New Zealand Mini Golf Open 2024 Wrap-Up

30 competitors teed off at the 2024 New Zealand Mini Golf Open on the morning of Saturday, November 16th, at Golf Warehouse, Lower Hutt. The event began amid showers and windy weather.

The tournament featured 11 pro division players, 2 youth competitors, and 7 amateur pairs (our largest number of teams ever). All participants played their first two rounds in mixed groups.

In the youth division, Hunter Broadhead secured first place with a score of 13 over par, improving by 5 strokes from last year. Hamish Kerr claimed second place, finishing 28 over par.

The Amateur Pairs team event concluded with "Team A and B" (Brayden McDonald and Alisa Cunningham) clinching first place with a combined score of 167. "Putting Pair" (Christy Robinson and Michael Schlaug) took second place with 172, while "Pram Putters" (Rochelle Swinn and Alan Swinn) finished close behind with 175.

Unfortunately, urgent commitments forced Will Poemoore, Andrew Kerr, and last year's Amateur Men's winner George Goodwin to withdraw from the competition after their strong opening rounds.

The remaining amateur players—5 men, 4 women, and 1 senior—proceeded to their final round after re-seeding. A tie between Emi Steedman and Christy Robinson at 131 (with identical round scores of 44, 44, and 43) led to a "sudden death" tie-breaker. Starting from hole 1, the tied competitors played until one achieved a better score. Both scored 2 on hole 1. On the notoriously tricky hole 2, Christy scored 5, but Emi clinched victory with a 3.

After three rounds, Emi Steedman claimed 1st place in the Amateur Women's division (23 over par, won by sudden death), Christy Robinson secured 2nd place (23 over par), and Rochelle Swinn finished 3rd (28 over par).

The Men's amateur division had a clearer outcome: Brayden McDonald won 1st place (9 over par), Alan Swinn took 2nd place (15 over par), and Michael Schlaug finished 3rd (18 over par).

In the Seniors amateur division, Angus Shaw claimed 1st place (23 over par).

At the end of the three rounds, the pro division was tight, with only 10 strokes separating 1st to 6th place. Trans-Tasman rivalry heated up as leading Kiwi Cameron Couper (104) was closely followed by Australians Stephen Samuelson (105) and Josh Mars (108). James McCarthy tied with Mars (108), while Matt Ansley trailed slightly at 113, and John Ansley was just one stroke behind at 114.

Emi Steedman progressed from the Amateur Women's to the Pro Women's division, carrying over her initial round scores and joining the rest of the pro division for the remaining rounds of Day 1.

By Saturday's end, after 5 rounds, Cameron and Stephen maintained their top two spots on the scoreboard with 176 and 177 respectively. However, Matt Ansley made a comeback, matching Cam's earlier course record of 32 and edging out James McCarthy by a single stroke, with Josh close behind.

Sunday brought nicer weather as players warmed up, eager to tackle the final three rounds of the Pro category. Groups were re-seeded before the day's play began.

By the final round, Matt had gained ground, taking the spot behind Cam at the top. The scores stood at Cam (250), Matt (251), and Stephen close behind (253).

The 2024 New Zealand Mini Golf Open final round remained neck-and-neck, with players holding their positions. Despite Matt's close pursuit, Cam Couper maintained his single-stroke lead, once again winning the NZ Mini Golf Open Pro Men's and overall 1st place with a total of 285. Matt Ansley secured 2nd place with 286, while Stephen Samuelson claimed 3rd place with 293.

Fellow Australian Josh Mars finished a few strokes behind in 4th place with 295, and James McCarthy took 5th place with 300.

South Canterbury’s Mini Golf Champ, Michael Broadhead, finished in 9th place on 312.

In the Pro Women's division, Faye Ansley won 1st place with 314 (10th overall), and Emi Steedman took 2nd place with 346 (12th overall).

Cam Couper’s overall win automatically qualifies him for the World Adventure Golf Tour 2024/2025 May final at the Family Golf Park Vilamoura in Portugal.

Both Cam and Matt also recorded the lowest round of the competition, matching the course record of 32 (set by Cam Couper in 2023).

Josh Mars topped the "most aces" (holes-in-one) leaderboard across the two days with 16, followed by Matt and Cam with 15 each, James McCarthy with 14, and Stephen Samuelson with 12.

The New Zealand Mini Golf Federation, on behalf of all players, extends enormous thanks to Golf Warehouse for once again hosting the NZ Mini Golf Open - the team's support played an integral part in the competition's success.

We also thank Silks Audit Chartered Accountants for their support of mini golf in New Zealand, and The Coffee Box for keeping our players well-fed with their delicious kai, and hydrated (and warm!) with their cold and hot drinks.

The official scores are at: https://adventuregolfscores.com/NZO24/result.htm

Day 1 coverage with commentary on YouTube

Day 2 coverage with commentary on YouTube

(Day 1 photos coming soon!)