Oceanic Mini Golf on its way
It isn’t quite the US Open, but the Oceanic Mini Golf competition is making its way to Hamilton, and New Zealand for the first time.
While mini golf may not be seen as a professional sport to some, organiser Gary Hann said the numbers are continuing to grow at each tournament.
“We held the Mini Golf NZ Open in Rotorua, and we got about 50 people who turned up last time and that was pretty good,” Mr Hann said.
The tournament this year is being held at Hamilton’s Prodrive golf course, with a large turnout expected for the week-long event.
“This is the second official Oceania tournament.
“It has been held twice before but only one was official under the World Mini Golf Federation, and along with that we’ve had the NZ Open which has been held previously in Auckland and Rotorua.
“The tournament is actually sanctioned by the World Mini Federation so that means we are also registered with the World Anti Doping Agency, which is nuts for mini golf,” Mr Hann said.
The tournament will take place across the first week of March when a range of competitors descend on Prodrive in Hamilton.
On March 3 and 4, the main Oceanic tournament takes place for men, women, and youth before an individual knockout tournament on March 5.
Over the following weekend there is the annual NZ Mini Golf Open for anyone wishing to take part.
“The best thing about mini golf is that it is open to everyone, and anyone can do it.
“We are just hoping for a strong turnout on the day where we can continue to promote this sport.