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Golf's Big Hitters In Christchurch For South Island Long Drive Champs

Wednesday 7 March 2018, 9:26PM

By dave worsley

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CHRISTCHURCH

Big-hitting golfers from around the South Island have a chance to show their power this Sunday at Clearwater Golf Resort with the return of the South Island Long Drive Championships.

All it takes is a golf driver and the ability to hit the golf ball a long way…and you don’t have to be a member of a golf club.

Long Drive golf is taking off around the globe with the world championships held in the United States growing every year and worth big prizemoney plus shown live on the Golf Channel.

In fact the winner of the South Island Long Drive Champs gets has an opportunity to win their way into the world champs.

For the first time there is a women’s Long Drive event as well in Christchurch running alongside the men’s tournament. For all events in New Zealand there are world ranking points now on offer as the international Long Drive circuit becomes stronger.

The winner of the men’s event in Christchurch this weekend gets flights and accommodation to Auckland to play the North Island Champs March 24th and the $10,000 New Zealand Open (featuring international Long Drivers) March 25th  both at Omaha Beach Golf Club just north of Auckland both winners will be presented with an all-expenses trip to the Long Drive World Championships in the United States in September. .

The South Island Male and Female Long Drive Champs start from 10am this Sunday 11 March with late entries still available on https://iganz.co.nz/events/ . Entertainment for spectators of all ages will be provided free on site at the Clearwater Golf Resort.

Last year the South Island champs title was won Taranaki’s Sam Jones, with Waikato’s Iain Dick second followed by Paul West (Auckland)  and Allan Stroud (Auckland) and Mark Sheppard from Balclutha as the top players.

Further long drive events in 2018 include the North Island Champs and New Zealand Open in two weeks’ time at Omaha just north of Auckland, a Pacific Rim tournament in the Cook Islands in June, as well as the third consecutive year of the New Zealand International at Remuera Golf Club in November, plus an Asian event at a yet-to-be confirmed venue and a trans-Tasman clash in December.