Northland golfers lead NZ charge at World Speed Golf Championship

When hundreds of golfers from around the globe line up for the champs at Whitford Park Golf Club, Auckland, from November 3-6, the Northland Fab Five – Craig Russel, Waipu Golf Club; Dave Mullan, Northland Golf Club; Damien Mills, Sherwood Park Golf Club; Troy Harold, Omaha Beach Golf Club; and Dennis Langford, Waipu – will be ready to drive, chip, putt and sprint to glory.

Northland’s Gary Younger is the team manager and the Northland golfers will compete in the elite men and seniors (over 50) categories at the championships.

Mullan, club development officer at the North Golf Association, said speed golf in Northland has grown from a bold idea to a national force in a few years.

Northlander Gary Younger is the New Zealand team manager for the upcoming World Speed Golf Championship.Northlander Dennis Langford is hoping to be one of the stars of the New Zealand team at November’s event.

“What started with the unwavering passion and drive of Gary Younger and Craig Russel, who instigated Speed Golf North, has grown into something seriously special.

“Through multiple events across the year, they’ve brought players together from all corners of the country, building competition, camaraderie and a movement that keeps getting faster and stronger. Now, Northland is proudly represented on the world stage.”

Mullan was not surprised at how quickly speed golf took off in Northland, and said the region having almost a third of the national team showed how well local golfers had adapted and thrived in the new discipline.

Damien Mills is one of the five-strong Northland contingent who will be competing in the World Speed Golf Championship in November.

“Speed golf continues to evolve, blending endurance, strategy and skill in one of the most innovative and progressive formats in the game. What we’re seeing isn’t just participation, it’s progression. Northland isn’t just keeping pace, we’re setting it.”

Northland speed golf player Troy Harold is among those to earn a call-up to the national side.

In March, Speed Golf North hosted the North Island Speed Golf Champs at Waipu Golf Club, where Taranaki’s Robin Smith broke the world record by shooting 64 (eight under par) in 40 minutes for a total speed golf score of 104. He did it using four clubs and no putter.

Speed golf (also known as extreme golf, fast golf, fitness golf and hit-and-run golf) is a variant of golf that scores strokes played and the time taken to complete the round.

One stroke equals one minute, so shooting 90 on a golf course in 59 minutes and 30 seconds results in a total speed golf score of 149:30.

Aside from the normal 14-club maximum, there is no rule on how many clubs a player may carry, though most use four to seven.