Christchurch tradies chase X-League golf glory in Brisbane championship

Kyle Hurley, Morgan Gallagher and Abel King will compete in Brisbane.

Team captain Kyle Hurley said qualifying for the championship in the team’s first X-League season had been an unexpected achievement.

“There’s a bit on the line for us,” he said.

“Plenty of great teams have represented X-Golf Avonhead over the years, but no New Zealand team has brought the trophy home. We’d love to change that.

“We spend our weekdays on building sites and in machinery, not on golf courses, and that’s what makes this opportunity so exciting.

“We’re the underdogs, but we’d really love to prove a bunch of everyday tradies can bring the Championship back to New Zealand.”

The contest uses lasers and sensors to simulate real-world golf conditions. Photo / Marcel Van Der Horst

Golf Australia said X-League is a pathway for everyday golfers seeking structured competition without the traditional barriers of time, weather or experience.

Founded by Melbourne brothers Ben and Charles Styles, X-League first began in 2012 with only 30 competitors.

It has now evolved into the Southern Hemisphere’s largest indoor golf competition spanning 35 X-Golf venues dotted across regional cities and metropolitan hubs in Australia and New Zealand.

The X-League Championship features eight teams from across Australia.

X-Golf Group’s X-League coordinator Nick Treble said the Championship reflects a growing appetite for new ways to compete.

“What makes X-League special is that every team has a unique story,” Treble said.

“Some are families, some are workmates and others are lifelong friends, but they’re all united by a love of the game.

“Technology has helped make competition more accessible, but at its heart, X-League is about everyday people getting the chance to represent their community and compete among Australia and New Zealand’s best.”

“It’s always a real buzz for our finalists and we’re really excited to see how the Championship weekend plays out for its 14th year.”