Two more Kiwi golfers win a shot at flying off to The Open Championship in Scotland

A couple of casual nine-hole games of mid-week golf with friends has earned two Kiwi golfers a shot at flying off to Scotland to play in a world invitational golf tournament leading into the famed The Open Championship.

Karalyn Johnstone, who plays at Waimairi Beach Golf Club in Canterbury, and Ike Oh, who plays at Waitemata Golf Club in Auckland, were randomly selected as the third monthly winners in a nine-hole promotion being run by Golf New Zealand.

The highly patronised event, called Make Time Play 9, runs throughout summer, and encourages golfers of all ages and skill levels across the country to participate in a shorter format of the game.

Golfers go in the prize draw by simply submitting their nine-hole score card. For winning the January monthly draw, Neil and Michelle won return airfares and accommodation to Queenstown to compete in the Make Time Play 9 Final Event – being held in March in conjunction with the New Zealand Open golf championship.

Karalyn and Ike, who both play off 23 handicaps, will join eight other winners from around New Zealand to tee up for nine holes at Millbrook Golf Club – with the two best players going on to represent New Zealand at The R&A 9-Hole Challenge on the eve of the 152nd Open Championship being played at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland in July. The world final will feature 42 nine-hole players from 22 countries.

Golf New Zealand golf development general manager Thiem Nguyen said the Make Time Play 9 initiative truly was a money can’t buy experience for every Kiwi golfer enjoying nine-holes over the coming months.

“For two lucky amateur Kiwi golfers who play the sport for the pure love of it, they will have the opportunity to play on the same golf course as Rory Mcllroy, Ryan Fox, and the best professional golfers in the world in conjunction with the Open Championship,” said Nguyen.

“I know that Karalyn and Ike, along with the other qualifying finalists, will be excited about the Queenstown experience, and will practicing incredibly hard over the coming weeks and months to sharpen up their games – with an eye to securing that elusive spot to play in the world finals.

“The last draw to qualify for the Queenstown play off is being made in the middle February, so there is still time for everyone to play a quick nine holes and be in the chance to win a spot.”