King of the Coast golfing history in William Brown’s sights

William Brown won his first King of the Coast men's open championship in 2020. He is returning to Tolaga Bay all the way from Queenstown this weekend in a bid to make it a fifth and four on the trot. No one has achieved the four-peat in a history dating back to 1971. Photo / Paul Rickard

History beckons for the undisputed King of the Coast, but his throne faces multiple threats at Tolaga Bay this weekend.

William “the Conqueror” Brown is making the long trip north from Queenstown to defend the championship 16 in the 55th edition of the KotC men’s open.

And he will tee off on Saturday morning on a mission to surpass one of the feats of the greatest player in the tournament’s proud history.

Brown is eyeing a fourth consecutive KotC title. He and the legendary Peter Rouse are the only players in the history to have won it three times in a row – Rouse achieving from 1984-1986 and going on to rack up 11 crowns in all between 1974 and 1999.

Brown won his first in 2020, then did three on the trot from 2022. Another win would lift him to second alone on the all-time title list, one more than Gisborne Park great Ross Bignell (1972, ′73, ′76 and ′90)

Former Poverty Bay course chief superintendent Brown, now working at Jack’s Point near Queenstown, can hear the knives sharpening and feel the target circles being drawn on his back.

He is also well aware of the potential for adding more history to what is already a sparkling amateur career.

“I better get some practice in then, gotta chase this 4peat,” he said in a Facebook message.

Among those aiming to bring down House Brown and raise their flag as rulers of the KotC realm are the players he beat in the three previous finals – Anaru Reedy (2022, 3 and 2); Dan Collier (2023, 2 and 1); and Hukanui Brown (2024, 2 and 1).

Reedy and Hukanui Brown know how to do it – Reedy winning in 2021 and Brown in 2019. Execution is the question.

Or could this be the year of the invader?

The KotC history is predominantly one of locals ruling, although three of the past eight years have been won by “manuhiri” – Nathaniel Cassidy winning it in 2015 with an eagle 2 on the second extra hole against Dion Milner; Hawke’s Bay’s Tyson Tarewa defeating Mahia’s two-time KotC champion Pete Bremner in the 2017 final; and Rotorua 15-year-old James Tauariki beating Cassidy for the 2018 title.

Ōpōtiki’s Micky Huriwaka would be a popular victor, although such is his support of the event over the years, he has earned “local” status. There will be a two-pronged Huriwaka assault, with son Elijah also in the championship 16.

Former Bay of Plenty representative Marcus Lloyd is returning as part of an enthusiastic Bay of Plenty contingent – many of whom will feature more on the 19th hole than the 18 (2x9 holes) outside.

Having journeyed from Auckland to Tairāwhiti many a time as a member of the Waikohu men’s pennants team, Gisborne born-and-bred Whitford Park member David Solomann will make yet another trip south with a KotC title in his sights.

A home-course champion could be a problem. The handicap cut-off may be too low for any of the Tolaga Bay boys to make the top 16. That includes three-time winner Dion “Coastie” Milner.

All 64 spots in the KotC had been filled as of earlier this week – a testament to the popularity of the two-day matchplay tournament, which spurs many return to year after year.