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It was a lightbulb moment for fire fighter Mike Williamson of Silverdale when he first heard about a sport that combines his two favourite activities – golf and running.
Having played golf since he was a boy, Mike gave up the sport “as life intervened”, then took it up again four years ago. But he has never given up running.
His friend Becky Mehew invited him to try speed golf and Mike found his happy place.
Three years since he first tried the “hit and run” form of the game, Mike, along with Becky and Millwater resident Troy Harold have been selected to play in the NZ Speed Golf team World Champs in Auckland this month (November 3-6). Mike and Harold are in the Masters division, and Becky in the Open Women.
Speed golf is exactly what it says on the label – golf played fast. Players with a maximum of five clubs take on 18 holes, running between them with a spotter alongside. The ticking timer means there is no chance to take any practice swings – “while the ball is still in the air, you are off and running,” Mike says. Mike can complete a course in 52-57 minutes, and says Troy can do 18 holes in just 40-45 minutes.
“It helps that he’s an elite marathon runner.”
Although this is a niche sport in NZ, Mike says some of the world’s top players are Kiwis. Having the World Champs in Whitford is expected to bring around 120 competitors here.
“I still play what I now call ‘slow golf’,” he says. “But I love being able to play 18 holes in about an hour, then get on with the rest of the day.”
Info: speedgolf.nz
