Reid and McKinnon speedgolf champs yet again

By Neville Idour

Jamie Reid and Liz McKinnon continued their unbeaten domination on the New Zealand speedgolf scene with their fifth wins of their respective New Zealand Open titles at the Fitzroy Golf Club in New Plymouth.

Caption: Jamie Reid who racked up his fifth win in the New Zealand Speedgolf Open.

However, they had plenty of competition with the biggest ever field in it’s history. There were 59 men, including eight internationals, and seven women with one international Colette Blacklock (New South Wales) who finished fourth. A woman in her 50s she just loves the event and performs to a high level.

Reid was a reasonably comfortable winner on his home course with rounds of 70 in 31 minutes 59 seconds and 70 in 32 minutes 51 seconds for a cumulative score of 204.10 Only half a shot/minute separated the next three placegetters.

Second was Robin Smith on 213.03, third was Brad Hayward on 213.39 and fourth was Sam Jones on 213.52. Jones easily recorded the best rounds of 67, 65 but being over 16 minutes slower than Jones it was never enough. The next best golf score was Ethan Jones’ 67 and 69 but he was over 26 minutes slower.

Reid, a high school teacher, said: “To back up last year’s performance like this on my home course is great. I’m proud of my effort.”

Liz McKinnon, who is unbeaten at speedgolf, was impressive yet again beating the strongest ever field in the event.

Her rounds of 80 and 75 were one shot better than first timer Penny Smith’s 80, 76. However, McKinnon was 12 minutes 30 seconds faster. Amy Linton, another first timer, was third with scores of 79 and 79 and only a couple of minutes slower than Smith. These two players can only improve with time.

McKinnon hopes the game continues to grow.

Caption: Liz McKinnon who remains unbeaten at speedgolf.

“It is fantastic even though the golf course is tough. The support from the community has been amazing. The atmosphere when Jamie was coming down the 18th was awesome. Golf carts, runners, mountain bikes, e-bikes, scooters, children everywhere trying to keep up and seeing the bank full of spectators was so cool.

“The noise and the music created such a great atmosphere with so many people there. Everyone seems to know what speedgolf is in New Plymouth, unlike elsewhere.”

McKinnon has been without peer in women’s speedgolf worldwide for many years. However because she has been unable to travel to the World Championships in recent years she ranks second on the ranking list of two years ago. The 2024 World Championships are in Japan and McKinnon said: “They are on my radar.” That will be something to look forward to.