Holloway eyeing Guinness World Record after rapid rise in speedgolf

Rotorua's Steven Holloway, pictured in action at this year's TORO New Zealand Speedgolf Open in Rotorua, is eyeing a big future in the sport. Photo/Ben Fraser

Rotorua's Steven Holloway is eyeing a Guinness World Record speedgolf attempt after making headway in the sport at international level.

Holloway finished third in the 2017 Australian Speedgolf Open, at elite level, behind winner Australia's Mitch Williamson and world number 1 Jamie Young from the United States.

Williamson set a new world record for speedgolf shooting 77 in 31 minutes. That gave him a speedgolf score of 114 (the sum of his time and golf score), at the picturesque Yarra Bend Golf Club in Melbourne, last Saturday.

Holloway, 31, who was crowned New Zealand champion in Rotorua the previous weekend after breaking the course record, said he was happy with his placing on his debut appearance at the event.

"It was a last minute decision to get on the plane and compete. I had two days over there before the competition and it was a cool course," Holloway said.

"I was full of confidence after my local national title but overall I excepted the third place. It would have been great to get one over the class acts of Mitch [Williamson] and Jamie [Young] but my running really cost me," Holloway said.

But the former Western Heights High School student added he was "a little disappointed" with his final score of 120 after shooting 77 in 43 minutes.

"I was pleased with my driving and was hitting straight and long, but I should have run a lot quicker. I held back too much and needed to concentrate a bit more on my putting."

It's been a remarkable rise for Holloway who only took to speedgolf two years ago after excelling in other sports such as squash and running.

The all-rounder recently joined Lake City Athletic Club and said training in the advanced running group had a "huge impact" on his speedgolf performance.

"I've always liked golf but enjoyed lots of other sports. I've taken running a lot more seriously over the last couple of years and that has paid off hugely in speedgolf," Holloway said.

"You have to cover so much ground quickly and Lake City has really helped push my speed work and endurance."

After the recent success Holloway, alongside fellow local speedgolfers Landyn Edwards, Mike Ryan Jnr and Matt Dalton, is aiming to attempt to break the fastest round of golf played with four players.

Holloway said he had applied to Guinness World Records and was waiting to hear back for official clarification that the quartet could go ahead and attempt to break the 1h 4m current record in April.

"We all got together recently and thought it would be a cool idea," Holloway said. "We are certainly capable of breaking it and it would be brilliant to help raise the profile of the sport here in New Zealand. Everything has gone smoothly so fingers crossed everything can go ahead."

Holloway is seeking sponsorship as he aims to compete in the 2017 British Open Speedgolf Championship in London this September followed by the Speedgolf World Championships in Chicago in October.

"My focus is certainly in this sport," Holloway said. "I want to keep progressing and with the right backing and support the sky is the limit."