Speedgolf: World champion coming to Rotorua

Rob Hogan

Irish world champion speed golfer Rob Hogan has been confirmed as the main drawcard for the New Zealand Speedgolf Open at Rotorua Golf Club later this month.

He will compete against New Zealand's best speed golfers including defending title holder Landyn Edwards.

Hogan won the world title in October last year in Illinois shooting 78 in only 40 minutes in the final round.

Edwards, who used his hometown knowledge of Rotorua's Arikikapakapa course to shoot under par in less than an hour last year, is expected to provide the biggest challenge for Hogan during the two-day event on January 23/24.

Rotorua Lakes Council major event co-ordinator Jason Cameron said Hogan contacted him yesterday to confirm his entry.

"He's an interesting character with his distinctive ginger beard and sense of humour.
"He claims to have the best beard in professional golf since Old Tom Morris. In addition to that he is a pretty handy golfer - he once played golf professionally," Cameron said.
"While Rob's here, he will run a speedgolf clinic for us at Rotorua Golf Club and I'm sure he'll have a few tips on how you can play 18 holes in under 40 minutes."

Speedgolf, also known as extreme golf, started in the United States in the 1970s when American middle distance runner Steve Scott shot a 95 in just under 30 minutes.

Scores in speedgolf are calculated by adding the number of strokes to the amount of time (in minutes) it takes a player to complete the course.

Players can enter the event on the New Zealand Golf website www.golf.co.nz under tournaments.

There are three new categories for this year's event: under 20, masters and legends.
In addition there is a corporate social event where golfers can play as a pair in a threesome and one-day-only options.