
Following that, last year's smash hit event Champs versus Chumps is back at 2.30pm, with amateurs paired up with the pro’s for a fun, banter-filled round of disc golf that provided some of the best moments in 2025.
From January 16-18, the main event is on, with tee times starting just before 8am each day and going until the top male players kick off at 3.30pm.
Players will play one round of 18 holes each day, taking in the most challenging course ever devised at Spa Park.
The course covers 2600m over the hills and through the woods, with only the best able to come out on top!
Coverage is provided by Go Throw, who had more than 300,000 views for the event last year.
Local sponsors include Cosana Honey, Taupō District Council, Jimmy Coops/Lakeman, Mediaworks Taupō, Great Lake Scaffolding and Computers @ Work.
Organisers hope the Australasian Open will become a cornerstone event for the sport.